Chapter 79: A Conversation Unfolds
"Having said so much, what good does it do you? It's worth your good words for the Hungarians!" Franz asked curiously.
Sincerity often carries the most weight. Ernst responded bluntly, "For the immigrants in East Africa."
Franz strolled slowly to the desk, then lounged on the sofa, stating, "It seems you place significant importance on the East African region. With all due respect, Europe is far more valuable than a desolate place like Africa. But, please, don't take offense."
Franz continued, "I've studied regions like Africa. The French have a strong presence in North Africa, given its historical ties to the ancient Romans around the Mediterranean. North Africa's strategic significance is undeniable. The British control the Cape Town colony; after all, the Cape of Good Hope serves as a gateway to Asia. Valuable resources like ivory and gold, to my knowledge, are primarily found in West Africa. So, I'm intrigued about your optimism regarding East Africa."
Franz's interest in Africa stemmed from curiosity rather than genuine fascination. He wondered why Ernst invested substantial resources into developing a land with seemingly little strategic value and a challenging environment.
Ernst inquired, "May I take a seat?"
"Of course, please, make yourself comfortable. No need for formality, Ernst," Franz replied.
Ernst chose a chair and positioned it across from Franz, settling in.
"Speaking of East Africa, Your Majesty, do you believe in the existence of gods?" Ernst asked.
As a devout Catholic, Franz promptly affirmed, "Certainly, I believe in God."
Ernst's question didn't pertain to the Christian God. In his previous life, Ernst had been a staunch atheist, given his background in his homeland. However, something about his experiences through time travel had begun to shake his convictions. Though he couldn't embrace Christianity, he couldn't dismiss the possibility of a higher power, given the circumstances that brought him to Africa.
Ernst harbored an unexplainable sense of mission, a driving force behind his actions—a force that couldn't be neatly categorized as a feeling, a belief, or an ideal.
"Your Majesty, it's a mysterious force, much like religion, that guides my actions. I'm content to follow it, even though many questions remain unanswered," Ernst attempted to convey the indescribable feeling.
"Guidance from a higher power?" Franz mused. As an emperor, he, too, felt a calling—a desire to advance Austria's development and uphold the family's legacy. Yet, he often felt powerless in the face of the empire's challenges, leading to inner conflict.
"The current East Africa may seem like an abyss to me. It lacks significant resources, save for its wildlife and indigenous populations. But it's precisely such a place, devoid of history and the attention of others, that allows my unbridled imagination to flourish. Here, I'm like a painter who can splash any color I desire onto the canvas of East Africa. In Europe, I'm merely a mediocre prince, constrained by European norms, struggling to express my true nature," Ernst shared his thoughts.
Ernst and Franz, like old friends, continued their conversation. Franz refrained from delving into the details of East Africa, sensing the depth of Ernst's commitment.
Trieste, a port city.
"The crowd today is significantly larger, and there's a noticeable increase in Serbian accents," Jean Degu, a member of the Hechingen Ocean Fleet, remarked to his partner Phil Moore.
"Is East Africa truly worth visiting?" Phil Moore inquired.
Jean Decourt produced a bottle of modest Italian red wine, took a sip, and replied, "It seems decent! Not too dissimilar from the European countryside, albeit somewhat desolate."
Phil Moore commented, "The population in Europe, particularly within the empire, remains overwhelmingly dense. Land will always be finite. Population growth has accelerated in recent years, and there are always individuals seeking opportunities abroad."
"Yes," Phil Moore continued, "many of our generation, hailing from rural backgrounds, now find themselves employed in factories within the cities. Just a few decades ago, our fathers toiled on noble estates. Our education has made a significant difference. Instead of manual labor in factories or docks, we can write on paper and earn a living guiding immigrants."
"Oh, speaking of factories, do you recall Flender? I heard at the tavern a few days ago that he met a tragic end on the job. He had strong arms and legs but succumbed to exhaustion after toiling on machines for over ten hours a day," Phil Moore recounted.
As Jean and Phil chatted about their experiences, they observed an intriguing figure among the immigrants—a young man named Crick, a 15-year-old Serbian from the Hungarian countryside. He had ventured out to seek a livelihood.
Crick, born into a generations-old peasant family, lacked specialized skills but possessed physical strength. His family's land had been left to his elder brother, leaving Crick with no choice but to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Coincidentally, the East African colony was recruiting laborers. Though Crick had little knowledge of it, the colony's requirements were straightforward: food, shelter, payment, and an opportunity for work. So, Crick followed some fellow villagers and joined the journey to Trieste.
Crick exhibited curiosity and approached Jean Decourt, inquiring, "Sir, have you been to East Africa?"
Jean Degou regarded the young man before him and replied, "I've visited two or three ports in East Africa aboard ships—Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and the most recent, Mombasa."
Crick sought reassurance, asking, "Is East Africa similar to what the newspapers depict?"
Jean Degou reassured the immigrants, stating, "Regarding Africa, much of what you read holds true. North Africa is mostly arid, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, dotted with occasional oases and Arab settlements. West Africa, along the Atlantic coast, where the slave trade once thrived, is said to hold gold and ivory, but the climate is harsh, hot, and humid, with vast stretches of barren land. South Africa, under British control, offers more favorable conditions. As for East Africa, while it lacks significant resources, the ports I've visited seem quite promising. Although they don't match European cities, they surpass rural conditions by a substantial margin."
Jean Degou's words provided comfort to the immigrants, reassuring them that East Africa wasn't a barren wasteland, and life there promised to be no worse than in their villages.
(End of Chapter 79)