Chapter 406: The Black Industry Chain
Canal No. 1 had been divided into three sections, with excavation underway in the Third Town area. Due to its location in the alluvial plain between the Wami River and the lower reaches of the Little Rhine River, the soil here was soft, and the depth of the soil layer allowed for relatively straightforward excavation. This was not the case for Canal No. 2 and Canal No. 3, which were situated closer to the piedmont alluvial fan plain. In these sections, laborers faced the challenge of dealing with boulders and deposited gravel.
To ensure the smooth progress of Canal No. 1's excavation, Ernst had made a substantial purchase of 60,000 pairs of high-quality shovels and picks from German factories affiliated with the Hechingen Daily Necessities Company. Although acquiring these tools from his own company came at a cost, it guaranteed superior quality. At present, many German products were known for being subpar, but the companies under the Hechingen Consortium maintained higher standards.
Ernst placed great emphasis on adhering to strict production standards, ensuring the durability and quality of the tools produced. These tools weren't necessarily the cheapest options on the market, but their reliability was unquestionable.
In East Africa, where a semi-planned economy prevailed, product quality was a top priority, even though diversity was lacking. Nonetheless, the materials used were robust and long-lasting.
As the saying goes, "If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools." East Africa, a region left undeveloped for countless millennia, required advanced tools for its transformation.
The excavated earth from the canal was deposited directly on both sides of the river. Workers used carts to transport the soil to the riverbank, where others leveled it.
King Constantine, on a personal visit to the riverbed, scrutinized the laborers' working conditions, surrounded by vigilant guards who maintained a respectful distance to ensure his safety.
Overseers were equally cautious and kept their firearms handy to prevent any unforeseen incidents. Constantine's unexpected arrival had left them unsure of the identity of this prominent visitor.
Reassuring them, Constantine said, "No need to be nervous; my safety is in capable hands with the guards. You may proceed with your work as usual."
Following the king's instructions, the canal supervisors signaled to the overseers, who resumed their duties, monitoring the laborers' progress.
Constantine, examining the laborers' clothing, inquired with some uncertainty, "Their clothing looks quite similar..."
"Yes, Your Majesty," an official replied. "The old uniform designs have been discontinued. However, the mechanical equipment used to produce them remains operational. We've repurposed it to manufacture shorts and garments for these laborers."
The "old designs" referred to the simple Prussian military uniforms that had been distributed to all East African immigrants but were no longer in production. East African citizens could now purchase new styles of work clothing from specialized stores using Rhine shields.
However, this mechanical equipment was retained by Ernst for producing clothing for indigenous workers. Naked laborers weren't an acceptable sight in the chaotic world of East Africa, making it essential to provide them with clothing. The costs were justifiable, as slave ships were now closely scrutinized, and one common feature of traditional slave ships was that black slaves were often naked. The clothing issued to indigenous laborers in East Africa served this purpose, making them appear as though they had "working experience."
These clothes also served American buyers well, saving them the trouble and expense of outfitting their new laborers upon arrival.
East Africa's collaboration with Haiti had revitalized the slave trade. Slaves sold from East Africa had experience working in the region. Some possessed multiple skills, commanding higher prices than during the previous era of slave trading. Occasionally, even subpar slaves were bundled and given away as free gifts, much to the satisfaction of southern plantation owners.
What delighted these plantation owners even more was the fact that the Haitian government issued labor certificates to these slaves. These certificates allowed southern plantation owners to bypass federal government regulations and continue to legally employ slaves.
Furthermore, they had also become secondary dealers themselves, offering affordable labor services to northern factory owners. The black slaves who had been acclimated to East African life for three to five years were as obedient as Chinese, Indian, or Italian workers in the Far East. Moreover, their prices were competitive. With the expansion of railways, transportation became more affordable, driving ongoing railway construction in the United States and Canada.
The East African Immigration Agency had even established a peculiar institution: the Haitian Immigration Bureau. Though it was an official Haitian agency, it did not exist in Haiti. After all, travel to Haiti was not restricted, except by the sea.
East African authorities issued comprehensive certificates for slaves transported to the Americas, including bilingual documents in English and French.
The reasoning was sound—Haiti had recently introduced a talent acquisition plan. According to this plan, the Haitian government aimed to attract immigrants from around the world to contribute to the country's economic development. However, no regions or countries aside from Africa had responded to this plan.
Had Haiti's economy indeed improved? The answer was a resounding yes; it was experiencing rapid development. The Haitian government and various stakeholders were reaping the benefits of the slave trade. Even ordinary Haitians could enjoy these rewards, provided they were willing to spend a little money to address their marital concerns while also acquiring their own slaves.
This allowed ordinary Haitians to cultivate more land, with the caveat that they could control slave uprisings. This was where the East African government's services came into play once more, as they were purchasing these slaves and providing them with firearms.
With Dresser rifles now in circulation, there was a pressing issue of what to do with the old rifles. The East African army was phasing out Dresser rifles, rendering these old antiques useless.
To facilitate the slave trade with Haiti, Ernst was considering sending some of East Africa's old ships to Haiti free of charge, including two Zanzibar sailing warships that served in the navy.
Since the East African Kingdom controlled the Sultanate of Zanzibar to an increasing extent, the Sultanate no longer needed to maintain its navy. With the two warships acquired from the Sultanate of Zanzibar, East Africa now had twelve warships, as the mainland portion of the Sultanate of Zanzibar was affected, while the island portion was not.
(End of this chapter)