Kismayo is a port at the mouth of the Juba River, which was occupied by Italy in 1876, but Italy did not go far inland, but occupied this colony as a port for trade, exported Italian products to nearby tribes, and bought some local livestock and other local products.

But lately, the atmosphere has changed, and the dusty Alar Mensah is the first to feel it.

"What's going on?"

He pulled over an acquaintance and asked.

"Mensa, you're back. You said that these soldiers were sent from the country, and now Major Tovani is no longer the commander of the city, and I heard that a colonel named Crowley has taken over the army. ”

Mensa's answer from the acquaintance made Mensa feel unusual, because there were too many troops. He alone saw at least a hundred soldiers wandering around the city. He remembered that when he was chatting with the Major Tovani, he personally said that with the more than 400 defenders in his hands, these local natives, even if there were tens of thousands of people, he could defend them.

As for why he was able to get to know Major Tovani and seemed to have a good relationship, it had to be mentioned that he had a natural ability to communicate with the local natives. He is fluent in Somali and can easily gain the goodwill of the locals.

With such talent one should make a fortune, so Mensa's caravan was the most profitable in Kismayo. Since it was the most profitable caravan, it would inevitably involve local powerful people, and it was only natural that Major Tovani, who was the commander of the Kismayo garrison, would be involved. In addition, local civil affairs officials have also taken shares.

With the participation of local military and political officials, Mensa's business has also become bigger and bigger, and he has become the largest merchant in Kismayo, and one-third of the local transaction volume is completed by him.

So he was famous not only in Kismayo, but also in the entire Italian Somali strongholds.

However, this fame does not necessarily bring only benefits, this has just returned to his home, and before he has time to rest, he saw Major Tovani's adjutant hurriedly find him.

"Hello, Second Lieutenant Kolo, what is the wind that blows you?"

Looking at the second lieutenant adjutant who had been brought in by the servant, Mensa immediately greeted him with a smile. As a businessman, he was very polite to everyone, especially Ensign Kolo and Major Tovani's aide-de-camp, and he would not lose his manners.

However, compared to Mensa's smiling face, the adjutant's eyes were a little evasive, and he said in a stiff tone. "Mr. Mensa, the Major is waiting for you at the Command."

Second Lieutenant Kolo's words made Mensa chuckle inwardly, not because he was afraid that he was in danger, but because he had a premonition that it would not be a good thing to summon him this time.

"Please wait a minute, I'll change my clothes and come."

After Mensa retreated to his room, he felt uneasy, and secretly called a confidant and stuffed him with a note. "If I don't come back in the evening, go to this place at once and find a man named Lille and say that I need his help."

It's a way back for Mensah, but hopefully it won't be needed.

"Yes, sir."

In the face of Mensa's command, the henchman who had been raised since childhood nodded vigorously.

After explaining the matter, Mensa immediately changed into clean clothes and went out with Second Lieutenant Kolo.

Lu Mensa of the headquarters was also familiar, and after a while, he came to the headquarters located in the military camp in the east of the city. This command was obviously different from before, not to mention the change of guards, and even the sound of drills in the barracks made Mensa's heart even heavier.

"Mr. Mensa, Colonel Crowley and Major Tovani are waiting for you inside."

Walking to the door, Ensign Kolo made a gesture of invitation.

Mensa could only enter the house with a hard head, and when he entered the door, he felt unusual, because the mess of the headquarters in the past had now been cleaned up, and there was a large map of Somalia hanging on the wall, and there was a large wooden table on which there was actually a sand table, on which the two officers were pointing.

"Report, Mr. Mensa has been taken."

With the voice of Second Lieutenant Kolo, the two officers raised their heads.

Major Tovani he knew, but he had seen another officer with a stern face for the first time, and with the rank of colonel, and believed that this was Colonel Crowley.

"Hello, Colonel Crowley, Major Tovani."

Colonel Crowley raised his eyebrows at Mensah's familiar greeting. "You know me?"

"The Colonel's deeds are known to the whole of Kismayo, and who can not know Your Excellency."

Colonel Crowley did not ask Mensa about his foolishness, but asked him. "I've heard that you're the most successful businessman here?"

"Don't dare, it's all humble words."

Although Mensa was polite, he didn't deny it.

Since there is no denial, that is.

"So, Mr. Mensa should be familiar with the surrounding tribes, too?"

"Average."

After receiving Mensa's answer, Colonel Crowley immediately stated the reason for summoning him this time. "Mr. Mensa, we summoned you this time because we have a mission that we want to ask you for help."

"This ...... I'm just a businessman, and I can't necessarily do it. ”

Colonel Crowley ignored Mensa's resignation. "It's okay, it's good to do, our military wants to ask you to be a guide and take us to those tribes."

Facing Colonel Crowley's words, Mensah waved his hand repeatedly. "It's not going to work, I can't do it."

These tribes are his food and clothing, let him lead the army to find these tribes, he doesn't have to think about it and knows what is going on, he will not agree at all.

"Don't be too busy turning down Mr. Mensa."

Colonel Crowley had clearly anticipated Mensa's reaction. How is it possible to just let them pay without giving anything in return. I saw him take out a document and put it in front of Mensa.

"This is a Lanfang's franchise license, as long as you can take us to find those tribes. Then this license is yours. ”

The permit that Colonel Crowley took out made Mensa covetous, he did not only know how to do business in Kismayo, but he was still very well informed, and knew that this frivolous document would cost at least five or six hundred thousand lira if it were in the country. Because the government is very strict with the licensing license of Lanfang, only such a license can buy various spices produced in Lanfang.

Although the spice business does not make people as rich as it did in the last century, it is certain to make money. So now he is a little hesitant, after all, he is a businessman and not a politician, how can he say let it go.

"Can I think about it?"

"Yes. But one night at most, tomorrow we're going to find someone else. ”

Faced with Colonel Crowley's words, Mensa left the barracks in a state of distraught.

After a sleepless night, with a pair of dark circles under his eyes, he came to the barracks again.

"Colonel Crowley, can I take another look at that permit?"

Mensa's words made Colonel Crowley smile.

"Yes."

Mensa's case is not isolated, it is happening in the Italian stronghold of Somalia. Many merchants with ties to the local tribes were invited, and when they were confronted with the government's conditions, they did not hesitate to sell their tribes. There were even greedy merchants who begged the military to let them lead people to conquer the local natives.

And it was with these merchants that the Italian army found tribes one by one, and when these natives faced the modern Italian army, their fate was already doomed.