The Rise of Australasia

Chapter 835: Chapter 624: The Plan

The Dutch East Indies definitely had to be controlled by Arthur, but he did not want to take over the tens of millions of indigenous people in the entirety of the Dutch East Indies.

This also meant that one of the three large islands, Sumatra Island, Kalimantan Island, and Java Island, had to be relinquished to accommodate the indigenous population of over 30 million.

Arthur had considered expelling all these indigenous peoples to Africa or other regions, but the problem was, which area could accept tens of millions of indigenous people?

Apart from their own territory of Australasia, there was likely no country willing to accept such a large population of immigrants from Australasia, as it could be a threat to their rule.

Instead of moving these indigenous peoples to the Persian Gulf, where they could threaten the Australasian oil fields with independence movements in the future, it would be better to transfer all these indigenous peoples to one of the islands, and indirectly control this indigenous country by supporting indigenous forces.

Even if this indigenous country were to break away from control in the future, it would not cause much trouble for the other territories of Australasia; this was the goal Arthur wanted to achieve.

Moreover, as long as one knows how to implement a balanced policy and plays the traditional British role, it would not be so easy for an indigenous country to break away from Australasian control.

Australasia was not the Netherlands; all three islands were not far from Australasia’s native land and were regions that could be easily controlled.

If Arthur were willing, these indigenous peoples of the Dutch East Indies would be as unable to escape the control of Australasia as the Filipinos were.

"Establish a new indigenous country?” Muhammad was somewhat surprised and quickly asked, “Does Australasia intend to destroy all the Sultan countries?”

"Not exactly, Muhammad. Don’t you think fewer Sultan countries are better than over ten fragmented indigenous Sultanates to avoid their individual wars?”

Frankly, Australasia is certain to control most of the land in the Dutch East Indies, but this does not mean that there is no living space for you at all.

His Majesty is benevolent and willing to let you choose one island to establish your own country.

In addition to establishing economic cooperation, we will not interfere with your foreign and military affairs; the indigenous people can handle their own affairs,” Eric hastened to explain, shaking his head.

"Choose any one island?” A hint of interest flashed in Muhammad’s eyes, clearly moved by Eric’s proposal.

To be honest, even when the indigenous peoples had an absolute advantage before, Muhammad did not believe they could control the entire Dutch East Indies.

Neither Australasia, which is closer to the Dutch East Indies, nor the United Kingdom would let the Dutch East Indies slip away when it was so close at hand.

Even if they defeated the Dutch, all the indigenous people combined would not be a match for these two countries.

But now, Eric’s proposal had given Muhammad hope. Although they could not unify the entire Dutch East Indies, choosing one of the three islands was more than enough for the current development of the indigenous peoples.

It is no exaggeration to say that Sumatra Island, Java Island, and Kalimantan Island all have the potential to accommodate a population of hundreds of millions.

The advantage of Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands is their vast size, but their current indigenous population is relatively small, and they are closer to the British Straits Colonies.

Java Island, on the other hand, is akin to the main camp of the indigenous people in the Dutch East Indies; although smaller in size, it has fertile land and a denser population of indigenous people.

If choosing now, Java Island is obviously more suitable for the development of the indigenous peoples. It means that it is only necessary to move millions of indigenous people from Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands to establish a large indigenous country on Java Island.

However, the area of Java Island limits the future development of this country, and it is not easy to predict what it could become in the future.

Whereas Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands are more focused on the future, with development potential that is greater compared to Java Island, but their infrastructure and the existing area of cultivated land are far less than on Java Island, requiring a long period of extensive development to fully reveal the potential of these two islands.

If one truly had to choose from these three islands, this was clearly a difficult decision to make, at least not something to rush into in a short time.

Nonetheless, this did not prevent Muhammad from being tempted by Eric’s proposal. Compared to the distrust of the Dutch, the indigenous people were not so resistant to Muhammad.

Of course, Muhammad also believed he could hold a significant say in the new indigenous country, even striving for the role of President.

But if it were to establish a Sultanate, that would be more complicated. It all depends on the political system of the indigenous country but compared to staying in the Dutch East Indies, aligning completely with the indigenous side was clearly more promising.

"His Majesty is really willing to let us choose any one island to develop?” Muhammad asked with uncertainty.

"Rest assured, as long as you are willing to move all the indigenous people to one island, then you may choose any one of the three islands in the Dutch East Indies,” Eric said with a smile: “I also came with the orders of His Majesty. Muhammad, as long as you are willing to lead troops against Dutch rule, and even help the indigenous people break through Batavia, His Majesty supports you becoming the Minister of Defense of the indigenous country, maybe even letting you control the country.”

Many times, it’s not terrible for a person to have ambition, what’s dreadful is a person with ambition but no ability.

Arthur had a certain fondness for capable and ambitious men like Muhammad, for it was through such men that he could thoroughly control the indigenous populations.

Although the Dutch often collectively referred to the natives of the Dutch East Indies as indigenous, in reality, these peoples comprised hundreds of different ethnic groups that weren’t harmonious with one another.

This also meant that if these indigenous peoples were truly integrated into one nation, that country was doomed to be anything but peaceful.

Whether Muhammad was the Minister of Defence or the ruler of the country, to ensure his own power, he had to gain the support of Australasia.

On the surface, Australasia only controlled the economy of the native nations, but through the economy and Muhammad, Australasia could even control the military, political, and financial powers of this indigenous nation, turning it into a complete cannon fodder-producing country for itself.

"Okay, Eric, I have to admit you’ve persuaded me. But I only have a brigade of troops at my disposal, and it’s impossible for me to break through Batavia alone,” Muhammad nodded and said with a wry smile, “When can the reinforcements arrive?”

"Anytime,” Eric said with a smile, “The Sultanate of Sulu and Sultanate of Yogyakarta have already prepared tens of thousands of troops, and with your men, dealing with the Dutch military should not be a problem.”

Although the colonial military of the Dutch East Indies was said to number over one hundred thousand men, the Batavia government could certainly mobilize no more than twenty thousand at this moment, perhaps even fewer.

After all, this military force of over one hundred thousand was distributed across three islands, and though Java Island had the main force of the colonial military, it numbered just over sixty thousand men.

More than half of these sixty thousand were indigenous or mixed-race people, whom the Dutch no longer trusted, and it was not possible for them to send these troops to battle alone.

This meant that as long as the Dutch-formed military units were dealt with, capturing Batavia was merely a matter of time.

"The defensive force of Batavia is still formidable, and even if I launch a surprise attack, I fear that an army of only twenty or thirty thousand would not be enough to break through Batavia,” Muhammad frowned and suggested, “If possible, I would like to have more troops, at least forty thousand, to successfully assault Batavia.”

Eric nodded without refusing Muhammad’s suggestion, promising, “That’s no problem, Muhammad. We’ll help these two Sultanates to recruit more troops as soon as possible, and pull some forces from Sumatra to make up the forty thousand for you.

But I hope we can start the assault on Batavia as soon as possible. Once Batavia is breached, the Dutch will have no choice but to surrender.”

The existence of Batavia was the Dutch’s hope for quelling rebellions. Once Batavia was breached, the hope of the Dutch would naturally dissipate.

This was also why Eric sought to ally with Muhammad. While the indigenous revolts could pose a significant threat to the Dutch East Indies, relying solely on these indigenous forces to breach Batavia in a short time was unrealistic.

In the end, it’s because the current weapons technology is too powerful, with just a few firearms and machine guns enough to hold a battle.

The fighting power of the Dutch military might not be impressive in Europe, but they were not lacking in firearms and machine guns, making it no problem to hold Batavia in a direct battle.

Unless the indigenes could overpower the Dutch in terms of firepower, but who would give such powerful military support to the indigenous people?

Arthur did not trust these natives and naturally wouldn’t provide them with too many firearms and machine guns.

In case a war erupted with the indigenous people in the future, these weapons lent to them could become the tools for claiming the lives of Australasian soldiers.

Given that it was impossible to break through Batavia in a head-on conflict, finding a breakthrough from within Batavia became extremely important.

Muhammad was such a person who had a certain amount of troops in Batavia and was also disfavored by the Dutch East India Colonial Government.

Moreover, Muhammad had studied in Australasia, making him the perfect candidate, and the undeniable choice for Arthur to control the Dutch East Indies.

Upon hearing that Eric would provide him with forty thousand troops, Muhammad nodded in satisfaction, confident in breaking through Batavia, “When the troops are assembled, we can launch an attack on Batavia. I will seek an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the defending forces in Batavia and swiftly take control of Batavia and the Colonial Government.

But the establishment of a new indigenous nation will still require Australasia’s support. Solely with my own strength, it would not be possible to unite these indigenous people.”

Muhammad also tactfully understood that Australasia’s approach to him was not merely to support him but also to control the indigenous through him.

Instead of feigning ignorance, which could lead to Australasia withdrawing support, it was better to show goodwill in advance, to gain more support from Australasia, and thus secure Muhammad’s position as the ruler of the new indigenous nation.

Of course, even if he couldn’t become the ruler, Muhammad was ambitious to be the one in power within the government, occupying a position second only to one and superior to ten thousand.

As a man of considerable ability, who didn’t harbor the ambition to wield more power?

Muhammad was not content with mediocrity for life, nor willing to be marginalized by the Dutch government forever, merely being a mixed-blood individual faced with discrimination.

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