Chapter 1021: Cape of Good Hope Strategy
As the most vital financial hub on the European continent, Amsterdam did not just hold domestic capital; it also saw massive investments from the Germans, French, Spanish, and Italians.
Consequently, Amsterdam attracted major companies from across Europe looking to raise funds.
As the nation with the largest scale of industrialization, Britain naturally had many companies listed there as well.
If the incident at the Cape of Good Hope could be leveraged to incite Dutch resentment against the British, it would likely trigger a wave of divestment, driving the market value of these British companies straight into the floor.
The companies listed in the Netherlands were typically giants. Once the impact on their stock prices rippled back to Britain, it would undoubtedly cause total bedlam.
At the same time, the capital exiting these British firms would need to find new investment targets.
If the companies in the Rhineland could capture even a third of that capital, their financing goals would be easily met.
Joseph quickly formulated a plan and said to Gaudin, "Allocate a sum from the treasury immediately. It doesn't need to be much—three or four million francs will suffice. Then, send people to Amsterdam to act as investors and do this..."
The Finance Minister looked at the Crown Prince in surprise. "Your Highness, will this... actually work?"
He then turned his instructions to the Director of the Security Bureau. "You must make good use of our limited intelligence personnel at the Cape. On one hand, establish contact with the Zulu and Xhosa peoples. You don't need to discuss many specifics; just focus on building mutual trust—you can give them small gifts like flintlock muskets.
"On the other hand, find a way to arrange a retreat for the Boers. They certainly won't be able to hold the Cape, but we must try to minimize their casualties. If possible, contact the Xhosa to provide them shelter. We can provide appropriate funding for that."
Lavalette took notes rapidly, nodding in agreement. "Understood, Your Highness."
"As for the aid to the Boers, you can utilize the smuggling vessels of the Special Board of Trade. They don't need many weapons; the primary focus should be food and medicine."
Mentioning medicine reminded Joseph of something else. "Right, the Medical Bureau will dispatch some doctors to accompany you to the Cape. They will conduct double-blind experiments for new drugs there. This should significantly increase the trust the South African natives have in us."
Admittedly, conducting human drug trials among South African native tribes might sound inhumane, but for people lacking any access to modern medicine, it was a rare opportunity for treatment.
Even the patients in the control group would receive proper care from French doctors. Compared to simply relying on tribal witch doctors and their incantations, their chances of survival would be much higher.
Moreover, the drugs entering double-blind experiments had already been screened by the Medical Bureau—the cost of conducting drug trials was not low, and they wouldn't waste funds on things like "rat tails to cure smallpox." Consequently, many of the drugs possessed genuine therapeutic effects and could save the lives of many natives.
Therefore, conducting drug trials here could be considered a win-win situation.
...
March 2, 1795.
Vice Admiral George Elphinstone of the British Navy, commanding five battleships, entered False Bay, severing the Cape's connection to the outside world.
Shortly thereafter, Major General James Craig, acting in coordination with the British East India Company, led two thousand marines to land at Simon's Town near the Cape.
The town's population—men, women, and children combined—totaled fewer than four hundred people. They offered almost no resistance, watching helplessly as the British military established a supply base.
Three days later, British warships began a heavy bombardment of Muizenberg, located just outside the city of Cape Town.
Simultaneously, Major General Craig quickly occupied the heights near Muizenberg, effectively placing the Cape under a partial siege.
The fighting lasted for over a month. Cape Town was left riddled with holes and in ruins. Governor Abraham Sluysken, left with no other choice, gathered all his officials to discuss the terms of surrender.
However, that very night, several Frenchmen slipped into the city through the waterways outside the harbor.
"So, you haven't brought any reinforcements?" Sluysken, who had been filled with expectation, instantly deflated. He slumped into his chair. "I appreciate your concern, but we plan to surrender the day after tomorrow."
Marvick, a Security Bureau agent from the Southern Netherlands, gestured toward the window and spoke loudly.
"This is the home you have worked so hard to build over the last century. Every house, every road was constructed by your own hands.
"If you surrender, all of this will fall into the hands of the British!
"And you? You will be forced to work for the British, watching them profit from money that should have been yours while you gnaw on the black bread they deign to toss you."
Sluysken suddenly roared with even greater volume, "What am I supposed to do?! Nearly half my soldiers are casualties, and the city is running low on ammunition! How am I supposed to hold out to the death?!"
"You don't need to hold out to the death," Marvick said. "But you certainly cannot surrender."
"I don't understand what you are saying."
"Take your people, leave this place, and go into hiding in the Drakensberg Mountains. Wait until the British grow complacent, then launch raids against them. When their warehouses are constantly set ablaze, their transport convoys hijacked, and their soldiers vanish mysteriously, the day will come when they can no longer bear the losses. They will be forced to negotiate with you."
The Drakensberg Mountains lay to the northeast of the Cape, with peaks reaching over three thousand meters. The region was prone to torrential rain, and anyone unfamiliar with the terrain who entered would likely never come out.
Sluysken let out a bitter laugh. "You clearly aren't familiar with the situation here. The Drakensberg is Xhosa territory. We have been fighting those natives for decades. If we go into those mountains, we'll be slaughtered..."
Marvick smiled. "What if we have already persuaded the Xhosa? What if they are willing to provide a place for you to live?"
The Governor of the Cape froze for several seconds before abruptly standing up. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Absolutely."
Sluysken became a bit wary. "Why are you doing this?"
"As you know, we and the British have never been on particularly good terms. Furthermore, the Crown Prince wishes to invest in the Cape—oh, not the port. The port and the city will always be yours. His Highness is interested in the minerals."
Two days later.
Under the cover of their soldiers, the residents of Cape Town began to move toward the marshlands to the east.
The British commander's objective was to occupy the city itself, so he was more than happy to watch the Boers retreat. Of course, it was also because it was difficult for an army to launch a large-scale offensive in the swamps.
Thus, after five days of retreat, over thirteen thousand Boers, along with a slightly larger number of Basters and Malays, entered the Drakensberg Mountains.
Just as the Frenchman had promised, the Xhosa did not attack them.
Later, when Sluysken saw the Xhosa who came to meet them carrying flintlock muskets and wearing various glass ornaments, he finally understood exactly how the French had persuaded these natives to welcome them.
Comments