African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 220: Chapter 208: The Clown

”Mr. Leno, this trip to Vienna will require some hard work from you to establish a foundation there. In the future, our company will form a dual-core structure with Berlin and Vienna, each with different focuses, which will benefit the company itself,” Ernst instructed Leno.

”Your Highness, rest assured, I have accumulated quite a bit of work experience over the years, and I will definitely develop the Heixinggen Energy Power Company in Austria,” Leno promised.

Compared to managing the company, Leno was more enthusiastic about research. However, after truly becoming a part of the company’s upper management, he found that he could leverage the company to access more resources, allowing him to realize some of his ideas.

”Karl, I’ll leave Berlin to you. Do you have confidence?” Ernst turned to the young Karl Friedrich Benz and said.

”Your Highness, I will definitely not disappoint you,” Benz said excitedly.

Anyone suddenly taking over such a large company would be just as excited, especially for a young person like Benz.

Having followed behind his senior, Leno, for years, Benz had already acquired the ability to handle things independently, managing many of the company’s daily affairs.

”Roshach, you must take more responsibility on this trip to Vienna. Your imagination is quite fanciful, but your execution still needs work. Learn more from Mr. Leno.”

...

The Berlin Energy Power Company, just from the name, shows that Ernst’s intention when founding it was not only limited to the field of internal combustion engines.

In fact, steam engines were also an important research project for the company, as most machinery on the market still primarily relied on steam power.

This time, Ernst planned to split the company. While Berlin has its advantages and can enjoy the benefits of German unification in the future, making it easier to gather talent from within Germany,

it’s also prudent to be cautious. The Prussian government was one of the most efficient governments of the era, with strong nationalism, so keeping the Berlin Energy Power Company only in Berlin would be very risky.

Consider the railways, an important strategic resource targeted by the Prussian military and government, leading to the trend of nationalization. Ernst believed that the allure of internal combustion engines was no less than that of railways.

Thus, the name Berlin Energy Power Company had to be changed. Using East Africa as a name wouldn’t work, so it was changed to Heixinggen.

It’s widely known that the Heixinggen consortium spans both Germany and Austria-Hungary, which is already a commonly understood concept among the general public.

After renaming it Heixinggen Energy Power Company, opening a branch in Vienna would be very logical. Vienna also ranks at top international levels in higher education, leaving no worries about talent issues.

The First Railway in East Africa would still use steam locomotives for some time, an area where Ernst did not plan to invest heavily.

Yet, while not wanting to invest much, he still wanted to maintain a certain level of influence in this domain. The best way to achieve this was to find a partner.

There was no better choice for this partner than the Austrian Royal Family. In fact, Ernst had always preferred to cooperate with Austria-Hungary; the Austro-Hungarian Empire seemed easier to deal with compared to Prussia.

There were too many states within Prussia, and although the Heixinggen royal family had a certain influence due to their surname, the inherent shortcomings of the Heixinggen region predetermined that its influence in Germany was not high, particularly since Ernst never chose to join the Prussian military and government, naturally removing himself from Prussia’s power center.

East Africa’s primary future partner would definitely be Austria-Hungary, not Prussia. This was not just a result of marriage alliances; the main reason was that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was not enthusiastic about or capable of overseas colonial expansion in the future.

If East Africa wanted to develop, it definitely needed to latch onto a major power that had minimal intervention capabilities in East Africa.

The new company would have two headquarters: one in Berlin, led by Benz and focusing on this new automotive project.

While in Vienna, it’s managed by Leno and Roshach, concentrating on research in the railway domain, with internal combustion locomotives as a separate project, and steam locomotives completed in cooperation with Austria.

In terms of railway development, Austria was considered average among the major powers worldwide. Due to the consideration of many nationalities, the Austrian government placed significant importance on railway construction.

This meant that many of Austria’s railway companies were not weak but not very strong either. This was a solid foundation for cooperation between the Heixinggen Energy Power Company and Austria.

During these years of development, the Heixinggen Energy Power Company had also acquired many unique skills in steam power, perfectly complementing Austria’s strengths.

There was another advantage in situating the railway project in Austria: facilitating imports to East Africa. Next month, the Suez Canal would open, and Austrian ships would have direct access to East Africa by passing through it.

This also signified the decline of the entire southwest African route, with the strategic position of Cape Town plummeting and the shipping value of East African coastal ports greatly decreasing. However, it made traveling from East Africa to Europe more convenient.

...

”Ernst, you’re truly quite the opportunist. Recently, I heard that you were busy setting up an agricultural company in Austria, and I didn’t see you visiting the palace. Now that you need help, you’re quick to head to the palace. Is young Ferdinand being led astray by you?” Franz said, exasperated.

”Your Majesty, that’s not the case. I’m also promoting Austria’s economic development! Just consider which of our companies, agricultural or Heixinggen Energy Power, isn’t a renowned enterprise? They’ve solved so many employment problems while also bringing in substantial tax revenue for Austria. It’s clearly a win-win situation!”

”Hmph, twisting words. Last time, with just a telegram from Ferdinand, I had to force some people into the Royal Navy Academy. I knew right away it was you egging him on.”

”Your Majesty, the Archduke Ferdinand wants to accomplish something great. Now, as the Navy Commander of East Africa, learning from a naval powerhouse like Austria is nothing shameful. It’s absolutely out of public interest and not my instigation. It only proves that Archduke Ferdinand is a straight shooter, dutiful and responsible,” Ernst righteously defended Maximiliano I.

”Alright, enough jokes. Here’s some information on a railway company invested in by the royal family. If your Heixinggen Energy Power Company hadn’t actually achieved something in Prussia, I wouldn’t be comfortable collaborating with a young chap like you.”

Ernst immediately beamed with joy, ”Thank you, Your Majesty. East Africa will not forget your country’s kindness.”

”By the way, when do you and Prince Constantine plan to establish a nation? I’ve heard that Prince Constantine has already gone to East Africa. Can you share any details?” Franz inquired curiously.

The Heixinggen royal family’s move overseas was no secret, so Franz was even more curious about their next steps, knowing that establishing a kingdom wasn’t easy.

”Of course, that depends on you, Your Majesty. Surely you’d prefer that Princess Karina becomes a queen rather than remaining a princess consort, right?” Ernst looked at Franz I with a pleading expression.

Franz was so exasperated he blew his beard, ”You cheeky kid, joking with me—get out of here!”

”Alrighty, I’m on my way, and I wish you a happy life ahead!” With that, Ernst darted away.

”That rascal, still as mischievous as ever...” Franz said with a chuckle.

Despite his words, Franz still had great confidence in Ernst. In a serious court, having one more ”clown” always brought a sense of novelty and relaxation, a refreshing change from the cold heights of power.