Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1421 East African Federation (First update, please subscribe)
Sometimes, opportunities always come when you least expect it, like now.

"So they want to win our support?"

"Yes, sir, they have been active in London for the past month, but London's attitude has been unclear, so they hope to get our support!"

After listening to Robert's report, Li Yian muttered the place name "Tanganyika" in his mind, and after thinking for a while, he said:
"Okay, let's meet!"

Soon, Wells, the chairman of the Legislative Council of the Dominion of Tanganyika, entered the study.

Li Yian came forward to greet him with a smile from the center of the study.

"Ah, Sir Wells, come in."

Wells stepped into the room and Robert closed the door behind him.

Now there were only Li Yian and Wells in the study. Wells sat on the chair, and Li Yian looked at Wells.

The Dominion of Tanganyika was a British colony. Tanganyika was supposed to declare independence last year, and then London acquiesced to the reality. However, due to the industrial development of Tanganyika, Britain would certainly not give up this dairy cow. Although the Tanganyika African Union won the election, it was of no avail. Britain still ensured its "trusteeship" over Tanganyika by setting up some obstacles.

Strictly speaking, Tanganyika was not a British colony, but an international trusteeship territory under international trusteeship after World War I. After the war, Britain continued to rule Tanganyika under the trusteeship of the United Nations.

This is also why Wells came here.

"…So, theoretically, Britain must take into account the attitude of the United Nations, and the attitude of the United Nations is very clear, which is to ask Britain to end its rule in Tanganyika. But, sir, London may be able to end its rule in Tanganyika, but what about foreign investment in the country?

Who will protect them? And that includes your farms—millions of acres of farms!”

The reason why Wells came here was to gain support. In his opinion, Chang'an would stand on their side because of interests.

"Indeed, the benefits of foreign investment must be guaranteed."

Li Yian nodded in agreement, glanced at him and said.

"I have always believed in one thing - foreign investment must be protected, regardless of any understanding or excuse, and if they want to nationalize it, they must be compensated at market value," he said.

He opened his mouth and said:
"We have always adhered to our principles here, and we firmly oppose any form of "forced nationalization", which is detrimental to the business spirit."

Of course we must oppose anything that may harm our own interests. Only a fool would agree to let foreigners "nationalize" their own industries!
Well, this idiot includes but is not limited to the United States, Britain, France and other countries.

"Yes, but, sir, the spirit of commerce is being trampled underfoot in Tanganyika!"

Wells said:
"In order to win the support of the locals, the African Union advocated the nationalization of land, confiscating all farms and distributing them to the locals, and expelling outsiders, not just white people, but also other outsiders, including you, of course."

This is the dilemma faced by the British colonies - with the support of the United Nations and major powers, the locals either choose non-violent means to fight for independence, or directly overturn the table and launch a rebellion.

In short, the current situation of Britain can definitely be described as precarious.

"Where? Really? What is your attitude towards this?"

Li Yian looked at the guy in front of him and asked, "Aren't you the Chairman of the Legislative Council?"
"Your Excellency, first of all, I need to emphasize that I am not a racist, nor do I discriminate against local people. I was born in Africa, and my neighbors are local people. In Europe, the United States, and many other countries, people know nothing about Africans. They just wishfully think that they are the same as us, but in fact, local people currently lack the ability to govern themselves. Even until now, most Africans are still accustomed to tribal rule and life. For them, primitive society was only six days ago. In this case, how can they immediately manage a modern country?"

Ok!

This view is obviously incorrect!
But I have to say, what Wells said... is very right!
This is not the first time Li Yian has heard this view. In fact, this is also the mainstream view among white African politicians.

Although this is incorrect from a correct perspective, facts speak louder than words. After the independence of African countries, what have the so-called "emerging countries" become?

But even so, people still refuse to believe it, and Nobel Prize winner James Watson was not only condemned but also deprived of all honors because he was considered to have made racist remarks because he proved from a scientific perspective that Africans have low intelligence.

Precisely because we know what Africa will look like in the future, from a humanitarian perspective, it is undoubtedly appropriate to maintain colonial rule over Africa.

Of course, this colonial rule should not belong to Great Britain, but to an important member of the Commonwealth.

That’s right, it’s me!
It is our duty to guard the last assets of the British Empire!

Li Yian looked at Wells and said:
"Yes, from a scientific point of view, it is true."

Wells breathed a sigh of relief. The temperature in the room was pleasant and the chair was very comfortable, so he spoke. "So, I think that in the future, Tanganyika, including Kenya, should be independent in the form of the East African Federation. Its structure should fully take into account the interests of all parties. I think that your local employees have already integrated into the local community and they should play an important role in local governance."

Local staff!
These are the employees sent by the grain company. How many of them are there?
Not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands!
After all, tens of millions of acres of land need managers. Without those managers, the locals would be able to turn the tractors into scrap metal.

Therefore, grain companies need to hire tens of thousands of employees from their home countries to participate in the management and operation of African farms. Not only them, but also their families, have been living in the local area.

Now, what does Wells suggest?
It means treating the company’s employees as “locals” and involving them in the management of the colony!
It's not just Tanganyika, it's also Kenya, it's the entire East African Federation!

East African Federation. In fact, the British Colonial Office has always hoped to integrate East Africa into a whole, but for various reasons, it has never succeeded.

Now this company mentioned the East African Federation again...

What is his purpose?
"What a cunning fellow."

He stood by the window and talked to himself.

The reason he said this was because he finally understood why Wells found himself, because the people - whether in Tanganyika or in Kenya, their people were very limited.

It should be said that the number of white people is extremely limited. In Tanganyika, the white population accounts for slightly more than 3% of the total population, and in Kenya, the white population accounts for less than 3% of the total population.

After the establishment of the East African Federation, the proportion of white people in the local population was at most 3%, which could be considered an absolute minority.

Who else but white people?

Indian!
As loyal dogs of the empire, when Britain was developing its African colonies, they introduced a large number of Indian laborers due to insufficient population. Therefore, there were a large number of Indians living in the African colonies, and their proportion in the East African population even reached 7%!

Although those Indians were not locals, Wells and others were not willing to cooperate with them. After all, the Indians... were once just their laborers and servants. Wouldn't it be lowering their own status to cooperate with them?

As a result, the company's employees and their families, who account for about 5% of the local population, became the best partners.

So, that's why he came for help - it's all about cooperation!
“Every builder should be given his or her due place.”

Li Yi'an said:
"This is a very fair thing to do. Of course, it's a little late now, but it's a start after all."

When saying the word "after all", Li Yian waved his hands to emphasize his tone.

“Now that we have made this start, I believe that East Africa will be even better in the future.”

Li Yian continued,
"I even envy your determination. Tell me about your idea. Given the current situation, it will probably be very difficult to get London to agree to the establishment of the East African Federation."

"It is very difficult, but the Colonial Office has always had this idea. Ten years ago, British Colonial Secretary Oliver Lyttelton gave a speech during his visit to East Africa, calling for the three colonies of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika to be merged into the East African Federation as soon as possible. At that time, it failed due to Uganda's opposition, but I think if we put Uganda aside, we should have a chance to establish the East African Federation."

Wells then emphasized:
"Of course, we will definitely be the main members of the East African Federation's parliament in the future. We can't drag those people who run naked on the grassland with bones in their noses to the parliament to discuss governance issues. Should we discuss with them whether humans should wear clothes?"

Wells' words prompted Li Yian to speak.

"Yes, this is indeed a problem. That place is still so wild and barbaric. We should bring them into modern civilization. This kind of introduction should be called guidance, and we should not leave them alone or let them rule that land in a primitive way."

Li Yian tilted his head back into the shadows. His voice was not loud, but to Wells' ears, he felt fully encouraged. This encouragement and support was exactly what he and politicians across Africa needed.

"That's absolutely right, sir. I've been to some independent African countries. Those countries governed by local people are simply bloody slaughterhouses. Since their independence, they have been regressing to the Middle Ages."

Wells continued.

"Most African countries now hastily erected a power group, but judging by the way they exercise power, it simply proves that they are not qualified to manage a garbage dump of a country. Congo is a typical example, with the expulsion of whites, civil war, military mutiny, and rebellion. Of course, the result is that civilians suffer."

This is exactly the reality in Africa. Don't say that colonial rule is evil. If justice means that after independence, the country falls into turmoil and civil war, millions of people are displaced and millions die in the war, then is independence still just?

“Therefore, we believe that for the stability of East Africa, the establishment of the East African Federation is undoubtedly a very appropriate choice. This federation should be governed by people with governance capabilities, rather than hastily handed over to a power group that does not have governance capabilities.”

Li Yian stood up with a smile, walked to the window, looked down at the crowded street downstairs, looked at London outside the window, thought for a while, and asked:

“So, who should lead the future East African Federation?”

(End of this chapter)