African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 590: Chapter 268: Conclusion

The Chinese Herbal Medicine Cultivation Institute’s site selection for ginseng cultivation does not involve any fancy techniques. The general environment of East Africa leans towards a tropical climate with highland characteristics, though there are certain differences in some special areas like mountain valleys and basins.

Therefore, determining whether ginseng is suitable for cultivation locally cannot rely solely on theory; rather, it requires ample practice. Merely talking on paper is ultimately useless; theoretical research can only provide a general direction for the Chinese Herbal Medicine Cultivation Institute, and specific issues must be resolved and analyzed through specific local practices.

...

First Town.

Ernst was handling official duties as usual.

”Your Highness, we have signed an agreement with the Japanese government according to your requirements. As requested by the Japanese side, this is a secret treaty. Please check if there are any omissions or dissatisfactory points.”

A subordinate handed Ernst a complete book of the agreement concerning the South Ryukyu Islands, officially titled: ”East Japan’s Agreement on the Division of the South Ryukyu Islands and the Miyako Strait.”

Ernst unhurriedly opened the book and began to read. This was indeed a major issue involving territory and sovereignty, and could not be taken lightly.

First was the outline, followed by the main text, all determined clause by clause by East Africa and Japan, and of course, accompanied by Far East Empire’s reference opinions, after all, East Africa was leveraging this opportunity.

Then came the highly precise atlas of the South Ryukyu Islands, with the East Africa South Ryukyu Islands region’s boundaries marked with pens, rulers, and detailed data, including part of the Miyako Strait territory as well.

The main text and images, totaling two hundred and twenty-three items, clearly indicated the achievements of the East African expedition fleet and marked East Africa’s first overseas victory through military pressure.

As for the Lan Fang overseas territory, it could basically be said that the Netherlands sold it to East Africa, so the situations between them are different.

After Ernst had read, he returned the agreement to his subordinate and said: ”Hmm, very well done. Next, let the military accelerate the construction work on the South Ryukyu Islands. To prevent another situation of being surrounded by fishing boats, we need to stockpile a batch of food and ammunition on the islands and manage them properly to ensure rapid deployment in case of warfare.

We need to be able to hold out for at least three months, and more facilities like water storage tanks should be built. Freshwater resources in the Pacific Ocean are quite precious, so our East African experts can visit the site for inspections and provide tailored solutions.”

When it comes to research on drinking water, East African experts possess certain skills, as this aspect was emphasized during the colonial period in East Africa. After all, it pertained to whether Ernst could successfully colonize Africa.

Water resources on the South Ryukyu Islands are relatively tight, with a large portion coming from rainwater. So, in supporting the troops, it inevitably involves treating the water source on the South Ryukyu Islands, and purifying water resources happens to be East Africa’s specialty.

”Crown Prince, the communication problem on the South Ryukyu Islands also needs resolution. So far, there isn’t a single telegraph line connecting to the outside, which has previously caused many issues in our operations.”

”Hmm, that is indeed a problem. Connect the telegraph line in the South Ryukyu Islands to Fujian province; it can be aligned with the Far East Empire’s telegraph network and our East Africa network. Especially Miyako Island, as it serves as the outpost of the South Ryukyu Islands, allowing us to obtain timely intelligence.”

Currently, most telegraph companies in the Far East are private enterprises, particularly with East Africa linking the northern provinces. German companies led by Siemens and Heixinggen Electric Company occupy a dominant position.

But it’s limited to that. As for the Zhuhai Trade Region, its area is too small, yet there is a saying about concentrated essence: East Africa has only this economic development zone in the Pearl River Delta, naturally with comprehensive facilities.

Previously, the total population of the Zhuhai Trade Region was merely over ten thousand, with most residing in villages and only Xiangshan County nearby. Now, the Zhuhai Trade Region has developed into a bustling city with a population of over eighty thousand, with many German and Austria-Hungary merchant ships stopping here to rest before heading north to Jiaozhou.

There are also those who establish factories, companies, and shops directly within the trade region, with the most famous industry being the silk production, mainly exported to the German regions and East Africa. However, East Africa’s order is very small, and mostly for official purchases.

In actuality, silk is a quite popular product in East Africa, requiring queues to purchase. After all, wearing silk products during the day in East Africa is comfortable, breathable, cool, and smooth, and it can be worn all year round, as East Africa has no winter.

Thus, the demand for silk among the East African populace is large. While East Africa does have alternatives, they are not as popular as silk. Even though wages in East Africa are not high, the cost of living is also low; silk is considered a light luxury product there.

East Africa and German regions follow a similar path, not paying much attention to the development of light industries, especially textiles, which is just barely adequate since the labor costs in the Far East are lower.

And the Zhuhai Trade Region naturally became a center for the silk industry in the Far East. Apparel, food, shelter, and transportation are essential, and clothing is a high-consumption product. Even if each East African buys just one set, there would be over thirty million sets in demand, making this market very promising. This is why the textile industry is the world’s second-largest industry after agriculture, and currently the most important sector of industry.

Although the Zhuhai Trade Region is bustling, it is at a distance from the South Ryukyu Islands, so linking the South Ryukyu Islands’ telegraph through Fujian province is more cost-effective.

”Crown Prince, considering the Far East’s Fujian province includes Egg Bay Island, should we use Egg Bay Island as a transit point?” A subordinate suddenly asked a crucial question.

Only then did Ernst realize that Egg Bay Island is now part of Fujian; he was influenced by his past life and always considered Egg Bay Island a separate province.

So Ernst said, ”No need, we will directly lay the submarine cable to Fuzhou.”

Fuzhou, as the provincial capital, had already established telegraph systems by 1876, and the Heixinggen Consortium also has a telegraph branch company in Fuzhou. Therefore, the South Ryukyu Islands’ telegraphs can be routed through Fuzhou, then to Zhuhai, and finally connected to the international submarine cable in Guangzhou, reaching India and Europe, circling back to East Africa.

After all, East Africa cannot feasibly build a direct submarine cable from East Africa to the Far East for communication; it’s too costly.

As for security issues, there’s no need to worry, as international common cables are used by everyone, and East Africa is not concerned about any tampering, though there will be fees to pay.

Ernst then added a few more words, primarily urging his subordinates to quickly complete the construction of the defense facilities on the South Ryukyu Islands, transforming them into East Africa’s iron claws in the Western Pacific. With Japan always harboring ambitions for the South Ryukyu Islands, preventive measures are necessary to avoid Japanese desperation. If Japan does indeed attempt to seize the South Ryukyu Islands by force in the future, East Africa is prepared to make them suffer, making them recognize that this juicy morsel isn’t so easy to devour after finalizing arrangements for the South Ryukyu Islands.

”Moreover, the few gunboats should remain stationed in the South Ryukyu Islands, considered an important naval force in the Pacific for now, effectively serving as a base for East Africa’s future Pacific Fleet.”

”Crown Prince, the Lan Fang overseas province is evidently more important than the South Ryukyu Islands. Why not combine the Lan Fang overseas province and the South Ryukyu Islands?”

”The Lan Fang overseas province is located in the Nanyang region, which holds significantly more value for us than the Pacific Ocean, thus considered a separate strategic area.”

Nanyang actually belongs to the Pacific region, but its importance to East Africa surpasses all other Pacific areas outside Nanyang, as this is the future direction for East African expansion.