"Well, this idea is good. The troops encountered a flash flood, not a fault of battle; initially, we were going to succeed, but unfortunately, human calculations cannot compare with divine intentions," praised Buerlade.
"Commander, should we implement this plan?" Charvis asked.
Buerlade waved his hand and said, "Go quickly, go quickly. Today, wipe out those natives. As for the rest of our people, let them behave, don’t play clever tricks."
"Okay!" Having received the order, Charvis vanished like a gust in front of Buerlade, beginning to execute the plan.
That day, the servant army was disbanded, and Charvis ordered the Portuguese soldiers to drive the native servant army into the Kingdom of Malawi. Those unwilling to leave were rewarded with a bullet.
"You all remember, if anyone asks, just say you encountered a flash flood. This way we can return safely. Anyone who dares to reveal the truth, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
"Report to the Governor, the Commander-in-Chief of Portugal’s Karaveli expeditionary forces, Buerlade, reports to you."
"Good, very spirited," said the Governor of Mozambique.
"Mr. Buerlade, why have so few people returned? And where are the three thousand natives we set out with? And even though you’ve returned, isn’t it true that the Kingdom of Malawi wasn’t conquered?" asked a young official beside the Governor.
Others watched coldly; the young people nowadays are fierce. It might be good for them to learn a lesson after all. Didn’t you see that everyone else kept silent? Why are you interrupting?
"Who are you? Don’t you recognize me?" Buerlade asked in surprise.
"He is Major Chakov, newly dispatched by the Kingdom, from the Niglan region of Portugal," the Governor took the lead in explaining.
Turns out he’s a "country bumpkin" from rural Portugal, so Buerlade decided not to pay attention to this guy now, waiting for a chance to educate him later.
"My troops entered the Kingdom of Malawi in early March. Just upon entering the interior of Malawi, we clashed with several tribes. Under my command, the Portuguese soldiers fought ten-to-one and ultimately defeated the enemy army, claiming victory in the first battle. Afterward, we spent seven days pushing the battlefront forward to the Chiboka area, over a hundred kilometers. Thereafter, our army advanced like a hot knife through butter... Just when victory was in sight, an accident occurred," speaking here, Buerlade took a handkerchief from his pocket, starting a false show of self-reproach, "Ultimately, it was my misjudgment that harmed the soldiers! Wanting to quickly conquer the whole of Malawi, I led the troops northward, not daring to rest one day, resulting in inattentiveness and encountering a flash flood. At that time, the native servants took the opportunity to rebel, coupled with the flood causing severe losses to my forces."
"So that’s how it is, Buerlade. You don’t need to blame yourself; this was entirely an accident. Anyone facing such circumstances would not have a good solution. Moreover, you have already performed the task excellently, justifying the title of Portugal’s brave soldiers. So although we did not capture the Kingdom of Malawi, I still want to commend you,"
"Thank you, Gov... Governor, sir! I represent the soldiers to thank you for your understanding." Almost calling incorrectly, Buerlade was a bit embarrassed, as it’s better not to conspire loudly in formal occasions.
Of course, the Governor heard Buerlade’s slip just now, showing how exasperated he felt, his nephew truly resembling his sister, hopelessly stupid in love.
In reality, the Governor obviously knew Buerlade’s capabilities but imagined the Malawi natives being squeezed from the north and south by East Africa and Mozambique, with their strength surely diminishing. Therefore, letting his nephew take the credit seemed wise; unexpectedly, such a simple matter got messed up by this fool. However, he’s not entirely beyond redemption, knowing to create an excuse to wash away his guilt.
While the two were considering how to turn this defeat into victory, the untimely Major Chakov spoke again.
"Governor, sir, I believe instead of rewarding them, they should be punished. After all, failing to conquer the Kingdom of Malawi means the entire operation was a complete failure. Moreover, the claim of a flash flood only proves Mr. Buerlade’s impulsive advancement, as anyone with military acuity should pay attention to weather factors."
No one asked you to speak, right? Buerlade was furious; he and his uncle had already set the tone, and this guy was trying to disrupt it. He wanted to go up and give Major Chakov a lesson.
The Governor spoke first, "Well, what’s there to question? You’re overthinking this. You probably just arrived and don’t know how dreadful the inland African climate is. When you have time, go see outside Maputo; rivers and wetlands are everywhere, flooding during rainy seasons. Particularly, Buerlade’s expedition was just at the end of the rainy season. While heading north, he faced the northern rainy season, so encountering the flash flood was entirely accidental. This can only be termed an experiential mistake, and though we didn’t take the Kingdom of Malawi, we crushed the native forces significantly, so I declare this mission overall completion as commendable, an eight out of ten score. Who approves? Who opposes?"
"The Governor is correct; Chakov, you’re still too young and unfamiliar with the real situation in Mozambique, so do not question the Governor’s decision."
"Correct, I’ve been in Mozambique a full ten years; I know the weather in Mozambique very well, always capable of unexpected events. And General Buerlade, leading so few into the Kingdom of Malawi to battle, has done extremely well. I dare say that among those present, eight or nine out of ten couldn’t accomplish it. What do you say?"
"Exactly, judging from this war only, Buerlade is absolutely the most capable general in Mozambique. We fully support the Governor’s decision."
Soon, under everyone’s flattery, Buerlade became a "wise general." With Buerlade, the Mozambique colony is as firm as ever, indestructible.
"Well, Buerlade did a good job this time; awards are not to be missed, and some shouldn’t casually question the kingdom’s ’good generals and loyal ministers.’ Without Buerlade’s extraordinary traits, would I promote him exceptionally as the commander of this Malawi Kingdom expedition?"
The extraordinary trait being, Buerlade had a good mother, and coincidentally, his mother had a good brother, and even more coincidentally, this brother was the Governor of Portugal’s Mozambique colony.
At this point, how could Major Chakov not recognize that this damn Mozambique colony was completely a nest of vipers? He was thoroughly disgusted.
"Governor, sir, recently I feel unwell, perhaps unfit to work in the colony, afraid I must leave," said Chakov.
"Oh, Major Chakov, I’ve noticed since your first day in Mozambique, your complexion wasn’t very good; must be acclimatization issues. So, how about you write a resignation letter and I’ll issue a certificate for you? Mozambique isn’t a nice place sompared to the homeland; you’re more suitable for work in Portugal."
"Then... thank you, Governor," said Chakov, even though his departure was voluntary, he kept these faces in mind, intending to settle accounts after he’s successful.
The matter was perfectly resolved, everyone got the result they wanted; as for what happens to the Kingdom of Malawi? Just pretend you didn’t see. After all, this operation was organized by the Mozambique colony itself, any losses bear no relation to the Kingdom; the matter is done.