African Entrepreneurship Records 2

Chapter 1603: The Power of the Dragon
Ultimately, East Africa sold ownership of approximately 12,000 square kilometers of land in the northern part of Togoland to the Habsburgs. Even so, Togoland under East Africa still covered an area of ​​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 Karl, while the new Austria was governed by Ferdinand.

Both of these countries currently have an area of ​​approximately 5,000 square kilometers.

This area is already quite large for two newly established countries. If it can be fully developed and utilized, it could easily support hundreds of thousands of people.

In terms of climate, the environment in this region has a similar impact on agriculture as that of Hebei in the Far Eastern Empire, being prone to drought and susceptible to sandstorms.

Of course, in a normal year, this area would certainly be considered a good place, very suitable for growing drought-resistant crops, and the soil is also relatively fertile.

The reason why the land in northern Togo is fertile is simple: because of the lack of large-scale development, its fertility has not been depleted as it was in the 21st century.

Although East Africa had been colonizing Togo for several decades, its main activities were concentrated in the central plateau and southern plains, where volcanic ash had improved the soil, making it more fertile and water resources more abundant.

In 1935, the population of Togoland was only 350,000, but its area was close to 100,000 square kilometers, which is a clear characteristic of vast land and sparse population. Therefore, East Africa would naturally prioritize the development of the central and southern regions.

Because of its sparser population and shorter history of development, the north still has a lot of forests and grasslands, so its potential is no less than that of some countries in southern Europe.

Of course, if the Habsburg monarchy and the new Austria wanted to sustain their agricultural development in the region in the long term, they would have to make some technological efforts.

……

Togolan, Dapang town.

Dappon was the future capital of the new Austria. However, the Habsburgs had not yet taken over the town from East Africa, so Dappon was still in East Africa's hands for the time being.

Although it is called a town, the total population of Dapon is only a little over 600. Including the surrounding villages, that is, all the residents of East Africa that have been assigned to New Austria, the population is only a little over 5,000.

This is an extremely outrageous figure. After all, the area of ​​the new Austria is about 5,400 square kilometers, which is equivalent to the size of a prefecture-level city in the Far Eastern Empire of the previous life. And a prefecture-level city only has more than 5,000 people, which is hard to imagine.

The more than 600 people in Dapeng would probably be less than the population of a village in the Far Eastern Empire, especially now that the Far Eastern Empire is still basically an agricultural society. Some large villages can easily have more than a thousand people, and some outstanding ones can even reach two or three thousand people.

After all, in agrarian societies, residents mainly lived in the countryside, and the population had not yet concentrated in towns and cities.

However, despite its sparse population, Dapon is the most prosperous "town" in northwestern Togoland and is now the center of northwestern Togoland.

In the center of Dapon town, Mayor Blatt is announcing the future fate of Dapon to the residents.

"I've called everyone in our town here today because I have a major announcement to make. It's a big deal that will affect the future of all of you."

"According to orders from higher authorities, parts of northwestern Togolan, including the town of Dapang, will be separated from Togolan. In other words, Dapang will no longer be under the jurisdiction of East Africa."

The words of Mayor Blatt caused a great deal of panic among most of the people in Dapang Town.

A resident asked, "Mayor, what do you mean? Does the Empire want to abandon Dapang Town, or is this place going to be incorporated into another region, just a simple administrative division adjustment?"

Because Dapang Town is so small, almost everyone knows each other.

Blatter then 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 off all the land, including Dapon. In the future, this area will belong to another country, and the new country, according to the rumors I've heard, is called New Austria. This place may become the capital of New Austria in the future."

The people of Dapon were unfamiliar with the term "New Austria," as most of them had fled to Togolan and even though most had lived there for many years, they had never heard of it.

Mayor Blatter said, "New Austria, I guess you don't know what that is. Let me put it this way! You should know about Europe. Our Northeastern Royal Family once came from Europe and eventually established the most powerful empire in the world."

"As for the new Austria, Austria was originally a very powerful country in Europe, but it has now been incorporated into Germany, although Austria still exists."

"Of course, you can also interpret this as a change of dynasty in Austria, and their original royal family went to East Africa to seek refuge, because East Africa and the Austrian royal family have always had a good relationship."

Sure enough, after Mayor Blatt said that, the residents of Dapang Town vaguely learned some details. After all, such a major event as the change of dynasties was 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 in great detail.

Even though they don't read books, they know many historical figures, especially those widely circulated in folklore, such as Jiang Ziya, Zhang Liang, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Yang Jiye, Bao Zheng, King Wu's conquest of King Zhou, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Yang Family Generals, Journey to the West...

Because of the Far Eastern Empire's profound history and culture, coupled with drama, storytelling, and various myths, legends, and folk beliefs, they were able to learn about many historical figures and stories of the Far Eastern Empire.

Of course, the historical knowledge gained in this way will certainly differ greatly from the true history, but it is still very valuable.

Therefore, when Blatter mentioned the concept of regime change, many people already had a certain understanding of this so-called Austrian royal family.

Luo Hanshan then said, "So, this Austrian royal family is actually exiled princes and nobles?"

Mayor Blatter said, "You could say that, and the Austrian royal family was very prominent in Europe in the past. If we use the Far East as an analogy, they almost became emperors of all of Europe."

The mere mention of the word "emperor" wasn't enough to shock the newly naturalized immigrants of Dapon; the very image of Europe itself was enough to make them realize the power of the so-called Austrian imperial family. After arriving in Togoland, these immigrants broadened their horizons somewhat. They at least knew that Europe was a formidable place, and they heard that this region, in terms of territory alone, was not much different from their original homeland, the Far Eastern Empire.

Moreover, many of the so-called "foreign devils" came from Europe, such as Great Britain and France, two countries that were already notorious in the Far Eastern Empire.

Of course, before they immigrated to Togolan, 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 a very negative impression of East Africa.

The attitude of the Far Eastern Empire immigrants who migrated to Togolan changed completely. After all, once they arrived, they would be allocated land, have enough to eat, and no winter. For many people at the bottom of society, this was simply a "life of gods".

They were naturally filled with gratitude towards East Africa, but it was precisely because of this that they became quite agitated when they heard that East Africa had also handed them over to the Austrian royal family, fearing that their current "good days" would be disrupted.

Another resident, Zhou Tiechui, cautiously asked, "Mayor, what is the relationship between the Austrian royal family and our town of Dapang? They're not going to come here and continue being emperors, are they? We'd rather stay in Togoland."

Blatt explained, “You don’t need to panic so much. I know that you have become accustomed to your current life under the protection of the empire. However, you don’t need to worry too much about how your current life will change too much after you leave East Africa.”

"First of all, the Austrian royal family was originally a prominent European noble family. Even our imperial family once served the Austrian royal family, and the two sides are related. Therefore, their attitude towards you is definitely not much different from that of us in East Africa. We in East Africa will also supervise them."

"Secondly, the Austrian royal family once ruled countries that would rank among the top tier in the world, only slightly weaker than East Africa. Moreover, they were considered relatively tolerant rulers in Europe, because Austria itself was a multi-ethnic country."

"I believe you can understand the meaning of a multi-ethnic country, which means that people of different ethnicities live in one country. For example, you are Germans now, but Austria originally had not only Germans, but also many other ethnic groups."

"Therefore, the Austrian royal family will not discriminate against you based on your skin color or ethnicity. They are not extreme populists."

"Finally, the arrival of the Austrian royal family is also a great opportunity for you. I believe you are aware of the prosperity of Lomé Port. In the past, Dapang Town was just a relatively insignificant border town. Therefore, our town was not even comparable to a village in East Africa, and its infrastructure was far inferior."

As the capital of Eastern Togoland, Lomé is considered by the residents of Dapang to be one of the most "prosperous, developed, and wealthy" cities in the world. They were all impressed by this unassuming overseas city in East Africa when they first set foot on Lomé.

"And once the Austrian royal family arrives, Dapon will directly become the capital of a country. In Far Eastern terms, that means it will become the capital of the country, and it's not impossible for it to surpass Lome."

"Although the Austrian royal family has lost power in Europe, their foundation is far beyond what ordinary people like us can imagine. If they invest a little in Dapang, the city could undergo earth-shattering changes. At that time, it will not be empty talk to bring electricity, water, roads, and more advanced technology."

"Even if things go badly, our lives can still change dramatically. And let me tell you, if we seize this opportunity, we might just be able to rise to power and become officials, generals, or even nobles in the new Austria!"

Blatter's words greatly shocked everyone present. "A meritorious service in helping someone rise to power!" Me?

Luo Hanshan stammered and asked, "Mayor, isn't what you're saying a bit too exaggerated? If Dapang Town develops into something like Luomei, it will completely exceed my imagination. With our current state, how can we possibly become nobles and officials by virtue of our merits?"

"I rack my brains, but I still can't figure out how these words are connected to us."

Blatt chuckled and said, "So you still lack vision. Do you really think East Africa is powerful?"

Upon hearing Mayor Blatt's question, the residents of Dapon naturally gave an affirmative answer. Not to mention East Africa itself, even the colony of Togoland was the most developed place they had ever seen.

Blatt continued, “You know, East Africa also developed from a colony. Initially, East Africa only had two thousand mercenary settlers, and the colonial outposts they established were not even as large as the town of Dapang where we are now.”

"However, no one at the time could have imagined that this insignificant African colony would now 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 among the poor, backward and insignificant overseas colonies of this empire."

"The descendants of the original East African immigrants have now become this powerful upper class. However, their ancestors were not much different from you and me. Some of them could not even speak German fluently. Yet they have achieved a reversal of their fate."

"Therefore, the future of the new Austria is our opportunity. As long as we can support the monarch of this new Austria, our future is limitless. Of course, we must also work hard, especially to study German more diligently."

"After all, the Austrian royal family was in dire need of manpower after their arrival. People who could speak German would definitely be given important positions. Even if they were not very good, they could still enter the army as officers. Even if they didn't become high-ranking officers, it would be easy for them to become squad leaders or platoon leaders."

Zhou Tiechui said, "Becoming a squad leader is so easy, it can't be!"

Mayor Blatter waved his hand and said, "As an independent country, the new Austria will definitely need to recruit a large number of immigrants, establish a government, and build an army in the future."

“Think about it, as more immigrants arrive in Dapang, they certainly won’t know German at first. So the Austrian royal family will inevitably have us assist them in managing various grassroots organizations.”

"Our town of Dapang has a total population of only 623 people, so the chances are very high. Unless you are so bad that you are really beyond help, as long as your intelligence is at a normal level, you may be given important responsibilities."

Mayor Blatter continued, "Not to mention you, even I myself would not give up this opportunity. In the past in East Africa, I was probably just an insignificant mayor until I retired. But in the future, if I can take advantage of the momentum of the founding of the new Austria, I should be able to become a mayor or even a high-ranking official, a high-ranking official in the central government!"

It must be said that although the mayor of Bratt held a lowly and insignificant position, his knowledge and experience far surpassed that of the townspeople of Dapang, who had 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 state, and that it would be easy for an "intellectual" like himself, with a secondary school education and "political" experience, to become a "high-ranking official" in this fledgling country.

Of course, Blatter's desire to change his fate was predicated on the future development of the new Austria. He didn't dream of it becoming like East Africa, but rather of achieving some of the success of the Kingdom of South Germany. If he could ride that wave, then it would be worth it for him to gamble and give up his East African citizenship to become a citizen of the new Austria.

(End of this chapter)