Chapter 214: Chapter 202: "Exile"? "Run"!
After talking with Ernst, Prince Constantine roughly understood his son’s approach. The East African colony, or rather it should now be called the Principality of Heixinggen or East African territory, had essentially arrived, so he couldn’t possibly be colonizing himself!
As for the millions of slaves on East African soil, they were all international "laborers" supporting the development of East Africa, and the landowner was already the Heixinggen royal family.
Meanwhile, the original Heixinggen homeland had completely become a territory of Prussia, although it was announced that many industries still remained in the hands of the Heixinggen royal family.
In the future, the name of the Principality of Heixinggen could be returned to the Kingdom of Prussia, after all, East Africa was not a vassal state of Prussia, whereas the Heixinggen homeland was, so it was necessary to distinguish between Heixinggen and East Africa.
...
"Your Highness, these are the materials on the railway industry sent by Prince Karl!"
"Hm, just place them on the table!"
Ernst had already returned from Trieste, and the construction of the new food factory was proceeding smoothly, although the location wasn’t very good.
The coastline of Austria-Hungary was too narrow, and the only port capable of handling significant duties was Trieste, which led to an over-concentration of industries. In other words, the land was too expensive, and most of the prime locations were already owned.
Of course, it doesn’t mean locations without owners were bad, don’t dismiss countryside landlords as nobodies; they were genuine Austrian nobles. Therefore, the Heixinggen food factory was established in the outskirts of Trieste.
Ernst skimmed through the data and soon saw Prince Karl’s annotation: Ron’s Railway Company can be a focus, as it meets your requirements.
"Ron Railway Company, located in the Grand Duchy of Baden, has well-equipped facilities and a full staff. However, following old Ron’s passing a few years ago, the successor became his son, young Ron. Young Ron is a playboy and has no understanding of management, leading to several orders not being secured, and now the company is in a precarious situation.
Originally, Ron Railway Company was an advantageous enterprise in the Grand Duchy of Baden. Thanks to old Ron’s strategic maneuverings, business even extended to France, though in an outsourced manner.
Otherwise, it would make the French railway companies look inferior. Under Napoleon III’s rule, France’s economic level could be said to be one of the best in its history, and its railways also developed rapidly.
Once young Ron took over the company, he spent all day indulging in pleasures and wanted to engage in in-depth communication with the women of the Grand Duchy of Baden.
Ron Railway Company was neither a large enterprise nor had its own economic territory. The Grand Duchy of Baden was weak in national strength, and for geopolitical reasons, it leaned towards Prussia.
The result was that young Ron did not actively expand the market in France, and the backyard was being poached by Prussian companies, leaving Ron Railway Company on the verge of bankruptcy," Ernst analyzed, looking at the data.
"This company is quite good. Before old Ron’s death, he was worried about his son’s abilities and specifically improved the company’s facilities; the equipment is the latest. But it’s indeed a pity!"
"Your Highness, are you not satisfied with this company?"
"Not really, I just think that even if young Ron didn’t act foolishly, the future of this company wouldn’t be great.
Now the railway industry is very competitive, particularly in the German regions, and the railway industry is only a few years away from a downturn. Even if young Ron had decent abilities, it’s hard to say whether he could get through that period," Ernst explained.
"Your Highness, how do you know the future of railways will enter a downturn? Right now, railways are increasingly valued in all countries, and the potential should be very good," Tom asked curiously.
"The potential of the railway itself is enormous; I think it will be the same even in a hundred years. But can everyone genuinely settle down to engage in industry? For money, the financial industry is speculating on railways, railways are being built everywhere, even exceeding the demand in some areas, and what will they use to recover costs in places with insufficient human and cargo flow? In the end, it’s those self-proclaimed unfortunate people who will have to step in," said Ernst, who had a historical advantage.
"Then, Your Highness, why are we still entering the railway industry?"
"The German region, no, the whole of Europe is very competitive, and I don’t plan to expand railway investment in the short term. Right now, I’m solving the issue of having what we need.
East Africa will require railroads in the future, and a lot of them, so I’m planning ahead," Ernst explained to his butler.
"Alright, you should first get in touch with young Ron and acquire this company. Remember to lower the price," Ernst instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness, I’ll make arrangements right away."
...
Karlsruhe.
The capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden, not much larger than Heixinggen, although Heixinggen was a poor and remote area, it had become more prosperous after Ernst’s rise.
Just the Heixinggen Military Academy and other schools had significantly increased Heixinggen’s population, and the construction of the Hohenzollern Castle and school district boosted local employment. As a territory of the Heixinggen royal family, Heixinggen had enjoyed some other economic benefits, and development over the years has been good.
Although Karlsruhe was the second largest city in the southwest, only after Stuttgart in the Kingdom of Württemberg, it too had a population of merely tens of thousands.
Ron Railway Company was located in this "big city" of Southern Germany, Karlsruhe.
"Mr. Noding, I heard our company got a new owner, is it true?" an employee asked the chief engineer of Ron Railway Company.
"That’s right; the company has been acquired by the Heixinggen Bank."
"Mr. Noding, does that mean we can finally get our salaries?" several employees asked eagerly.
"Of course, I’m sure you’re all familiar with Heixinggen Bank, it’s a big bank, and its reputation is naturally assured. However, getting this money may not be easy," Noding replied.
"Why?" asked the employees urgently, given that it was a matter of livelihood. The company was already two months behind on salaries.
"The new boss said if you want to get your salary, the company has to relocate to East Africa," Noding responded.
"East Africa, that’s in Africa? It’s so far away; does that mean leaving Baden?"
"That’s right, the new boss said the German market is already saturated, and without orders, there’s no salary. Therefore, work can only be found in East Africa."
"Ah! But we’re all settled here with families; how do we go to East Africa?"
"The new boss said families are encouraged to go to East Africa, and the company will cover the travel expenses and accommodations on the way. You’ll even be provided houses once there, so there’s no need to worry too much."
"But Africa is supposedly a place no one should stay! I’ve heard it’s full of wild animals and cannibal tribes..."
"Don’t just listen to rumors; Africa is huge and there are always some good places. Although it’s not as good as Germany, it’s better than some of the icy snowfields in Russia."
"How is this different from exile? We’re not the Tsar’s criminals, going to Africa to dig potatoes?"
"Don’t be in a hurry, do you have a better option than going to East Africa? The last owner left a mess, and it’s fortunate someone is stepping in now.
Besides, what will you eat without a salary? The new boss said you’ll get a 10% raise in East Africa, which is a perk. Once the contract is signed, you can come back after ten years. The choice is yours; if you don’t want to do it, you can quit, but since you didn’t work for the past few months, you can only receive a third of your salary."
Thinking this way, Ernst seems like a heartless boss, but compared to others in the industry, his conscience becomes apparent.
If someone else were to take over, and you wanted a salary? Ha...
Ernst didn’t want to make things difficult for these poor folks, but there was no choice; no one wanted to go to East Africa, especially these workers engaged in high-end industries.
If you don’t push them a little, they’ll take their salary and leave the next day. The German railway business is currently thriving, and opportunities are abundant.
Moreover, East Africa’s conditions aren’t bad now; food, clothing, and housing are guaranteed there, although medical conditions may not keep up. However, they won’t have to do heavy labor themselves once in East Africa, as the million "laborers" are no joke, only requiring their expertise for professional tasks.
By taking their families to East Africa, they’ll essentially not have to worry about their livelihood in the latter part of their lives, because they are the first batch. The earlier they go, the greater their future advantages, which is called seniority. Therefore, going to East Africa isn’t exile, it’s an "opportunity," at least that’s how Ernst sees it. Thinking this way, Ernst even feels he’s too kind, helping the workers keep their jobs and resolving a potential unemployment problem for Baden while developing East Africa, winning across the board.