Chapter 183: Negotiation
Upon their arrival in the Yeke Kingdom's capital, Becker and his group were met by a splendidly attired black warrior. It was immediately evident that his status within the Yeke Kingdom was of great significance.
The black warrior, who introduced himself as King Msiri's bodyguard, conveyed the news that the king had agreed to meet with them. He politely invited Becker and his companions to follow him to the royal palace, an offer they accepted with a gracious gesture.
Their journey through the city took them past sprawling slums, and finally, they arrived at a magnificent palace at its heart. The city's surroundings were far from pristine, and the East Africans were compelled to cover their mouths and noses as they traversed muddy streets.
As they entered the royal city, the architectural influence shifted towards Arabic styles, featuring stone pillars and intricate carvings, unmistakably showcasing foreign influences.
The black palace guard led Becker and his party through the city gate. Here, they were requested to surrender their weapons before entering the palace. This request posed a conundrum for the East Africans, as their weapons were integral to their safety.
Becker decided to leave the slave interpreter behind with his companions and proceed alone to meet King Msiri. He instructed Merk and the others to wait outside the palace, prepared to act if the need arose.
Inside the palace's main hall, King Msiri, bedecked in a resplendent golden crown and royal garments, reclined on a throne fashioned from lion skins. He was accompanied by native attendants fanning him with banana leaves.
Becker confirmed their identity as East African envoys and expressed his desire to engage in discussions regarding a business arrangement with King Msiri. However, Msiri promptly voiced his discontent, contending that the East Africans had severed his source of income.
Msiri accused the East Africans of appropriating land that originally belonged to his people in Tanganyika, where he himself had spent his formative years. He claimed that the East Africans had unjustly monopolized the slave trade, leading to the Yeke Kingdom's annual fiscal decline.
Despite Becker's efforts to downplay these allegations and underscore the ideals of harmony and cooperation, Msiri continued to air his grievances. He painted the East African colonies as the root cause of his kingdom's woes, blaming their territorial expansion.
Becker found it increasingly challenging to foster productive dialogue with Msiri, who appeared embittered by the actions of East Africa.
Msiri's anger emanated from the economic consequences of the East African colonies' actions, as they had disrupted the slave trade that had been a major source of wealth for the Yeke Kingdom. He accused the East Africans of benefiting from his kingdom's misfortunes without providing compensation.
Becker listened attentively to Msiri's complaints, recognizing the need to navigate the situation delicately to secure a favorable outcome. He eventually seized an opportunity to address Msiri's concerns.
Becker attempted to convince Msiri that East Africa did not seek conflict but rather aimed to establish cooperation. He proposed that their presence in the Yeke Kingdom was driven by rogue elements within East Africa who were conspiring against the Yeke Kingdom.
Msiri remained skeptical and pressed Becker for further details regarding the nature of the proposed cooperation. The negotiations had only just begun, and the success of their mission hinged on Becker's ability to persuade Msiri to consider a mutually beneficial agreement.