Chapter 805 Asking for a high price, pay back on the spot
"Count Hermann, you are just talking like a lion. Even if we sell our Portuguese government, we will not be able to repay this astronomical sum. Moreover, considering the economic level of Angola and Mozambique, to be honest, we have been operating completely in debt these years. It's like a bottomless pit, and the debt problem itself is difficult to solve. Do you think we will surrender to East Africa for these two places?" the Portuguese representative said with a red face.
Herman said shamelessly: "Of course not, Mr. Gers, we don't care how Portugal runs Angola and Mozambique. After all, East Africa is a peace-loving country, but this does not mean that we are easily bullied. The result of this war itself was the result of Portugal's overestimation of its capabilities. You have completely failed to accept the lessons of the last war. The Portuguese government was the active planner of both wars, which fully shows that you brought the South African War on your own."
"And don't deny it first. It is a reasonable request for you to compensate for the huge losses caused by the war in East Africa. If you want to reconcile the accounts, it will only add up. After all, we have helped you remove a lot of A compensation.”
Hermann's words were completely unfair, but Gers, who was in the wrong, could not refute this at all, but he felt more aggrieved and aggrieved. It was a fact that Portugal was defeated, but how to compensate for it would not be like a lion in East Africa. .
So Gers replied: "Your land in the west of East Africa is completely a pile of rubbish, and it is not worth much at all. As for the so-called displacement of millions of people, who doesn't know that those uncivilized black people have no stable place to live?" So, and I’m afraid you don’t usually count them as your own, so the asking price in East Africa is completely blackmail to our Kingdom of Portugal.”
Herman retorted: "This is not right. Let's not say that it is us East African civilians who are harmed by the war. Furthermore, are Portugal's more than 300,000 black troops not included in the Portuguese army because of their dark skin? ?”
"There are no black people in our Portuguese army at all..." At this time, Gers tried to separate Portugal from black people. Since the defeat, they had already belonged to the group that was bound to be abandoned by Portugal.
But if he wanted to use this to reduce war crimes, Herman certainly refused: "Mr. Gers, wouldn't you have said earlier that the weapons in the hands of these black people were picked up from the jungles of Africa. More than 300,000 people were armed. They are all authentically produced by you in Portugal. These cannot be denied. Moreover, as an area previously ruled by Portugal, these black people themselves are your Portuguese. Since they took the weapons you provided and raised their guns against the Kingdom of Hechingen, this account It shouldn’t be blamed on you!”
After a pause, Herman then asked in an eccentric manner: "Could it be that these black people are not wearing your Portuguese military uniforms, or that they have the ability to mobilize hundreds of millions of people themselves and learn to produce Portuguese army-standard weapons?"
"You...I...you..." Gers originally wanted to say that Herman was making false accusations, but when he thought about East Africa, he would definitely be able to provide sufficient evidence. After all, East Africa held hundreds of thousands of Portuguese prisoners.
From the beginning, Gers was in a passive position. After all, Portugal was unreasonable, the war was ugly, and its national strength was weak, so it really had no ability to compete with East Africa.
"Well, Count Hermann, I think Portugal's problem should be put aside for now. After all, Portugal's economy cannot satisfy your greedy appetite. I still advise you to have a bottom line as a person, and the same is true for countries. East Africa may not be so good. of teeth."
Salisbury helped Gers out of the siege at this time, and other surrounding countries were watching the show, so Britain had no choice but to help Portugal. As an ally, Britain, on this occasion, helping Portugal at this time is helping itself.
Of course, Salisbury also understood that the real purpose of the East African government represented by Earl Hermann was definitely not this. The so-called asking for high prices and paying back on the spot is a trick that the British have played a lot. However, Britain’s former enemies knew that they were suffering a big loss, so they could only knock out their teeth and swallow it in their stomachs.
Unexpectedly, the situation has changed, and now Britain also encounters this problem. However, Britain is the world's hegemon and will be afraid of East Africa's "blackmail"!
Salisbury said: "Count Herman, you did gain a temporary advantage in East Africa in the war, but this is not the capital you asked for at an unreasonable price. The British Empire is not serious at all. As for the so-called 60,000 prisoners, this is just your family's opinion. , as we all know, there are many white people in India, maybe it is difficult to distinguish, and you cannot put the blame on us just because you just say it."
At first glance, Salisbury still had to deny the fact that the number of British soldiers captured in East Africa was because the South African War was fought too many times and was too negative for Britain's international image, especially as it would set a bad example for other colonies.
He continued: "As for the so-called economic losses and other series of requirements, they are also questionable. As we all know, the African continent is a barren land, and the history of East Africa in East Africa is only a mere twenty or thirty years. Especially the development of southern East Africa is pitifully low. , so the war compensation of 80 million pounds is definitely unreasonable."
Count Hermann said: "Haha, our calculations are reasonable, and the calculation of war reparations is actually mainly concentrated on prisoners and military expenditures. As for the number of British troops, I think we still have Indians and British people on this point. You can tell the difference.”
"Well, do you want to challenge the bottom line of the British Empire? Our country is indeed slightly worse in terms of army. After all, military spending is not much, but the majesty of the Royal Navy cannot be challenged. If East Africa continues to persist in its obsession, I think East Africa will definitely regret it. Aggressive today!”
As Salisbury finished speaking, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became tense. Salisbury was not afraid of Herman's blackmail at all. As for the safety of the captured British soldiers, it was in the interests of the British Empire. Comparatively speaking, it is completely worth mentioning.
At this time, Earl Ellenthal, as the host, had to come out to make peace and said: "Your Excellency Salisbury, don't be excited. There is nothing that cannot be discussed. It is better not to be impulsive at this time. Everyone should take a step back to solve the problem. "
"Hmph!" Salisbury snorted coldly: "Although we in the UK are rich, we will not pay a penny to the pigs in East Africa. If we have the ability, we will go to London to get it. I'm afraid you don't have the guts."
Hearing this, von der Leyen couldn't sit still, and he said with a strong attitude: "In this case, our Kingdom of Hechingen will not compromise, and the war will continue until our losses are reasonably compensated. At that time, British Somaliland, Egypt and other areas bordering East Africa hoped that you would be so tough."
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Ellenthal hurriedly said: "Both of you, calm down. We are not trying to escalate the situation. Both sides are affected by personal emotions today. It is obviously not suitable to continue the debate, so we will adjourn the meeting temporarily and wait for both parties to calm down." , we will reconvene.”
Speaking, Earl Ellenthal gave von der Leyen and Hermann a look in his eyes, telling them to stop as soon as they were ready. East Africa already had a slight advantage today, so don't add trouble to them.
(End of this chapter)