Chapter 223: A Trip to Sweden
"Gentlemen, for dividing the Kingdom of Malawi, let's use Kanpanbale on the shores of Lake Malawi as the boundary. This way, each side gets about half of Malawi's land. Are you satisfied?"
The Portuguese delegation leaders, Platini and Everton, exchanged glances. Platini nodded, and Everton had no objection to this partition.
"Mr. Martin, our side agrees to this plan!"
"Glad to work with you!"
"Glad to work with you!"
Martin, the Mayor of Dar es Salaam, finally concluded this wearisome negotiation according to the East African government's instructions. Over the past few days, Martin had been making outrageous demands. His initial plan was to use Nkhotakota in the southern part of Lake Malawi as the dividing line—about one-third of Malawi's kingdom. Of course, the Portuguese didn't accept that. But Martin kept them engaged, saying they could keep talking. Both sides wanted part of Malawi's territory, so it was natural that East Africa would try to claim more. And after all, the Portuguese delegation came precisely for this reason. Martin told them to present their own proposal and see if they could compromise.
At first, the Portuguese felt the East African government wasn't sincere and wanted to leave. But hearing Martin say "we can talk about anything," they kept negotiating.
It looked like East Africa was just wasting time, but actually, they were deliberately dragging out the talks. The later Mozambique began swallowing the southern part of Malawi, the better. Mozambique was truly "idle," whereas East Africa only pretended to be so; in reality, Zambia and the Gerredi Sultanate were steadily falling into East Africa's hands.
…
March 11, 1870
The Kingdom of Sweden
"Ernst, you've grown a lot since I last saw you. If your mother were still alive, she'd surely be comforted," said the elderly former Swedish queen, Joséphine Maximilian Eugénie Napoléon, taking Ernst's hand.
"Look at us. We're from different times. How's your father doing lately?"
"Aunt, my father is in good health."
"Ah, many of my close relatives and old friends have passed. Your mother died young, leaving you as just a child, and your father, Prince Constantin, had to raise you alone. That wasn't easy."
"Yes, he's done a lot for me," Ernst said.
"All right, so what brings you to the Kingdom of Sweden this time?"
Ernst told her all about the plan for East Africa to become a kingdom.
"I never imagined Prince Constantin could become a king in his old age. Go talk to Karl about it—he won't make trouble. He'll agree," Aunt Joséphine said.
Karl was Karl XV, the current King of Sweden and Norway. Ernst had come to Sweden precisely to prepare for recognition after East Africa became a kingdom. With Aunt Joséphine's help, his mission wasn't too hard; he truly felt how lucky he was to have such a mother's family connections.
Ernst's maternal grandfather, Eugène, and grandmother, Augusta (daughter of Maximilian I, King of Bavaria), had six children, all of whom married into top European noble houses. One son was married to Queen Maria II of Portugal (he died just two months after the wedding), another son became the son-in-law of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, their daughter Émilie married across the ocean to South America and became Queen of Brazil. Their eldest daughter was given the name Joséphine Maximilian Eugénie Napoléon (1807–1876), after Eugène's mother, Empress Joséphine (Napoleon I's first wife). In 1823, she traveled to Sweden to marry Oscar I, who soon ascended to the throne. The Swedes affectionately called her Josefina. The reigning King Karl XV was her son—and Ernst's cousin.
Meanwhile, Ernst's mother had married Prince Constantin. Add Constantin's side of the family, and it seemed the entire European royal scene was interconnected by blood ties. When Ernst married Karina, the Bavarian royal family acted as the go-between, since everyone was basically one big family.
Of course, even with such connections, European nobles still acted in their own interest; alliances by marriage didn't stop them from fighting.
"Cousin Ernst, are you really going to set up a kingdom in Africa?" Karl XV asked curiously.
"Yes, cousin. Founding a kingdom overseas is definitely easier than in Europe. All we have to do is defeat the local Africans."
"Africa, well," Karl XV mused, "I can't say. The climate there must be the complete opposite of Sweden."
"So, when do you plan to announce your kingdom's founding?"
"Probably in May of this year."
"Two months away. Do you need any help?" Karl XV asked.
"As long as the Kingdom of Sweden officially recognizes the Kingdom of East Africa at that time. We'll send diplomatic personnel here," Ernst replied.
"All right, just give me a heads-up. You've probably done the same with other countries, right?"
"Yes, mostly with Austria-Hungary, Prussia, Bavaria, and other German states, plus Romania, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and so on."
"What about the big powers like Britain and France?"
"We'll do our best with them, but since they're major colonial powers and East Africa is overseas, well…"
"Mm, don't worry too much. I can help you with that. Sweden has decent relations with Britain and France," Karl XV said.
"That's a big help, cousin!"
"I can't guarantee everything, but Africa is huge, and from what I know, besides the Suez Canal and the Cape, there aren't many places of real importance. They probably won't care if you set up a kingdom in East Africa."
…
Ernst's trip to Sweden went smoothly. His next stop was Saint Petersburg, where Tsar Alexander II, finding a moment in his schedule, granted Ernst an audience. Alexander II readily agreed, since Africa was far from Russia. There was no conflict of interest; a friendly gesture cost nothing.
After that, Ernst traveled around Europe, visiting countries allied with the House of Hohenzollern. He also got in touch with Alfonso XII, who was still staying in France. The House of Hohenzollern had been funding Alfonso XII, the future King of Spain, and he promised to make a statement on Spain's behalf. Though Alfonso's Spain was just a government-in-exile formed by Queen Isabella II in France, Isabella II had never renounced her claim to Spain's throne. Alfonso XII could use the matter of East Africa's founding to boost his influence within Spain.
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