"I'm sorry, everyone. Mozambique is highly sensitive about this matter and will not open its ports. This concerns Mozambique's security."
"So there's no room for negotiation? We merely hoped your side could provide a port for economic development. All personnel could operate under your supervision; it would not involve your security."
The Mozambican reception staff shook his head. "Please go back. This is the governor's decision."
The East African diplomats exchanged glances. It seemed Mozambique's new governor truly was not easy to deal with. Yet there was nothing they could do; since that was the case, they could only return and report the situation first.
Mozambique's refusal to lease out a port did not surprise the East African government. They had never expected Mozambique to agree in the first place and had merely decided to give it a try.
Putting themselves in Mozambique's shoes, if some country currently demanded that East Africa open its market, East Africa would not agree either. Of course, leasing a port and opening a market were certainly not the same thing, but the underlying logic was connected.
East Africa fully understood the Portuguese. After all, the Portuguese had been dealt such a hand by the British before; they certainly would not let down their guard.
In the blink of an eye, December arrived.
Archduke Albrecht, the Austro-Hungarian Empire's supreme commander, finally began the final battle against the Kingdom of Italy. Dragging things out indefinitely was no solution. Venice had been under siege for several months, and more than half its population had already left—some for East Africa, some for South America, and some fleeing to nearby areas. The Austro-Hungarian Empire's overall objective had now been achieved, so the war could not be prolonged any further, lest unforeseen changes arise.
"Attack along the entire front!"