Chapter 532: Plotting for the Ryukyus
"This is East Africa? Looks pretty developed—kind of like Jiaozhou."
"Jiaozhou's German-built areas look like this because they were built by Germans. It's not East Africa that's copying Jiaozhou—it's the other way around."
"East Africa defeated Portugal, so it's basically a strong nation now. Be careful. Don't go stirring up trouble for no reason."
"Yes, sir."
It was clear this group disembarking in Dar es Salaam were officials from the Far East Empire. With their braided queues hanging down their backs and unmistakable official robes, they were instantly recognizable.
Some former Far Eastern citizens in East Africa immediately recognized the uniforms and were struck by mixed feelings.
"What are these overdressed bureaucrats doing in our East Africa?"
A curious white immigrant asked, "Geleide, I've seen people like this in European newspapers. Is this what you looked like before?"
Geleide quickly shook his head. "Not at all. Look, their clothing may be fancy, but clearly expensive—not something regular people can afford. Only officials are allowed to wear it. Poor folks like us wouldn't dare."
"Well, it's not so different really. In your country, nobles can rise through exams. That's a good system."
"In Germany, it's the military that changes your life. And to me, joining the army is way easier than passing exams. I couldn't even read before, but you got an education."
East Africans had grown used to speaking German, so the Far Eastern officials couldn't understand the conversation. The interpreter understood, of course, but chose not to translate.
Unlike previous half-hearted visits, the Far Eastern delegation was here in earnest. After East Africa defeated Portugal and gained international recognition, and with its rising influence—especially in the Far East's northern regions—engagement with East Africa had become unavoidable. This mission was to assess East Africa's national situation.
Portugal wasn't particularly strong, but it still had symbolic influence in the Far East. For example, Macau was one of the oldest colonial holdings by any Western power in the region. Say what you will, but Portugal had been bold in its prime.
They were also masters of leveraging power overseas. If East Africa hadn't been so strong, Portugal and Britain might've pulled off their last scheme together.
After all, the Germans knew how Portugal operated—unlike other nations that might be fooled.
The Far Eastern Empire, on the other hand, had been traumatized by Western powers and was deeply fearful. This fear ran deep in its social fabric. Japan, for example, acted humble on the surface but was bold underneath—embracing militarism, it dared challenge great powers.
If they could stomach disembowelment, they'd be ruthless to outsiders too.
Japan was simply biding its time, pretending to be subservient. Ernst wouldn't say the Japanese were self-aware, but they were definitely crazy enough. The only way to keep them in check was a good beating.
Different nations had different national characters. Germany's notoriously clumsy diplomacy stemmed from its worship of force. Austria was the opposite—great at diplomacy, weak in military.
Lately, though, Austria's diplomatic corps had suffered a generational gap, while Germany produced Bismarck, a once-in-a-generation mastermind. The roles had reversed.
Nothing was absolute. If Austria produced a Bismarck-like figure, it might rise again.
For now, East Africa still followed Austria-Hungary's diplomatic model—not Germany's. Bismarck was a unique talent. Austria's diplomatic style better suited long-standing nations—subtle and practiced.
And if we're talking cunning, the Far Eastern Empire was the ultimate old fox. No one had more diplomatic experience. But their diplomacy had become too stale to be effective. They hadn't adapted to modern Western rules.
If they could truly master Western diplomacy, the Far East could dominate the West. Ernst wasn't exaggerating—he'd seen America panic in his past life when Easterners stopped playing by the rules.
In this era, Britain had the strongest diplomatic game—because diplomacy followed national strength. The more powerful a country, the more room its diplomats had to maneuver. Weak nations had no diplomacy—just survival.
Britain could suffer diplomatic failures and still recover, thanks to its immense strength. A weak country could be destroyed by one misstep. Just look at Afghanistan: it allied with Russia and got swallowed by Britain.
In short, diplomacy mattered—but it was ultimately capped by national power. The stronger the country, the higher the ceiling. And diplomacy itself was a reflection of national strength.
Why did so many countries flatter Britain? Because it was the global hegemon. Just like in Ernst's previous life, when nations fawned over the U.S.
East Africa, however, leaned toward Germany and Austria. It didn't need to curry favor with Britain. That showed how much weaker Britain's global dominance was compared to the U.S. in Ernst's past.
The Far Eastern Empire couldn't follow East Africa's lead. East Africa had allies in Germany and Austria. The Far East was surrounded by wolves—Britain, France, Japan, Russia. Only Korea and the Ryukyu Islands still listened to it.
But from what Ernst had heard, the Ryukyus wouldn't last much longer. East Africa couldn't do anything about it—it was too far. Still, in 1880, the East African Navy might swoop in to fish in troubled waters and grab some benefits.
Not because the Ryukyus were particularly valuable, but because it was an opportunity. East Africa had long wanted to open a stable route between itself and Alaska. For that, it needed island outposts in the Pacific.
East Africa already had the Lanfang Overseas Province in the South Seas—within range of the East African Navy. But it was too far from Alaska. Only by crossing from the Indian Ocean into the Pacific could a stable route be formed.
So in 1880, East Africa planned to find islands in the Pacific to use as colonial outposts—to protect its maritime interests. Its navy was ranked among the world's top ten, so having a few colonies wasn't too much to ask.
Several southern islands of the Ryukyu chain were already on East Africa's radar. Combined with its influence in the Huaihai Economic Zone and the Zhuhai Free Trade Port in the Far East, East Africa had growing commercial needs in the region.
A base in the Asia-Pacific would help secure sea lanes between East Africa, the Far East, and Alaska.
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