The elf behind him filled up his cup with more sour milk. It was tangy, and its consistency is thicker compared to its regular counterpart. Bananas and pineapples were placed on the table, procured from a local Zulu orchard. He was urged to enjoy the flavour.
It was nice to be treated like this. It was almost as if he was treated as a colonial master. The drink would have to be changed to tea, and the one sitting across him should be grinning amiably at the workers working before them. But she was frowning, at the slow progress.
The German rats who once served through either land surveying or mining rebranded themselves as consultants, and they were watching the overall operation of the construction of the mine. The deposit was special. It wasn’t gold, mind you. It was iron, the lifeblood of industry.
His Zulu partners weren’t willing to disclose where they sourced their iron, so they could only rely on finding a newly found deposit. Fortunately, they found one. Unfortunately, it was in Zululand. Thus, the excavation had to entirely rely on the cooperation of the Zulus.
Jan didn’t like the reliance and growing dependency of his industries on the Zulus, but there wasn’t much he could do. There was no way he was climbing the value chain with their small numbers, thus the thousands of Zulu workers the Zulu workforce could provide were necessary.
It was a chain binding the two parties, making decoupling more painful. And it should be expected. For once the Zulus squeezed the Boers for their usefulness, they will be the ones who would be dispossessed of their land, for they held all the cards. And his goal was to not let them realize that.
Iron, or Fe, is the most common element of Earth at 32.1%. It is right before the second most common element, Oxygen at 30.1%. Iron in its pure state is raw in the crust, and its commonly obtained through meteorites. But its presence as ore is common.
Thus, it must be smelted. Since the iron age was thousands of years ago, humans had a long tradition of smelting iron. One’s kilns must reach 1,500 °C, 500°C more than what is needed of copper.
The earliest iron is known as wrought iron which is an iron alloy with a carbon content of less than 0.08%. It was known as wrought iron, for it is worked while it is hot to remove the molten slag.
The next is known as cast iron, which has a carbon content of more than 2%. Due to this, its melting temperature is low compared to its wrought counterparts. Many tools are made from the more brittle iron, as it is more malleable and easier for blacksmiths to work with.
So one may ask, what exactly is steel? Steel is iron that has a higher carbon content than wrought iron, around 0.35%. Famous applications include the Damascus Steel used by the Persians which is now lost to history. No one knows how it is made, but its legends claim that it can cut hair falling on its blade or even hack a rifle in half.
Steel was the ultimate good of modernity. To see the strength of a nation, was to see its steel production. The agrarian Soviet Union and China saw it as a priority to build up steel production through numerous five-year plans. How can they not? For steel was used in everything at that time. Construction, tools, ships, planes, cars, tanks. Everything that is mentioned today likely uses steel.
The only issue was, no matter how Jan saw it. Even with the cooperation of everyone in South Elfrica, there was no way they could compete with European Great Powers in steel production. The United States, Great Britain, France and Germany already have developed industries in iron, thus they could be upscale to powerful steel industries. Thus, their steel will always be cheaper than South Elfrican steel.
However, that is assuming that transportation costs are null. And that globalization has taken place, where trade barriers are down. But trade barriers are up, and protectionism is common. In this era where transportation takes weeks, it was no wonder every nation sought to pursue domestic steel production.
Of course, once the age of globalization begins, he could expect to see the shuttering down of most of these steel industries. Hopefully, then, South Elfrica’s would still survive.
“I want most of the iron from this mine,” Nokuthula explained.
Jan shook his head, whilst finally understanding why he was treated like this. This wasn’t a request; it was a demand.
“Absolutely not. What will you do with them? Smelt them into spears? What a waste of iron.”
“The iron here will have many Zulu Chiefs fall under the Princess. I must secure this iron. If you wish to get your iron, obtain your deposits in the land our Queen has provided you.”
Taking a deep breath, he analysed the situation. It was frustrating that she was unwilling to hand over the iron, choosing to completely nationalize it for herself. But iron was precious, crucial to the war efforts of the numerous Elfrican tribes scattered in South Elfrica. It made sense why she placed such strong importance on it. But he absolutely cannot let her turn them into spears and tools when they are a good of national importance!
“At the very least, hand me a small portion of the iron mined. I do not ask for a lot. I wish that you adhere to our agreements made regarding the Cetshwayo Mining Company and that my men and I are allocated the proper share.”
Nokuthula sneered.
“What have you Boers done or contributed? You sit around like landlords taking taxes when you haven’t even lifted a finger to help in the construction. Everything was done through Zulu labour. The men mining it will also be Zulu men. So, I ask, do you think you deserve even a share of the minerals?”
Jan’s lips curled up.
“Since you are like this, then I believe you do not need our expertise. Very well, you can receive the yields you deserve.”
He gathered the rats and the few men and left Zululand altogether.
“Sir, are we just going to leave like this?” Eilert Biermann, ex-owner of the German Mining Co now renamed German Mining Consultancy, asked.
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“Do you see your labour as something worthless, willing to still work for free when you’re unpaid? Tell me, what are the chances of an incident happening at the mines?”
“I don’t know, sir. I know our work hasn’t been done since you had us leave halfway through the construction. A lot of parts of the area haven’t been braced. I’m afraid a collapse might happen if they aren’t too careful while digging.”
Jan paused, wondering if he should use the lives of Zulu workers as chips at the negotiating table. But why stop there? He already killed thousands by inviting the Zulus into the Free States, no need to pretend to be some hero who is unafraid of doing what was morally wrong. Sooner or later, one of those mines is going to have a mining accident, and there will be blood on his hands for constructing them. But what could he do? Every industry has its fatalities.
“I want you to keep your ears peeled and watch the happenings of the mines in Zululand. Once any of them collapse, do immediately report them to me. And by the way, I suggest getting prepared to rescue some Zulu miners from a mine collapse. There’s no need to save all of them, all of them can’t be saved after all.”
Jan was casually skimming through various scientific journals from Europe. Imported from Port Natal, some of the merchants brought them to ship them to India since some of the colonial settlers there were interested in them. Through this, he was able to procure these precious journals. Also, since Port Natal was an international port. He could easily seek German, and French translators to help translate the journals into English.
Whilst doing so, he was keeping track of the English garrison led by Captain Smith in Pietermaritzburg. Pretorius was bringing the man sightseeing. They went to Howick to sightsee the beautiful falls and interact with the local Zulu merchants. If he didn’t know any better, he would remark that Pretorius was a good tour guide. Pretorius was likely buying time for him to make his preparations to hide Port Mpande.
But there was no need to worry about Port Mpande being discovered. What are the British going to do? They’re too busy downsizing the military, as well as focusing their efforts on garrisoning the Eastern Cape from the Xhosa. The home government was not willing to fund a frontier war. So even if Captain Smith found the port and demanded it to be submitted to British regulations, he could just dig his ears and pretended the captain said nothing.
Bam! His office door was kicked open and a familiar German rat showed himself. Bastian Hanneke, owner of Ratrica Mining Co renamed as Ratfrica Mining Consultancy, showed himself.
“As you predicted, the collapse of the newly discovered iron mine.”
“Give me some time, I need to put myself in a sombre mood before meeting the Zulu Chief.”
It was hard for him to not mock the displeased Zulu Chief. He wanted to smile, really badly. But there were thousands of Zulu hefting rock after rock from the interior of the mine that he was afraid of being impaled by a spear.
“I got an overview of the situation,” Bastian produced a map with graphite markings of the mine.
A big cross was put in one of the tunnels.
“It collapsed here. Trapping about 12 Zulus. One of them was crushed by the falling rocks. Screams of help could be heard from the Zulus busily shifting the rocks. We got 14 days to rescue them. I would be sure of that estimate if they were human, but they are elves, so I do not know.”
“Get them out of there, immediately!” Nokuthula demanded.
“Your current method isn’t the safest. A mine collapse could lead to another. Sending lots of men in that death trap is a horrible decision. Nonetheless, my plan is…,” Bastian put a cross on the surface of the soil. He then dragged the pencil to the opposing side of the collapse.
“The plan is to get my men and dig here. 10 days in the best of conditions. We can’t use machinery even if we had them because it might trigger another collapse.”
Bastian thought of requesting compensation and looked towards the Boer. The Boer nodded and the rat got to work. They were setting up equipment on the spot and started unearthing most of the soil before hacking through the stone.
Storm clouds could be seen in the distance, and Bastian sighed. If it rains, the soil will become mud, and some of it will flow into the excavation site. It will become dangerous to his men. It was likely the Zulu operation of passing the rock down the line would have to be put on pause as well.
The two groups sat together under a shelter constructed by some Zulus. Nokuthula seemed depressed, moping about as she realized she was powerless to rescue those men. Yet she seemed hopeful that they could be rescued.
But in the Boer shelter…
“As I said, it is in the best of situations. Elven bodies are also made of water, so they need to hydrate themselves as well. By the end of 3 days, I expect the deaths of those with weaker wills. By the end of 10 days, they will be barely clinging to life. 14 days, good as dead. We’ll have to shovel out the mud before we can continue the dig.”
Jan became pessimistic and thought they were as good as dead. 14 days of being stuck in cramped conditions while hoping for rescue sounded horrible. Those men better start praying to whatever gods they believed in to strengthen their wills for the coming days.
Quickly realizing he was useless, he left and let the experts carry out their duties. Now, this event would likely bring Nokuthula back to the negotiating table. If she didn’t want to negotiate, well, he didn’t want to escalate this any further. But if he had to, a little sabotage never hurt anyone. Like when the Americans hacked the Iranian Centrifuge using Stuxnet, he didn’t want to do the same.
A few days later, the results were out. Zulu manpower prevailed and was able to luckily unearth the rocks and rescue the men. Of the 12 buried alive. Seven perished, one of them instantaneously crushed during the fall. Five were still alive but in critical condition. Zulu Sangomas were busy treating them.
“As long as an incident like these never happens again, I am willing to renegotiate the dividend of the iron mine.”
Jan smirked. The ball was in his court. It was likely no Zulu was willing to work in there unless the Boers worked their witchcraft and blessed the mine from collapsing.
“I won’t be able to guarantee the prevention of any future collapses, but we’ll do our best. 50-50 split of all iron yields. You can do whatever you wish with your share. I can do whatever I wish with mine. Isn’t that good?”
“Absolutely not! What about the agreements we made about the Joint Venture? Wasn’t it a 70-30 split?”
“Since you tore up that agreement in this mine, shouldn’t such consideration be void? I will be generous. 60% of all the iron goes to the Zulu, and 40% shall go to us. Consider the additional 10% a penalty for withdrawing the agreements made.”
Nokuthula ground her teeth.
“Very well. But if the mine collapses, we’ll be going back to the original 70-30 split. Consider it a penalty for breaking the agreement between us.”
The incident further reaffirmed his distrust for the Zulus. He needed something, something that will constantly force them to back down if they ever wanted to escalate into a fight. Nuclear weapons were out of the question. Realpolitik was the only answer.
The Zulu had many enemies. After all, conquering all of your neighbours around you only brought animosity. For when you assimilate numerous people into your group, your neighbours would know that the same would be done to them no matter how friendly you seem.
The deal creating Zulu expansion into the Free States forced many of their old enemies who were relieved by the decline of the Zulu Kingdom to act one more. The coalition between Sotho, Tswana and Xhosa tribes was good. But Jan couldn’t afford to tear up all relations with the Zulu and throw their lot with the coalition. So, he needed new enemies for the Zulus, to bog them down.
Luckily, there were many. Many of the tribes the Zulus assimilated instantly bolted once they had the opportunity to do so. Queen Mzilikazi and her Matabele ran once she had the chance. Some fled from Shaka’s armies. A powerful state rose in the north known as the Gaza Empire ruled by Queen Soshangane. They were some of the refugees caused during Shaka’s conquest, and they consolidated themselves in the North. Shaka had sent expeditions to crush Gaza, but her troops suffered from malaria and food shortages.
Whilst the Gaza Empire might fear the Zulu Kingdom during Shaka, its main primary concern is regarding the neighbouring Portuguese. Whilst they fought with one another as Soshangane and her followers fled into the Mozambique region, they mostly began collaborating. After all, being a foreigner in other lands, the locals would not accept you as their new ruler.
To consolidate its rule, Soshangane began entering the slave trade, selling all who resist them, the local Shona, Kalanga and Tsonga elves into Portuguese plantations. And with this wealth, she rewarded her followers, ensuring the stability of her Empire.
Jan didn’t particularly care about the Gaza Empire’s affairs, so he did not want to intervene in that region. Nonetheless, a secret alliance would be good to surround the Zulu Kingdom on both sides.