African Business Chronicles

Chapter 35 – Oxen and Horses

One month ago, April 22, 1866 — Port of Dar es Salaam.

Today, immigrants from First Town and several colonial officials arrived at the port to receive goods. Unlike previous trips, today there were more people than usual.

"Old Qian, why did the Kilman boss call us along this time? Usually, they come here themselves," one immigrant asked.

"How would I know?" Old Qian replied. "Just do what the officer says. Don't ask so many questions."

"I'm just worried. We finally get to eat our fill in First Town. What if they send us back to Qing China?"

"Stop thinking nonsense," said Old Qian. "The Kilman boss needs us to farm. This place is huge and empty, and those local natives can't even till land properly. You think the Kilman boss is gonna farm it himself? So what are you afraid of?"

As they talked, several large ships appeared on the horizon.

"Look at that—maybe more immigrants? We were brought here on ships like that."

Old Qian shook his head. "We'll see once they dock."

Soon, Dutch merchant ships docked at the port. The Dutch crew lowered ramps to unload cargo.

The German officer ordered the immigrants to board and begin unloading. The workers climbed aboard the familiar ships and finally saw what they'd come for.

"Cows and horses!" the same man exclaimed.

"Told you! Good land needs livestock. That grass around First Town's amazing, but those natives can't farm or raise animals."

"Watch your mouth," Old Qian said. "They're not called 'beasts'—they're livestock."

"Same difference! I'm no scholar, right?" he laughed awkwardly.

"Less talking, more helping—go wrangle the animals!"

…

After much effort, the livestock was unloaded. The immigrants began herding the cows and horses toward First Town.

The German officers were well prepared. Saddles and bridles were brought out from somewhere, and one horse was fully outfitted.

As a former cavalryman, Dell finally felt like he was back in his element. He mounted the horse—imported from Russia—and rode a few laps across the open field. The horse was calm and responsive.

Due to Prussia's wartime preparations, horses and mules were under strict control. Exports were practically banned.

So Ernst had imported several hundred horses from Russia instead. Russia, especially its eastern European regions, had plenty of horse-breeding land in Central Asia and the Far East.

Ernst sent agents to buy horses there, shipped them via the Baltic, and used Dutch merchant ships to bring them to East Africa. While passing through the Netherlands, they also picked up some cattle.

The Dutch, being livestock experts, had a strong animal farming industry—followed by flower cultivation.

Since Ernst couldn't yet industrialize East Africa, animal power was still essential. Steam-powered farm equipment existed but was costly, bulky, and inefficient.

So Ernst turned to livestock breeding to provide plow power in the future. Africa lacked domesticated large animals. The wildlife was too wild, and natives relied on hunting. With so many animals around, there was no urgency to develop farming methods or livestock.

…

Back in First Town, the herd caused quite a stir among the townspeople.

The sheriff ordered the building of pens for the cows and horses. Experienced immigrants were assigned to tend the animals.

The ranch was set up five or six miles from town—between First and Third Town—on a grassy plain. The settlers built a camp and fenced the area to contain the livestock.

"Look at these cows! Back home, only landlords kept beasts this strong."

"And the horses—amazing! I only ever saw big officials riding horses like that, with soldiers running behind them."

"You mean when the government fought the Taiping rebels?"

"Yeah! That's what the troops said. When they left, they even seized a few cows from Landlord Wang's estate. Said it was 'government requisition.' Worse than bandits! Wang's private guards usually scared off local gangs, but when the government troops came, they didn't even blink. All they ever did was bully peasants like us."

"Bah, none of them are any good. Dogs fighting dogs. Heaven should've taken them all already."

"Yeah… I only survived because that foreign boss came to recruit. We had no other way out. Getting on that boat might've saved my life. Never thought I'd be living like this."

"You're telling me. Disaster hit my village. My two brothers starved to death. I got lucky and followed the Kilman boss. At least now I get food. No corrupt officials. That Kilman boss keeps his word."

"Honestly, the Qing dynasty deserves to collapse. The scholars in my village always said the government couldn't beat the foreigners. Always losing land and paying tribute. They treat us like dirt. Someone's bound to bring them down."

"Hard to say. When those foreigners—Brits and French—came to our land, our officials still lived the high life. The indemnities? Just passed them down to us! I heard that every time the south lost a battle, they raised taxes again—called it 'war compensation.' Parasites!"

"At least here in Africa, we don't deal with those bloodsuckers. They say foreigners are scary, but this Kilman boss—sure, he's strict—but he's way better than those heartless Qing officials."

"Yeah, Africa's great—good food, decent clothes… Just not enough women. The local tribes are too dark. We've got so many bachelors here. Who knows if we'll ever find wives."

"Oh, come on. You couldn't even eat back in China. What woman would want to suffer with you?"

"I'm just thinking about the future! What if I get rich, go back to China, get married, and bring my family here to raise kids?"

"Think the Kilman boss will let you leave?"

"You don't get it. There's a Chinese officer here—goes by the name 'Pierce Lee.' Says he graduated from some 'Hexingen Military Academy.' Claims all this land belongs to the headmaster of that school—a relative of royalty!"

"I heard about him too. Young guy, but the Kilman boss liked him enough to send him to study abroad. Now he's in charge here."

"Anyway, Officer Pierce Lee says we're just hired workers. After twenty years, we can choose to stay or go home. Also, those paper notes we get paid in? Don't throw them away—they're 'Kilman silver dollars.' We can exchange them for real silver back in China."

"Those paper slips are worth money?"

"Of course! That's foreign money. If China doesn't accept it, the foreigners will beat up the officials! Didn't you hear? A few years ago, the British and French even stormed the Forbidden City. Burned the emperor's garden—what was it called? The Old Summer Palace. In the end, the empress and emperor had to pay compensation."

"In that case, I'd better keep those papers safe. One even had a foreigner's face on it. Looked important—I didn't dare throw it away. If that's money, I'll save it up to marry a wife."

"Old Wang, you're forty and still thinking about marriage? What'll you look like in twenty years?"

"So what if I'm old? I've never even had a taste of that life! When I get rich, I'll find myself an older wife. With money, anything's possible."

"Now you're talking…"

As they chatted about the past, present, and future, hope sparkled in the eyes of the immigrants.

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