Chapter 324: The Zhuhai Commercial District
The Ndebele revolt ruined Constantinoo's mood for further sightseeing in Dodoma. If it had been any other region's natives rebelling, he would have taken it in stride—after all, the natives might be primitive, but they're no fools and know how to resist.
But East Africa had extended considerable courtesy to the Ndebele in Zimbabwe, sharing governance of the Matabele Plateau with them. Both the East Africans and the Ndebele were "outsiders" to the local Shona people, who constitute about eighty percent of the plateau's population.
It is similar to how the British use Indians in Africa: the East African government intended to treat the Ndebele like "Indians," supporting them in suppressing the Shona. But that plan backfired.
Although the Ndebele uprising is massive, it poses no real threat to the East African Kingdom. The Ndebele's strength grew from military prowess, and so did East Africa's. Moreover, the total number of Ndebele isn't much greater than East Africa's own forces in Zimbabwe. From the time they left the Zulu Kingdom until they arrived on the Matabele Plateau, barely forty or fifty years passed. In that period, they intermarried with the local Shona for several decades; even counting these mixed-blood descendants, the entire group is only on the order of a hundred thousand or so.
The Shona see Ndebele troops as unstoppable if they number more than ten thousand. But since the Ndebele couldn't even defeat the Boers, East Africa doesn't take them too seriously.
Still, to punish the Ndebele for their ingratitude, Constantinoo has decided to force the entire tribe to spend ten years in eastern East Africa digging canals.
…
April 3, 1871.
The Zhuhai Commercial District is located on the coast east of Tangjia Town in Xiangshan County, Guangzhou Prefecture, on the western shore of the Pearl River Delta. It faces Qiao Island across the sea. This is the commercial port established in Xiangshan under the "Two East Treaty" after East Africa established relations with the Far East.
At this time, there was still no city called Zhuhai; East Africa actually arrived here earlier than in Jiaozhou, but the development here lagged far behind Jiaozhou.
There was no special reason for that. In Jiaozhou, all East Africa had to do was deal with the local bureaucracy, then it could do pretty much anything. But in Xiangshan, even handling the officials wasn't straightforward. Local people here had seen much of the world; just to the south was Macau, stolen by the Portuguese, and there were also British activities in the area.
When East Africa finally managed to pressure the Qing court into granting privileges in Xiangshan, it then had to deal with a powerful local clan—the Tang family.
In these parts, the Tang family is a big surname. The Tangs in Tangjiawan, Zhuhai, trace back to 1205. In the Song Dynasty, Tang Jujun led his family from Pearl River Alley in Nanxiong (modern Shaoguan) to settle in Xiangshan's Fuyong (which is now Tangjiawan in Zhuhai). Tang Jujun, styled Shaoyao, was the ninth-generation descendant of Tang Jie, who served as Prime Minister of the Song. As the founding ancestor of the Tang clan in Tangjiawan, his descendants hold considerable influence.
They might not rule the area like kings, but their words still carry great weight. That means the East African government had to negotiate not only with Xiangshan's officials but also with the Tang family's leaders when trying to do business here.
The Tang family feared the East African Kingdom might pull the same trick the Portuguese did. They worried that East Africa would seize control if given a chance.
At the same time, the Tangs had significant influence within the Qing government. Many clan members—Tang Tingshu, Tang Tingzhi, Tang Tinggeng, Tang Jichang, Tang Qiao-qing, and others—had become prominent compradors. Their wealth grew exponentially, and so did the clan's shared properties and temple estates.
Take Tang Tingshu, for instance: he was one of the civilian representatives of the Far Eastern "Self-Strengthening Movement," very close to Li Hongzhang. His achievements included setting up the first Chinese-owned shipping company (the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company), founding the first coal mine (Kaiping Mining Bureau), starting China's first major insurance company (Renjihe Insurance), overseeing construction of the first railway (the Tang–Xugezhuang Railway), drilling the first oil well, and laying the first telegraph line in China. He also founded the well-known Huibao newspaper. He was one of the "Four Great Compradors" of late Qing China.
Currently, Tang Tingshu still works as the chief comprador for Jardine Matheson, holding vast assets and many investments. He is but one example of influential Tang clan figures in the business world. Hence, the East African consulate in Xiangshan County finds it very difficult to get anything done.
For example, without the Tang family's permission, East Africa couldn't buy land. When the Xiangshan consulate complained to the county government, the local officials—being allied with the Tang family—just delayed and refused to reply. They privately ordered local people not to trade or interact with East African businessmen or officials. So East Africa decided: "Fine, if that's how it is…"
On March 7 of this year, one East African company of soldiers was sent ashore at Tangjiawan. This was the first time the East African Kingdom officially deployed troops on foreign soil.
Although there were armed East African personnel in Jiaozhou, at least nominally they were not East African troops. East Africa was also more respectful of local officials there, since those officials cooperated so well.
But sending troops to Xiangshan shocked Guangzhou Prefect Mei Qizhao, who rushed from Guangzhou to mediate.
Xiangshan County Yamen
Mei Qizhao scolded the Xiangshan County Magistrate, "Look at what you've done! You had to provoke these foreigners, and you're not worried about creating a diplomatic incident?"
The magistrate stammered, "We can't interfere with private land deals, and the local people just refuse to deal with foreigners. We can't exactly force them…"
Mei Qizhao said, "Enough excuses. I know how these clan powers behave. How many favors did you accept from the Tang family?"
The magistrate said, "I… Your Excellency, I…"
Mei Qizhao snapped, "Hmph! Nothing remains secret forever. The empire is in a time of change, eager to learn Western technology to confront the powers. We need peace and time to develop. If you stir up trouble that wrecks the national strategy, can you bear that responsibility?"
The magistrate asked, "What does Your Excellency advise, then?"
Mei Qizhao said, "Prepare generous gifts, and accompany me to apologize to Consul Xiumus. As for the Tang family, warn them not to antagonize these foreigners. If real conflict arises and causes a diplomatic crisis, watch how fast you lose your hats!"
The magistrate broke out in a cold sweat. "I'll handle it immediately."
…
Tangjiawan Town
Mei Qizhao said, "Consul Xiumus, this was all a misunderstanding. These locals were once tricked by the Portuguese, so they have some prejudice against your nation. I apologize on their behalf."
Xiumus replied, "Very well. Our East African Kingdom had no wish to escalate things, but the Tang family, which wields power here, has blocked our normal trade, threatened local people, and banned them from dealing with our merchants. We believe they should be severely punished."
Mei Qizhao coughed, "Ahem, ahem!"
Tang Clan Patriarch: "Consul Xiumus, it's all a misunderstanding. I happened to be away on business recently, so this got out of hand. I'm truly ashamed. Our Tang family fully supports your nation's renting land, building a harbor, and conducting trade here!"
Just as Xiumus was about to respond, the Tang Patriarch discreetly handed over a check from the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. "This is a small token from our family, and we hope you'll accept it to settle the misunderstanding between our two countries."
Expressionless, Xiumus took the check and said, "This misunderstanding is not a problem, but about the land issue…"
The Tang Patriarch replied, "We will lease it, lease it!"
He then fetched a map and pointed to the southeastern part of Tangjiawan. "This location has the best natural harbor conditions. We will give our full support to your nation in developing it."
Xiumus said, "Excellent. Director Mei Qizhao, as the East Africans develop this site, we hope Guangzhou Prefecture can offer us plenty of convenience. Once the commercial port is up and running, we guarantee fair trade."
Mei Qizhao said, "Of course, Consul Xiumus. I will do my best in Guangzhou to promote it to the business community. But now that the misunderstanding is settled—about your troops…"
Xiumus replied, "Rest assured, we only act according to our treaty with your nation. We won't overstep bounds. That's the spirit of our agreement, and you must uphold it as well. Otherwise, if trouble arises like this again, it won't end well."
Mei Qizhao responded, "Certainly, certainly."
With the East African show of force, the Zhuhai Commercial District finally settled down. Its main job is to send East African industrial goods and grains into the Pearl River region, while importing products that East Africa needs.
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