My Italy

Kismayo is a port at the mouth of the Juba River. It was occupied by Italy in 1876. However, Italy did not go deep into the interior. It only occupied this colonial point as a trading port and exported goods from Italy to nearby tribes. products, and also purchased some local livestock and other local specialties. How can I say my life was good or bad, at least I didn’t lose money.

However, the atmosphere has become different recently, and Aral Mensah, who is tired of his career, was the first to feel it.

"How is this going?"

He pulled over an acquaintance and asked.

"Mensah, you are back. You said these soldiers were sent from home. Now that Major Tovani is no longer the commander in the city, I heard that a colonel named Crowley has taken over the army."

The acquaintance's answer made Mensa feel that it was unusual because there were too many troops. He saw at least a hundred soldiers wandering around the city. He remembered that when he was chatting with Major Tovani, he said personally that with the more than 400 garrison troops he had, he could defend even tens of thousands of local natives.

As for why he can get to know Major Tovani and seem to have a good relationship with him, it must be mentioned that he is gifted in communicating with the local indigenous people. He can communicate with the locals fluently in Somali. In addition, he can easily win the favor of the locals.

Someone with such talent should be rich, so Mensah's caravan is the most profitable in Kismayo. Since it is the most profitable caravan, it must involve local powerful people, and it is reasonable for Major Tovani, as the commander of the Kismayo garrison, to get involved. In addition, local civil affairs officials also invested in the company.

With the participation of local military and political officials, Mensah's business has grown bigger and bigger. He has become the largest businessman in Kismayo, and he handles one-third of the local transaction volume.

Therefore, he is famous not only in Kismayo, but also in various strongholds throughout Italian Somalia.

However, this fame does not necessarily bring only benefits. Not only did he just return to his home, but before he had time to take a rest, he saw Major Tovani's adjutants hurriedly looking for him.

"Hello, Lieutenant Kolo, what brought you here?"

Seeing the second lieutenant who was brought in by the servant, Mensah immediately greeted him with a smile. As a businessman, he is very polite to everyone, especially Lieutenant Colo, who is also the adjutant of Major Tovani, and he will not lose his courtesy.

However, compared with Mensa's smiling face, the adjutant's eyes were a little evasive, and he spoke in a stiff tone. "Mr. Mensah, the Major is waiting for you at the headquarters."

Second Lieutenant Colo's words made Mensa's heart tremble. It was not that he was afraid that he would be in danger, but that he had a premonition that summoning him this time would not be a good thing.

"Please wait a moment, I'll change my clothes and come."

After Mensa retreated to his room, feeling uneasy, he secretly called a confidant and handed him a note. "If I don't come back by night, go to this place immediately to find a man named Lille and tell him that I need his help."

This is an escape route left by Mensa, but I hope it won't be used.

"Okay, sir."

Facing Mensa's instructions, the confidant who had been raised since childhood nodded vigorously.

After explaining the matter, Mensah immediately changed into clean clothes and followed Lieutenant Kolo out.

Lu Mensa was also familiar with the command post, and soon he arrived at the command post located at the military camp in the east of the city. This headquarters is obviously different from before. Not only the guards have changed, but there are also drills in the military camp, which makes Mensa's heart even heavier.

"Mr. Mensah, Colonel Crowley and Major Tovani are waiting for you inside."

Walking to the door, Lieutenant Kolo took it as a gesture of invitation.

Mensah had no choice but to go in. When he entered his house, he felt something unusual because compared to the messy headquarters in the past, it had been cleaned up now, and there was a large map of Somalia hanging on the wall, and there was also a large wooden table with There was actually a sand table set up, and two officers were pointing on it.

"Report, Mr. Mensah has been brought in."

Following Lieutenant Kolo's voice, the two officers raised their heads.

He knew Major Tovani, but this was the first time he saw another officer with a stern face, and with the rank of colonel, he believed that this was Colonel Crowley.

"Hello, Colonel Crowley, Major Tovani."

Facing Mensa's familiar greeting, Colonel Crowley raised his eyebrows. "you know me?"

"The whole of Kismayo knows about the colonel's deeds. How can anyone not know you?"

Colonel Crowley did not pursue Mensah's confusion, but asked him about it. "I heard that you are the most successful businessman here?"

"I don't dare, that's all because of everyone's modesty."

Although Mensa was polite, he did not deny it.

Since there is no denial, that's it.

"So Mr. Mensa should be familiar with the surrounding tribes?"

"so so."

After receiving Mensah's answer, Colonel Crowley immediately stated the reason for summoning him this time. "Mr. Mensah, we summoned you this time because we have a task to ask for your help."

"This... I'm just a businessman, I may not be able to do it."

Colonel Crowley completely ignored Mensah's refusal. "It doesn't matter, it's easy to do. Our military would like to ask you to be our guide and lead us to find those tribes."

Facing Colonel Crowley's words, Mensah waved his hands repeatedly. "This is not okay, I can't do it."

These tribes are his food, clothing and parents. If he is asked to lead an army to find these tribes, he knows what is going on without even thinking about it. He will not agree at all.

"Don't be too busy saying no to Mr. Mensah."

Colonel Crowley had obviously anticipated Mensah's reaction. How is it possible to just let him pay without getting anything in return? I saw him take out a document and put it in front of Mensa.

"This is a Lanfang franchise license. As long as you can lead us to find those tribes, then this license is yours."

The license that Colonel Crowley produced made Mensa envious. He was not only interested in doing business in Kismayo, he was also very well-informed. He knew that this flimsy document would cost at least five to six million yuan in the country. lira. Because the government is very strict in issuing franchise licenses in Lanfang, only with such a license can one buy various spices that are specialty products in Lanfang.

Although the spice business does not allow people to get rich like it did in the last century, it is certain to make money. So now he is a little hesitant. After all, he is a businessman and not a politician. How can he just let it go?

"Can you let me think about it?"

"Okay. But it'll be one night at most. We'll have to find someone else tomorrow."

Faced with Colonel Crowley's words, Mensah left the military camp uneasily.

After a sleepless night, with dark circles under his eyes, he came to the military camp again.

"Colonel Crowley, can I take another look at that permit?"

Mensah's words brought a smile to Colonel Crowley's face.

"Can."

What happened in Mensah is not isolated, it is happening in Italian strongholds in Somalia. Many businessmen with ties to the local tribes were invited over. When they faced the conditions imposed by the government, they did not hesitate to betray the tribes they were trading with. There were even greedy businessmen who asked the military to allow them to lead people to conquer the local indigenous people.

The Italian army relied on these merchants to find tribes one after another. When these indigenous people faced the modern Italian army, their outcome was already doomed.