Chapter 149 Throne
The education in the East African colonies was popular science. Through the instillation of this knowledge, the outbreak of local diseases in East Africa was greatly reduced, while the health and survival rate of immigrants were improved.
Currently, the East African colonies perform much better in disease prevention and control than those colonies in South America that have been developed for hundreds of years.
In other words, the East African colonies had just been built, so they looked relatively poor and not very wealthy.
This is especially reflected in the ugly and rough appearance of the buildings, especially those in East Africa that were developed earlier. Because there is no template to refer to, it is naturally less beautiful. In addition, the clothing is also very monotonous and uniform, but These are all external.
In fact, East Africa's investment in other aspects far exceeds that of contemporaneous colonies or independent countries at the same latitude, which is mainly reflected in three aspects: education, health and infrastructure construction.
For example, although the quality of infrastructure such as roads is not high, the colonial government of East Africa is seriously repairing it and first solving the problem of whether or not. Other countries at the same latitude rarely have East Africa like this, or they have no chance.
Colonies, from the literal meaning, are places used by colonists to live as parasites. Especially in the current era, Western countries are simply sucking the blood of colonies.
The East African colonies were built as a country by Ernst, so the treatment was naturally different. It would be a waste to over-squeeze the potential of East Africa.
Moreover, East Africa currently has no strong enemies on all sides and can develop with peace of mind. No one has yet noticed this small place in the corner.
The four most important needs of people are food, clothing, housing and transportation. East Africans’ current priority is to solve the problems of transportation and food, and we have been working on two aspects.
As for clothing and housing, just make do with it for now. Anyway, the weather in East Africa will never drop below ten degrees even if it's the lowest, so there's nothing to worry about.
As for the issue of food, East Africa is currently a colony specializing in agricultural development, and it is vast and sparsely populated. The food of immigrants far exceeds the world average, so it is not too urgent.
Transportation is the biggest problem in East Africa, so infrastructure construction requires building more roads, digging more canals, and raising more livestock for transportation capacity.
Only when the transportation problem is solved can European materials and equipment be transferred to East Africa and East Africa's food can be sold, so this is a two-way economic problem.
Hundreds of thousands of indigenous workers are working hard on the front lines of road construction in East Africa, contributing to the transportation construction in East Africa. Roads are not just a matter of simple road construction, but also have to do a good job in road drainage in East Africa.
Therefore, drainage ditches need to be dug next to the road. The scale must not be small, and it must be enough to cope with the heavy rains during the rainy season in East Africa and prevent the road from being washed away by rainwater.
In the absence of specialized machinery, the work had to be done largely by indigenous people.
East Africa is building not only roads, but also water networks. Rainwater is collected into these canals during the rainy season, instead of spreading directly on the grasslands as before.
Taking the initiative to divert rainwater into rivers, lakes and low-lying areas is equivalent to grabbing a piece of land that has the potential to become cultivated land in the plains that are flooded by rain during the rainy season.
The distribution of precipitation in East Africa is not concentrated, and these ditches can also help the colonial governments of East Africa serve as some water diversion networks in the future.
Collecting rainwater can also improve the local environment, especially during the dry season.
It is not realistic at all to build reservoirs in East Africa, but many natural depressions and lakes can be used. While building roads in East Africa, rainwater from various places is also introduced into the depressions and lakes through ditches beside the roads.
Some temporary wild reservoirs were formed, preventing a lot of rainwater from flowing into the Indian Ocean along the terrain.
…
Berlin.
Hechingen Estate.
"Ernst!" Prince Constantine suddenly stood up from the recliner and shouted to his son very excitedly.
Constantine held the edge of the chair with one hand and held the newspaper in the other hand and asked: "Have you read today's newspaper?"
Ernst held the tea cup calmly, added some hot water to himself, took a sip to his lips, and then said: "Of course, father, it's just a small matter."
"Oh my God, you have such a big heart. This kind of thing is still a small matter. This is an event that affects the European continent." Constantine said.
He continued: "I can't believe that the world is changing faster and faster now."
Ernst comforted: "As long as the European structure does not affect our interests, let it change freely!"
"That's true, but it's not without influence. Now that the Spanish emperor has fled to France, the Spanish monarchists must choose a monarch from the royal families of various European countries." Constantine had an idea. said the pointed one.
"Father, the situation in Spain is very bad, especially in the future. It will continue to decline at a rate visible to the naked eye. There is no unified voice in the country and local autonomy is very strong." Ernst said rationally.
Constantine was still a little unwilling: "But what if it succeeds!"
All Ernst said was: "French!"
Constantine understood instantly.
"It seems I'm impatient!"
"Actually, anyone who has such a big opportunity in front of them will probably not be able to resist the temptation, father, but we don't want to be the first to do it, and there is no need to take such a big risk." Ernst comforted.
"After all, Spain is one of the most powerful countries today. Who wouldn't be jealous of it!" Constantine sighed. As for the risks, the temptation of the monarch's position is not difficult to deal with.
"Our interests in Hechingen are in Germany and East Africa, but not in Spain. Maximiliano I is still staying in East Africa! This has already taught us lessons from the past, and we must learn from it," Ernst said. .
"Indeed, with the current complicated situation in Spain, even someone like me who has been in politics for a long time may not be an opponent of those old guys, especially now that they still have force in their hands." Constantine said.
"These are nothing. The main reason is that Spain is too old and many things cannot be changed. It has no investment value at all." Ernst said.
"The current situation in East Africa is much better than that of Spain. The land area in Europe is second only to Tsarist Russia. It is not that bad. The population is almost two million this year, and the comprehensive resources far exceed that of many European countries. ." Speaking of this, Ernst felt a full sense of accomplishment.
The most important thing is that the East African colonies are new enough, and all orders and rules are customized by themselves. Based on the current situation of the East African colonies, Ernst has no problem proclaiming himself a local emperor.
And if you really go to Spain, it won't be so easy. They are all old cunning and powerful people. To be honest, the Habsburgs are more powerful than the Hohenzollern family there.
At the end of September 1868, the Spanish military government overthrew the rule of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. The queen eventually fled to France, and the Spanish throne was temporarily vacant.
As in history, the Spaniards first targeted the Hohenzollern family. Of course, Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck played a big role in this.
After Bismarck used the money method, the Spanish government unscrupulously chose the Hohenzollern family.
Naturally, the royal family of Hechingen did not show any interest in this matter. After being angry, both Constantine and his son made it clear that Hechingen currently has no interest in Spain.
The baton of history returned to Prince Leopold of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen royal family next door.
From a personal perspective, Leopold is actually not very willing to go to the muddy waters of Spain, but now the interests of the family and the kingdom are involved, so Leopold is hesitant, but soon, the French will help Leopold made a decision.