Chapter 345: Aid Corps
Outside the port of Dar es Salaam, a ship from the Far East was entering the port, and the people on board stopped to gaze curiously at the city of Dar es Salaam.
The city appeared quite normal, with houses, cars, horses, wide roads, ships of various sizes docked at the port, and people bustling about on the pier.
Ander, the deputy envoy of the East African Kingdom Aid Mission sent by the Far Eastern Government, turned to Li Ge and remarked, "Brother Shiyan! I feel like the court might have been deceived. East Africa seems peaceful, without any signs of natural disasters or man-made disasters."
Li Ge shared a similar sense of surprise but replied, "Brother Thickness, perhaps this is just the facade that the East African Kingdom presents. We haven't seen other parts of East Africa, so it's premature to draw conclusions. Time will reveal the truth."
The two of them then approached Aryan, the translator from the East African embassy, and Li Ge inquired, "Mr. Aryan, we have a question and hope you can answer it."
Although Li Ge didn't particularly like Aryan, considering him a "traitor" due to his change in nationality and affiliation, he needed Aryan's help as a bridge between cultures and languages.
Aryan responded, "Feel free to ask your questions."
Li Ge proceeded, "We came to your country at the invitation of your officials. Has our ship arrived in the Kingdom of East Africa?"
Aryan confirmed, "Yes, look at the flag at the port; it's the lion shield flag of the kingdom."
Li Ge then pointed out the contradiction, saying, "It seems that there's a discrepancy between what your ambassador described and what we see. Your ambassador told us that East Africa is plagued by declining living conditions and rampant epidemics. However, the city appears quite prosperous, and everyone seems content. It doesn't seem like there's a major epidemic. Can you explain this?"
As part of the aid group, Li Ge expected to find East Africa in dire need of assistance due to the plague and for reconstruction. Most of the doctors on board were organized by the Far Eastern government. Considering the situation in Mu City, Li Ge felt that it was the Far East that needed aid, not East Africa.
Aryan, however, seemed baffled by Li Ge's question and replied, "Well, did Ambassador Richard say that? I don't have the information, and honestly, I don't know much about East Africa."
Perplexed, Li Ge asked, "Aren't you from East Africa? How can you not understand your own country?"
Aryan explained, "Actually, I studied in South Germany, not East Africa. I spent some time in the Kingdom of Lower Hechingen in the Kingdom of Prussia in Germany after graduation. Afterward, I was transferred directly back to the Far East to work in the East African Kingdom's embassy. My paperwork says I'm from the Kingdom of East Africa."
Li Ge was increasingly confused by Aryan's background. He had heard of Prussia and East Africa, but where exactly was Aryan from? He inquired further, "Mr. Aryan, are you East African?"
Aryan clarified, "I am German."
Li Ge couldn't hide his confusion, asking, "Then what's your connection to the Kingdom of East Africa?"
Aryan calmly replied, "My nationality is the Kingdom of East Africa."
Li Ge was left speechless.
Aryan continued, "This is my first time in East Africa, and I'm interested in learning more about it. Why don't you both explore with me?"
Li Ge and Aryan's group began to explore the city of Dar es Salaam (the foreign commercial district). The city was a diverse mix of white, yellow, and black people, each with distinctive clothing styles. The sight of Arabs, dressed in white robes, particularly intrigued the group.
Li Ge inquired, "Mr. Aryan, why are some people wearing white robes and white scarves?"
Aryan explained, "They are Arabs, primarily found in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and Persia. Many Arabs dress this way."
Li Ge further asked, "But why are they covered in white cloth?"
Aryan clarified, "It's their cultural habit. Living in the desert, where the sun is scorching, with temperatures reaching 40 or 50 degrees Celsius during the day, wearing white reflects the sun's rays better and reduces heat absorption."
Li Ge and his group realized that the Arabs' attire was a matter of custom, not a sign of plague or distress. They had misunderstood the situation due to their lack of knowledge.
Li Ge also considered it fortunate that he had asked Aryan for clarification, preventing a significant misunderstanding.
Aryan, who didn't mind such misunderstandings, continued to guide them through the city, providing insights into the local culture and customs.
As they explored further, they encountered a "No Entry" sign, which puzzled Li Ge. He asked Aryan about it, and Aryan sought information from a nearby police officer.
The police officer explained, "This is the boundary to the West District of Dar es Salaam, which is not open to foreigners."
Aryan then realized and explained to Li Ge that Dar es Salaam was divided into the foreign business district and the west district, with foreigners only allowed in the former.
Aryan, being a diplomatic official of the Kingdom of East Africa in the Far Eastern government, needed to contact the local government. He asked for directions to the city government agencies.
The police officer directed him, and Aryan thanked him for the assistance.
The aid group continued their exploration of Dar es Salaam, with Aryan as their guide, experiencing the city's unique cultural diversity and vibrant atmosphere.
The group eventually reached the limits of the foreign commercial district, where their exploration came to an end.
(end of this chapter)