African Business Chronicles

Chapter 41 – Returning in Glory

July 13, 1866 – Far East.

Wang Dazhi was one of the senior Chinese immigrants in the East African colony and now a member of the Chinese immigrant army in the Coastal District.

A month earlier, senior officials from the East African immigration office had approached him with a proposal: he would return to Qing China to recruit new settlers, taking advantage of his roots and appearance.

The Qing government had only recently put down the Taiping Rebellion. After years of war, southern China was left devastated. While the destruction had temporarily relieved population pressure, the vacuum left by the rebellion was quickly filled by migrants from surrounding regions.

Meanwhile, in the north, the growing threat of Russian expansion forced the Qing to relax restrictions on settlement in the northeast. What used to be forbidden ancestral land now needed to be settled quickly to defend the borders. Thus began the Chuang Guandong movement—mass migration into Manchuria.

In the northwest, migration flowed into Inner Mongolia, where farmers worked land owned by Manchu nobles—known as the Zou Xikou route.

Ernst's East African colony, however, primarily targeted northern China for immigrants, shipping them by boat from northern ports.

At the time, people in the north had two options: move to the northeast, or go overseas to East Africa. Naturally, people preferred to stay within China, so most chose Manchuria, bringing their families along.

That's why the colony needed people like Wang Dazhi—returnees who had seen the good life. Without real proof, who would believe anything a bunch of foreign devils said?

Recruiting in the south was even harder. Though the chaos from the Taiping Rebellion had created new opportunities, the south had other routes:

From the Yangtze Delta and Pearl River Delta, people could sail to America. At the time, Germany couldn't compete with the U.S. in attractiveness.Or, southern Chinese could go to Southeast Asia—Nanyang—a well-established route due to geographic proximity and historical trade.

The south was filled with tight-knit clan networks. They self-organized and recruited within their own circles, forming overseas communities like Chinatowns. But with overlapping interests came fierce internal conflict—clan wars were common.

This was exactly why Ernst avoided recruiting southerners. He needed quiet, obedient farmers—not organized factions.

In the East African colony, the Chinese migrants were numerous but leaderless—scattered and manageable. Ernst was quite pleased.

He also refused to simply hand out land to lure people. East African land was his private property. It was valuable and would only be distributed later—as military rewards.

Only those who risked their lives and proved themselves would earn land titles. That way, Ernst would ensure loyalty while also creating a class of capable landowners.

If he handed out land too early, what would he use to win support once the British and French started fighting over Africa? Still land, of course.

Ernst's vision for East Africa was intensive agriculture—not scattered subsistence farms. If you fought for the Hohenzollern family, you'd be rewarded with land. The more you fought, the more you got.

This would eventually lead to a network of large, efficient farms.

Letting everyone own a tiny plot would lead to explosive population growth. In the early stages, when manpower was needed, that was fine. But later, overpopulation could slow development.

That's why Ernst approached immigration with care. East Africa wasn't going anywhere.

Even if Europe began dividing Africa tomorrow, Ernst was confident that with 500,000 people (even just 300,000 plus the German Empire's support), he could challenge Britain in an African war.

…

Millstone Village – Northern China

Today the village was buzzing. Not because of a holiday, but because Wang Dazhi had returned.

That wasn't too surprising—but this time, he brought foreigners with him. And soldiers. With real guns.

At first, the villagers hid in fear. In such chaotic times, no one wanted to be near armed strangers.

But they recognized Wang Dazhi.

He strode through the village with a megaphone, shouting:

"Don't be afraid, folks! It's me, Wang Dazhi! Don't you remember? I've made it! I've come back to help everyone live better lives!"

Wearing a crisp military uniform, chest out and head high, Wang looked important. As he walked deeper into the village, familiar faces rushed up and pulled him into a house.

"Dazhi! It really is you! Heaven above, I almost didn't recognize you—you've filled out!"

Wang Dazhi nearly didn't recognize the skinny man in front of him.

"Old Xu from the edge of the village? How've you been? I've made it now, brother—I came back to bring you good fortune!"

Xu circled around him, inspecting his uniform. "You've really made it. Look at this fancy outfit! You're a soldier now, aren't you?"

Though he didn't recognize the Prussian uniform, those armed soldiers behind Wang were no joke.

Wang beamed. "Yep. I'm now deputy squad leader of the 25th Squad, Coastal Division, Chinese Immigrant Army of East Africa."

Xu's jaw dropped. "That sounds impressive—but what's East Africa? What's Coastal District? What kind of rank is this?"

Wang was more than happy to brag. "It's not a big title, but I command five or six men. And don't let the small rank fool you—it's a German post. From Jiaozhou to here, every official who saw me gave me VIP treatment!"

He added smugly, "Even Mayor Li from our town bowed to me before I left!"

Xu was stunned. "Being a soldier for the Germans gets you that kind of power?"

Wang replied, "Xu, you're really out of the loop. You remember when the foreigners stormed the Forbidden City?"

"I heard… rumors, yeah."

"Well, even the emperor's scared of the Westerners now. So what about us, huh? I was a starving farmer. Landlord Wang took my field, and I ended up begging in Jiaozhou. Someone said you could earn money carrying bags at the docks, so I went. Then I heard the Germans were hiring for farm work overseas. I had no food, no job—almost dead. I signed up, got fed, and boarded a ship."

He chuckled. "I got seasick like crazy, but we landed fast. They took us to East Africa. The land was empty. Locals lived by hunting lions and wild beasts. The Germans had us plant crops. Later, they started forming a local army—and picked guys like me."

Xu raised an eyebrow. "So it's just like the Qing army. Starving? Go enlist."

"Not the same at all!" Wang waved his hands. "Qing soldiers get two meals a day. I get three. Plus meat every week! And my pay's not bad either."

He rolled up his sleeve. "Feel this fabric—it's Western cloth. Smooth, isn't it?"

Xu and the others were impressed. Wang used to be skin and bones. Now he was glowing, well-fed, and dressed like someone important.

Still, Xu asked cautiously, "The Germans treat you that well? You sure they're not just using you?"

Wang scoffed. "If they are, at least we're getting food and pay! And the 'natives' we're fighting? They have clubs and stone spears. I can drop one from far away with a single shot. Easy work."

Now the villagers were really tempted.

"Brother Dazhi, East Africa sounds great, but there's gotta be some downside, right?"

Wang nodded. "Just one—the place has too many men and not enough women. But don't worry, if you go now, you won't stay single forever."

"Wait, isn't that a contradiction?"

"Think about it," Wang said. "It's not easy to find a wife in Qing China either. Too many poor bachelors. But in East Africa, you can save money, get strong, and come back in a few years. You think no family will want a rich, healthy son-in-law?"

He leaned in and whispered, "Actually, I came back to find a wife. My officer said that on the return trip, they'd even help buy me one from Southeast Asia—if I do well."

"I've got food, money, and soon a wife. Isn't that a dream come true? So go help me spread the word—especially to the bachelors. If they don't act now, they'll be alone forever!"

The others were suddenly anxious. "Dazhi, how many people are they recruiting? If too many sign up, will they stop?"

Wang waved them off. "Relax! There's more than enough land. We need people. The more, the better. In fact, if you bring in more villagers, I'll put in a good word for you. Maybe you'll get a better post too."

They nodded furiously and promised to spread the word. Soon, the "recruitment team" was going door-to-door, pitching East Africa like it was heaven.

"If you wait too long," they said, "you might miss your shot at a hot meal!"

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