Chapter 102: Keep Bluffing, Just Keep Bluffing
"Sir, if East Africa is really as you say, that doesn't sound bad—but someone from the neighboring village went to America. That place should be fine too, right? I heard America's been doing well these past few years," said a villager.
They know about America? Eric Knight was a bit surprised—it seemed these villagers did get some news from time to time.
"America? It might've been a good place before, but now it's nowhere near as good as East Africa. You all know they just finished fighting a war, right?" Eric shot back.
"Yeah, I heard something about that. The fighting over there was intense," one villager said. "But didn't Germany also fight a war recently? Prussia and Austria just went at it. Even our Kingdom (Württemberg) was uneasy then."
"That's totally different. The wars in the German states were to unify our nation, to stop foreigners from bullying us. But America? You don't know the full story. Let me tell you!"
Eric leaned in like he was about to reveal a great secret.
"America used to be like East Africa. Not many people, tons of wasted land. Sure, there were Native Americans, but the British wiped them out. You know how rich the Brits are—they're too lazy to work. So after killing the natives, they had no one left to do the labor. That's when they started importing people from Africa and Europe to grow crops and mine coal."
He sat back down, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip.
"These Africans—they're so dark, you can't even see them in the night," he said.
"Sir, does this Africa you're talking about have anything to do with East Africa?" a curious villager asked.
"Of course! The slave trade—you've heard of it, right? That's when the British dragged Africans from here to America to work the land. So Africa was left empty. That's why we Germans are now developing East Africa," Eric explained with complete confidence.
"Bah, the British really are scum. But I heard those Africans aren't much either—look like monkeys and dumb as bricks," one villager muttered.
"Pretty much!" Eric laughed cheerfully.
"You see, the Brits split into two groups—Southerners who used black slaves for farming, and Northerners who had both farms and factories. Their factories? Hell on earth! Workers died fast. And those workers? Mostly from Germany, Italy, Ireland. The Brits didn't care if they dropped dead," Eric said darkly.
"So what happens when workers die? You still have to keep the factories running. That's how Britain got rich, right?
So the Northerners started eyeing the Southern slaves. They wanted to make the blacks work in their factories. But being Brits, they didn't want to pay the Southerners—just use the slaves for free. You tell me, would you agree to that?"
The villagers were completely caught up in the story.
"If it were me? No way!" one exclaimed.
"Exactly! No pay, just want free labor? The South said no, and that's how America's war started."
"Too bad for the Southerners—they lost. Now those black folks are working in Northern factories. It's a death sentence. Even if there are a lot of them, they can't last. That's why America still needs to recruit from Germany. So I ask you—do you still want to go there?" Eric challenged.
"No way!"
"Yeah, Americans are as heartless as the Brits."
The villagers murmured their agreement.
...
"Alright, settle down. Anyone who wants to go to East Africa and start a new life—sign up now!" Eric called out, cutting off the chatter.
"Sir, East Africa isn't planning to open factories like America, is it?" a villager asked.
"Don't worry," Eric said. "East Africa is a proper German colony. It's our territory, run by our people. No way would we treat our fellow Germans like the Brits treat theirs."
Then came his finishing move: "If you don't believe me, let's hear from your village head."
The village chief, who had been sitting quietly to the side, now spoke up.
"No need to worry, everyone. East Africa is our German land. Living there is no different than living here. Do you know who rules that colony?"
The villagers shook their heads.
"You've heard of Prussia, right?"
"Of course! Everyone says Prussia is the leader of Germany now. Austria couldn't beat them," someone chimed in.
"Exactly. East Africa belongs to the Hohenzollern Prince of Prussia. That's top-tier nobility. A man of great honor. He saw how little land we had and how many people we were—so he opened up East Africa to give us Germans a better life. If you've got no land here, sign up! Don't miss your chance," said the chief.
"Is the information reliable?" one villager asked.
"Why would I lie to you? This came straight from Knight von Klee in the nearby town. It's been confirmed by the Kingdom of Württemberg. The news is 100% real."
"It's thanks to the good heart of Prince Hohenzollern. He's close to the Prussian King and owns land right next to ours in Württemberg. He's one of us, and that's why he thought of you first," the chief said.
"Don't bother trying to go to the city. Do you have a trade? An education? The city doesn't need you. And America? If you have connections, go for it. But if not, don't waste your time. The Brits aren't giving away favors—you'll get nothing."
"But East Africa? That's different. You'll do what you've always done—farm. No tricks. No lies. This is what our families have done for generations.
At the end of the day, it's all about survival.
Wouldn't you rather stay among fellow Germans? What's the difference—Europe or overseas?
East Africa is still German land. You're not really leaving home.
So if you're interested, sign up now. Don't delay," the chief concluded.
...
After a full day and night of consideration, most landless peasants signed up—mostly young people from small households with no land to farm.
Those who'd thought about going to America changed their minds thanks to the rumors spread by the Hohenzollern staff.
East Africa, after all, had official backing.
The same scene played out in Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria… even in Austria's northern borderlands.
The first great wave of German migration to East Africa had begun.
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