The deal was ultimately struck. Both sides reached an agreement: money and goods changed hands simultaneously. All that remained was for East African ships to dock, after which the Far East officials would inspect the goods at Jiaozhou Bay and make payment.
The Dreyse rifle was difficult to position in the market. It truly had been the world's first military breech-loading rifle to see widespread adoption, but the times were advancing, and every nation was either developing or had already equipped more advanced rifles.
The Dreyse rifle's market was nothing more than backward regions, and Africa naturally fell into that category. But Ernst would not sell the rope that would hang him in Africa, leaving only the Far East and South America as two independent markets.
Only the Far East Empire met East Africa's requirements in the Far East. Other regions were either colonies of other countries or unable to produce that much money. Such was the helplessness of small nations. Of course, Japan was an exception. If it was merely an arms deal, Ernst could consider getting involved, but as for the military-industrial sector, forget it.
Night shrouded the entire continent of Black Africa. Apart from the scattered faint patches of light in the two cities that never slept, Dar es Salaam city and Mombasa city, not a trace of brightness could be seen.
The same was true of Bulawayo, deep in the heartland of the Kingdom of East Africa. Outside Bakora village, a native village in the countryside beyond Bulawayo, hundreds of bright eyes scanned the surroundings.
"Kralulu, has everyone gathered?"
"Chief, I notified every household myself. Everyone is here!"
"Didn't alert the Germans?"
"Don't worry. The Germans never leave their fortress at night. They only patrol the surrounding area during the day. The moment darkness falls