Chapter 278: "More than Three Thousand Kilometers"
In the previous life, in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along the banks of the Kwango River, Commander of the West Route Army, Merke, arrived with the East African Army and Msiri's subjects.
The Kwango River is a tributary of the Congo River, originating from the Lunda Plateau in Angola. It eventually flows into the Kasai River and then into the Congo River. This region had an intricate network of waterways, significant elevation changes, and abundant water resources.
The main tributaries of the Kasai River from upstream to downstream include the Sankuru River, Shiwembe River, Shikapa River, Kuilu River, and Kuango River. The Kuango River, which once marked the boundary between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, now served as the national border for East Africa.
"We have secured control over the right bank of the Kuango River, and our journey concludes here. Thank you, Mr. Msiri, for your cooperation. In accordance with our prior agreement, our East African Division will facilitate your migration and that of your subjects," Merke explained.
Msiri had already made preparations and didn't have an issue with this arrangement. However, he did have one request, "Your Excellency Merk, these matters are all acceptable, but may the Kingdom of East Africa provide me with more tobacco and alcohol?"
Due to East Africa's deliberate cultivation, Msiri had developed a fondness for alcohol and tobacco.
"Of course, no problem! Mr. Msiri, this is easily arranged. We can provide you with a batch for free, but in the future, you'll need to purchase them with currency," Merke assured him.
Msiri agreed, understanding that the currency referred to valuable items such as precious metals, animal skins, and other special products. For Msiri, it was a small matter to acquire such items.
Msiri inquired about the destination of their relocation, even though he knew that East Africa had already planned a route for his kingdom. He had a vague idea, but no specifics.
"Look!" Merke spread out the map and pointed to a location, explaining the route, "This is East Africa. We are here now, and your kingdom, Ni's, is here. You'll travel east until you reach the area around this lake, Tanganyika. From there, you'll take a boat to Bujumbura, turn northwest, and eventually cross the northern territory of East Africa to reach this region, which we call Cameroon in East Africa."
As Msiri examined the large circle Merke had drawn on the map, he couldn't help but feel surprised. This was different from the migration he had initially envisioned; the distance was far greater.
Typical indigenous migrations in Africa often moved from one area to a neighboring one. However, the migration route outlined by Merke took a detour, circumventing the Congo rainforest in a large loop.
Though not well-versed in maps, Msiri had been observing Merke frequently studying them. He understood some basic concepts.
Msiri once asked Merke about the size of his kingdom, and Merke had pointed to a tiny spot on the map, comparing it to East Africa, which was significantly larger. Now, the journey ahead seemed even more daunting.
Nevertheless, the food on the journey would be provided by East Africa, so Msiri wasn't too concerned about the long distance. He asked another question, "What is the environment like in Cameroon?"
"It's similar to here, perhaps a bit rainier, but not significantly different in other aspects. The local indigenous power is quite weak, so you'll likely become their new ruler," Merke replied.
Msiri was initially puzzled, "In that case, why didn't you take that area in East Africa?"
Merke chuckled, "Hehehe, East Africa is already stretched to its limits. We still have plenty of undeveloped land, and we simply don't have the capacity to manage such a distant region. Besides, we can't guarantee your safety there. You're well aware of East Africa's current goal: to subdue the local indigenous populations. The means employed can be quite ruthless. If you hadn't cooperated and maintained a good attitude from the beginning, you might have met the same fate as the natives we've encountered earlier. Migrating north is also a safer option, and we won't have direct control over you there."
Though his words might sound harsh, they were undeniably accurate. After some contemplation, Msiri realized that being pragmatic was the wisest choice.
He confirmed one last detail, "Mr. Merke, are the indigenous people in Cameroon genuinely weak? You're not misleading me, are you?"
Merke assured him, "That's absolutely true, Mr. Msiri. You've conducted trade on the East African grasslands before, so you're aware of the conditions of the tribes there. To be honest, the kingdom you've created represents civilization compared to those tribes. The situation in Cameroon is similar to the East African grasslands in the past, and while you possess firearms, the natives still use spears and bows. There's no doubt that your muskets can easily defeat them."
Msiri began to feel more confident hearing Merke's assurances. With a unit armed with firearms, numbering in the thousands, combined with his native forces, which amounted to thousands, he believed they could easily subdue the local indigenous populations in Cameroon.
He asked one last question, "Once my kingdom has relocated to Cameroon, how will I obtain goods from East Africa?"
Merke explained, "That's quite simple. When the time comes, you'll send a caravan and report to our border personnel. That's all there is to it. We're very open to trade in the interior. Also, don't forget to mention your own name. No matter how you look at it, you've made significant contributions to East Africa, so perhaps you'll receive some discounts."
Unlike the closed coastal regions of East Africa