Chapter 224
Chapter 224: King Falls
On April 13, 1870, under clear skies and moderate temperatures, the Zambezi River roared majestically, cascading down a cliff like thousands of charging horses into a seemingly bottomless canyon. The sunlight refracted in the water mist, creating a stunning rainbow bridge. The thunderous sound of the waterfall echoed for kilometers along the riverbanks.
Standing on a boulder and gazing at this natural wonder, Commander-in-Chief Felix of the East African Army felt a profound sense of insignificance. Despite his more than two decades of military career filled with life and death decisions, this moment in front of nature's grandeur was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
War had brought him numbness, and his military role had been his sole means of existence. Yet, this marvel of nature had washed away the mental toll of gunpowder smoke, offering him a moment of clarity.
These reflections are excerpted from "The Diary of Felix, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Kingdom of East Africa," a rare and detailed historical document of later generations that provides insight into East Africa's expansion and governance.
However, the diary also serves as evidence of colonial crimes, which later generations of East African officials did not deny. Ernst, the East African king, treated this aspect of history with detachment.
Access to Felix's diary is restricted as it is owned by the royal family and comes with a high price tag. Ordinary people have learned about this history through various marketing accounts.
While East Africa has been criticized for its colonial past, it has managed to maintain a stance of denial, often rejecting complaints from descendants of victims. The East African government has also challenged the identities of some claimants who were actually unrelated to the region.
In the 21st century, as various countries encountered development bottlenecks, particularly the "reverse black-and-white" movements in the United States, East Africa's image has garnered more support among people in the German region. Comparatively speaking, East Africa's colonial history is viewed more leniently, given its lack of racial discrimination laws and non-participation in targeted genocides.
Ernst's legacy remains a subject of controversy. However, history often beautifies even emperors with significant impacts, regardless of their past transgressions.
Returning to the events of 1870, Felix, the proposer and executor of the "Pocket" plan, stood near King Constantine Waterfall (formerly Victoria Falls). The "Pocket" project, which took five and a half months, had expanded East Africa's territory to over 800,000 square kilometers, incorporating the regions that later became Zambia and part of the Republic of Congo.
The local indigenous kingdoms and tribes had been transformed into dependent nations, signing land transfer treaties often sealed with their thumbprints, despite not fully understanding the agreements.
King Constantine Waterfall, also known as Mosi Otunia Falls by the aborigines, had been renamed to honor East Africa's territory. The name King Constantine Waterfall originated when Felix decided to change it during his inspection of the newly acquired lands.