Chapter 447: A Humorous Episode
Nairobi.
Despite bracing for a locust invasion, the residents of Nairobi ended up preparing for nothing. The government disbanded the anti-locust teams on the spot, and normal production resumed.
This left some residents a little disappointed—where were the locusts? They'd been ready to stretch their limbs and take action!
If Ernst had known what Nairobi's citizens were really thinking, he'd probably have coughed up blood. You people really have no idea how costly disasters are!
"I heard the locusts were supposed to reach here? We prepared for days, and then... nothing. Was it a hoax?" asked Stephen, speaking German with a strong Italian accent.
"Well, there were a few more locusts than usual these past days, weren't there? So it must be true. I heard the government intercepted them. Northern Province and Juba Province were hit hard, and even the northern cotton zones suffered a bit," someone replied.
"After all this time in Africa, I thought this place was disaster-free. Looks like it's no paradise either."
"Still better than Italy—war is constant there and life is hard. Life's more stable here in East Africa. Just do your job, and you don't have to worry about survival. And come on, it's not like locusts are unique to Africa. Far East, Americas, Europe, even Russia—everyone gets them," said Chris while skillfully spinning thread.
"Chris is right. Thank God the government acted fast. If those locusts had broken through, it would've been a disaster. I went through one in the Far East! None of you know what real hardship is. This life is like a dream to me. Back home, when the Yellow River changed course, my village was wiped out. Then the next year came the locusts, blackening the sky..." added Oldbill Meng.
"Same everywhere. Italy's not easy either. At least we have more options—can emigrate. You folks didn't have that luxury."
"Options? My cousin tried that during the war. Got caught and drafted into the Italian army. Last I heard, he was shipped to the front. Haven't heard from him since."
"Probably dead. Italy's army was a joke—heard Austria kept chasing them around."
"Ahem, ahem, what do you mean 'your Austria'? We're all citizens of the East African Kingdom now. And besides, it's the officers who were incompetent, not the soldiers. My ancestors weren't even Italian—Venice was part of the Holy Roman Empire! My dad's uncle's cousin was German, so technically I'm half German too!"
"..."
"If we're counting like that, I qualify too. My wife's grandmother's mother was German, so that makes me part German."
"..."
"Alright, enough arguing. We've all registered as German now. Like it or not, no escape! East Africa only takes people in, not out. At least life's okay here—just a bit boring."
"Stephen, count yourself lucky! You were a mess in Italy. Now you've cleaned up in East Africa. Isn't it better living straight than being a delinquent?"
"Enough of that—who's coming to watch the football match next Sunday? We're playing against Factory No. 2."
"I'm out. My wife already said I'm not allowed to leave the house this weekend. Not even fishing!"
"If you ask me, Eastern women are the best—way more sensible than Italian ones."
"Ha! Tell that to Oldbill. His wife has him completely under control. If you want my opinion, East India is where it's at—heard you can marry four wives there if you're rich."
"I'll wake him up with a yellow stream!"
...
"These workers are too lively," chuckled Claisen, director of Nairobi Cotton Textile Factory No. 1. "Looks like I'll need to pile on more tasks this week."
"Hahaha, Director, I'm sure those lads will thank you for it!"
As the inland light industry hub, Nairobi's population surpassed 100,000 this year. For a few months last year, it was even East Africa's largest city—until Mombasa, Mbeya, and Dar es Salaam pulled ahead.
In Ernst's past life, Nairobi became East Africa's top city because it developed early—thanks to British investment in the Uganda Railway. After independence, Nairobi's infrastructure far surpassed its neighbors, and Kenya's long-standing peace helped it attract people and industries. Food processing and other sectors soared ahead of the war-torn states like Ethiopia.
It's not hard to understand: rich countries grow faster. Kenya, compared to its neighbors, was relatively wealthy.
While Kenyan industry couldn't compete globally, it clearly outshone nearby countries. This created the paradox where mineral-rich nations fell behind Kenya in development.
In the 21st century, when Tanzania and Ethiopia began catching up with outside help, Kenya struck oil—cementing its strong regional standing.
But in this life, Kenya wouldn't get that chance. Though the Northern Railway would still pass through Nairobi, it would never again be East Africa's top city.
Especially because East Africa was building the far more ambitious Central Railway at the same time. Tanzania's infrastructure would match or even surpass Kenya's.
Even Mombasa, once overshadowed by Nairobi, was rapidly transforming into a major international port after three upgrades, booming through external trade.
Still, while Nairobi's ceiling was capped, its floor had been raised. Things wouldn't get too bad.
In the 21st century, textile wasn't exactly a goldmine. But in the 19th century, it was a top-tier industry—on par with railroads, steel, and coal—and classified as light industry.
With the Northern Railway, local agriculture and mining, and its role as a regional trade hub for the Great Lakes, Nairobi's future potential now far exceeded that of Ernst's original timeline.
Of course, developing Nairobi wasn't Ernst's main goal—it was just part of his plan to connect the Great Lakes region with Mombasa.
To Ernst, the Great Lakes region was as vital to East Africa as the Sichuan Basin was to the Far East: a breadbasket rich in agriculture, water, and minerals—a veritable "Heavenly Kingdom" in East Africa.
Its only flaw? No seaport access. That was what railways were for.
The Great Lakes region's potential hadn't yet been fully realized, but it was already East Africa's most important zone for farming and mining (especially precious metals).
The next contender to surpass it agriculturally was Zambia and southern Congo—but those regions were still underdeveloped.
Currently, Tanzania led East African agriculture, though its water and heat resources didn't quite match those of the Great Lakes or Zambia–Congo areas.
Then again, this was an imperfect comparison. The Great Lakes region was smaller—70,000 km² were lake alone—and a quarter of that overlapped with Tanzania anyway.
Zambia and southern Congo didn't have giant inland lakes like the East African Plateau, but water resources were still abundant. Zambia alone held 25% of southern Africa's surface water and a third of southeastern Africa's groundwater. The region was crisscrossed by rivers—like East Africa's version of Jiangnan.
To be more accurate, the area north of the Zambezi River could be called "Northern Jiangnan."
The Great Lakes were similar. Rivers flowed in from every direction—north, south, east, and west—feeding the lakes. Only the White Nile carried water out.
The Great Lakes, Zambia, southern Congo, and Tanzania formed the core of East Africa. Topographically, they resembled the Far Northeast, but enjoyed the rainfall of the Far Southeast. Perfect for agriculture—and East Africa's immigrant population was the missing human factor now being filled.
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