Chapter 1114: 1020: The Cape of Good Hope Strategy

Chapter 1114: Chapter 1020: The Cape of Good Hope Strategy

Amsterdam, as the most important financial center on the European Continent, attracts not only domestic capital but also a large number of investments from Germany, France, West, and Italy.

Therefore, Amsterdam also draws major companies from various European countries to come for financing.

As England is the largest industrialized country, naturally, many companies are listed here.

If one can leverage the Cape of Good Hope incident to stir up Dutch hatred toward England, it could trigger a wave of withdrawals, potentially crashing the market value of these British companies.

Those that are listed in the Netherlands are usually large companies. Once the stock price impacts ripple back to England, it will undoubtedly cause a hullabaloo.

Meanwhile, the funds withheld from British companies will need to find new investment targets.

The companies in the Rhineland only need to absorb one-third of these funds to easily complete their financing goals.

Joseph quickly planned and said to Godan, “You should immediately allocate some funds from the treasury; not too much, three to four million francs will do. Then, send someone under the guise of an investor in Amsterdam to…”

The Finance Minister was surprised upon hearing the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, can this work?”

Joseph gestured to Lavallette beside him: “The Security Bureau will assist you in inciting hatred. Additionally, Mr. Scheller has a talent for this, leave it to them.”

Then he instructed the Director of the Security Bureau: “You should utilize the limited intelligence personnel at the Cape of Good Hope. On one hand, make contact with the Zulu and Saco people, without discussing too many specifics, just try to increase mutual trust—it can be facilitated by offering them some flintlock guns and other ‘small gifts.’

“On the other hand, try to arrange an escape route for the Boers. They certainly can’t hold the Cape, but efforts should be made to minimize their casualties. If possible, connect with the Saco people to shelter them, and we can provide some necessary funds.”

Lavallette quickly took notes and replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“As for aid to the Boers, you can use the smuggling ships of the ‘Special Trade Committee.’ Not too many weapons, mainly food and medicine.”

Speaking of medicine, Joseph remembered another matter: “By the way, the Health Bureau will dispatch some doctors to accompany you to the Cape of Good Hope to conduct double-blind drug trials. This should greatly enhance the trust of the South African indigenous people in us.”

Indeed, conducting human drug tests in South African indigenous tribes may initially seem somewhat inhumane, but for the medicine-starved indigenous people, it is a rare opportunity for treatment.

Even patients in the ‘control group’ will be well-cared for by French doctors, significantly improving their survival chances compared to relying solely on tribal wizards’ prayers.

Furthermore, the drugs involved in the double-blind trials have been screened by the Health Bureau—the cost of drug testing is not low, and something like “mouse tails for treating smallpox” certainly won’t be included to waste funds—so many of these drugs have certain efficacy and can save many indigenous lives.

Therefore, conducting drug trials here can be considered a win-win.

…

March 2, 1795.

British Navy Vice Admiral George Elphinstone commanded five battleships into Falls Bay, severing Cape’s connection with the outside world.

Immediately afterward, Brigadier James Craig, cooperating with the British East India Company, led 2,000 marines to land from Simon Town near the Cape.

The small town’s total population was less than 400, making almost no resistance as they watched the British build a supply base here.

Three days later, British warships began a fierce bombardment of Mason Fort outside Cape Town.

Simultaneously, Admiral Craig quickly occupied the heights near Mason Fort, creating a semi-surrounding stance around the Cape.

The battle lasted over a month, leaving Cape Town riddled with holes. Governor Abraham Sluisken, helpless, called all officials together to discuss surrender.

However, just that night, several French people sneaked into the city via a channel outside the harbor.

“So, you haven’t brought any reinforcements?” Sluisken, who was originally full of expectations, suddenly sank into his chair, “Thank you for your concern, but we’re preparing to surrender the day after tomorrow.”

Malvik, a Security Bureau agent from Southern Netherlands, pointed out the window and loudly exclaimed:

“This is the home you have painstakingly built for over a hundred years; every house, every road was built by your own hands.

“If you surrender, these will fall into the hands of the British!

“And you will only work for the British, watching them earn the money that should belong to you, gnawing on the black bread they hand out.”

Sluisken suddenly roared loudly: “What can I do? My soldiers have suffered nearly half losses, and there is little ammunition left, what can we use to hold out?!”

“You don’t need to hold out,” Malvik said, “but you must not surrender.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Take your people, leave here, hide in the Drakensberg Mountains. When the British become complacent, attack them. When their warehouses are constantly burned, transport convoys extensively hijacked, soldiers inexplicably disappear, someday they will be unable to bear the losses and will choose to negotiate with you.”

The Drakensberg Mountain is northeast of the Cape, at over 3000 meters high, with frequent heavy rains. Without knowing the terrain, once inside, it is nearly impossible to exit.

Sluisken laughed: “You might not be familiar with the situation here, the Drakensberg Mountains are Saco territory. We’ve been fighting these indigenous people for decades, entering the mountains will mean death…”

Malvik also laughed: “What if we persuade the Saco people to offer a place for you to live?”

The Governor of Cape was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly stood up, “Are you speaking truthfully?”

“Absolutely.”

Sluisken was somewhat wary and asked, “Why are you doing this?”

“You know, we have always been at odds with the British. Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince wants to invest in the Cape, oh, not the port, the port and the city will always be yours; His Highness is interested in the mineral resources.”

Two days later.

With the protection of soldiers, the residents of Cape Town began to move toward the eastern swamp region.

The British Commander’s goal was to occupy Cape Town, naturally pleased to see the Boers retreat. Of course, it’s also because the army finds it difficult to launch a massive attack in the swamps.

Thus, after five days of retreat, over 13,000 Boers, and slightly more Basters and Malays, entered the Drakensberg Mountains.

Just as the French people said, the Saco did not attack them.

Later when Sluisken saw the Saco people who were in contact with them carrying flintlock guns and various glass ornaments, he realized how the French persuaded these indigenous people to accept them.