Empire Rising: Spain

The Bangui tribe upstream is different. Because of its location upstream of the Congo River, before Spain established colonial outposts, they were in a state of extreme isolation.

These tribes had never encountered firearms, let alone experienced the formidable power of cannons. This gave them great confidence, thinking that organizing an army of tens of thousands could teach Spain a lesson.

But what they didn’t know was that in the face of firearms, the number of troops was just a string of simple casualty figures. Before the Spanish Army’s ammunition ran out, the army organized by the natives was merely a lively target.

More importantly, due to Manuel’s preemptive action, the Bangui tribe hadn’t even completed organizing their forces.

A tribe of one hundred thousand occupies quite a vast area, requiring a long time to mobilize the entire able-bodied force of the tribe.

Communication among the natives was almost entirely dependent on manpower. After the Spanish Army launched their attack, the Bangui tribe’s information and communication system was nearly paralyzed, and they couldn’t organize their forces.

Let alone organizing forces, after being bombarded by Spanish artillery a few times, the natives’ morale was already collapsing.

They had no idea where these powerful shells came from, only knowing that if a shell landed nearby, it wouldn’t just shatter them but also their houses.

The houses of these native tribes had one thing in common—they were flammable. The native houses were either thatched huts or wooden structures with thatched roofs.

Regardless of the type of house, after enduring wind and sun for a long time, they became extremely flammable.

Furthermore, the Bangui tribe was overcrowded, leading to houses being clustered together, resulting in a large blaze once a fire started.

Manuel also noticed this. Naturally, he showed no mercy to the natives. At the first opportunity of the attack, Manuel ordered the soldiers to set fire to the nearby thatched huts, letting the natives taste the flames.

The Bangui tribe was located along the banks of the Ubangi River, far from the Congo Rainforest, so the arson wouldn’t affect the rainforest.

Although the thatched houses within the tribe were quite dense, setting fire wouldn’t burn down the entire tribe. Not only would it not cause much destruction, but it would also create chaos among the natives, facilitating Spain’s attack.

Although Manuel was determined to teach these natives a lesson, they were still useful, and Manuel had no intention of killing them all.

Especially the adult male natives, who should still be retained. These natives were excellent laborers; killing them now would be too wasteful.

At the very least, they should be utilized to their full potential before being killed, achieving the goal of making the most of resources.

In the face of Spain’s powerful firearms, the African natives had no room for resistance. Coupled with Manuel’s strategy of fire attack, the natives initially confronting the Spanish Army were thrown into disarray.

Many natives on the outskirts fled inward, making it difficult for the tribe’s core to organize manpower to defend against the Spanish Army’s attack.

Often, before the natives could set up their formations, the fleeing outskirts natives would disrupt them.

The natives whose formations were disrupted could only flee because if they didn’t, the next second they might be shot.

In this chase-and-flee situation, the Spanish Army quickly advanced into the Bangui tribe’s core.

Compared to the thatched huts of ordinary tribe members, the house of the tribe’s chief appeared more luxurious. Not only did it look larger, but it was also surrounded by wooden stakes, having its own courtyard.

Because this house appeared so conspicuous, Manuel’s first choice upon entering the tribe’s interior was to occupy this house.

Coincidentally, the tribe chief was in this house, along with some of the tribe’s high-ranking members.

These so-called high-ranking members were essentially just followers of the tribe chief. The Bangui tribe hadn’t yet formed a political system similar to a nation, with the tribe chief holding absolute sovereignty, and the rest of the population and slaves weren’t much different.

"Can we have a proper conversation now?" Manuel said calmly looking at the tribe chief, his expression unchanging.

As the interpreter relayed Manuel’s words, the tribe chief, who was being aimed at by several rifles, hurriedly nodded, babbling in a language difficult to understand.

"What is he saying?" Manuel frowned.

"He says the rebellion has nothing to do with him, and the plantation raids do not involve him either. He’s willing to submit to your rule, as long as you spare his life," the interpreter translated.

"So now he understands the importance of listening?" Manuel sneered but didn’t intend to kill the tribe chief immediately.

To control the Bangui tribe, the tribe chief was still crucial. Hierarchical divisions within African tribes were deeply ingrained, and only the tribe chief could control the entire African tribe.

Without the chief, the Spanish Army would have to rely on endless slaughter to control the situation. Although the current Bangui tribe was no threat to the army, senseless killing would waste labor, something the current Congo Territory greatly needed.

"Tell him to quiet his tribe down," Manuel instructed. "Also, gather all adult male natives together. As compensation, they need to work for us for one year for free.

Of course, during their work for us, we will provide food and some supplies to ensure their families don’t starve."

Gathering the adult male natives would also serve as leverage against the remaining natives. With the work duration set only for a year, and Spain providing food and supplies, these natives would surely agree.

Unless they’re willing to lose their families, they have no other choice but to agree.

Once they enter Spain’s plantations or mines, getting out isn’t up to them. Although Manuel promised they only need to work for Spain for one year, whether the plantation and mine owners would release them is beyond Manuel’s control.

Hearing Manuel’s orders, the Bangui tribe chief nodded repeatedly, indicating he understood.

"Very good," Manuel smiled. "Tell him that as long as these natives obey, I will spare his life. But if anything unexpected happens during the gathering, I will have no choice but to send him to meet God and let God forgive him."

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