Chapter 270: The Loyal and Patriotic Merchant of Venice
In Ernst's perspective, the Great Zimbabwe site, much like the Egyptian pyramids, held little technical or cultural value. These ancient civilizations had been completely disconnected from history. Egypt had been conquered by Rome and later by the Arabs, erasing much of its cultural heritage. The Great Zimbabwe ruins, like Machu Picchu in South America, faced similar debates about their creators.
Ernst believed that it didn't matter who built such stone structures; they were simply wonders and products of their time. He reminisced about his own childhood fascination with building structures out of mud, understanding the desire to create spectacles.
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The Southern Route Army's advance continued toward the Limpopo River, with little interaction with the local indigenous people. Their primary objective was to control the Limpopo River's line and block any potential northward movement by the Boers.
A vanguard regiment of the Southern Route Army had recently defeated an indigenous tribe. Staff Officer Linde explained that their task was to secure the Limpopo River's line. Huber, the head of the group, questioned why the Kingdom retained Mozambique when it was surrounded by other colonial powers like the British and Portuguese.
Linde explained that Mozambique served a strategic purpose for the Kingdom. The British had previously clashed with the Portuguese over southern Mozambique, and the Portuguese still had value to the Kingdom. Controlling Mozambique could prevent the British from taking advantage of it.
Huber criticized the British for their greed in acquiring colonies. Linde understood that human nature was inherently greedy, and East Africa itself was no exception. The newly acquired lands were often considered negative assets for the Kingdom, requiring time and investment to develop effectively.
Effective occupation was essential, and military power played a crucial role in maintaining control over these territories.
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In the Italian region, Venice stood as a stronghold against the Austro-Hungarian Empire's offensive. However, the Italian troops stationed in the city had caused unrest among the local population.
Leon, representing the Venice City Government, expressed his concerns to General Raffaele Cadorna about the soldiers' behavior in the city. He requested that the soldiers be restrained as they had created public security issues and angered the citizens.
Raffaele Cadorna assured Leon that he would take action to control the situation and restrict the soldiers. However, he warned that citizens should avoid going out as the army was currently in a chaotic state due to recent retreats. Military control was the best way to maintain order for now.
Leon inquired about the impact on business activities within the city, and Raffaele Cadorna suggested that the Venice city government manage workers and maintain essential services. Leon agreed to cooperate, recognizing the need to comfort the citizens during these difficult times.
Unbeknownst to Raffaele Cadorna, Leon was not just a concerned citizen but also the deputy mayor of Venice City Hall and a major supplier of salt products in Venice.
The Venetian government showed its willingness to cooperate with the Kingdom in resisting the Austro-Hungarian invaders while facing the challenges of maintaining order during wartime.