Chapter 547: Landing
Southern Ryukyu Islands.
The first batch of ships departed from the Zhuhai Trade Zone and arrived at the Southern Ryukyu Islands within a few days. The Zhuhai Trade Zone was relatively small, and major reinforcements were expected from the Huaihai Economic Zone.
Even so, East Africa dispatched five armed merchant ships from the Zhuhai Trade Zone to the Southern Ryukyu Islands, along with over 300 armed personnel, who were to be stationed there permanently.
The Southern Ryukyu Islands weren't far from the Zhuhai Trade Zone, being located just east of Danwan Island.
Therefore, East Africa prepared substantial supplies, weapons, and ammunition. Since it was initiating a colonial project, it aimed to do it right—first, securing the territory with military presence.
With a population of just over 10,000, the Southern Ryukyus could be controlled by 300 East African soldiers. These personnel were originally security staff for the Hechingen consortium in the Far Eastern Empire, but once outside its borders, they reverted to their true identity. More troops would follow. Ernst planned to deploy at least 3,000 troops to the Southern Ryukyus, with Miyako and Ishigaki Islands as the primary strongholds.
"This is already the best residence on the island. We've requisitioned it, but it's not nearly enough for us. We need to set up makeshift huts quickly. Aside from the locals, we need to watch out for pirates and Japanese agents."
In the 19th century, pirates were rampant—especially in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. There were some in East African waters, though not many, since most surrounding islands were already under East African control. Before East Africa was founded, Portuguese and Arab (including Swahili) pirates dominated these waters. As for native African pirate forces capable of operating large vessels, only Somalia came close, but it had already been annexed by East Africa.
As East Africa's navy grew stronger in recent years, piracy was largely suppressed. Most pirates were now based in Madagascar and Mozambique. This had greatly improved maritime safety along East Africa's eastern routes.
However, piracy surged in the Red Sea after the Suez Canal opened, since most vessels now used that route.
"As for the Japanese, don't worry about them for now. Once we secure our footing on Miyako Island, we'll drive them out. As for pirates, once the troops are settled, we'll start a sweep. But first, issue a public notice encouraging conscientious islanders to surrender peacefully."
While East Africa was landing on Miyako Island, Japanese informants there spotted the fleet, as did Far Eastern Empire personnel in the Southern Ryukyus. The Far Eastern Empire had dispatched military instructors to help locals resist Japan's invasion. As loyal subjects of the Empire, Ryukyu still had many diehard loyalists.
At a traditional Japanese-style house on Miyako:
"Mr. Kohara, I know who those people are. They're not from the Far Eastern Empire—they're Germans."
"Are you sure, Nani?"
"I'm sure. They're flying a Western lion insignia. I don't know which country exactly, but all five ships carried flags of the German Far East Trading Association."
"Germans, huh? Could be from Germany, Austria-Hungary, or that East African kingdom. But why come to the Sakishima Islands (Southern Ryukyus)?"
As mentioned earlier, the Southern Ryukyus were of strategic value to Japan and the Far Eastern Empire, but held little economic importance. The land was limited—enough for some rice farming and tropical produce.
The main East-West trade route passed through the Danwan Island Strait. Few would detour to the Southern Ryukyus for business. The entire population of the islands barely exceeded 20,000—even in modern times, it barely reached 100,000. That shows how remote the area was.
With no vast plantations or developed trade networks, the Southern Ryukyus remained sparsely populated.
However, the islands were close to Danwan, making them a useful springboard for Japan's past invasions. They also formed a crucial part of the Far Eastern Empire's maritime defense chain.
East Africa's occupation of the Southern Ryukyus was clearly aimed at connecting with Alaska and supporting East African ships in the Far East.
This indirectly disrupted Japan's ambitions for Danwan Island, though Japan could do nothing about it. East Africa was no pushover.
Unlike the U.S., East Africa was separated from Japan by the Strait of Malacca—putting Japan out of range. Of course, if Japan managed to expand into Southeast Asia like it did in a past life, things would be different. The Lanfang Overseas Province now functioned similarly to Hawaii.
"Yano, we must report this to the mainland immediately. These Germans aren't here with good intentions."
"Understood. But Mr. Kohara, since they're Germans, if they really want to occupy the Sakishima Islands, what can our Empire do?"
"That's above our pay grade. But this is definitely a wildcard. Hopefully, they're only planning a temporary stay."
Yano shook his head. "I doubt it. They've brought two or three thousand troops, fully armed. They're unloading cargo and have already met with local Ryukyu officials. According to our informants, these Germans supposedly have the Far Eastern Empire's permission to develop the area."
"Develop?"
"Apparently for economic purposes. But I find that unlikely. The Sakishima Islands have no resources. Even colonizing here seems unprofitable."
"Then it must be for strategic reasons," Kohara concluded.
"Strategic?"
"Germany has few colonies. Most good territories have already been claimed. They can only pick up what Britain and France left behind. The Sakishima Islands might be one of those few remaining."
"Germany has few colonies? That East African kingdom has claimed half of Africa! Even Britain and Portugal are envious."
"Heh, Yano, East Africa isn't really a colony—it's more like the U.S. during its founding. If East Africa truly belonged to Germany or Austria-Hungary, the world would already have another great power rivaling Britain and France. That's precisely why no one wanted to see Germany gain such a massive overseas colony."
"Hmph, lucky for them! Africa's huge—why didn't Britain or France take it all first?"
"Because of malaria. Only with quinine did colonizing Africa become viable. The traditional colonial powers missed the window, and East Africa seized the opportunity."
"Mr. Kohara, I think the Germans must have some secret weapon. Even with quinine, no other European country has developed African colonies as fast as East Africa."
Indeed, East Africa had its own "secret"—mass immigration. Both the German regions and the Far Eastern Empire had booming populations.
In East Africa, immigrants meant farmers, workers, and soldiers. With enough people, East Africa had become what it was today—and now enjoyed the demographic dividend from its massive population.
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