At this time, the total number of John Country troops stationed in Boer had exceeded 550,000, as John Bull had redeployed forces from all over the world to go all out.
Soldiers from all over the world turned the Rustenburg region into a chaotic place, with curry-smelling, turban-wearing soldiers preparing lunch.
A lump of yellowish-brown paste appeared in a soldier's pot, and he took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of his homeland.
At this time in the city, Army Commander General Redvers Buller was frowning deeply. As John Bull's highest Commander in Boer,
his vision had now transcended the scope of war.
It was clear that after more than three years of war, the Boer people were already at the end of their rope.
He thought about how his country had spent three years, invested hundreds of thousands of troops, and suffered over fifty thousand casualties.
It was only after the Battle of Paardeberg more than a month ago that these Boer people were gradually pushed into a corner.
Now, with hundreds of thousands of troops surrounding them, the defeat of the Boer people was only a matter of time.
Looking at the telegram in his hand, Redvers sighed helplessly. The Prime Minister's Office actually wanted him to find the gold hidden by the Boer people.
According to intelligence agencies in John Country, before the war, the Boer people held an estimated five hundred tons or more of gold, and over one hundred million pounds worth of diamonds.
The Prime Minister's Office demanded that he must obtain these gold and diamonds before eliminating the Boer people.
“Have General Piet Cronje come to see me.”
The Boer War had gradually entered its later stages. Everyone with discerning eyes knew that Boer's defeat was evident. Not only John Bull, but many countries were eyeing this wealth.
Including the East Continent Empire.
At this time, in the Lanshan Mountain Range, Huang Peng and others were resting in a primeval jungle.
As the liaison for the East Continent Empire's intervention in the Boer War, he had experienced the entire Boer War from beginning to end over the past few years.
From initial successive victories, to mid-term arrogance, to now, merely clinging to life.
“Mr. Huang, do you think we can still achieve final victory?”
Bernal, sitting beside him, asked expectantly.
“Bernal, as a good friend, I think you should consider what comes next.”
Huang Peng's words extinguished the hope in Bernal's eyes. “Mr. Huang, do you also think we no longer have a chance?”
The biggest problem for Boer now was not their will to resist, but a shortage of soldiers.
The entire population of Boer was less than six hundred thousand, and not all of them were willing to follow President Kruger in resisting John Bull.
More importantly, when John Bull realized he simply couldn't completely eliminate these elusive Boer cavalry,
they invented a good way to deal with the Boer people: the concentration camp system.
To suppress the Boer people's resistance, John Bull, without being taught, invented this tactic to separate Boer civilians from Boer guerrillas.
At the same time, they cut off the Boer soldiers' supply of materials, intelligence, and personnel support, intending to completely conquer this land.
Within the areas controlled by John Country, more than fifty large and small concentration camps had been established.
Over one hundred and fifty thousand women, children, and elderly people were concentrated and detained, and of course, there were also over one hundred thousand Black Brothers.
“Bernal, if you can persuade President Kruger not to be confined to the cities anymore, to fight guerrilla warfare, and if there's an opportunity, to concentrate forces for a fierce battle.”
“I believe the longer this drags on, the more uncomfortable John Bull will be. Now, the international community is full of sympathy for you, and in fact, you are not lacking in supplies.”
Over the past few years, although John Bull's navy had maintained a blockade, it was clear that since the advent of airships, the skies could not be defended.
Boer could still occasionally obtain weapons and ammunition.
“Huang, you know that President Kruger has changed now. I can't persuade him.”
Bernal said painfully, “Huang, I should have listened to you, otherwise the Gomande Corps would not have been annihilated.”
The Gomande Corps was built by Bernal himself and was Boer's strongest fighting force. Unfortunately, Bernal was not the one in charge of the Boer people.
A year ago, to rescue tens of thousands of besieged Boer civilians, President Kruger ordered Bernal to lead the Gomande Corps to attack.
It was clearly an enemy trap. Huang Peng tried to dissuade him in every possible way, but still couldn't stop him. Instead, President Kruger considered him to have ulterior motives.
The result was that the Gomande Corps of over twenty thousand men was completely annihilated. Although they killed and wounded more than twice their own number of enemies, it was still useless.
John Bull had an abundance of colonial cannon fodder.
Bernal, having lost the Gomande Corps, was also marginalized. More importantly, President Kruger now realized that without the Gomande Corps,
the other Boer soldiers were only slightly better than those colonial soldiers.
Last month, they finally found an opportunity, but it was completely ruined due to the collapse of the Boer soldiers midway.
“Bernal, what has happened has happened. Regretting it now is useless.”
“I believe you have also guessed where I come from,” Huang Peng said seriously.
Bernal nodded. Huang Peng's identity was not difficult to guess. After all, he could sell large quantities of weapons to Boer before John Bull made a move.
And it hadn't stopped in recent years. How could an ordinary individual have so many weapons, and these weapons were not even available to John Bull's soldiers.
Coupled with Huang Peng's skin color, it was clear that this person was from the East Continent Empire in the Far East, but since Huang Peng didn't admit it, everyone tacitly kept silent.
“Bernal, you are my brother. If needed, I can take you away from here, to a place where no one knows you, to live out the rest of your days.”
Huang Peng had also received a telegram from the General Staff in the East Continent. Yes, the East Continent Empire was also coveting that batch of gold and diamonds.
Moreover, compared to John Bull, Huang Peng had even seen President Kruger's elite guard carrying these precious items away.
These gold and silver objects were clearly hidden by the President somewhere in this land.
“Huang, you know I can't leave here. This is our Boer homeland. If our homeland is gone, we will have no home.”
“Bernal, do you really want to keep running like this and eventually be wiped out by the enemy?”
The Free Boer led by President Kruger now numbered less than fifty thousand, and the troops were only a little over ten thousand.
East Continent had already sent a telegram to Huang Peng, stating that if the gold could not be found within three months, they would have to withdraw from here.
John Bull also knew that many countries were supplying weapons to Boer, but knowing and being discovered were certainly not the same.
Even if they settled scores later, they would first pick on Hans, after all, the East Continent Empire transported weapons under the name of Hans Cat.
“Huang, I want to ask, can you still provide us with weapons?”
It seemed that President Kruger was still unwilling to give up.
“Bernal, even if we can provide weapons, can you find people to use these weapons? Unless you can break John Bull's blockade.”
“Rescue those imprisoned in the concentration camps. Without soldiers, no matter how many weapons we give you, it will be useless.”