In reality, the East African territory shrank somewhat due to negotiations with France, such as the return of part of the land in the eastern area of Antananarivo that East Africa had annexed, which was returned to France after negotiations between the two nations.

After all, East Africa gained far more benefits from France when they invaded the Imerina Kingdom, so essentially, France suffered losses. Originally, France could have acquired the entire territory of the Imerina Kingdom, but East Africa prevented this from happening.

Of course, returning some land to the Imerina Kingdom was not significant for East Africa. The other regions acquired by East Africa were mostly mountainous areas and locations that could form strategic passes, thereby allowing East Africa to put pressure on the French Madagascar Colony strategically.

Certainly, if it wasn't for returning this portion of land, East African territory would have solidly exceeded 13 million square kilometers, rather than just barely over the mark as it is now.

However, East Africa shouldn't be too greedy since it is already firmly the world's second-largest country by area, and the 13 million square kilometers only consider the mainland. If the overseas province of Lan Fang is included, it would be even more, not to mention other East African colonies.

...

"This administrative division is fairly reasonable, but implementing it will require a lengthy process. We should first establish provinces in undisputed areas like Orange and Southwest Africa, while contested regions like Great Lake Province should transition gradually."

After all, Great Lake Province needs coordination between the former Highland Province and West Great Lake Province, with even Bujumbura being split off to become the new provincial capital of Soron Province, which is unfair to the former West Great Lake Province, as resources were centered in its capital, Bujumbura.

Certainly, the Highland Province suffered the most, losing western territory and becoming the main part of the new Soron Province, as well as ceding the prosperous northern Mwanza city. Dodoma became the dominant city, which was contrary to the intentions of the Highland Province's government.

Therefore, the original provinces must conduct effective handovers, involving industries, resources, populations, and other aspects. Remote provinces are easier to resolve, being a blank slate without too much contention.

"There's still nearly three years until 1900, which should be enough to complete these tasks. This essentially means that by 1900, East Africa's political landscape will be stabilized. From that base, post-1900 expansion will shift from the African continent to overseas colonies, especially the South Sea region."

Ernst remains focused on the South Sea, as it is easier to exert East African political influence there compared to other directions.

Given East Africa's territorial location, normally Western and North Africa should be priorities, but competition in those regions is too fierce. Ernst doesn't foresee favorable conditions until European powers like Britain and France decline.

With this in mind, barring unforeseen circumstances, next year should see the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, prompting East Africa to act in advance.

After the meeting adjourned, Ernst summoned Minister of Foreign Affairs Herman and National Defense Security Bureau Director Wolsten.

Ernst inquired, "Wolsten, what's our current situation in the Philippines?"

"Your Highness, progress is smooth. We've disguised our personnel as those from various nations, infiltrating Mindanao. Currently, our core personnel on the island number over two thousand, with around eight thousand auxiliary staff. Achieving absolute control could be challenging."

Wolsten's words only mentioned difficulties conservatively. Actually, Mindanao has low status within the Philippines, akin to "wild lands."

Even in previous lives, Mindanao had nearly half the population of Luzon Island, while the entire Philippine region currently houses merely five to six million people, fewer even than the Abyssinia Empire. The population only exceeded twenty million by the mid-19th century.

This was the outcome of Spaniards' diligent "feeding." At the start of the 19th century, the Philippines had barely over a million people, and it would have been even lower at the onset of Spanish colonial rule. So although "colony" isn't a flattering term, in this era the productivity and healthcare improvements for underdeveloped regions were observable, which is why colonies experienced a doubling of populations. Some instances are exceptions, such as the Belgian Congo Colony neighboring East Africa.

"Currently, Mindanao's population is approximately three to four hundred thousand according to our statistics. The primary population in the Philippines is concentrated on islands such as Luzon. Therefore, although we have over eight thousand people in Mindanao, gaining control poses risks, but chances remain high."

The figures provided by the National Defense Security Bureau aren't far off, showcasing Mindanao's desolation. Even though Ernst often mentions sparsely populated East Africa, only southwest Africa and the Congo rainforest have smaller populations than the Mindanao region.

Of course, from a population density perspective, Mindanao far exceeds southwest Africa and the Congo rainforest, since southwest Africa covers over 800,000 square kilometers and the Congo rainforest surpasses one million, while Mindanao measures less than 100,000.

In previous lives, Mindanao's population boom began around the late 1930s. Before then, Mindanao was akin to an exile location in ancient Far Eastern countries or Tsarist Russia's Siberia. Only post-1939, when the Philippine government advocated for migration, did Mindanao's population rise significantly and surpass twenty million in the 21st century.

Over twenty million compared to the current three to four hundred thousand illustrates how tropical rainforest climates before the industrial revolution were indeed a "green desert," posing difficulties not only for development but for survival itself.

Naturally, this is why Ernst targeted Mindanao; if populations were higher, interest in the region would be minimal, as exemplified by the Abyssinia Empire and Imerina Kingdom.

As Ernst converses with Wolsten, the old spy, Foreign Minister Herman breaks into a cold sweat nearby.

"Your Highness, are you planning to engage in conflict with the Kingdom of Spain? This implicates interference with another nation's sovereignty, and Spain isn't a small or weak country. Doing this might provoke a diplomatic incident," Herman queried.

Wolsten remained silent. Ernst's ambitions on Mindanao have long been in motion, as East African penetration of the region began even before the South African War. Ever since he assumed the National Defense Security Bureau's leadership, Mindanao and Kauai of Hawaii have been focal points abroad, alongside Europe, America, and Japan. Kauai is now East African territory, with Mindanao remaining.

Ernst: "The South Sea Region is key to East Africa's future overseas layout, so our preparations are understandable. Given that the South Sea Region has been carved up openly, we'll need unusual strategies to establish presence."

Herman: "However, the North Hawaii Kingdom opportunity, facilitated by circumstances, was unique. We seized that moment when Hawaii was an independent nation; wait a bit, and the Americans would control Hawaii fully. In the Philippines, we lack such context, as the Philippines is a major Spanish colony, unlike Hawaii. Actions like ours could anger the Spanish government."

Ernst certainly doesn't wish to provoke Spain, considering East Africa has already antagonized several nations: Britain, Portugal, Japan — all formidable world powers. Other nations eliminated by East Africa have no chance for resentment.

As for acquiring Mindanao from Spain, Ernst plans to replicate North Hawaii's previous success, having the United States play the villain and East Africa reap benefits discreetly. Naturally, Herman and others fail to grasp these key points, as none possess Ernst's insight.