Chapter 319: Headquarters Relocation
In places like South Sudan, the East African government's strategy involved initially scattering some population to ensure control and gradually developing the land while utilizing a substantial number of slaves. South Sudan presented a unique challenge as the only region in East Africa with a tropical rainforest climate, which made it difficult to develop. As a result, the focus was temporarily shifted to other areas.
March 21, 1871.
In Sweden, after several days of negotiations, Hexingen Bank reached an agreement with Swedbank. Hexingen Bank committed a significant sum of money to purchase a complete set of money-printing equipment and related technologies from Swedbank. Following the implementation of anti-counterfeiting methods and other necessary technologies, Hexingen Bank would assemble and produce the first set of currency for the East African Kingdom in Mbeya.
The introduction of East Africa's first currency would trigger a series of changes, including the relocation of Hechingen Bank's headquarters to Dambasa City and the establishment of the Central Bank of East Africa in Berlin. A high-level meeting was convened in Berlin to discuss the headquarters relocation.
Ernst, addressing the gathering, stated, "I want to emphasize that relocating the headquarters is necessary. The Hechingen Consortium is a multinational entity, and although conditions in East Africa may differ from Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is the homeland of the Hechingen royal family. Furthermore, I will be traveling to East Africa soon, so for the bank's future and development, the headquarters must accompany me to East Africa."
Ernst's decision didn't sit well with many present, but he continued, "This matter is closely related to all of you, so please voice your opinions. Davis, it seems you have some concerns, please go ahead."
Davis expressed his opposition to the relocation, stating, "Your Highness, I personally oppose the headquarters relocation. You're well aware of the size of Hechingen Bank. It will impact the entire organization, not to mention the difficulties of relocating the brain of the bank along with all the information and data."
Ernst acknowledged Davis's concerns, saying, "You are correct; the headquarters is indeed the bank's brain. Due to its importance, it needs to be in a secure environment. I believe East Africa provides that security. What do you think?"
Ernst's confidence stemmed from the nearly 200,000-strong East African army, which he saw as a source of stability. He also emphasized their loyalty to the Hexingen royal family.
Addressing the logistics of the relocation, Ernst added, "Regarding the challenges you mentioned, such as the transfer of work and data, I will provide you with ample time for preparation. You will have a one-year time frame to organize all the data that needs relocation. Additionally, we will establish two sub-centers in Berlin and Vienna to share the workload of the headquarters. These centers will handle some European operations, while the headquarters will primarily focus on command and decision-making."
Davis raised another concern about communication, to which Ernst replied, "Communication should not be a problem. East Africa is well-connected to the European telegraph network, and once the Hechingen Bank headquarters is relocated to East Africa, we will establish a dedicated submarine telegraph line to facilitate communication between the headquarters and European subsidiaries."
Ernst also assured the staff about living conditions in East Africa, stating, "Everyone who relocates to East Africa will receive East African nationality and a free house. You can choose to bring your family or leave them in Europe. In addition to your salary, we will provide a monthly food allowance and free medical insurance."
When the issue of education came up, Ernst assured, "Around the new headquarters, we will hire renowned European teachers to establish specialized schools for employees' children, including primary and secondary schools. University education will depend on your choice. Your children can live independently while attending college."
Addressing concerns about the climate and health, Ernst explained, "Africa's climate varies greatly, and many areas in East Africa are cooler than Europe. They experience four seasons, much like spring throughout the year. Mosquitoes are not a significant issue in East African cities, and we will provide mosquito coils and nets as preventive measures. Moreover, we will establish a Western hospital and a Chinese hospital, ensuring that employees receive the best medical care."
Ernst also addressed the employees' desire to visit Europe, saying, "I will arrange a special ship for you to return to Europe whenever needed, for personal visits, business trips, or other matters."
Despite initial reluctance, Ernst's comprehensive solutions seemed to have alleviated the employees' concerns. He asked one final time, "Are there any objections to relocating the headquarters to East Africa?"
The majority of Hechingen Bank employees, once reluctant, had now been won over by the extensive benefits. Ernst concluded, "Very well, the matter is settled. Now, let's discuss the city where the new headquarters should be located. I have gathered information on the best-suited cities in East Africa for your consideration. After discussion and support, the city with the most consensus will become the future headquarters of Hechingen Bank."
The cities under consideration included Mombasa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, the first town, Bagamoyo, and Mbeya. After heated discussions among the staff, Nairobi emerged as the preferred choice. With temperatures rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius even in the hottest months, Nairobi's climate offered a stark contrast to the extreme temperatures of Berlin, making it an ideal location for the bank's headquarters. The city's relatively complete infrastructure and a significant presence of Germans and Italians further solidified Nairobi's appeal.
Ultimately, the employees' concerns about working in East Africa seemed to have been addressed, and they looked forward to the opportunities and benefits that would come with the relocation of Hechingen Bank's headquarters to Nairobi.