This Leopold II operation was several years earlier than in history. In addition, the establishment of Kingdom of East Africa has set a model for him, so he is not as timid as in the previous life. Basically, it is certain that the establishment of Belgian Congo will not be difficult.
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The scope of Belgian Congo is probably the entire territory of Congo (Brazzaville) in the previous life, plus the Luanda area of the previous life Angola, most of Gabon, and a small part of southern Cameroon, eastern Guinea, and the western region of Central Africa.
The area is at least 600,000 square kilometers. As for how much the Belgium Kingdom can get, it depends on how many resources Belgium is willing to invest.
The only factor threatening Belgian Congo is France, but in the past few years, it is certain that France will not cause trouble to Belgium, and will even win over Belgium. People will grow, and so will the country.
After being beaten up by Prussia, in the Napoleon III era, the diplomacy pursued by France will also change. If it does not find allies, it is really possible to destroy the country next time. Belgium, who is between Germany and France, is one of the targets that France wants to win over.
Furthermore, France's threat to the Belgium colony is more convincing than France's threat to the Belgian homeland. After losing Lorraine and Alsace, France also lost the coal mines and iron ore production areas here, and The largest cotton producing area, the second largest steel and timber producing area, and after losing Lorraine and Alsace, the closest coal mine and steel producing area to France is Belgium. The most important thing is that Belgium has nearly half of the French speaking population.
As for the traditional colonies in Congo River basin - Portuguese Angola Colony, Belgian government simply chose to ignore it.
Now Portugal is no longer the world's number one maritime hegemon in the past, and the decline of Portugal is not a slow decline overnight, but an avalanche. Currently, Portuguese is inferior to Belgium in terms of port, economy, industrial level and other aspects.
Although Belgium has not been independent for many years, Belgium was part of the Netherlands before. Even so, the Netherlands is still a part of the sea that cannot be ignored.
And Kingdom of East Africa also poses a certain threat to Belgium. The westernmost part of East Africa controls Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic in the previous life. Ubangi River below Bangui can be navigable all year round. In other words, East Africa actually controls all Congo Basin areas east of the Ubangi River.
Although Kingdom of East Africa did not colonize the Congo rainforest area, East African patrol boats cruised on the Ubangi River and Congo River until Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in its previous life.
Leopold II naturally knew this, so he wisely took Ubangi River as the dividing line between Belgian Congo and Kingdom of East Africa.
The most important point is that Leopold II really understands the world. After he made the plan to colonize Belgian Congo, he specifically conveyed the news to Kingdom of East Africa through his sister Princess Charlotte's channel, so Leopold II's plan was quickly sent to Constantin and Ernst.
For this matter, Archduke Ferdinand specifically asked for leave and accompanied Princess Charlotte from Bagamoyo to First Town.
Archduke Ferdinand: "This is a letter from brother Charlotte, King Leopold II of Belgium. Belgium plans to colonize the interior of the West African coast. Will this kind of thing threaten Kingdom of East Africa's strategic security?"
The word strategic security has a special meaning for Kingdom of East Africa. Throughout the series of expansion wars launched in East Africa, the word strategic security is inseparable. I don't know how many African forces have suffered unreasonable disasters because of this word. It seems that under the influence of Kingdom of East Africa, Archduke Ferdinand understands the essence of "strategic security".
It is understandable for Archduke Ferdinand to consider the issue from the perspective of Kingdom of East Africa. Apart from his identity as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy in East Africa, he supports any expansion behavior in East Africa.
Every time Kingdom of East Africa wins a piece of land, it represents the progress of Kingdom of East Africa's strength, and his daughter is the future mistress of Kingdom of East Africa, so Archduke Ferdinand also puts the interests of East Africa first when thinking about problems now.
Ernst did not answer his father-in-law right away. Instead, he carefully read the letter sent by Leopold II. Leopold II even thoughtfully attached an imaginary map of "Belgian Congo".
Ernst praised, "Your Majesty Leopold, he is really a natural genius for colonization. He is very good at maneuvering. He can perfectly avoid our sphere of influence in East Africa and other countries and find a way for Belgium."
On the map, Leopold II used a red pen to strictly control "Belgian Congo" on the west coast of the Ubangi River.
Although Ernst is not interested in Congo rainforest, since East Africa occupied Azande Plateau, East Africa has actually controlled Congo rainforest.
This is all due to the Congo River and its tributaries. East Africa controls the upstream of the Congo River and many tributaries of the Congo River, which makes the entire Congo rainforest fall into the pocket array of Kingdom of East Africa.
By controlling the upper reaches of the river, you can gain strategic initiative. However, the environment of Congo rainforest can only be developed along the river. If other forces enter here, they will be within the firepower of Kingdom of East Africa.
Archduke Ferdinand said, "Ernst, do you mean to let Belgium expand in West African Coast?"
Ernst nodded and said, "Since Belgium has this idea, there is no need for us to object. In fact, even if Belgium does not occupy it, it will be difficult for us in East Africa to exert our influence in Central and West Africa. Congo rainforest is a natural chasm. We occupy it. Azande Plateau is a bit reluctant. Even the closer white Nile River Basin has not been effectively developed. Although Congo rainforest has a large area, it cannot accommodate a large number of people. This is also a disadvantage. If we have the energy, we might as well think of ways to speed up the integration of South Africa and East Africa."
Constantin also said at this time, "Ernst is right. We have just occupied so much land in South Africa, and the land area has increased a lot. South Africa is obviously more important than Central and West Africa in terms of climate and importance."
Kingdom of East Africa After all, it is still a small and medium-sized country with a huge population and limited energy, so it is even more important to be self-aware. The so-called chewing off more than one can chew, eating too much can really lead to death.
Ernst changed the subject and said, "Father-in-law, when it comes to controlling South Africa, we have a plan right now that needs your help."
Archduke Ferdinand asked, "What's the plan?"
Ernst explained, "Since Zulu Kingdom was eliminated, we have correspondingly gained access to the sea along the coast of South Africa. In order to control the needs of South Africa, we plan to build a port in the original coastal area of the Zulu Kingdom."
Ernst took out a map from the drawer, placed it on the table, pointed at Richard's Bay in his previous life in South Africa, and said, "This is a bay in the territory of the original Zulu Kingdom. Our people have surveyed this place. It is very suitable for building a port. Because of the need to develop and control South Africa, I plan to build a dual-use military and civilian port here."
Archduke Ferdinand said, "Do you want the navy to control this place?"
Ernst said firmly, "Yes."
This made Archduke Ferdinand very embarrassed. He said, "Ernst, I think you should be very aware of East African Navy's situation. Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"
When it comes to naval issues, Archduke Ferdinand became angry instantly. East African Navy's development over the years is actually not too slow. After all, East African Navy had no foundation before, but as the former commander of Austrian Navy, now East African Navy cannot catch the eye of Ferdinand at all.
I don't blame Archduke Ferdinand for saying this. It's really pitiful for East African Navy. There are only eight main battleships in total, plus thirteen gunboats.
Among them, the two battleships of Sultanate of Zanzibar are not even comparable to the merchant ships of Kingdom of East Africa. The two sail battleships purchased from Austro-Hungarian Navy are also decades old antiques. The other four newly built ships are barely passable, but they are also wooden hulls. With the rise of ironclad ships, they are also falling behind the times.
As for the giant ironclad "Archduke Ferdinand" funded and built by Ernst, it is still lying in Trieste Royal Shipyard. It will be completed until March next year. The most important thing is that Archduke Ferdinand himself does not know the existence of this battleship.
Archduke Ferdinand continued, "The coastline of East Africa is more than two thousand kilometers long, and it is maintained by these warships. We are also responsible for the defense of Mayotte in Mozambique Channel, which is completely insufficient. If South Africa is added, I don't even dare to think about how to divide these ships. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
Archduke Ferdinand's question of conscience made Constantin and Princess Charlotte laugh heartily. In this regard, Ernst was indeed a bit unkind.
Ernst said calmly, "Father-in-law, what about the situation of East African Navy! Of course I am quite aware that it has really been difficult for you in recent years, but conditions did not allow it before. Now I have made some pocket money in North America, so I am planning to add some new ships to East African Navy."