Chapter 29: Hard March
In the rainy season of March in East Africa, torrential rains transformed the landscape. The raindrops, dense and powerful, turned the terrain into muddy quagmires. Rainwater gathered in depressions and ravines, forming streams that eventually joined to become rivers.
The Little Rhine, once calm, now ran turbulent and carried driftwood, weeds, and sand from the upper reaches. Rainwater overflowed the paddy fields, causing rice and other crops to be battered by the elements.
The rainy season brought new life to the continent of Africa. Dry, lifeless landscapes turned vibrant and teeming with activity. Animals migrated in groups, vegetation sprouted anew, and rivers swelled with water.
However, this rainy season was less than ideal for the East African advance mission. The team, led by Captain Andre, found themselves temporarily halted due to the heavy rain. They took refuge on a high ground while they waited for the rain to abate.
Officer Zhou Wei supervised the counting and storage of supplies, ensuring that food and ammunition were protected from the rain. Captain Andre suggested taking a day's rest to boost the team's morale, as they had been on the road for two weeks and needed to ease their spirits.
Zhou Wei agreed, acknowledging that the timing of their departure had been unfortunate given the relentless rains. He recounted a story from Andre's past when he had faced similar weather conditions during a European battlefield campaign against Napoleon.
The soldiers rested for a day, sharing stories and experiences. Andre expressed his admiration for the Chinese immigrants and how they had defied stereotypes. Zhou Wei corrected the notion that they were merely Chinese, emphasizing that they were all part of the German Empire and that Ernst believed in their commitment to Germany.
As they resumed their march on the third day, the advance group faced the daunting task of traversing muddy terrain. Despite the challenging conditions, they pressed on toward Lake Tanganyika.
(end of Chapter 29)