Chapter 205 Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance!
By mid-July, the reform of the military and government was nearing completion. Through this reform, East Africa finally had the semblance of a country.
The new government looks like the "Black Hinggan Kingdom" no matter how you look at it. The full name of the East African colony is the Black Hinggan East African Royal Domain, and the monarch is also the former monarch of the Black Hinggan Kingdom.
Some of Constantine's old subordinates also completed reemployment after being laid off, mainly in some newly established less critical departments. After all, they came here first!
The Hexingen Royal Guard was also reorganized on a large scale to take charge of the garrison of the First Town.
This is a new "old country" that combines the styles of Hechingen, Prussia, Austria and colonies.
The emphasis on "Country of Hechingen" rather than "Principality of Hechingen" is an important signal. The principality will always be the Principality of Prussia, while the County of Hechingen was once an independent European country.
Although Hexingen is small, it may not be without destiny. They are all German, so they can definitely fight for the legitimacy of the Holy Roman Empire. After all, there are many countries that rely on "brushing against" Rome. Wouldn't it be wonderful to "brushing against" the Holy Roman Empire!
Of course, this is a joke. Constantine and Ernst would not be so stupid. Keeping a low profile is the strategy of the Hechingen royal family. Moreover, there is no need to challenge "Rome" in East Africa. Germany is enough.
The new East African government has many new institutions, the most eye-catching of which is the navy.
Not surprisingly, the commander-in-chief of the East African Navy was Maximilian I, who held a number of titles including former Emperor of Mexico and Archduke of Austria.
The reason why he is eye-catching is not because of his identity, but because he is the only commander-in-chief in the entire East African Navy, except for the 800 sailors who have just been assembled and the two nearly half-century-old Zanzibar ships.
Political ability aside, Maximilian I, who served as the commander-in-chief of the Austrian Navy in 1854, was indeed the only and best choice for the East African Navy. (I will post a free chapter to introduce it - referring to the Wikipedia)
In the East African army, the person who has the ability to coordinate the overall situation of the army is undoubtedly Prince Constantine. After all, Constantine is also one of the top people in the Prussian army.
Now, as long as Commander-in-Chief Maximilian I copies and pastes what he has learned in the Austrian Navy to East Africa, he will inevitably be known as the "Father of the East African Navy" in the future.
This is a good thing for East Africa and Maximilian I. If it is done, Maximilian I can at least clear half of his name.
The evaluation of future generations will also change from "idiot" to "He may not be a good emperor, but he is born to work in the navy."
So Ernst gave his father-in-law enough opportunities, and it all depended on whether he could seize them.
…
"Ferdinand, the fate of the East African navy is in your hands. I believe it will shine in your hands." Constantine said to Maximilian I with a smile.
But Maximilian I was not happy. He said to Constantine with a sad face: "Your Excellency, I am very grateful for your trust, but this matter is too challenging for me. The foundation of East Africa is too weak!"
It's not just that the foundation is weak, it's that there is no foundation at all. The navies of other countries are so poor that they can only afford to use their pants, but the East African Navy doesn't even have a pair of pants.
The two mottled wooden sailing ships had fallen into disrepair after years of repair and were barely able to be launched a month ago. Maximilian I was worried that they would sink to the bottom of the sea at any time, and the East African Navy would collapse directly.
"Haha, those who are capable should do more work! Just like the East African colony was built from scratch and developed to its current size, I believe that with your ability, you can also develop the navy.
Think about the Austrian Navy back then. Without your capable leadership, how could Tegerhofer (commander of the Battle of Lissa) have the opportunity to become world-famous now?" Constantine boasted.
“Your Excellency, although I also want to show my strength in East Africa and contribute to the East African Navy, you still have to give some support!
Although I have made some achievements in the Austrian Navy, Austria still has a solid foundation. Even the old fleet before the reform is still a force that cannot be underestimated in Europe today.
Moreover, I sought help from people everywhere in Austria at that time, and finally I was able to obtain some support from the royal family and the government, which led to the current Austrian Navy.
I can't build a navy in East Africa out of thin air with these two rotten ships and 800 inexperienced sailors!
In my opinion, any merchant ship of the Hei Xingen Group can easily sink the so-called "East African Navy".
Among the ocean-going ships of the Heixingen Consortium, the worst are the warships left behind by the Sultanate of Zanzibar. However, those that were able to sail and had no major problems were used as immigration ships. The only ones left are the two broken ships of the current East African Navy. If they really fight, the outcome is hard to say.
"Of course I know your difficulties, but East Africa is also in trouble now! Ernst said that he has too many things to do recently and is in urgent need of money. Even the gunboat will have to wait until next year.
So don't be anxious, things will get better eventually. Although the East African Navy is poor, it is more meaningful to you.
Think about it! Even if you have made great contributions to the Austrian Navy in the past, who still remembers you now? If you don’t ask about it, the Austrians will probably forget that you have ever been in the Navy.
Even if someone remembers, they first think of, Oh! There was a Maximilian I who went to Mexico to be the emperor, and now I don’t know where he is! Instead of, our Austrian Navy Commander-in-Chief Archduke Ferdinand.
So, to wash away the shame, you must start again from East Africa. Although East Africa is remote, it also has its advantages. No one pays attention to it. When you really make achievements, people will take notice of you. Archduke Frederick (the father of the modern Austrian navy, before that the Austrian navy was the Venetian navy) is your role model.
The title of the father of a country's navy is great. If you were more capable and developed the East African navy to the level of Europe, you would have a place in the entire naval history." Constantine provoked him in a despicable way.
"Well, after saying all this, there is still no support!"
"Ernst and I support you spiritually, but don't worry. At the rate of development in East Africa, we will definitely be able to help you achieve your goal within 50 years. You are still young, and things will get better."
“I have a feeling that this East African Navy Commander-in-Chief decision might be the second wrong one in my life, but forget it, I don’t have any other choice now!
But let me make it clear first, I don't dare to think about warships, but I have to be ruthless in personnel management. East Africa's foundation is too weak, so I plan to train the personnel first.
You ask Ernst to pick a group of good seedlings, and I will arrange for them to study at the Austrian Royal Naval Academy. I will also be responsible for selecting gunboats next year. This shouldn't be difficult, right? "
"Of course no problem!" Constantine said generously.
What is the most important thing for Maximilian I? Of course, his identity, in addition to his power in Austria.
As long as Maximilian I opened his mouth to Austria, could Franz not support it? This was not a bad thing, it was better than letting his brother risk his life to become emperor.
Moreover, after the first time, there will be a second time. In the future, if the East African Navy needs anything, Maximilian I will naturally go to Austria to coordinate.
Since the army wants to emulate Prussia, the navy naturally needs to be "thick-skinned" and try to get more resources for free. Maximilian I would be the most suitable person to do this. For example, if you let Ernst or Prince Constantine contact the Austrian Royal Naval Academy, even if they agree, they may not do their best.
But it was different for Maximilian I. Most of the bigwigs in the Austrian Navy were his former subordinates. These people are now the backbone of the Austrian Navy. It is easy for Maximilian I to ask them to do something.
As long as they put a little pressure on the Austrian Royal Naval Academy, no one would dare to ignore it. After all, students will go to the navy for employment after graduation.
Of course, this is just an exaggeration. In fact, many teachers in the Austrian Royal Navy also came from the Austrian Navy and had close relations with Maximilian I. No one would be so blind.
(End of this chapter)
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