Chapter 212 Suez Canal
The reorganized East African army is smaller in scale and mainly consists of field troops. In order to implement the "pocket" plan, the East African government plans to deploy 10,000 troops into the East Katanga region.
Unlike previous attempts to drive out the indigenous people, this time East Africa simply wanted to obtain ownership of the lands first.
Therefore, it was sufficient to adopt the common methods of colonists to carry out colonial activities, which was nothing more than forcing the chiefs of various tribes to sign land treaties under the threat of guns and cannons.
As for the indigenous people, they can be replaced little by little by subsequent immigrants. This year, the number of immigrants is relatively small, and the "labor" gap is increasing, so the indigenous people still have some role to play.
November 17, 1869.
Egypt.
The Suez Canal, this century-long project that cost the lives of 120,000 Egyptians, was finally completed.
East Africa is on the east coast of Africa, so in the future, ocean-going ships from East Africa will only need to pass through the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, enter the Red Sea, and finally bypass Somalia.
As for the original African route, the Cape of Good Hope, it is not only long, but also has the nickname of Cape of Storms. There is also a Skeleton Coast along the coast of Namibia, so the original route is not only long but also risky.
As the tolls were paid, the Heixingen ocean-going ship that had been waiting here for a long time couldn't wait to experience this great project.
Originally, ships from Trieste had to make a big detour via Gibraltar, but now they only need to go south through the Suez Canal to reach East Africa directly.
Moreover, both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea are relatively calm waters, and navigation is not difficult.
"Captain Modo, our good days are finally here with the Suez Canal. We used to spend most of our time drifting on the sea, and the coast of Africa was a barren land, so it was difficult to find a place to stay." said Fairmont, an employee of the Hexingen Ocean Trading Company.
"Africa? It's just like that. Do you still expect those natives to build some entertainment venues for you to enjoy? But with the Suez route in the future, safety will be guaranteed.
Even if a major accident happens to the ship, our chances of being rescued are much higher. Look at how congested such a narrow place is."
"There are so many ships in the canals and on the sea today! It's almost as many as the ports in Europe and the Far East!"
"Yes, it has surpassed that. Every country that can be counted has ships passing through here. This will be the main artery from Europe to the Far East in the future," Modo emphasized.
The opening of the Suez Canal is good news for the whole world, except Cape Town, although the strategic value of East African ports has declined.
However, the route to Europe has been shortened, and in the future, transporting European personnel and equipment to East Africa will not only save time but also money.
East Africa is now like a young seedling that needs to draw nutrients from Europe, so the opening of the Suez Canal will bring more benefits than disadvantages to East Africa.
Austrian immigrants lay on the fence, curiously looking at the canal that runs through the desert. This was their first time seeing the desert.
"Come to Soya, is all Africa like this? I heard before that this place is all desert, and now it seems to be true. But how do the Egyptians survive in this desert?" Blair said curiously.
"You illiterate man, don't tell others you know me when you go out! Egyptians rely on the Nile River and the oasis in the desert to survive. They certainly don't live directly in the desert. As for those people we just saw, they were workers building the canal. Their food was naturally transported from outside! The factories in Trieste don't produce food either. Do those workers not live anymore?"
"Who said that the factories in Trieste don't produce food? Don't food factories process food?"
"Food processing must first be grown in the countryside and then transported to the city..."
"By the way, Lai Soya, why did you go to East Africa? You are a cultured person, it would be easier for you to find a factory in Austria to make screws!"
Lai Suoya looked up at the dazzling sun and said, "I prefer rural life. Although the salary in the city is not low, it is not what I expect."
"Ah! If I had been to school, or had a skill, I would definitely go to the big cities in Austria to look for opportunities. After all, the colonies are the last choice, and no matter what the situation there is, I can only gamble!"
"Haha, young man, don't worry. East Africa is no longer a colony. You can just treat it as a European country or a state in the German region."
"Uncle, have you been to East Africa?"
"Of course, can't you see the sailor suit he is wearing?" Lai Suoya said speechlessly.
"Uncle, can you tell us some inside information?" Blair asked.
"Of course there is no problem, but I can't guarantee that what I say is completely correct. I have only been to the ports in East Africa. The most I can do is tell you what I heard and saw in the ports."
The sailor uncle leaned on the railing and began to tell the two young men about the situation in East Africa: "East Africa is now officially called the Hexingen East African Royal Territory. East Africa used to be a colony of the Hexingen royal family, but now the Hexingen royal family has moved to East Africa, so East Africa will become an independent country in the future. This is inside information revealed to me by a good friend of mine, so don't tell anyone else.
The scenery of East Africa is definitely different from that of Europe, but the coastal areas should be similar to the Mediterranean coast. When the ship arrives in Dar es Salaam, you will be able to see the general situation of East Africa.
It's certainly not comparable to Vienna or Trieste, but it's no worse than any other Austrian city."
"Uncle, is our final destination Dar es Salaam?"
"I don't know about that. Dar es Salaam is only the end point of this ship in East Africa. Your end point still depends on how the East African government allocates it."
"Distribution, then won't we be separated?" Lai Suoya said to Blair.
"Uncle, Lai Suoya and I are very good friends. We are going to East Africa together this time. Will they separate us?"
"This... may be difficult. East African governments generally have a tradition of separating people from the same place. They will place immigrants from different regions in the same city or village."
"Is there no solution?"
"How old are you two?"
"Come Sawyer 16, I'm 17."
"You're young, but you've never been to school and learned how to write?"
"I will, Mr. Sailor," said Lai Sawyer.
"Once you arrive in East Africa, you will immediately write an application to the local officials in charge. Generally speaking, they will not make things difficult for you. If you choose to remain silent, they will tacitly separate you. You are just friends, right? And since you are young, you will most likely be assigned to the same place, but it is hard to say whether it will be a city or a village."
…
Modo chatted with the two young men for a long time and explained to them a lot of knowledge about East Africa, some of which were indeed very practical.
"Modo, where did you go just now? It took you so long to come back." Fairmont asked.
“Just chatting with two young men, seeing them reminded me of my days at sea when I was young.”
(End of this chapter)
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