African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 454: Chapter 132 Returning to the Country

In Vienna, they didn’t stay long before Ernst and his party had to return to East Africa to catch the next event, marking the successful end of this European journey.

During this trip to Europe, Ernst gained a lot. Heixinggen Financial Group merged with 240 German enterprises, including several banks and large enterprises, while the East African plan aimed to introduce 43 large factories, focusing on steel, coal, copper smelting and processing, non-ferrous metal smelting, and shipbuilding industries.

They also purchased a large amount of equipment, intending to update and upgrade technology for existing enterprises and factories in East Africa, enhancing productivity levels. Besides, another nearly one million tons of steel contracts were finalized between East Africa and the German-Austria countries to ensure the construction of the East African railway. The orders from East Africa almost single-handedly revitalized the steel industry of both countries.

In fact, the economic crises in Germany and Austria were not as severe historically, at least for Southern Germany and Austria, as these regions were among the most industrially developed. The main issue they faced was agricultural overpopulation.

To address the problem of agricultural overpopulation, East Africa was taking action on the side, so this issue essentially did not exist anymore. The unemployment rates in these regions remained relatively low. Although the economic crisis led to an overcapacity, the outflow of population meant that it didn’t have too much impact on ordinary people. After all, if unemployed, they just went to East Africa, where there were always opportunities.

The steel consumption for the East African railway plan is over eight million tons, of which nearly two million tons will be provided by Europe. East Africa will produce and purchase the rest themselves.

Taking advantage of this economic crisis, Ernst plans to increase the annual steel production in East Africa to at least 600,000 tons next year, primarily by intensifying the development of the Lake Malawi industrial area.

Currently, the Lake Malawi industrial area is the only large-scale coal and iron production area in East Africa capable of large-scale development. Zimbabwe must wait until railway construction is complete, which will take a few more years.

Port of Trieste.

”Our own ironclad ship in East Africa!” The Grand Duke Ferdinand said with some pride to his family. When they arrived, they were on a sailing warship, but they were returning with upgraded artillery.

The eyes of the Austria-Hungary navy nearby were filled with helplessness and envy.

”Alas, as a major world power, we’re probably not even as good as Africa now. In the future, the East African navy might surpass us.”

”It’s just an ironclad ship, right? Although this ironclad is indeed more powerful than our Lissa, it was manufactured by Austria, embodying the essence of Austria’s shipbuilding industry.”

”Let’s hope so! If the imperial parliament doesn’t increase military expenditures, the future of the imperial navy can only be described as bleak.”

The Austria-Hungary navy’s words were actually an exaggerated way to express dissatisfaction with the empire’s disregard for the navy. The East African navy still had a long way to go!

”Well, father-in-law, let’s get going!” Ernst urged from the side.

As the East African flag was raised on the Archduke Ferdinand, the belonging of this ironclad ship was made publicly known for the first time.

However, the Grand Duke Ferdinand still had a hint of reluctance: ”It would be perfect if we could have a few more!”

The Archduke Ferdinand was considered a giant in the Mediterranean, so the fleet led by the ironclad ship Archduke Ferdinand did attract some attention on its return journey when passing through the Suez Canal, drawing the attention of the British.

”Is this the ship Austria built two years ago?”

”It seems we guessed wrong from the start. This ironclad was not prepared for the Austro-Hungarian navy; it was intended to be sold to the East Africans from the beginning.”

Because of their stationing by the Suez Canal, the British forces there were somewhat familiar with the Kingdom of East Africa. Besides British and Austro-Hungarian ships, East African ships were the most frequent travelers through the Suez Canal.

”This ironclad is considered top-tier even in other countries, but it’s just about that.”

”However, for the Kingdom of East Africa, a colony, to buy such a large ship, it’s somewhat against common sense.”

”Haha, the Navy Commander of East Africa is the Grand Duke Ferdinand, who was once the Emperor of Mexico. With the Heixinggen Bank behind the Kingdom of East Africa, one can’t simply consider it as a colony but from the perspective of financial power. India could also afford such warships, but under the protection of the Royal Navy, they don’t need to do so.”

”Speaking of Heixinggen, I really wonder how much the Heixinggen Ocean Trade Company earns each year. They’re constantly running back and forth in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean all year round, transporting mostly agricultural and mineral products. Is farming in Africa really that profitable?”

”Profitable, definitely profitable, but the risks in agriculture are high. Not everyone is qualified to play this high-end game—the initial investment alone is daunting. If there’s no short-term profit, capital won’t be interested; after all, there are many quick money-making opportunities.”

”Haha, you’re talking about stocks, right? My stocks all plunged last year, fortunately, I wasn’t in too deep...”

As the British spoke, the East African fleet had already drifted past, heading toward the Red Sea.

Ernst was introducing Karina to the state of East Africa, mainly to dispel rumors.

”Karina, East Africa isn’t as barren as the rumors say, at least the areas we live in aren’t very different from Europe.”

”Are there really cannibal tribes in East Africa?”

”That... I can only say there were in the past, but they no longer exist.”

The existence of cannibal tribes was not a rumor. In such a primitive tribal society as Africa, one can’t judge them by modern moral standards.

”So, have you seen cannibal tribes?”

”Of course not, I haven’t even been in East Africa for long. How could I have seen cannibal tribes? This is all information I’ve seen from compiled records.”

Ernst hadn’t encountered cannibal tribes, but East African soldiers extending their reach inland had, and numerous battles ensued.

”Is there malaria in East Africa?”

”You even know about malaria!”

”My grandmother told me about it. She said Africa is full of plagues and that if the Heixinggen royal family had known they were moving to Africa, there’s no way they would have chosen you as a grandson-in-law.”

”That’s pure slander. The environment in East Africa is excellent. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your parents. They live in East Africa, and I can confidently say East Africa isn’t as dangerous as rumors in Europe suggest.”

Princess Charlotte laughed heartily: ”East Africa isn’t dangerous, but the inland regions are uncertain. The coastal areas are nice.”

Ernst: ”Not just the coastal areas. A larger population can improve the living environment. Take the Far East, for example; there’s a place called Lingnan that was used to exile criminals in ancient times. It used to be as inhospitable as Africa, unsuitable for residency. But after generations of development, it’s now one of the most densely populated areas in the Far East. In East Africa, after nearly ten years of development and transformation, we’ve actually achieved a similar effect.”

This wasn’t because East Africa was particularly strong, but rather East Africa’s environment was definitely easier to transform than Lingnan of the past. First, East Africa’s terrain is flat and easily accessible. Second, grasslands are easier to develop than forests. Lastly, humanity’s productivity levels have drastically changed because of the industrial revolution, greatly enhancing their ability to transform nature. And lastly, Ernst’s wise and mighty guidance, as well as many mature experiences and theories, significantly avoided East Africa’s missteps.