"What is the Slave Fortress?" Friedrich had some knowledge of the major ports around the world, and even had maps of the arming of the main ports.

"Bagamoyo." The adjutant replied.

If he was talking about the port of Bagamoyo, he would have reacted immediately, second only to the port of Mombasa in East Africa (located in Kenya and once a Portuguese colony, but now in Omani hands).

But the name Slave Fortress was more popular among merchants.

"Isn't that a free trade port for the Portuguese and Dutch?" Friedrich asked curiously, after all, the Portuguese wore the same trousers as the British.

Moreover, the so-called free trade port is the most mixed with dragons and snakes, and many forces are intertwined, coupled with the slave trade center, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction among the great powers if it is really taken.

"Yes." The adjutant replied in the affirmative.

"Let him go!"

"Yes!"

Friedrich and Franz have seen too many of these jumping clowns together, and they always think that they are the chosen ones, and they want to empty gloves and white wolves, and they don't weigh themselves.

"Wait!" At this time, Franz stopped the adjutant.

"Franz, you're not really going to fight the port of Bagamoyo! If you want to engage in the slave trade, it is the largest slave trade center in East Africa. But if you just want a colony, you don't really need it.

Now that the expansion of the Austrian Empire had reached its limits, the government simply did not have the money to invest in development. I know you're rich, but Bagamoyo is too far away from Austria proper to rule. ”

Friedrich knew that his nephew, whether it was a slave trader or a drug dealer, he would not touch it. So along the way, Friedrich kept warning his officers not to touch slaves and black goods, so as not to get into trouble.

There is a strong indigenous federation in the interior of Tanzania and also faces the threat of the Saeyid dynasty of Oman to the north.

At this time, the interior of Tanzania was still blank for Europeans, but the Portuguese did suffer from a siege of tens of thousands of natives, so it was generally believed that there was a powerful empire or tribal alliance within it.

"Uncle Friedrich, Bagamoyo is the second largest port in East Africa after the port of Mombasa. If it can be taken down, it will be very beneficial for the future expansion of the empire.

And I think the benefits far outweigh the costs, because Mombasa is already in the Arab sphere of influence. If you had to choose between the merchants who passed by, I think they would be more willing to do business with us. ”

"That's good! The adjutant asked the guy to come up and said we wanted to see him. ”

Of course, Friedrich hoped that the Austrian Empire would have an important supply point in East Africa, not to mention that since Franz had taken the initiative to stand up, then he must have a way to solve the problem.

In fact, Tanzania's status plummeted after the British announced a total ban on the African slave trade, and it was not until 1886 that Tanzania became a German colony.

On the contrary, Kenya to the north was favored by the British for its excellent port, and they continued to invest in it, and even today it is one of the largest ports in East Africa.

Franz, a later generation, was naturally well aware of the importance of colonies, and Austria did need a supply depot in East Africa, after all, it was still the age of the sea.

Of course, in the long run, if Austria had taken the lead in the Congo expedition, it would have been possible to establish a huge colony across Africa. There will be a lot of opportunities and challenges, but of course that's just for later.

From the current point of view, as long as it does not cause any too bad international impact, the layout in Tanzania in advance is definitely a profitable deal.

By this time the Dutch merchant had come to the deck after a brief search, and he was at first a little surprised to see Franz and Friedrich, but he took off his hat and saluted respectfully.

"Hello gentlemen. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Benny Earbing, and I used to be a slave trader. ”

"Ever?" This aroused Friedrich's curiosity, in fact, it is not difficult to understand that the slave trade in Africa was banned, and the slave traders naturally lost their jobs.

"I'm unemployed." Benny Earbin laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Then why do you think you can be the governor of Bagamoyo? It was not part of the Austrian Empire, but a free trade port. Franz asked with interest, and he deliberately emphasized the term free trade port.

At this time, the so-called free trade port is similar to the historical free market, which is a geographical unit with a superficial independent status, but is actually protected by a certain country or controlled by a certain organization.

"I can help you legally acquire the rights to the coast near Bagamoyo." Benny Erbin spoke confidently.

Friedrich immediately became interested, and was about to speak when Franz interrupted him.

"Then why don't you go find someone else."

Franz's words were very hurtful, but when it comes to national interests, he has to ask more. And there are at least four or five countries that have the strength to run Bagamoyo, in fact, including their home country of the Netherlands, which has to be suspicious.

"They don't believe me." Benny Earbin replied helplessly.

"Then why do you think we're going to believe you? Mr. Benny. Franz's tone was flat,

"Here is a letter of authorization and a letter for help from the seven major tribes of Tanzania's coastal region, Sangu, Bena, Hehe, Ngoni, Chaga, Par, Zigua, and the Kingdom of Vejin."

"Can I take a look?" Franz was curious, he had never heard of such a thing in the native kingdom.

It's just that when Franz saw the letter, he was not so indifferent, and Friedrich was curious about Franz's expression, so he also came over.

"Isn't that Dutch?" Friedrich blurted out.

"Can counterfeiting be professional? At the very least, you have to have an African ghostwriter, so that the credibility can be higher. Friedrich swore that this was none of the stupidest liars he had ever seen.

"It's Dutch, but it's the only language that all Tanzanian chiefs can understand. I assure God that every word I say is true.

The Arab army had reached the vicinity of Bagamoyo, and the Portuguese had fled the city after looting all the valuable things in the city. ”

Benny Erbin swore an oath, but Friedrich still didn't believe him, and if the Arab army did reach the vicinity of Bagamoyo, it would prove that the city had changed hands.

It was obviously not a wise move to go to war with the Saeed dynasty in Oman, and if the British intervened again, I was afraid that the Austrian Empire would not be able to eat and walk around this time.

"It is impossible for the Austrian Empire to wade into these troubled waters. Do you think war is child's play? ”

Franz couldn't tell if it was true or not, but even if it were, the Austrian Empire would have taken an East African port at the cost of a war with the Omani Empire.

"We're going to fight the war, what do you think?" Benny Earbin showed his last hole card.

(End of chapter)