African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 443: Chapter 120: Guest

That being said, it doesn’t mean Ernst does nothing. Since the education and training system hasn’t been established, it’s vital to separate research and learning for now to lay some groundwork for the future.

The so-called research refers to the East African government investing in establishing several official research institutions, concentrating talents and elites in the scientific fields who have received higher education in East Africa to engage in theoretical and practical scientific research.

A few years later, when East Africa completes the construction of its high school education system and establishes corresponding universities, these talents who have gathered in East Africa can continue to shine. Ultimately, the goal is first to attract and retain talent in East Africa.

...

June 7, 1873.

Soga City.

The Soga City Government was officially established earlier this year, becoming one of the cities under the Central Province. However, the newly formed Soga City appears quite desolate, though there are people maintaining the city’s sanitation and order. The lack of popularity leads to a lack of vitality throughout the city.

Soga train’s east station.

A brand new train slowly arrived at the station, but only a few people dressed in suits alighted from the train.

A young man carrying a suitcase introduced to the man beside him: ”Professor Kurand, we have arrived at our destination, this is Soga City in East Africa.”

Kurand looked around and couldn’t quite imagine this was the legendary Africa. He could understand when landing at Dar es Salaam, as world port cities are similar, and Dar es Salaam’s prosperity is not surprising. However, when boarding the East African train, Kurand felt somewhat incredulous, and upon reaching Soga City, he hadn’t recovered from his shock.

”Mr. Blanco, you really didn’t deceive me! Is this truly Africa?”

”Of course, Professor Kurand, this is indeed Africa. Although it is indeed hard to believe, I must say that the development of the Kingdom of East Africa is at an astonishing pace, emerging from a blank slate within a few years.”

”I’m not very knowledgeable about geography, but I learned some about the customs and people in East Africa from books. However, upon truly arriving in East Africa, I believe those books are entirely outdated,” Professor Kurand said.

Kurand’s impression of East Africa should be filled with exotic charm, Arabic camels, white robes, savannas, and various strange animals.

But so far, the scenes Kurand witnessed are European-style buildings, vast fertile lands, improved roads and irrigation systems, and the bustling Dar es Salaam. If it weren’t for traveling thousands of miles by ship, Kurand would suspect he hadn’t yet left Germany.

Blanco said proudly: ”Even though the Kingdom of East Africa was founded relatively recently, all its styles are formulated according to German standards, thoroughly absorbing the excellent culture of Germany and Austria to build a new home for the Germans.”

This statement did not resonate with Professor Kurand. The Kingdom of East Africa had already been preliminarily understood by him in Dar es Salaam. Though it is a German country, many nationals are pseudo-Germans.

This situation is peculiar to the Kingdom of East Africa. If it were in Germany, a Polish person is a Polish person, a French person is a French person. Even if they emigrate to Germany, their identities wouldn’t change rapidly.

In the Kingdom of East Africa, it’s completely different. Except for the low status of Black people, Kurand himself couldn’t see any distinctions among other individuals.

With curiosity, Professor Kurand asked: ”Mr. Blanco, I see many faces in East Africa that don’t have the characteristics typical of the German regions, and even their skin tones vary somewhat.”

Blanco candidly replied: ”It’s not strange. The Kingdom of East Africa was initially a colony, so it’s normal to attract people from all over the world for its development. In East Africa, as long as one recognizes German culture, they are naturally German, of course, as you mentioned, the status of Black people is indeed low. But this is an unavoidable fact, for us Germans to develop, we must venture beyond Germany. Every year, Germany has one of the highest European population loss rates. Compared to letting them go to countries with different cultures, it’s better for them to go to a German state.”

Colonial matters, in this era, are openly discussed. As for Germany’s population flow, it’s continuously severe. Even without the Kingdom of East Africa, Germany has still lost nearly a million people over the years. For instance, this year, Germany’s number of outbound emigrants remains the highest in Europe, with Italy coming second.

Professor Kurand: ”Alright! In this sense, it indeed makes sense that Germans have significant population loss issues.”

Blanco: ”That’s precisely so, and the existence of East Africa is vital for the entire German region.”

While speaking, the group had already exited the train station when Professor Kurand and others noticed something amiss.

”Mr. Blanco! Why does the city feel so empty and quiet?”

Blanco responded: ”Professor Kurand, it’s like this: Soga is a new city, hence not many people have moved in, naturally making it seem empty. However, there’s no need to worry, Soga now only has a shortage of people, not a complete lack of population. For instance, look at the city streets; aren’t they very clean? This is because workers clean them every day.”

”Does this small number affect the city’s life, though? Like shops, taverns, entertainment...”

”This is nothing to worry about either. The government has already arranged a series of necessary life facilities and institutions similar to those in Dar es Salaam. Given that Soga is a technological city, we focus more on creating a high-quality environment and living standards.”

Blanco explained while leading Kurand and the others onto a public carriage. This greatly delighted the coachman: ”Gentlemen, you are my first passengers since I began operating!”

Kurand asked the coachman: ”Sir, how do you make a living if there are no passengers?”

Coachman: ”That’s something you don’t understand about East Africa; you should be new here. In East Africa, jobs are government-assigned, and naturally, we earn government salaries.”

Kurand: ”How much is your monthly salary?”

Coachman: ”My monthly salary is about twenty-five Rhine Shields.”

This shocked Kurand: ”Twenty-five Rhine Shields!”

The coachman could earn such a high wage monthly!

Seeing Kurand’s astonished expression, Blanco knew he misunderstood and swiftly explained to Kurand: ”The Kingdom of East Africa has its currency, also called Rhine Shield, but East African Rhine Shield is different from the European Rhine Shield. Its value is even lower than the Franc.”

”Ah, I see!” Realizing this from Blanco’s words, Kurand was enlightened. If it were really twenty-five European Rhine Shields a month, that’d be terrifying.

”Is twenty-five East African Rhine Shields enough for expenses?”

”Of course, covering the basic needs of an average family is not a problem. In East Africa, food prices are not very high.”

This wage level is virtually akin to British workers, not much lower, making supporting a family reasonably straightforward.