Samuel, according to his meticulously crafted plan, executed a surgical operation on the Abyssinian Empire, intending to leverage the divided state of the Empire to pry away approximately sixty to seventy thousand square kilometers of land from its southeastern territories.
This region comprised about one-quarter of present-day Ethiopia's fertile farmland, which had yet to be developed.
"General! This is a telegram from the homeland."
The communications officer delivered the telegram, sent from the homeland, from Egypt by ship to Desse and handed it to Samuel.
Samuel read the telegram with a frown on his face throughout.
Noticing Samuel's expression, Rubatino Company's boss, Sapetto, inquired, "Your Excellency the General! What orders has the government issued?"
Samuel shook his head and said, "Nothing really, but some people back home believe my current actions are too hesitant and not aggressive enough against a native country like the Abyssinian Empire."
