African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 207: Chapter 195 Suggestion

”So, you’re saying you want to find a railway company with relevant qualifications, some experience, but not too large in scale,” Prince Karl Anton concluded.

”That’s right, Uncle Karl,” Ernst replied.

”Hmm, I’ll keep an eye out for you. Prussia has now integrated the North German Federation and will certainly unify the railway systems in the various states, so there will definitely be some companies that won’t keep up.

However, don’t get your hopes too high. Prussia has always placed great emphasis on railway construction, adopting a model of state and private railways mixed. Besides, it seems to me that William I and Bismarck, and the military also want further railway nationalization, which will inevitably increase investment in this field.

So, railway operations in the north might be relatively ideal. The main issue might not be the lack of orders, making it hard to negotiate prices.

After all, with the Prussian government backing them, they won’t agree to a low price. They can sell poorly managed businesses to the government at a premium.

It’s in Southern Germany where I see a significant opportunity. The south is currently more fragmented, the standards are relatively chaotic, and most importantly, the market is not very promising.

Even with the Customs Union, there will be varying degrees of closeness between the different states, especially those caught between Austria and Prussia.

But ultimately, it depends on the investigation results. I’ll have someone look into it, compile the information, and send it to you. Then you can make your choice, and I’ll help you get in touch,” said Prince Karl Anton.

”Thank you, Uncle Karl. When the time comes, have someone send the information to Hohenzollern Castle and give it to Tom,” Ernst said.

”Are you not staying at home during this period?” Prince Karl Anton asked.

”Sigh, mainly because I started a new company in Austria, engaging in agricultural product processing. I planned for two factory sites, one in Vienna and another in Trieste. The Vienna site has already been completed, but the Trieste site is just beginning, so I need to go there to inspect the construction progress,” Ernst answered.

”You’re really a busy person now! Haha,” Prince Karl Anton quipped.

...

June 1869.

East Africa, Dar es Salaam.

Maximiliano I was chatting with Prince Constantine.

After taking a sip of his iced tea, he asked, ”Your Majesty, how are you finding life in East Africa?”

”It’s alright, but it is indeed a bit hotter than in Germany. Is it like this all year round?” Prince Constantine said.

”The weather is cooler in the rainy season. You’ve come at a good time, particularly in July when Dar es Salaam is the coolest. However, the dry season can be unbearable, with extreme temperatures sometimes reaching over forty degrees,” Maximiliano I said.

”Over forty degrees? Isn’t that like being in hot water!” Prince Constantine exclaimed in surprise.

”That’s in extreme weather, and it may not happen every year. Besides, only the coastal areas in East Africa are really hot. I’ve heard that the inland regions are quite cool, as they’re highlands and sometimes require an extra layer of clothing. It’s like Europe’s warm spring all year round,” Maximiliano I said.

”So why doesn’t the East African government relocate inland? It should be more livable there!” Constantine suggested.

”Although the inland climate is good, the transportation is relatively poor, unlike Dar es Salaam and First Town, which have complete facilities. Also, goods are more plentiful here. Especially the merchant ships from Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East pass by here, enjoying products from all over the world,” Maximiliano I explained.

Of course, that’s only one aspect. The East African government’s establishment in First Town facilitates communication with Europe and better manages immigrant reception,” he added.

”I see. But once transportation improves in the future, moving the government inland is preferable. The heat here really saps one’s vitality,” Prince Constantine said.

”I think so too, but my knowledge of the inland is from hearsay. Initially, I planned to travel there myself, but I canceled the trip when Charlotte arrived.”

”By the way, didn’t you mention making some suggestions to me at the dock the other day?” Prince Constantine suddenly recalled.

”That’s right. I’ve been in East Africa for a while and noticed some issues. I previously sent a telegram to Ernst, but that kid hasn’t responded yet,” Maximiliano I said.

”What kind of issues?” Prince Constantine asked, thinking he could address some now that he was in East Africa, though it depended on what Maximiliano I mentioned.

”Then I’ll tell you. One issue is with East Africa’s cultural and educational work. I’m sure you heard the terrible band performance when you arrived at the port, which involved many Zanzibar people and sounded quite out of place.

I know Ernst has been promoting Germanization in East Africa, but it’s not deep enough, especially in culture and education.

I’ve visited East African schools, like a primary school in First Town. The curriculum is very rudimentary. Our rich German philosophy, art, and music are almost absent—just a set of dry history textbooks, poorly crafted, with many inaccuracies. Of course, I’m not against altering history per se but rather the fact that it’s too easy to see through the loopholes.”

”Ah, I know about this. I’ve seen East Africa’s textbooks. Many were personally compiled by Ernst, but he mentioned it’s bare-bones education there. For now, his textbooks suffice, and with so many illiterates in East Africa, no one can spot the flaws,” Prince Constantine said. ”As for German culture and art, to be honest, Ernst himself is clueless and doesn’t prioritize it, but I’m here now. I’ve brought along talent in this field.”

Prince Constantine brought numerous talents, or rather the previous team of Heixinggen. For a nation, the royal band is indispensable, and among the entourage are musicians who once served Heixinggen. They might not stand out in Europe, but they are definitely professionals in East Africa.

Regarding philosophy and literature, Constantine couldn’t bring over experts himself, but he brought plenty of books.

”This is just a minor issue. What concerns me most is the security of the East African colony,” Maximiliano I said after hearing Constantine’s explanation.

”Hmm!”

”Your Majesty, how much do you know about East Africa?” Maximiliano I asked.

”Well, not much. I only caught up on some knowledge after deciding to come here. But I came in a hurry, so I don’t know much,” Prince Constantine said.

”Do you know how many seaports East Africa has?” Maximiliano I asked.

Constantine shook his head.

”There are five in total, with Dar es Salaam and Mombasa being the larger two. Compared to Europe’s top ports, they aren’t inferior. The other three are smaller but still have potential. These five ports stretch along over a thousand kilometers of East African coastline, with many bays and estuaries that have potential but remain undeveloped,” Maximiliano I said. ”How do you find East Africa’s coastal conditions?”

”From what you’ve said, of course, they’re quite good,” Prince Constantine replied.

”Not only that, but East Africa’s ports also serve as the vital route from Europe to the Far East. This condition is excellent, yet East Africa, so far, doesn’t have a navy to guard such a promising coastline,” Maximiliano I emphasized.