The restructured East African army is smaller in scale, mainly focusing on field units. The East African government, in order to achieve the "pocket" plan, is prepared to deploy ten thousand troops into the eastern Katanga area.
Unlike the previous aim of driving away the native indigenous people, this time East Africa simply intends to first obtain ownership of these lands.
Therefore, using the typical colonizer methods for colonial activities suffices, namely forcing each tribal chief to sign land treaties under the threat of gunfire.
As for the natives, they can be gradually replaced by the subsequent immigrants. This year’s number of immigrants is relatively low, and the "labor" gap has increased, so the natives still have some use.
The Suez Canal—this century-long project that cost 120,000 Egyptian lives is finally completed.
East Africa is on the east coast of Africa, so in the future, East African oceangoing ships will only need to pass through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, enter the Red Sea, and finally round past Somalia.
As for the original African route, the Cape of Good Hope, not only is the journey far, but it is also nicknamed Storm Cape, with Namibia’s coast having the Skeleton Coast, making the original route not only long but also high-risk.
As the tolls have been paid, the Heixinggen ocean-going ship, which has long been waiting here, is eager to experience this great project.
Originally, ships from Trieste had to circle around Gibraltar in a large loop, but now they only need to head south through the Suez Canal directly to East Africa.
Moreover, both the Mediterranean and Red Sea are relatively calm waters, making navigation less challenging.
"Captain Modo, now that we have the Suez Canal, our good days are finally here. We spent most of our time drifting at sea, and the African coast was nothing but barren land, making it hard to find a foothold." said Fermont, an employee of the Heixinggen Ocean Trade Company.
"Africa! See it for what it is, do you expect those natives to build some entertainment venues for you to indulge in? But in the future, with this Suez Canal route, safety is indeed assured.
Even if the ship encounters a major accident, our chances of rescue are much higher. See, it’s already so congested here in such narrow places?"
"There are so many ships on the canal and sea today! It’s almost comparable to the ports of Europe and the Far East!"
"It’s already surpassed them. Every notable country has ships passing through here; this is the future artery from Europe to the Far East," emphasized Modo.
The opening of the Suez Canal is good news for the whole world, except for Cape Town. The strategic value of East African ports has slightly decreased.
But the route to Europe has been shortened, so the transportation of people and equipment from Europe to East Africa will not only be time-saving but also more cost-effective in the future.
Currently, East Africa is like a sapling needing to draw nutrients from Europe, so for East Africa, the benefits of the Suez Canal’s opening outweigh the disadvantages.
Austrian immigrants lean on the railings, curiously watching this canal traversing the desert, seeing the desert for the first time.
"Laisoya, is Africa all ? I used to hear it’s all desert, but now it doesn’t seem bad at all. How do Egyptians survive in this desert though?" Blair curiously asked.
"Ignorant! Don’t ever tell anyone you know me when you go out! Egyptians rely on the Nile River and oases in the desert to survive; they certainly don’t live directly in the desert. As for the people we just saw, they are workers building the canal, and their food is naturally transported from outside! Factories in Trieste don’t produce food, do those workers not live?"
"Who says Trieste factories don’t produce food? Don’t food factories process grains?"
"Grain processing requires food to be planted in rural fields first, then transported to cities..."
"By the way, Laisoya, why are you going to East Africa? You’re educated, isn’t it easier to find a job in a factory in Austria?"
Laisoya raised his head, squinting at the glaring sun, and said, "I yearn for rural life more. Although the city offers good pay, it’s not what I hope for."
"Ah! If I had gone to school or had a skill, I’d absolutely head to Austria’s big cities seeking opportunities, the colonies being the last choice, you’re just gambling with whatever situation it has!"
"Haha, young man, don’t worry. East Africa can no longer be considered a colony; think of it as a European country or a German region’s principality," replied the older man.
"Uncle, have you been to East Africa?"
"Of course, can’t you see the sailor suit he’s wearing?" Laisoya replied in exasperation.
"Uncle, could you tell us some inside information?" Blair asked.
"Of course, but I can’t guarantee everything I say is entirely accurate. I’ve only been to the ports of East Africa, at most telling you what I’ve heard or seen there."
The sailor uncle leaned on the railing and began narrating to the two young men about East Africa: "East Africa, officially known now as the Heixinggen East African Royal Territory, was a colony of the Heixinggen Royal Family, but now the Heixinggen Royal Family has moved to East Africa, so in the future, East Africa will become an independent country. This is insider info revealed to me by a close friend, please don’t share it with others.
The landscapes in East Africa surely differ from Europe, but the coastal areas should be quite similar to those along the Mediterranean. Once this ship arrives in Dar es Salaam, you can get a glimpse of East Africa’s situation.
It doesn’t compare to Vienna or Trieste, but it’s no worse than other Austrian cities."
"Uncle, is Dar es Salaam our final stop?"
"I don’t know that. Dar es Salaam is just this ship’s final stop in East Africa, whereas your final destination depends on how the East African government allocates it."
"Allocation, won’t that mean we might get separated?" Laisoya said to Blair.
"Uncle, Laisoya and I are very good friends, traveling together to East Africa this time. Will they separate us?"
"That... might be difficult. The East African government generally has a tradition of dispersing people from the same place, arranging immigrants from different regions into the same city or village."
"Is there no way to solve that?"
"How old are you two?"
"Laisoya is 16, and I’m 17."
"Being young helps. Have you attended school, can you write?"
"I can, Mr. Sailor." Laisoya answered.
"Once you arrive in East Africa, immediately write an application with the local officials in charge. Generally, they won’t trouble you, but if you choose to stay silent, they’ll assume to separate you. You two are just friends, right? And being young, there’s a high chance you’ll be assigned to the same place, but whether it’s a city or the countryside, that’s uncertain."
Modo continued chatting with the two young men, explaining a lot about East Africa and providing them with some practical knowledge.
"Modo, where did you go earlier? Took you so long to come back." Fermont asked.
"I was just chatting with two young men, seeing them reminded me of my early days at sea."