Chapter 576: Ginseng Cultivation
Both parties signed an agreement, though at Japan's strong insistence, it was not made public. East Africa understood Japan's mindset well—it still hadn't let go of its ambitions. But as long as East Africa properly managed the Southern Ryukyu Islands, Japan would have to pay a steep price if it ever tried to take them back.
…
Hohenzollern Province.
While East Africa struggled to develop modern medicine, it still tried to grow its traditional practices—specifically Chinese medicine—by reducing treatment costs.
This naturally involved "freeloading." The West emphasized patents; the Far East did not. That didn't mean Far Eastern doctors were generous—most medical knowledge was passed down through family or apprenticeships, which was quite selfish and at risk of being lost. But it made sense—this was their livelihood.
In fact, medicine didn't seem highly valued in Far Eastern society, at least judging by its social status. In a past life, doctors and lawyers were well-respected in the U.S., but both professions were often associated with greed.
In the 19th century, medicine was basically "my fate is mine, not heaven's." Its effectiveness was questionable, so Ernst took health seriously and avoided getting sick at all costs.
Modern medicine in East Africa lacked a foundational figure, a systemic framework, or cutting-edge equipment—without which it couldn't develop. None of those existed in East Africa.
Traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, was already well-developed. It wasn't something that could be reinvented quickly, nor was it likely to be upended anytime soon.
So East Africa's best bet was to develop medicinal herb farming. No ancient medical system could exist without herbs—and East Africa needed them just as badly.
Westerners of this era were indifferent to Chinese medicine, if not outright hostile. Japan, meanwhile, had gone all-in on "leaving Asia and joining Europe." Apart from East Africa, no one else had any interest in Chinese medicine. Even the Far Eastern Empire had become numb to it.
Western disdain had even led some in the Far East to doubt their own traditions. Many formally trained Chinese doctors were now under growing scrutiny.
Although Far Eastern herbs didn't have patents, cultivating them required skill. Most herbs still had to be imported by East Africa.
Herbs were mostly wild plants. While East Africa's tropical grasslands had plenty of plant life, Africans had done very little with medicinal plants.
So East Africa's native herbal knowledge came largely from Arab medical traditions—via Swahili people and Arabs living just south of the Sahara.
Africans had their own witch doctor system, but under East African rule, it had been eradicated. African folk medicine, tied to superstition, was not the same thing as legitimate medical science—even in the most backward regions.
Before colonization, East Africa's indigenous societies had low development. Their medicine was just as primitive—and tied to animism.
In that worldview, healing was mystical. If a patient recovered, it was divine mercy; if they died, it meant they lacked faith. Either way, it eliminated disputes.
Even when malpractice caused death, rulers simply blamed the gods. If you died, it was your own impurity, not the doctor's fault.
Witch doctors often held positions of power—chiefs, priests, or tribal elites.
That too required skill. The gods couldn't take the blame forever—eventually, the lies would be exposed.
Overall, this system was outdated and harmful. East Africa needed something better.
Of the ancient medical systems, only Far Eastern and Arab medicine had matured. The former had centuries of refinement; the latter benefited from geographic crossroads, drawing ideas from many cultures.
East Africa chose Chinese medicine, which meant using Chinese herbs. But many of these couldn't grow in Africa—or not yet. So most had to be imported at great cost, though still cheaper than Western medicines with unknown side effects.
Attempts to grow herbs locally had shown little success—especially for commonly used ones like ginseng.
Hohenzollern Province was one of the trial sites for ginseng—mainly in shady river valleys.
"Ginseng grown on these shaded slopes can mature, but we're still unsure about the quality compared to Far Eastern varieties."
"We've identified four national ginseng trial sites. So far, the best results come from Hesse Province. The roots there are biggest and most resemble Far Eastern ginseng. Of course, we need more samples and clinical trials to confirm effectiveness."
"Hesse's mountainous terrain is ideal, but large-scale expansion is hard. I suggest we try planting on the South African Plateau."
"Kales, any thoughts?"
"I'm thinking about sunlight. I've heard that Far Eastern ginseng grows best in high latitudes. Our southernmost provinces are subtropical at best."
"You're oversimplifying. The South African Plateau may be cool, but it lacks humidity—ginseng prefers moist conditions."
"I know that. That's why I recommend Swaziland. It has good rainfall and large elevated plateaus."
"But most of us have never been there. Are you sure?"
"You don't know me well? Why would I lie? Swaziland is now a prefecture-level city. Most of the native population has been relocated. It's sparsely populated but near military garrisons guarding against Portugal, so it's safe."
"Then Kales, we'll assign this task to you. Lead a team to Swaziland, run some trials, and report progress regularly."
"Director, I can't! You know me—I love plants, but I don't have the education to lead a team. Unless you assign Mars to assist me."
Mars grinned, "If I go to Swaziland, I'll be team leader. You wouldn't even get a say. Besides, I'm heading to Hesse for inspections in a few days. So it's your task now."
"I really don't have the experience!"
"Don't worry, Kales. Just repeat what you've been doing here, but in Swaziland. I'll assign you a new intern—he just returned from studying in Europe. With his help, you'll be fine."
Kales sighed. "I guess I don't have a choice."
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