Chapter 180: Armed Mission
On February 14, 1869
A group of over 50 people embarked on a journey to the capital of the Yeke Kingdom, led by Merk, who had threatened war against the Yeke Kingdom at the Mbeya expansion meeting. The journey was on foot as carriages were scarce and considered strategic resources in East Africa.
The team appeared well-equipped, resembling regular East African troops. They carried Dreiser rifles and wore clean Prussian military uniforms.
Merk commented on the sweltering weather, but Becker reminded him that the inland plateau was even hotter. Becker, who had proposed the mission, had earned the trust of Wei Te and was entrusted with this important task. Merk, on the other hand, was responsible for the safety of the journey.
Merk expressed concerns about whether Msiri, the ruler of the Yeke Kingdom, would accept their offer. Becker, however, was confident that Msiri would make a practical choice given his dire situation.
East Africa had spies stationed around the region, often disguised as various nationalities. They gathered intelligence on local affairs and geography. The Yeke Kingdom, however, was considered a volatile place due to Msiri's unpredictable behavior.
Becker reassured Merk, explaining that Msiri, despite his cruelty, was a practical leader who valued advanced firearms and support. Becker believed Msiri would make the right choice.
Merk remained cautious, expressing doubts about Msiri's mental state. Becker emphasized the team's military superiority but acknowledged the need for caution.
Becker explained that East Africa had a lot to lose in a full-scale war. The resources allocated to the Northwest Campaign had already halted East Africa's development. He argued that diplomatic efforts to convince Msiri to cooperate were worth trying. Success would save resources and provide valuable experience for future endeavors.
Merk's preference was for a direct military approach, but Becker saw diplomatic negotiations as a way to secure benefits without a full-scale conflict. The potential for success, combined with the accumulation of personal achievements, motivated Becker to pursue this diplomatic mission.
As they journeyed toward the Yeke Kingdom, the motivations and interests of the two leaders, Becker and Merk, became increasingly clear, highlighting the complexity of East Africa's colonial ambitions.