African Nationhood

Chapter 73 Pretorius the Younger

Although the temperature and humidity in Pretoria in November were just right, Shi Jintang stayed here for a few days, but felt uncomfortable.

When he arrived at Rand Farm to inspect the built fortress city, he met Louis Botha, a young white man who brought a meeting request from the Boers.

So Shi Jintang came to Pretoria with plainclothes guards.

The city was founded in 1855 and named after the Boer leader Marthinus Pretorius.

Later, due to the rise of black people, the name of the city was changed to Tshwane in the early 21st century.

This city built on the Apis River has spring-like weather all year round, and the city's planning is also very neat.

It's just that there are too few bridges across the river, and people can only squeeze into one bridge to travel, which is far less heroic than the 12 bridges lined up in later generations.

Today's urban construction is still a bit crude. After all, the Boers founded their country on agriculture.

After the discovery of the Rand Gold Mine in 1886, the Boers became arrogant.

They built their capital aggressively, reached an agreement with Portuguese East Africa to lease the seaport, and built a cross-border railway at their own expense.

The Germans also quickly reached a strategic alliance with the Boers, and a large number of Mauser rifles and Krupp artillery were continuously transported in through East African ports and railways.

The Boers became more courageous and had the support of the Germans behind them.

So they brazenly launched the Second Boer War with the British. At first, the British did not take the Boers seriously.

After being beaten violently, the British began to pay attention to the Boers. Not only did they mobilize troops massively, they also found the Germans and used py transactions in exchange for the Germans no longer supporting the Boers.

At this point, the fighting situation between the two sides took a turn for the worse, and the Boers were ultimately defeated by the British's scorched-earth tactics.

It is still 1880, and the Boers are still very weak and do not have the qualifications to be arrogant.

They were very concerned about the sudden explosion of troops at Rand Farm, so the leader planned to talk to Shi Jintang in person.

It's just that Shi Jintang didn't see anyone coming to negotiate for several days, which made him a little dissatisfied.

You didn't need to pay attention to me when I was short of soldiers and weapons before, but now that I have strong soldiers and horses, you still don't pay attention to me?

Therefore, Shi Jintang planned to use retreat as an advance to force the Boers.

He opened the door and called Trudeau and told him to prepare to pack and return.

Trudeau was somewhat reluctant. After arriving here, the Boers treated him very thoughtfully.

A beautiful white woman was specially arranged for him to be his "guide."

But the BOSS ordered it, and as a subordinate, he naturally had to obey it.

So when I returned to the room to pack my bags, the beautiful white woman quickly came over and asked what she was doing.

Trudeau answered truthfully, and the white beauty was shocked. She begged Trudeau to tell Boss Shi to be more patient, and she would report to the boss immediately.

Trudeau nodded, but still didn't stop packing.

The white beauty didn't care about Trudeau and quickly went to report.

Not long after, a group of Boer knights came to the manor where Shi Jintang was staying.

Luis Botta was waiting anxiously. When he saw the knight arriving, he hurriedly rushed forward and reported the situation to the leading knight.

The leading knight is young and has a long face, but his chestnut hair is very thick. Overall, this man is very unattractive and far less handsome than Luis Botha.

But this man was Pretorius Jr., one of the three giants of the Boers, the son of the previous generation of Boer leaders.

The two quickly climbed the stairs and were blocked by guards headed by Shi Ming. Little Pretorius simply let Shi Ming search for him.

After confirming that they were not carrying weapons, they were released, and the two quickly arrived at the door of Shijintang.

"buckle"

"Come in, the door is open."

The two opened the door and found Shi Jintang standing on the balcony with his back to the balcony, holding a cigarette in his mouth and looking at the scenery.

"Mr. Shi, our leader, Mr. Mathius Pretorius, has come to see you." Hearing that one of the Boer leaders had arrived, Shi Jintang immediately turned around with a smile on his face and threw away the cigarette in his hand. .

"Sorry, I was enjoying the scenery just now and didn't pay attention. Where have my guards gone? Why didn't anyone come to report them."

There was no displeasure on Mathius's face. He smiled lightly and said, "It's my problem. I was in a hurry to see you, so I didn't let your guards inform you."

"Please take a seat. I don't know what kind of tea you like to drink. I only prepare Indian black tea here."

Luis Botha secretly cursed after hearing this, this is our territory, okay?

Little Pretorius always kept smiling, and his strategy when facing Shi Jintang was simply to show kindness.

In September, there was a rebellion of black slaves absenteeism at the Kimberley diamond mine, and the British were deploying troops to suppress it.

As the leader of the Boers, he was also secretly mobilizing militiamen to prepare for rebellion.

It was not his idea to invite Shi Jintang, but another leader, Piet Joubert.

But Piet Joubert went to the Natal colony to contact the local Boers and would not be able to return for a short time.

Paul Kruger was traveling around Europe again, and of the three major leaders, he was the only one left near Pretoria.

Because Shi Jintang was leaving, Louis Botta had no choice but to invite him.

According to the current situation of the Boers, they should try to avoid making too many enemies. Therefore, Pretorius Jr.'s purpose this time is to maintain peaceful coexistence with the Shijintang forces.

"Well, the Indian black tea here is very good. I haven't had such good black tea in a long time."

"Well, Mr. Pretorius, as long as you like it. Louis, you can drink too, you're welcome."

Luis Botha felt depressed, who was being polite?
  This yellow-skinned monkey is so thick-skinned!

"Mr. Shi, as the leader of the Boers, I want to maintain friendly relations with you on behalf of the Boers."

“Friendly, of course friendly.

I am a migrant who just wants to farm well in the Rand Basin. As long as no one comes to force me to move, I have no problem. "

After hearing what Shi Jintang said, little Pretorius felt heavy in his heart and his expression became even more relaxed.

"Then can we sign a treaty in private? The two forces will maintain friendly relations and not attack each other."

Shi Jintang saw that little Pretorius was so eager and understood the current situation he was in, and then he laughed.

"We Chinese have always valued commitments. It is said that 'a gentleman's words are hard to follow.' Don't you believe me?"

The two Boers were very confused by Shi Jintang's sudden appearance in Chinese, but they could still see displeasure on Shi Jintang's face.

"No, we believe in your commitment, but we Westerners believe more in black and white, and commitments signed in treaties are more effective."

"Haha, you guys are so naive, the treaty is worthless in the face of strength.

Do you believe that I signed a secret agreement with you today, and I can give it to Governor Freire tomorrow? "

Hearing this, the expressions of the two Boers changed greatly. Little Pretorius's muscles trembled with excitement, "Mr. Shi, you shouldn't be like this. You also said that you Chinese value your promises. Why did you suddenly do this?" Changed your mind?"

Shi Jintang was shocked by the naivety of little Pretorius. Which politician is an honest and trustworthy gentleman?
  Judging from his performance, it's no wonder they were abandoned by the Germans.

It’s no wonder that he didn’t become the first president of the Transvaal after the restoration of the country because of my legacy.

Instead, Paul Kruger, who was wandering around Europe, picked the peach.

Shi Jintang finally took out the metal cigarette case from his pocket, lit it slowly, took a comfortable puff, and slowly blew out the smoke ring.

After he had had enough of smoking, he slowly said, "Tell me, what kind of favorable conditions can you give me when we sign a secret contract?"

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(End of this chapter)