Chapter 22: Colony Development
In the Hexingen Consortium's East African colony, significant agricultural work was underway. Rows of sisal seedlings were being planted on low hills in the southwest, with agricultural workers tilling the soil. Indigenous people used iron plows, and Chinese immigrants with hoes meticulously tended to the sisal seedlings.
German overseers, under the guidance of Hispanic agricultural experts, supervised the construction of drainage ditches to ensure proper irrigation for wheat fields that stretched from higher ground to the flat terrain. The arrival of more Chinese immigrants led to a substantial expansion in agriculture, with each group managed and led by Germans.
To prevent encounters with native tribes and slave hunters, German mercenaries patrolled the surrounding areas, ensuring safety. Meanwhile, the exploration inland continued, with the army mapping out new territories, occasionally recruiting local labor to clear land.
The first town was rapidly expanding westward, and plans for a second stronghold, the second town (Lufu), were already in place, situated 13 kilometers southwest of the first town. A third town (Kitunga), about ten kilometers north of the first town, was also in the planning stages.
The colony was taking shape, centered around the first town and stretching to the east, connecting to the port of Dar es Salaam and radiating westward, covering an area of approximately 150 acres.
Sisal, a crop well-suited for the East African climate, thrived under the high-temperature, humid, and high-rainfall conditions. The area's diurnal temperature range, ample sunlight during the day, and dewy nights made it an ideal environment for sisal cultivation.
The East African colony adopted corporate management, with Chinese immigrants and indigenous workers assigned to various agricultural tasks. The Germans supervised and managed the work, ensuring efficiency.
While theoretically eligible for wages, most Chinese workers were more focused on making a living. The goal was to provide for themselves and their families, and they had traveled to East Africa due to hardships and challenges they faced in their homeland.
Comparatively, Chinese workers displayed higher work efficiency and adaptability than local laborers, requiring less supervision and demonstrating greater work ethic.
Despite their hard work, these laborers were well-rewarded with meat from the East African grasslands, satisfying a yearning for protein-rich food. As the colony developed, some families began to form, and new lives were born, a sign of stability and growth in the colony.
Ernst encouraged family immigration, recognizing that small families of two or three members were beneficial for stability, but he discouraged the involvement of large families and clans in the colony, as they were seen as potential sources of instability.
With the gender ratio skewed towards more men, Ernst anticipated addressing the marriage challenges faced by bachelors in the future. However, his current focus was on industry development and monitoring the changing European situation.
(end of Chapter 22)