Chapter 197: Advice
"So you're looking for a railway company that meets the necessary qualifications, has relevant experience, but isn't too large," Prince Karl Anton summarized.
"That's correct, Uncle Karl," Ernst replied.
"Very well. I'll keep an eye out. Now that Prussia has unified the North German Confederation, they'll likely standardize the railway systems across those states. Some companies may not be able to adapt to the changes. However, don't get your hopes too high. Prussia has always placed great emphasis on rail construction, using a mix of state-run and private lines. From what I can see, Wilhelm I, Bismarck, and the military want to push railway nationalization even further. They'll invest more in that sector, so the northern rail lines might be doing fairly well. Orders likely won't be lacking; that means prices won't be so easy to negotiate. With the Prussian government backing them, if the price is too low, companies can simply sell underperforming lines to the state at a premium.
"In southern Germany, however, there might be opportunities. Things are more fragmented there; standards are inconsistent; and, critically, the market isn't as robust. Even with the Customs Union, relations between the German states can be complicated, especially when they're caught between Austria and Prussia. In any event, it'll come down to the results of my inquiries. I'll get someone to look into it; in a while, we'll compile a report and send it over for you to review. Once you've decided, I can help you make contact," Prince Karl Anton said.
"Thank you, Uncle Karl. When the information is ready, just have someone deliver it to Hohenzollern Castle and give it to Tom," Ernst said.
"You're not staying home yourself these days?" Prince Karl Anton asked.
"Sigh… The main reason is that I've established a new company in Austria to process agricultural products. We planned on two factory sites—one in Vienna and one in Trieste. The Vienna facility is already complete, but Trieste's is just starting. I need to go see how construction is progressing," Ernst answered.
"You really are quite the busy man now!" Prince Karl Anton teased, laughing.
…
June 1869.
East Africa, Dar es Salaam.
Maximilian I was having a friendly conversation with Prince Constantin. Sipping from a cup of cool tea, he asked, "Your Highness, how are you finding life in East Africa?"
"It's alright, though certainly more humid and hot than in Germany. Does it stay like this all year?" Prince Constantin answered.
"It's cooler during the rainy season. You've arrived at a good time—July in Dar es Salaam is the most pleasant. During the dry season, the heat can get extreme, sometimes over forty degrees," Maximilian I said.
"Over forty degrees? Might as well be soaking in hot water!" Prince Constantin remarked in surprise.
"That's in exceptional circumstances. There might not even be one such day each year. Besides, it's hotter only here on the coast. I'm told it's quite mild inland—it's all highlands, and sometimes you even need an extra layer. The climate there stays like Europe's warm spring," Maximilian I explained.
"Then why doesn't the East African government move inland? It sounds more livable," Constantin noted.
"Inland may have better weather, but the roads are poor. Dar es Salaam and First Town both have more complete infrastructure, and they're well-supplied with goods. Ships from Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East all pass through, bringing products from around the globe," Maximilian I said.
Of course, another factor was that situating the government at First Town made communication with Europe simpler and streamlined the process of receiving immigrants.
"Makes sense. But once infrastructure improves, relocating the government inland would be best. It's so hot here that it saps people's motivation," Prince Constantin commented.
"I feel the same way. But what I know about the interior is only from secondhand accounts. I'd planned to travel there myself, until Charlotte arrived and I canceled," Maximilian I said.
"Right—didn't you say at the pier a few days ago that you had some suggestions?" Prince Constantin recalled.
"Yes. I've been in East Africa for a while and noticed some issues. I sent Ernst a telegram about it, but the boy hasn't answered," Maximilian I said.
"What sort of issues?" Prince Constantin asked. Having just arrived, he was open to tackling them, depending on what they were.
"Well, first is East Africa's cultural and educational work. You probably heard that awful band at the pier the day you arrived, and they included a bunch of Zanzibari musicians who sounded all mixed up. I know Ernst is pushing for Germanization in East Africa, but it's not deep enough, particularly in culture and education.
"I've seen the schools—at least one elementary school in First Town. Their curriculum is extremely rudimentary. We Germans have so much philosophy, art, and music, yet almost none of it was there. They only had a thin historical text, which is coarse and full of distortions. I'm not objecting to revising history, but this text had so many holes it's bound to be exposed," Maximilian I said.
"That I know about. I've even read through their textbooks. A lot of them were drafted by Ernst himself, but he once told me that East Africa is just doing a 'bare-bones education.' For now, that's enough. As for mistakes, well, most East Africans are illiterate; nobody would spot them. And regarding German culture and art, to be honest, Ernst himself barely knows them—he's never given them much importance. But that's part of why I'm here; I did bring professionals in those fields along," Constantin explained.
Prince Constantin had arrived in East Africa with quite a few skilled people—former members of Heixingen's old staff. A small country's court, after all, wouldn't be complete without its own musical ensemble. In Europe, they might not stand out, but in East Africa, they were professionals. Philosophers and literary experts were another matter; he couldn't bring those, but he had plenty of books.
"That's just a small concern, anyway. My bigger worry is the colony's security," Maximilian I said, after hearing Constantin's response.
"Mm-hmm."
"Your Highness, how much do you know about East Africa?" Maximilian I asked.
"Honestly, not a lot. I scrambled to learn what I could after deciding to come here, but it wasn't much," Prince Constantin admitted.
"Then, do you know how many seaports East Africa has?" Maximilian I asked.
Constantin shook his head.
"There are five in total, including two fairly large ones—Dar es Salaam and Mombasa—which measure up pretty well even against Europe's top ports. Then there are three smaller ones with notable potential. These five ports span more than a thousand kilometers of coastline. Beyond that are numerous bays and river mouths that could be developed into ports but haven't been touched yet," Maximilian I explained. "What do you think of East Africa's coastal prospects?"
"Hearing all that, they must be quite good," Prince Constantin said.
"Not just good. These East African ports are also on the route from Europe to the Far East. The strategic location is significant. Yet so far, East Africa has no navy to protect such high-potential coastlines," Maximilian I emphasized.
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