Chapter 1603: The Merit of Following the Dragon
Ultimately, East Africa sold the Habsburgs ownership of approximately 12,000 square kilometers of Togoland's northern tip. Even so, Togoland, under East Africa, still covered over 80,000 square kilometers. The Habsburgs divided the purchased territory into two parts: the eastern part became the Habsburg Monarchy, and the western part became New Austria.
The Habsburg monarchy was led by Crown Prince Charles, while the new Austria came under the rule of Ferdinand.
The current area of these two countries is basically 5,000 square kilometers.
This area is not small for the two newly established countries. If it can be fully developed and utilized, it can easily feed hundreds of thousands of people.
In terms of climate, the impact of the environment in this area on agriculture is similar to that of Hebei in the Far East Empire. It is prone to drought and easily affected by sandstorms.
Of course, in normal years, this area is definitely a good place, very suitable for growing drought-resistant crops, and the land is relatively fertile.
The reason why the land in northern Togoland is fertile is very simple. Due to the lack of large-scale development, the fertility has not been consumed like in the 21st century.
Although East Africa colonized Togoland for several decades, its main activities were in the central plateau and southern plains. Volcanic ash in those areas improved the soil, making it more fertile and with more abundant water resources.
In 1935, the entire Togoland had a population of only 350,000, but an area of nearly 100,000 square kilometers. It was a sparsely populated country, so East Africa would naturally give priority to developing the central and southern parts.
Because the north has a sparse population and a short development history, and there are still large amounts of forests and grasslands, its potential is no less than that of some southern European countries.
Of course, if the Habsburg Monarchy and New Austria want to maintain their local agricultural development in the long term, they must work hard on the technical level.
…
Dapang town, Togoland.
The town of Dapant was the future capital of New Austria. However, the Habsburg royal family had not yet had time to take over this place from East Africa, so the town of Dapant was still in the hands of East Africa for the time being.
Although it is called a town, the total population of Dapan Town is actually only more than 600 people. Including the surrounding villages, that is, all the residents of East Africa that were assigned to New Austria, there are only more than 5,000 people.
This is a very outrageous data. After all, the area of New Austria is about 5,400 square kilometers, which is equivalent to the size of a prefecture-level city in the Far East Empire in the previous life. A prefecture-level city has only more than 5,000 people, which is hard to imagine.
The more than 600 people in Dapang are probably less than the population of a village in the Far Eastern Empire. Especially now, when the Far Eastern Empire is basically still in an agricultural society, some large villages can easily have more than a thousand people, and some can even have a population of two or three thousand.
After all, in an agricultural society, residents mainly lived in the countryside, and the population had not yet concentrated in towns.
However, despite its sparse population, Dapan Town was already the most prosperous "town" in the entire northwest of Togoland and is now the center of the northwest end of Togoland.
In the center of Dapang Town, Mayor Blatt is reading out the future destiny of Dapang Town to residents.
"The reason we've called everyone in our town here is to announce a major event that will affect the future of all of you."
"According to orders from above, parts of northwestern Togoland, including the town of Dapaon, will be separated from Togoland. In other words, Dapaon will no longer be under the jurisdiction of East Africa."
A single stone caused a thousand ripples, and Mayor Bratt's words made most people in Dapang Town panic.
A townsperson asked, "Mayor, what do you mean? Are you saying that the Empire is abandoning Dapang Town? Or is this place going to be incorporated into other areas in the future? This is just a simple zoning adjustment."
Because Dapang Town is so small, almost everyone knows each other.
Bratt said to the townsman, Luohanshan, who had asked the question, "Luohanshan, your question is very sharp, but it can indeed be understood this way. To be more precise, the Empire has sold all the land, including Dapan. In the future, this area will belong to another country's rule. According to the rumors I heard, the new country will be called New Austria, and this place may become the capital of New Austria."
The people of Dapan are very unfamiliar with the term New Austria. After all, most of them have fled to Togoland. Even though most of them have lived here for many years, they have never heard of the term New Austria.
Mayor Blatter said, "New Austria, I guess you don't know what it is. Let me put it this way! You should know Europe. Our Northeastern royal family once came from Europe and eventually established the most powerful empire in the world."
"And the Austria of New Austria was once a very powerful country in Europe. However, it has now been incorporated into Germany, but Austria still exists."
"Of course, you can also understand this as a change of dynasty in Austria, and their original royal family fled to East Africa, because East Africa and the Austrian royal family have always had a good relationship."
Sure enough, after Mayor Bratt said this, the residents of Dapang Town vaguely knew some details. After all, major events such as changes of dynasties were not uncommon in the Far Eastern Empire. Even some illiterate people in the Far Eastern Empire could probably talk about the history of the Far Eastern Empire.
Even though they don't read books, they know many historical figures, especially those widely circulated among the people, such as Jiang Taigong, Zhang Liang, Zhuge Liang, Guan Erye, Yang Jiye, Justice Bao, King Wu's conquest of King Zhou, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Generals of the Yang Family, Journey to the West...
Because of the Far Eastern Empire's profound historical and cultural heritage, coupled with drama, storytelling, various myths and legends, and folk beliefs, it is enough for them to know many historical figures and stories of the Far Eastern Empire.
Of course, the historical knowledge obtained in this way is definitely very different from the real history, but it is also very rare.
Therefore, when Blatter mentioned the concept of changing dynasties, many people already had a certain understanding of the so-called Austrian royal family.
Luo Hanshan said, "In other words, the Austrian royal family is actually exiled princes and nobles?"
Mayor Blatter said, "You could say that. Furthermore, the Austrian royal family was very prominent in Europe in the past. To use an analogy from the Far East, they almost became emperors of all of Europe."
The Emperor of Europe, not to mention how shocking the word "Emperor" was to the newly naturalized immigrants in Dapan Town, even the Europe mentioned above was enough to make them realize the power of the so-called Austrian royal family.
After arriving in Togoland, these immigrants broadened their horizons. They at least knew that Europe was a very powerful place. They heard that the territory of this region was not much different from that of their original homeland, the Far East Empire.
Moreover, many of the so-called "foreign devils" came from Europe, such as Great Britain and France, these two countries were already notorious in the Far Eastern Empire.
Of course, before they immigrated to Togoland, their impression of East Africa was that of "foreigners". However, thanks to the influence of East Africa on the Far Eastern Empire over the past few decades, the people of the Far Eastern Empire did not have an overly negative impression of East Africa.
However, the attitude of the immigrants from the Far Eastern Empire changed completely after they immigrated to Togoland. After all, when they arrived here, they could get land, have enough food to eat, and there was no winter. For many lower-class people, this was simply a "fairy-like life."
They were naturally full of gratitude towards East Africa, but precisely because of this, when they heard that East Africa had also handed them over to the Austrian royal family, they became quite emotional, fearing that their current "good days" would be broken.
Another townsman, Zhou Tiechui, asked cautiously, "Mayor, what does the Austrian royal family have to do with our Dapang Town? They're not going to come here and continue to be emperor, are they? Compared to that, we would rather stay in Togoland."
Bratt explained, "You don't have to panic. I know you've gotten used to your current life under the Empire's protection, but you don't have to worry too much about your current life changing dramatically after you leave East Africa."
"First of all, the Austrian royal family is a prominent European aristocracy. Even our imperial family once served the Austrian royal family. They are relatives. Therefore, their attitude towards you is definitely not much different from ours in East Africa. We in East Africa will also supervise them."
"Secondly, the country once ruled by the Austrian royal family would rank among the top in the world, only slightly weaker than East Africa. Furthermore, they were considered relatively tolerant rulers in Europe, as Austria was originally a multi-ethnic country."
"I believe you can also understand the meaning of a multi-ethnic country, that is, people of different nationalities live in one country. For example, you are Germans now, but originally Austria not only had Germans, but also many other nationalities."
"So, the Austrian royal family will not treat you differently because of your skin color or nationality. They are not extreme nationalists to begin with."
"Finally, the arrival of the Austrian royal family is also a huge opportunity for you. I believe you are also aware of the prosperity of the Port of Lomé. In the past, Dapon Town was just an unimportant border town. Therefore, our town in East Africa is not even as important as a village, and the infrastructure is even worse."
As the capital of Eastern Togoland, Lomé is definitely one of the most "prosperous, developed and wealthy" cities in the world in the eyes of the residents of Dapam Town. When they set foot on the land of Lomé Port, they were all impressed by this inconspicuous overseas city in East Africa.
"Once the Austrian royal family arrives, Dapan will become the capital of a country. In Far Eastern parlance, it means we'll be living under the rule of the emperor. It's not impossible for us to surpass Lomé."
"Although the Austrian royal family has lost power in Europe, their heritage is far beyond the imagination of ordinary people like us. If they invest a little in Dapan City, it is possible that earth-shaking changes will occur here. By then, providing electricity, water, roads, and bringing in more advanced technology will not be empty talk."
"No matter how bad things get, our lives can still undergo tremendous changes. And let me tell you, if you seize this opportunity, you might even become an official, a general, or even a noble in New Austria!"
Blatter's words can be said to have greatly shocked everyone present. "The merit of following the dragon! Me?"
Luo Hanshan stuttered, "Mayor, aren't you exaggerating a bit? The fact that Dapang has developed into something like Lome has completely exceeded my imagination. With our character, how could we possibly become nobles and officials by following the dragon's merits?"
"I racked my brain and couldn't figure out how these words could be connected to us."
Blatt said with a smile: "So your vision is still not enough. Do you think East Africa is strong?"
Hearing Mayor Blatt's question, the residents of Dapang Town naturally gave an affirmative answer. Not to mention the mainland of East Africa, even the colonial Togoland was the most developed place they had ever seen.
Bratt continued, "You have to know that East Africa also developed from a colony. Initially, there were only 2,000 mercenary pioneers in East Africa, and the colonial settlement they established was not even as big as the town of Dapan where we are now."
"But no one at the time could have imagined that this humble colony in Africa would develop into a world superpower with a population of over 100 million."
"And our town of Dapang is just a more remote and desolate area in this empire's poor, backward, and insignificant overseas colony."
"The descendants of the original East African immigrants have now become this powerful upper class. However, their ancestors were just like you and me, not much different. Some of them couldn't even speak German properly, yet they have achieved a reversal of fortune."
"So, the future of New Austria is our opportunity. As long as we can support the monarch of this new Austria, our future will be limitless. Of course, we must also work hard, especially learn German more seriously."
"After all, the Austrian royal family was extremely short of manpower after their arrival. Anyone who knew German would definitely be given important positions. Even the least qualified could join the army as an officer. Regardless of rank, becoming a squad leader or platoon leader would be easy."
Zhou Tiechui said, "It's impossible that being a squad leader is that easy!"
Mayor Blatter waved his hand and said, "As an independent nation, New Austria will undoubtedly recruit a large number of immigrants, establish a government, and raise an army in the future."
"Think about it, as more immigrants arrive in Dapan Town, they will undoubtedly not speak German at first. Therefore, the Austrian royal family will inevitably ask us to assist them in managing various grassroots organizations."
"Our Dapang Town has a total population of only 623 people, so the chances are very high. Unless you're truly rotten and beyond help, as long as your intelligence is up to par, you might be able to be reused."
Mayor Blatter continued, "Not to mention you, even I myself wouldn't pass up this opportunity. In East Africa, I'm afraid I would have been nothing more than an insignificant mayor until I retired. But in the future, if I can capitalize on the momentum of the founding of New Austria, I should be able to rise to the level of mayor, or even a high-ranking official, a central government official!"
It has to be said that although the mayor of Bratt holds a low and insignificant position, his knowledge is far beyond the reach of the townspeople of Dapang who have not received a systematic education.
He knew very well that the Habsburg royal family would be extremely short of manpower in the early stages of establishing a country, and it would be easy for an "intellectual" like him with a high school education and "political" experience to become a "senior official" in this fledgling country.
Of course, the premise for Blatter to change his destiny is that the new Austria can develop in the future. He does not fantasize about being like East Africa. He just wants to achieve some of the results of the South German Kingdom, so that Blatter can catch such a ride. Therefore, in order to take a gamble, it is worth giving up his East African citizenship and becoming a citizen of the new Austria.
(End of this chapter)
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