Ali Guo's gaze jumped.

In less than a year, South Africa has discovered diamond mines and gold mines, because of the news blockage, and the deliberate blockade of a certain force, China is not alarmed, but out of the country, this matter has caused a huge sensation in the world, especially in Europe and the United States.

People poured into southern Africa from Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, and in the late forties and mid-fifties, it seemed that the gold rush in California was about to reappear in southern Africa.

The difference is that, according to the preliminary proven reserves, South Africa's gold reserves are far from comparable to those in California at the time - the amount is unprecedented, and the amount of time it has been available for mining is unprecedented.

The situation in the diamond mines is roughly the same.

So, to what extent is "more"? How "long" has it been? The report of the British Governor of Natal to London said, "It is sufficient to exert a subversive effect on the forces of all the present regimes in South Africa, whether civilized or savage." ”

The British Governor in Cape Town rose to a higher level: "The future of the British Empire will take on a different face by adopting a different policy towards southern Africa." ”

Hehe, in a sense, you're right. It's just that this so-called "difference" is just reversed from the facts and the original meaning of your words.

London's nobles and dignitaries, queens, prime ministers, colonial ministers...... Both the government and the opposition have set their sights on South Africa. This desolate place in the southern corner of Africa, in the colonial system of the British Empire, was originally the last seat. Dad doesn't kiss, mother doesn't love. Right now. Almost overnight, it became the second most important food after India.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, the "Citi Mining Company" was particularly eye-catching, or rather eye-catching.

South Africa's diamond and gold mines were discovered by this "Citi Mining Company", and the company is well-capitalized, well-planned and fast-moving. Earlier in the past, it occupied the most and best veins, purchased the most advanced and sophisticated machines, formed the most elite and largest team, and at the same time, established a highly deterrent self-defense system for itself.

The "mine protection team" of the "Citi Mining Company" has a well-trained regular army with a discerning eye at a glance. Its armament is also state-of-the-art: a water Spencer serial gun and a Springfield breech gun, even. It also had a number of cannons - Krupp steel breech guns.

Such a two-battalion "mine guard" would be enough to wipe out any smaller, hostile tribe of barbarians, not to mention, it is said to ...... And to increase to four battalions?

In that case, even the regime of civilized men, whether Boer or British, would have to have enough "respect" for it.

As for their nationality, most of them are yellow-skinned, black-haired, black-eyed - considering the special background of "Citigroup", this "mine protection team", if not Chinese - to be precise: if not the Chinese army, what can it be?

The "special background" of the "Citi Mining Company" is not a secret in the top echelons of the British Government, and Colonial Secretary Atwood once asked his nephew, LaCruz, general manager of the "Citigroup Mining Company of South Africa," to verify it, and Lacruz did not shy away from saying that the "Citigroup Mining Company of South Africa" has a "special relationship" with His Royal Highness Prince Xuan of China.

Speaking of the "mine protection team" of those two battalions, La Cruz said with certainty that their duty was indeed that of the "mine protection team". At the same time, La Cruz also admitted that they "should" come from within China, and as for whether they are active military or retired soldiers, as the general manager in charge of business management, this is not a question that he should be concerned about.

La Cruz also said that theoretically, he could be regarded as the superior of Mr. Jiang Yitian, the "security director" who led the "mine protection team," but this "superior and subordinate level" was limited to "operational guidance," and he and Mr. Jiang Yitian did not have an "administrative subordination" relationship with each other, and the implication was that he could not directly command and transfer the "mine protection team" of the two battalions.

So, in addition to the "mine protection", what other tasks does the "mine protection team" have?

La Cruz still said, "As the general manager in charge of business management, this is not something I should be concerned about." ”

However, La Cruz patted his chest and assured that the "Citi Mining Company" and Prince Xuan himself had "sufficient goodwill" towards the British Empire's regime in South Africa and were more than happy to support "the British Empire's policy on southern Africa."

Well, my uncle can only put ...... at most Ninety-nine hearts.

At that time, the British basically controlled the southern coastal areas of South Africa, but after going north, the British did not have an overwhelming advantage.

The stinking and hard-nosed Boers, who established the two republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, eyed the British province of Natal.

The history of British expansion in South Africa is basically the history of driving the Boers from the south to the north, including the province of Natal, which was also snatched from the Boers. The two sides have been entangled in grievances for hundreds of years, and they have made enough efforts to each other.

In addition to this, there are countless indigenous tribes.

These indigenous tribes were strongly hostile to Europeans, whether Boers or British. It's a little better for the British, and it's a little better for the Boers. The process of European colonization of South Africa was a process of competing with the indigenous people for living space, but the British paid attention to the combination of vertical and horizontal, soft and hard; The Boers, on the other hand, have always been hard-hitting, and the conflict with the natives has become even more intense.

There is another important reason why the natives hated the Boers: the Boers practiced slavery.

Among them, the Zulu Kingdom and the Pedi Kingdom are not easy to match, the Boers and the British, all of whom have suffered under their hands, especially the Zulu Kingdom, the crown prince Vayo, who is currently in charge of the state affairs, is wise and strong, the whole army is armed, and he also introduced European-style training and weapons, bent on restoring the glory of the ancestors.

In the north of South Africa, Her Majesty's regime is surrounded by strong enemies.

After the discovery of diamonds and gold, there was a quick consensus within the British government to make a strong pass through South Africa and make it a priority in government policy, even to the level of "national policy".

Since the gaze is focused enough, the nerves are more sensitive.

The situation in South Africa is complicated enough, and now there is another big country behind the "Citi Mining Company," which cannot but arouse a high degree of vigilance and attention from the British.

London instructed Ali Guo to find out as soon as possible what the Chinese were trying to do: Is the "Citi Mining Company" just a purely commercial company, or is it a colonial institution similar to the East India Company, which integrates politics and economics? Are the Chinese only pursuing economic interests for South Africa, or are they having any major political intentions?

*

*

Prince Xuan's statement that he "has no intention of colonizing South Africa" was categorical and sincere, and Ali Guo was greatly relieved, and "in this world, the only person who has the ability to establish an effective order in South Africa and ensure the safety of businessmen investing in South Africa for a long time is the British Empire."

"Your Royal Highness," Ali Guo's bald head brightened, "thank you for your trust in Her Majesty's Government!" Forgive my immodesty, though—it's a good judgment! ”

After a pause, he continued: "In addition to safety and order, the most important thing for businessmen is the government's tax and trade policies. In this regard, Your Royal Highness, you must agree that Her Majesty's Government, whether it is tax policy or trade policy, is far superior to ...... The government of the Boers came with an enlightened and reasonable approach. Well, you may have heard of the ridiculously high tax rates of the Boers? -- Whether it's income tax or customs duties. ”

Guan Zhuofan said with a smile: "Yes, I have long heard about the extreme conservatism and stinginess of the Boers. Oh, by the way, my general manager, Mr. La Cruz, suffered from the exorbitant taxes of the Boers when he bought wool in the Orange Free State - and this was an important reason why he finally gave up the wool business in South Africa. ”

Ali Guo's eyes were blazing, and he said: "The commercial policy of the Boers, in Chinese terms, is 'killing chickens and taking eggs', and ...... 'drying up and fishing'!" ”

After a pause, Zhengrong said: "I hope that Her Majesty's government can provide security, order, infrastructure, and reasonable taxation and trade management and services for your 'Citi Mining Company' as soon as possible." ”

This is a clear display of carriages and horses.

"I also hope that this day will come soon," said Kwan Zhuofan, "and on the question of sovereignty over the area where the Kimberly-Clark diamond mine is located, that is, south of the Fall River and west of Bloemfontein, if your government makes a claim to the area, I solemnly promise that Citigroup Mining Company will stand firmly on the side of the British Empire." ”

Ali Guo stood up and bowed deeply: "Your Royal Highness, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I would like to express my highest respect to you!" ”

Guan Zhuofan waved his hand and said with a smile: "Sir, you don't have to be so polite. ”

Then the smile disappeared, sighed, and said, "But, Johannesburg...... There's nothing I can do. ”

Johannesburg is within the territory of the Republic of De Wasland.

Ali Guo smiled "hehe" and said, "Well, it's a long time to come to Japan, and a long time to come to Japan." ”

Guan Zhuofan looked very interested: "What, does your government have a long-term countermeasure to this?" ”

Ali Guo snorted for a moment, but did not answer immediately.

Guan Zhuofan said lightly: "Oh, by the way, this is your country's secret, and outsiders naturally can't hear about it - it's me who lost my word." ”

*(To be continued.) )