African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 205: Chapter 193 Visiting

”Yes, Your Highness, you remain as spirited as ever. This is Charlotte.” Maximiliano I introduced to Prince Constantine.

Charlotte greeted Prince Constantine, ”Hello, Your Highness! Thank you and the Heixinggen royal family for your help.”

”Hahaha, we are family, no need for formality. That’s what young Ernst should do.” Constantine laughed and said.

Constantine and the couple Maximiliano I exchanged pleasantries for a while, then officials from East Africa came forward to pay their respects.

”Grandfather Constantine!” A young officer saluted Constantine with a standard military gesture.

”And you are?”

”A graduate from Heixinggen Military Academy, Class 6 of the second term, Hans Zhang. Currently the highest military officer of the Heixinggen royal territory in East Africa, Dar es Salaam city. I met you once, Grandfather Constantine; you spoke with us back then.” Hans Zhang said.

Hans Zhang was one of the commanders together with Felix in the Zanzibar campaign. Felix later was reassigned elsewhere, while Hans Zhang became the military head of Dar es Salaam city.

”I see! Good, that’s exactly how a soldier should behave!” Constantine remarked.

Knowing that Hans Zhang was a graduate of the Heixinggen Military Academy, Constantine wasn’t surprised at how he referred to him as ’grandfather.’

Back then, Ernst founded the Heixinggen Military Academy but Constantine spent much more time there than Ernst, since Ernst often traveled around German and Austria-Hungary due to his busy affairs.

The students of the Heixinggen Military Academy were mostly teenagers and orphans, so Constantine used to let them call him Grandfather Constantine.

After a brief chat, Constantine asked everyone to disperse, feeling somewhat fatigued after disembarking from the ship.

”Your Excellency, Grand Duke, I will trouble you for a while longer then!” Constantine said to Maximiliano I.

”Charlotte and I are indeed the guests in East Africa. It should be us thanking you, the host. Moreover, I have some matters I wish to discuss with you.” Maximiliano I responded.

Staff had already introduced Constantine to his residence in Dar es Salaam, formerly the palace of the Sultanate of Zanzibar in Dar es Salaam.

Given Maximiliano I’s esteemed status with an imperial title, only the Dar es Salaam Palace could match his stature in East Africa.

After extensive renovations by the East African government, the Dar es Salaam Palace has a refreshed appearance, showing hints of German regional palace culture.

Constantine was about to inquire about the suggestion when he heard Maximiliano I say, ”But these are minor matters. You must be tired from traveling all the way from Europe by ship, it’s best to rest at your residence for a few days, and we’ll speak again later.”

”Very well, only that I need to arrange accommodations for my accompanying entourage first!” Constantine said.

At that moment, an East African official who had not yet left spoke up, ”Your Highness, you need not worry about such trivial matters. His Highness Ernst has already made arrangements in his telegram. We’ve prepared accommodations near Dar es Salaam Palace for them in advance, along with basic living necessities. There’s a canteen available for dining as well.”

”That young man! He’s certainly arranged everything for me flawlessly.” Constantine said with a chuckle.

...

May 23, 1869.

Sigmaringen.

Just days before Prince Constantine’s arrival in East Africa.

”Your Highness Ernst, you’ve arrived!” Schneider saw Ernst familiarly stepping inside.

”Butler Schneider, is Uncle Karl at home?”

”Your Highness is in the reception hall meeting guests. Your Highness Ernst, you might have to wait a while longer. Is there anything urgent you need me to report?” Schneider said.

”No need to rush for my matters, I’ll wander around the castle first. Once Uncle Karl finishes with his guests, please come and call me.” Ernst said.

”Alright, Your Highness Ernst, do you need me to find a servant to accompany you for a while?” Schneider inquired.

”I’ll just roam around casually. I’m familiar with this place, no need to bother. If you have things to attend to, go ahead!” Ernst replied to Schneider.

With this, Schneider didn’t say much more. He wasn’t worried about Ernst causing mischief, as Ernst was a frequent visitor here.

Sigmaringen Castle is the residence of Prince Karl Anton. Compared to the newly renovated Hohenzollern Castle, Sigmaringen Castle possesses a somewhat rustic charm.

The castle houses a large collection of weapons, hunting specimens, and murals. Its lavish interior decorations fully reflect the strength and wealth of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family.

Strolling around the castle, Ernst gradually found himself recalling childhood memories. As the two families were close, both in proximity and kinship, the relationship was very good, with frequent visits.

Constantine used to bring young Ernst here often. Back then, Ernst had not yet awakened memories of his previous life. Revisiting Sigmaringen Castle now brings entirely different feelings; he used to only play without appreciating the scenery and culture here.

Ernst climbed the observation tower, seeing the entirety of Sigmaringen. Unlike the remote Hohenzollern Castle from the town of Heixinggen, Sigmaringen Castle is surrounded by the populated area of Sigmaringen.

The castle is situated on the southern bank of the Danube River, with the river surrounding Sigmaringen town on three sides. This layout reminds Ernst of Paris, similarly enclosed on three sides by the Seine River. In medieval Europe, it was an easily defensible and hard-to-attack location.

Many fortifications were built in this area, with Sigmaringen Castle being one of them. Hohenzollern Castle is built on a hill (not high altitude) surrounded by forests, giving it a solitary aura. In contrast, Sigmaringen is part of a cluster of castles, surrounded by residential areas.

Unaware of how much time had passed...

”Your Highness Ernst, His Highness has finished seeing the guests and is now waiting for you in the reception hall!” Schneider the butler approached Ernst.

”Alright, I’ll go now.” Ernst replied.

Descending the spiral staircase and passing through the corridor, he arrived at the reception hall where Prince Karl was seated on the sofa.

”Ernst, what brings you here today? Ever since you went to school in Berlin, you’ve visited less frequently.” Prince Karl Anton said with a smile.

”Uncle Karl, people must grow up, but I’ve been caught up in a lot of affairs since; I do wish to return to the carefree days of childhood.” Ernst replied.

”It seems your generation has grown; Leopold is now in the military, Carol has become King, and now you have your own life plans.” Prince Karl Anton commented with a sigh.

”It’s all thanks to your guidance that my cousins have become so accomplished.” Ernst praised.

”Hahaha, just luck. In my view, those two are just average in ability, but they caught a good time.” Prince Karl Anton said with a laugh.

There is truth in this, since Prince Karl Anton himself has been a reigning king, Prussian Prime Minister, and Army Chief. His capabilities are indeed full score.

”Why do you have time to visit me today? Is there something you need me to handle?” Prince Karl Anton asked.

”You guessed it, Uncle Karl!” Ernst responded.

”Hmm, from the moment you walked in, I had a feeling today’s visit wasn’t just for leisure. Out with it, what do you need me to settle?” Prince Karl Anton said.

Prince Constantine entrusted Ernst to Prince Karl Anton for care, and Prince Karl Anton naturally put in his utmost effort, as helping each other was a norm between the two families.

Ernst didn’t stand on ceremony, knowing power should be used lest it expires. He said, ”Uncle Karl, I’m aware of your vast connections, so I want to understand the specifics of the railway business across the entire German region.”