Chapter 299: A Prediction
Zanzibar Island.
A little over a month after the East African government demanded that Zanzibar abolish its slave trade, a group of unexpected visitors once again arrived at the Zanzibar royal palace.
A steamship flying the British flag docked at Zanzibar Island. The crowd on the shore paid no special attention to it; Zanzibar's location meant that, before the opening of the Suez Canal, almost any country's trading ships in the Indian Ocean could appear here. Even though nowadays most ships pass through the Canal, the people of Zanzibar have not forgotten the bustle they once had with so many foreign vessels. Hence, seeing a British steamer wasn't surprising.
After the ship was secured, a group disembarked. Their goal was not trade or resupplying, however, and they headed straight to the port's administrative office.
"Are you an official of the Zanzibar Sultanate?"
"Yes, I'm Aimani, manager of this port."
"Good. I'm a British envoy, here to visit your Sultan. Please send word to him."
When the visitors stated their business, the Zanzibar official dared not show negligence.
"Gentlemen, please wait a moment," he said, then turned to instruct his subordinates before leaving by carriage to notify the palace.
"Hello there—I'm Aikaramu, deputy manager of Sultan Port. May I know your name, sir?" asked Aikaramu politely, staying behind to host the British envoy.
Edward, however, ignored this Zanzibar official. He looked around, observing the condition of Zanzibar's port. Because of its role in East African trade, Zanzibar hadn't declined even after the Suez Canal opened; it was still bustling, with busy streets and a harbor full of ships. But Edward had other concerns.
Upon landing, Edward noticed the port seemed to have more facilities than when he passed through ten years ago.
Edward: "That flag over there—if I'm not mistaken, it looks European. Why is it hoisted alongside the Zanzibar Sultanate's own flag?"
Aikaramu: "That's the East African Kingdom's flag. They're an ally of our Zanzibar Sultanate, so we raise their banner alongside ours."
Edward replied coldly, "Oh! I see. I'd heard rumors about some new kingdom rising in East Africa, but since I've been stationed in India for years, I'm not well-informed. This is my first time seeing their flag."
Aikaramu added, "Sir, the ruler of that East African Kingdom is a famous member of Europe's Hohenzollern family—the king was originally Prince Constantino of the former Prussian Kingdom!"
Edward: "So that's it. Seems many changes have happened in East Africa these years. Germans have even carved out a colony here. What ties do they have with you—like what do they trade?"
Aikaramu: "Mainly agricultural products. The East African Kingdom produces rice, wheat, and also specialty goods like sisal hemp."
Upon hearing this, Edward couldn't help chuckling. "Heh—Germans, indeed, are best at farming. I've heard plenty of Germans in the Americas do the same."
In Edward's mind, this East African Kingdom wasn't anything special. To him, it was just a small, self-proclaimed state in some remote corner the British Empire didn't even want.
Edward: "Ten years gone, and your Zanzibar Sultanate's army appears more professional, like it's adopting European styles. Are those cannons over there? They look decently built. Before, they were old and battered, just a few small guns."
Aikaramu, sweating nervously, explained, "Mr. Edward, in fact, that force belongs to the East African Kingdom, and the gun batteries were built by them."
Edward: "Oh, so you Zanzibaris have gotten so close with that so-called East Africa you're practically one and the same? You even let them defend your port."
Aikaramu managed only an awkward laugh. "Yes, well, East Africa is a friendly ally of ours. We… trust our 'friend.'"
Of course, the Sultanate hadn't really wanted to hand over its defense to East Africa, but circumstances were what they were. They had to comply. Being cooperative meant East Africa allowed them a small share of profit; refusing them might lead to East Africa wiping out the Sultanate, leaving them no recourse—"like swallowing bitter herbs in silence."
Sensing Aikaramu's unease, Edward said with sarcasm, "You two countries must be rather tight. If only the Indians had such awareness."
Right then, the official Aimani returned.
"Envoy, the Sultan is willing to receive you. Please come with me."
…
As Aimani led Edward toward the royal palace, a figure sped off toward the East African Kingdom's embassy. That person was from East Africa's garrison in Zanzibar Port. Besides informing the Sultan, Aimani also reported the news to East African troops.
Inside the East African Embassy in Zanzibar:
"Mr. Lemons, a British ship just landed on Zanzibar, and a group of British folks disembarked. They claim to be British diplomats and want to see the Sultan. The Zanzibaris didn't dare refuse. By now they're likely at the palace!"
Lemons: "Hmm. Was it a warship?"
"No. If it had been, our forces would have questioned them. East Africa does maintain a presence here, but we generally don't interfere with the Sultanate's trading. If they'd come in a warship, of course we'd demand to know their purpose."
Lemons: "Right, so it seems we can still talk with the British. Let's go see what's up at the palace."
…
Zanzibar's Royal Palace.
Sultan Saeed had prepared well, tea on hand to welcome the British envoy.
"Sultan Saeed, I am Edward, the special plenipotentiary sent by the British Empire's Indian colony in Bombay to Zanzibar," said Edward, dressed in a Western suit, greeting him with some arrogance.
Smiling, the Sultan asked, "May I know, Envoy, what brings you to our Zanzibar Sultanate?"
Edward: "Last month we seized a ship from your country bound for the Ottoman realm, transporting slaves. Two months before that, there were two more. We've repeatedly warned that as a key Indian Ocean nation, the Sultanate's continuing such a terrible practice is shameful. I'm here on behalf of Britain and the civilized world to demand the immediate end of slave trading in your territory—an outdated crime against humanity and freedom."
Starting off on the moral high ground, Edward condemned the Sultanate.
Saeed's smile froze. He recalled how East Africa once warned him that Britain might use this as an excuse to intervene. He hadn't believed it, thinking East Africa had exaggerated to secure its own garrison rights in Zanzibar. But evidently, East Africa had told the truth. Thankfully they had hammered that point home, or he'd be in deep trouble now.
Steadying his expression, Saeed answered cordially, "Envoy Edward, how can you say that? Our Zanzibar Sultanate, too, is part of the civilized world."
Edward: "So you're still denying it? You built your country's wealth through the slave trade. For decades, the Indian Ocean slave trade has grown more brazen because of your actions."
Saeed objected, "Your country cannot just slander us. We admit that the slave trade is part of our dark history. But at one time your own empire—"
Edward promptly denied: "We long ago renounced that sinful business. Britain now leads the fight against the slave trade; we are justice itself."
Saeed: "Er... in fact, our Sultanate is also against slave trafficking. Here in Zanzibar, selling slaves is illegal."
Edward: "Rubbish. If that were true, how did we catch you red-handed?"
Now feeling a bit triumphant, Saeed said, "Perhaps you don't know, but since I took the throne, I've been pressing for the Sultanate to abolish slavery. A month ago we formally outlawed it altogether. Any slave trading in Zanzibar is a crime punishable by death. So your visit here, it's all a misunderstanding. We Zanzibaris have dealt with this ourselves!"
Edward was stunned. He'd come expecting to lecture them, only for them to claim the Sultanate already abolished the slave trade and banned it by law.
He demanded, "You're not making that up just to avoid trouble?"
Saeed: "Certainly not. We passed that law last month—it's posted on notice boards throughout the country. You can ask around in the streets. I can personally accompany you if you like."
Edward was about to speak when someone outside shouted, "Don't you know who I am? When the Sultan hears that you're blocking me, the consequences will be more than you can handle...!"
Edward felt annoyed, while Saeed seemed delighted.
"My apologies, Envoy Edward, but it seems another visitor arrived. Sorry if it disturbs you. Let me see who dares to make such a fuss at the palace."
He found the guard being scolded by Lemons. The guard was helpless, not knowing whom he had angered.
"Who's making such noise?" Saeed barked, pretending annoyance.
But at once, he eagerly went forward to greet Lemons in a low voice: "Mr. Lemons, finally you're here! The British..."
Lemons said kindly, "I'll help you with it. Let's head inside."
Before going in, Lemons took a gold coin from his pocket for the guard. "You did fine just now. Don't worry, take this."
Then he and Saeed returned to the hall, where Edward sat sipping tea.
"Envoy Edward, my apologies. This gentleman is Lemons, the East African envoy. There was a small misunderstanding with the guard just now."
Edward: "All right, I won't pursue it. Let's return to the topic of the slave trade."
"Slave trade?" Lemons acted surprised. "Your Majesty, didn't we strongly forbid your slave trade already?"
"Uh... yes, we did. But Envoy Edward may not have known of it..." Saeed repeated what they'd just discussed.
Lemons said, "Ah, so that's all it was. I suppose it's one big misunderstanding. Yet Envoy Edward meant well, though you folks realized the error a bit late, so he didn't hear the news. Considering Edward's traveled so far—particularly from India, that 'jewel' of the British Empire—and came here only for this, it surely wasn't worth the trouble. Perhaps, Sultan Saeed, you should show some appreciation."
Ultimately, with Lemons smoothing things over, Saeed paid a heavy sum to buy peace. Edward, enticed by the money, let it go—indeed, the Sultanate had officially outlawed the slave trade, so he could go home and report success. Still, Edward warned, "Your Majesty, watch your maritime commerce. If we catch you continuing the slave trade..."
Saeed answered, "Envoy Edward, if there really is a slave ship, it definitely isn't ours. You're free to sink them at will."
Anyway, the Sultan's own slaving vessels had already been converted into "labor export" ships. Everything was in order, and the living conditions for these "laborers" had substantially improved, making them hardly different in appearance from ordinary immigrant ships.
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