African Business Chronicles

Chapter 61: The New Dynasty of Zanzibar – The Governance of Ya Zhen

At the same time, the newly empowered Bargash bin Said began his first administrative experience. He declared himself the first regent of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and took full control of the nation's affairs, acting as the supreme ruler in place of Sultan Majid bin Said.

"Slavery is a crime. Sultan Majid bin Said, misled by wicked men, implemented this backward institution in Zanzibar, which is despised by the civilized world. It is bound to hinder Zanzibar's integration into the civilized world and obstruct the country's development…" In short, Bargash bin Said viewed Zanzibar's practice of slavery as a major regression, an unspeakable evil in history.

"Therefore, I hereby announce that from today onwards, slavery in the Sultanate of Zanzibar will be abolished, and the buying and selling of slaves within Zanzibar's borders is strictly forbidden."

As soon as Bargash bin Said finished speaking, the ministers of Zanzibar were immediately alarmed.

"Your Excellency, this is unthinkable! It will shake the very foundations of the Sultanate of Zanzibar!" one minister exclaimed.

"Your Excellency, the prosperity of Zanzibar depends entirely on the slave trade. If we abolish the slave trade, the economy of Zanzibar will be severely crippled."

"Zanzibar is a poor, small country. If we give up the slave trade, we are tying our own hands and feet. This so-called civilized world is just a fantasy. We hope Your Excellency will prioritize the national interest and not destroy our future."

The ministers were all arguing in favor of slavery. As Zanzibar had thrived through the slave trade, many of these ministers were major slave owners themselves, and they had profited greatly from it. Although Sultan Majid bin Said had become somewhat senile in his later years, he had once made them wealthy, and had it not been for Bargash bin Said's threat of a gun, these ministers would undoubtedly have praised Sultan Majid's wisdom, while dismissing Bargash as a mere inexperienced upstart.

The ministers thought to themselves: "Why did Zanzibar have to produce such a traitor like you? You are willing to serve the British as dogs, but don't drag us into this! Talking about a 'civilized world,' well, you go live in India and don't come back! Sultan Majid should have just shot this fool years ago, not let him wander off to Bombay."

"They sent him to Bombay for two years, and all he talks about is the 'civilized world.' Has he even looked at what India is? Those so-called Indians are nothing more than British slaves. Why would the British stay in India if they were truly against backward systems?"

Of course, the ministers dared not voice these thoughts aloud. After all, Bargash bin Said, the new dictator, had a gun, and although Bargash was a fool, the ministers of Zanzibar didn't want to risk their heads against bullets.

"Enough," Bargash bin Said said sternly, "I have made up my mind. There is no room for negotiation. You'd better not test my patience."

Bargash bin Said, being a hot-headed youth, had directly opposed Sultan Majid's exile to India back in the day. He had learned from the past that real power lies in having control, and how does one get control? Bargash, who had found enlightenment in Bombay, realized that power comes from holding a gun. So, after returning, he actively recruited progressive officers opposed to slavery, while also placing his own men within the military.

Additionally, Sultan Majid's increasing dependence on medication had made him more confused, and this allowed Bargash bin Said to seize the opportunity.

"Now, to the second matter: The Germans, who supply slaves to Zanzibar, must be expelled from Zanzibar. From now on, Zanzibar will not welcome any slave traders."

This time, the ministers did not object. In fact, they were somewhat pleased. After all, they were the ones most familiar with the Germans' influence in East Africa. Previously, Zanzibar had relied on its own slave-hunting expeditions into the interior of East Africa. The black tribes there were not easy to deal with, so Zanzibar's slave-hunting teams primarily stirred up tribal conflicts and traded goods for slaves from the victors.

But ever since the East African Colony was established, those black tribes had become paper tigers before the Germans. The Germans had no need for complex tactics; they simply took action.

When the Germans first arrived, these ministers had been worried, fearing that the Germans would interfere with their interests in East Africa. However, the Germans didn't care much for the black people. In Ernst's eyes, land was East Africa's most valuable asset, so the East African Colony had no need for the natives. They preferred to clear the land of people.

At first, it had been more complicated to deal with the black people, but now the Germans simply sold them to the Sultanate of Zanzibar, and Zanzibar would receive large numbers of blacks at a low cost. The black slaves were in high demand in the Arab world, where they were used extensively for labor. Because of the geographic proximity, it was easier and cheaper for the Arabs to acquire black slaves.

Before, Zanzibar had to catch slaves at a higher cost than North African countries, such as those from Somalia, because those countries could quickly transport slaves across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. But after the East African Colony began delivering slaves directly to Zanzibar, the slave trade there skyrocketed. Not only was the quantity abundant, but the prices were low. In just over a year, Zanzibar had taken over slave markets in the Arab world and had become extremely comfortable in the process.

From this perspective, Ernst still showed some mercy. If Ernst had learned to castrate the natives directly, he could have reaped labor for free and solved any future problems.

But I digress. The ministers knew that the Germans were strong militarily, and the East African Colony was constantly recruiting more people, making it even stronger than before.

Bargash bin Said, who had only recently returned, wasn't fully aware of the strength of the Germans. If he provoked them, he would definitely be crushed, and the ministers would step in, accusing Bargash of his crimes, taking back control of the country, and continuing their usual ways.

As the ministers daydreamed about their potential future moves, Bargash bin Said was already busy with personnel appointments.

"Abdullah will serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Army and will be in charge of this expulsion operation against the Germans. Qati will serve as a Major General of the Royal Army and assist Abdullah…"

After placing his people in key positions, Bargash bin Said was eager to begin implementing his plans.

At the Port of Dar es Salaam:

"Mr. Basil , please leave!" The newly appointed Major General of Zanzibar, Qati, arrogantly ordered.

"Hmph, you will regret this," Basil said angrily.

"Heh, we'll see," Qati taunted.

Basil , with a neutral expression, turned around and began organizing the personnel to withdraw. Fortunately, the ship that had arrived at the port that day was a long-range vessel from the Black Xinggen consortium. After discussing with the captain, the fleet, carrying immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, turned northward toward Tanga Port, where the East African Colony's military was stationed, ensuring there would be no trouble from Zanzibar's side.

Basil and his twenty or so armed personnel packed their supplies and left Dar es Salaam under the watchful eye of the Zanzibari people.

Meanwhile, Felix's army was still on the way. Without horses, the group had to march on foot. The forty-mile journey wasn't long, but they had to conserve their strength, meaning they wouldn't reach Dar es Salaam Port until after dark.

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