Chapter 359: You Came, So Don't Think About Leaving
While preparations for war in Zimbabwe were intensifying, the central government of the East African Kingdom formally received the Far Eastern aid delegation. King Constantino himself met with the members of the mission.
Li Ge spoke with a formal tone:
"By imperial decree of His Majesty the Emperor of the Far East, envoys Li Ge and An De have been dispatched as chief and deputy delegates, respectfully extending greetings and well wishes to Your Majesty, King of East Africa."
After listening to their lengthy introduction, Constantino realized something—the men standing before him, Li Ge and An De, were not doctors at all. They were government officials. The actual medical personnel were the 103 people standing behind them.
Immediately, Constantino had an idea:
"Your country's concern for the development of East African healthcare is admirable. Since you've come all this way, we ought to make an appropriate gesture in return. However, I've noticed that your country does not yet have an embassy here in East Africa, despite our diplomatic relations. This is seen as unequal in international norms.
Why don't the two of you serve as the Far Eastern Empire's permanent envoys in East Africa? You could handle diplomatic affairs on behalf of your nation."
Li Ge and An De were horrified. In their eyes, Constantino the "barbarian king" was trying to destroy their futures.
The very act of accepting this mission to East Africa had already drawn sneers from their peers. They were ridiculed with phrases like,
"If you can't serve your emperor, why serve foreigners? Why betray the land of your ancestors?"
These views were common among Far Eastern officials. That's why Li Ge and An De—both mere provincial scholars without formal rank—had been chosen for the task. It wasn't until 1875 that the Far Eastern court officially began sending ambassadors to foreign countries.
As low-ranking officials, Li Ge and An De had no authority to contradict their orders. But by the time they set foot in East Africa, they knew their career prospects were finished.
And now, with Constantino proposing to make them ambassadors without even consulting the Far Eastern court, they were sure they would be labeled traitors at home. If this news returned to their emperor and court, they'd be condemned as collaborators—if not outright executed.
Pale and panicked, they quickly bowed in protest:
"Your Majesty King Constantino, we beg you—this must not be done!"
Constantino raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Why not?"
Li Ge, on the verge of tears, replied:
"We are humble officials of the Far Eastern Empire. Our emperor is our father. Our land holds the sacred teachings of Confucianism. It is immoral for a subject to serve a foreign sovereign.
To serve in East Africa while still bearing the mandate of our own emperor... we could never show our faces again in our homeland. We would rather die than betray our oaths."
They spoke in such ornate and flowery classical Chinese that it took East Africa's translators a while to parse the meaning.
Only then did Constantino realize—he had misjudged the situation.
These Far Eastern scholars were deeply entrenched in Confucian values, which ran counter to Western political thought.
"You two needn't worry," Constantino said gently. "What I meant is that our government will formally request your emperor to establish a Far Eastern embassy here. If he agrees, then perhaps you two could serve in that role. If he refuses, then the matter ends there."
To be fair, East Africa had always held itself to formal diplomatic standards. But no foreign country had ever established an embassy in East Africa.
To the British and French, the East African Kingdom was just a glorified colony of the Prussian royal family—a toy project of the Hohenzollerns. Who would send diplomats to a colony?
Back when the kingdom was founded, Prussia wasn't yet a world power. Compared to centuries-old colonies like Portuguese Mozambique, East Africa looked like a fledgling state—if not a joke. A place where Europeans just bullied unarmed Africans.
Even Austria and Prussia, East Africa's closest allies, didn't take it that seriously. Many considered Constantino's noble title of "Prince of Hechingen" far more respectable than "King of East Africa." The latter was often mocked as a vanity title—like the British monarch's title of "Emperor of India."
Take Archduke Ferdinand, for example. Once the East African Navy's commander-in-chief, he was still a laughingstock in Austrian salons. But at least he wasn't sent off to Mexico.
When Mexican royalists petitioned Austria to restore Ferdinand as a figurehead or even set up a government-in-exile, Emperor Franz Joseph refused. East Africa was the lesser evil. Ferdinand was well-fed, occasionally returned via the Suez Canal, and caused no trouble.
In truth, East Africa's diplomatic scene was barren. While it had unilaterally established many embassies abroad, no one had reciprocated. In many cases, the Hechingen Bank's presence had more diplomatic clout than official embassies.
Still, that wasn't entirely East Africa's fault. The kingdom was barely a year old. But that didn't mean no one was interested.
Paraguay, devastated by war and with a collapsing population, was desperate for international support. Sitting on Argentina's border, it feared annexation from its larger neighbor. Given their shared Spanish roots, Paraguay considered Argentina an existential threat.
So when East Africa—already holding leverage due to its Paraguayan immigrants—suggested a diplomatic relationship, Paraguay leapt at the chance. They saw East Africa's backing by Austria-Hungary as a potential lifeline.
Although the embassy hadn't been built yet (they were still selecting staff), Paraguay was actively planning to open East Africa's first foreign embassy.
Whether Paraguay or the Far East would be the first to do so remained to be seen. Either way, East Africa was in no hurry. The less international attention, the better. If someone did show too much interest, they were probably up to no good.
Ironically, the Sultanate of Zanzibar was eager to open an embassy—but East Africa refused. "Know your place," was the unspoken message. If East Africa let Zanzibar host an East African consulate, that was already generous. Letting them open one here? Not a chance.
To East Africa, Zanzibar was like Japan to the U.S. in the 19th century—a client state that should be grateful for every business deal and military favor.
Upon hearing Constantino's proposal, Li Ge and An De finally breathed a little easier. But they still felt bitter. Whether or not they became official envoys, their names would surely come up in diplomatic discussions. Their futures were ruined either way. Maybe… they should just settle here in East Africa. Bring their families over. What good would going back do?
They had come from poverty. No connections, no power. Passing the civil service exam had been the one shining moment in their lives. And now, sent to this "barbaric" land—they might never return.
Constantino, meanwhile, had no idea his casual offer had left the two men in such distress. His real goal was just to separate them from the Far Eastern doctors. Those 103 doctors were East Africa's prize—not something to leave under Far Eastern control.
"Then it's settled," he said. "I'll personally write to your emperor and praise you both. The Far East truly is a land of ancient virtue—your loyalty to your ruler is exemplary. I think we should promote that spirit more here in East Africa."
That was his honest view. In Europe, rulers were always at risk of defections. Subjects switched sides easily. But here were men willing to die rather than dishonor their emperor. As a monarchist, Constantino admired that deeply.
"In the Spring and Autumn period," he mused, "talented people roamed from state to state. Why stay loyal when others would pay more? The Far East's sense of loyalty… it's admirable."
Then he turned to the Minister of Health:
"Make sure our guests are well taken care of. These doctors must feel at home in East Africa. They'll be vital to our nation's healthcare."
Minister Berlaid nodded with a smile:
"Yes, Your Majesty. We're short on capable hospital directors. We'll assign them positions immediately."
The Far Eastern doctors, still unaware of the conversation, had no idea they'd just been absorbed into East Africa's healthcare system. Free clinic? No such thing. They were now East African doctors—for life.
As for their families back in the Far East? Don't worry—someone would arrange for them to join soon. Because…
Once you come to East Africa—leaving is no longer your decision.
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