African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1286: Chapter 295: Nikola II Abdicates

This situation is easy to understand—it’s simply because there’s an abundance of land, which allows for indulgence! East Africa itself is the second-largest country in the world by area, second only to Russia.

And the arable land area of East Africa is more extensive than Russia’s, with food yield per unit area being much higher than Russia’s. Plus, given the long-term downward trend in international food prices, East Africa does not need to further expand agricultural land.

Although East Africa does not have Ukraine’s fertile black soil, its water and heat conditions are far superior to Russia’s. Therefore, East Africa’s food output is naturally higher than Russia’s, though the quality and taste of the food cannot match those of Europe and America.

However, this mainly affects the cultivation of wheat. As for rice cultivation, East Africa’s rice taste and quality have now approached the levels of the Far Eastern countries, and its output far exceeds that of East Asian countries.

Moreover, East Africa’s population density is not particularly high, and with the rapid urbanization, East Africa is entirely capable of ensuring agricultural production while also addressing some ecological and environmental issues.

The Malawi Lake Rhino Garden in East Africa was established on this basis because if they can’t even solve the issue of basic sustenance, the East African Government wouldn’t have the leisure to take care of these ”animals.”

Archduke Ferdinand asked, ”Since these rhinos were originally introduced for the pharmaceutical industry, have you had any results yet?”

The staff shook their head and replied, ”There hasn’t been any significant progress, but to some extent, some issues in the formulation of medicines have been improved.”

”Rhino horns are primarily used to make An Gong Pills, which are used to treat stroke and other brain-related diseases. Specialists from the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine have not identified any special components, so the optimal ratios and sampling can only be continuously summarized through experimentation.”

”Our park’s primary task now is to continue expanding the rhino population to ensure a supply of raw materials for the medicines. Perhaps in the future, someone will discover its secrets.”

The An Gong Pill is considered a kind of special medication, with excellent efficacy for certain people, but with East Africa’s current scientific and technological means, it’s challenging to decipher its mysteries.

Thus, East African pharmaceutical researchers can only increase the value of this special medication through constant experimentation, aptly described by understanding the ’what’ without comprehending the ’why.’

This is not ”mysticism,” but rather something that is temporarily unknown, therefore it can only be verified through ”experimentation.”

This also has been a significant path for the development of East Africa’s pharmaceutical industry, as many medicines produced by East Africa are determined through summary and experimentation, though a large portion of them lack an understanding of their principles.

Upon hearing this, Archduke Ferdinand did not feel discouraged and instead took out a drawing board to begin sketching the Sumatran rhinos.

This could be considered a return to old hobbies; Archduke Ferdinand enjoyed studying flora and fauna in his youth. Now retired, he wants to draw the various species he sees in East Africa and compile them into a book with his wife.

Of course, the East African Government doesn’t feel entirely at ease with Archduke Ferdinand, so they generally assign personnel to accompany him to prevent him from venturing into dangerous situations.

After all, Archduke Ferdinand had ambitious plans to explore the rainforests of South America in his youth, so Ernst can only arrange for someone to watch over his father-in-law.

Archduke Ferdinand does not lack an adventurous spirit; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been persuaded by Napoleon III to head to Mexico to become an emperor. This is evident from Ernst’s own experience.

When the East African colony was established, Ernst didn’t rush to East Africa recklessly but instead waited until the initial development was underway before arriving to oversee and guide.

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Archduke Ferdinand and his wife traveling across East Africa naturally worries Ernst and Empress Karina. However, they cannot genuinely interfere with Archduke Ferdinand’s retirement, considering he is quite old and should live relatively freely.

Meanwhile, at the Rhine Palace, Ernst was examining the letters and a telegram sent over by the East African embassy in Russia.

”Your Majesty, this is a telegram sent from the embassy in Russia; a coup has occurred in Russia, and Nicholas II has been forced to abdicate!”

”Additionally, we received two letters from Nicholas II: one addressed to you and the other to Aleksey and the two others.”

Aleksey and the two others are currently visiting East Africa for leisure, and they are the Russian Crown Prince and Princesses—Crown Prince Aleksey, Princess Maria, and Princess Anastasia.

Upon hearing the news of Nicholas II’s abdication, Ernst’s expression changed, and he asked, ”What is the situation in Russia currently?”

”There has been a rebellion within Russia; Nicholas II has now been forced to abdicate. These two letters were entrusted to us by him through our embassy.”

Ernst opened the envelope addressed to him by Nicholas II and began to read: ”Emperor Ernst, my brother, now... do not let the three return to Russia, I hope you can help take care of them.”

After reading the letter, Ernst understood Nicholas II’s intentions—Nicholas II was essentially coerced into abdicating by various Russian forces.

However, some forces are willing to propose a new Tsar, with Crown Prince Aleksey naturally being the first choice, though Nicholas II does not wish for his son to return to the country at this time.

The reason is simple: Nicholas II sensed danger, which is easy to understand, as in a previous lifetime, Nicholas II did not choose Crown Prince Aleksey to become the new Tsar and instead nominated his brother Mikhail, yet ultimately Mikhail clearly did not succeed in becoming Russia’s new Tsar.

Currently, the domestic situation in Russia is quite complex, with bourgeois elements, workers, soldiers, peasants, and even some aristocratic forces all pushing collectively, leaving Nicholas II helpless.

However, the situation remains dangerous in Russia, as the aristocrats want a new Tsar to succeed, capitalists want a new Republican Government, and the Labor Party wants to form a new regime.

Now, Nicholas II’s abdication does not signify the end of political struggles in Russia; rather, it is merely the beginning of this struggle.

In his letter, Nicholas II was candid with Ernst, stating: ”Aleksey is too young; even if he ascends the throne, he’ll just be a puppet of treacherous ministers.”

Moreover, Aleksey is, after all, Nicholas II’s son—if Aleksey becomes Tsar, will he be subjected to future purges? This is an all-too-common occurrence in Russian politics.

Therefore, Nicholas II requested that Ernst provide shelter for Crown Prince Aleksey and the two others, and only after the political climate in Russia stabilizes should they reconsider their course of action.

Though Ernst shook his head, pondering that Nicholas II probably has no future left, helping him care for Crown Prince Aleksey and the two others may already be deemed as magnanimous.

Of course, when Ernst originally invited Aleksey and other Russian royal family members, it was clearly with the intention of having them play a role.

Ernst instructed his subordinates: ”The political situation in Russia is likely to continue changing and intensifying; prepare a telegram for Nicholas II and inquire whether he wishes to reside in East Africa for political asylum?”

At this moment, Nicholas II staying in Russia still offers the possibility of escape, hence Ernst gave this order—it’s up to Nicholas II’s decisiveness now.

If he continues to harbor illusions, this last Tsar of Russia might repeat history and ultimately meet a grisly end.

However, if he resolutely decides to seek asylum in East Africa, there is indeed a chance, as the Royalist Party in Russia still exists, and the new Russian Government is not yet a Labor Party Government. At least the Labor Party has not yet proposed an ”abolishment of the monarchy.”

Therefore, if Nicholas II chooses to flee Russia at this point, there is still considerable possibility, and Ernst is willing to lend him a hand.

After all, East Africa counts as ”foreign powers,” and being a foreign Great Power carries significant deterrence, especially against Russia’s bourgeois government.

Ernst continued, ”Call Maxim and the four others back! I reckon Nicholas II probably has plenty to say in the letter to Aleksey and the two others.”