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The reborn Prince Hechingen of the Swabian branch of the Hohenzollern family perceives the unfolding situation in Europe, where war is imminent. Europe cannot afford to delay. The strategy involves establishing a presence in East Africa, fostering immigration and development, and laying the foundations for agriculture. This gradual approach leverages the crisis to expedite the process of industrialization

African Entrepreneurship History

Ernst had a visitor, a member of the Prussian royal family. The reason for this visit was related to the privatization of the Cologne-Minden Railway, a major topic of debate in Prussia. The Prussian government, in need of war funds due to escalating tensions, had turned its attention to Ernst and his rapidly accumulating wealth.

Ernst's Hechingen Consortium had become a prominent enterprise in Germany, with various successful ventures under its umbrella, including a bank, a daily necessities company, and Hechingen Tobacco. This sudden wealth had attracted the Prussian royal family's attention.

Despite his noble background, Ernst's meteoric rise to wealth was noteworthy. The Prussian government, a customer of Ernst's enterprises, was well aware of his financial power. The timing of the royal family's visit was significant, given Prussia's preparations for war.

The Cologne-Minden Railway, a key component of Prussia's railway system, had initially been a government-led infrastructure project. However, with the looming conflict with Austria, the government needed to secure significant funds for war expenses.

Bismarck, in need of 60 million Thalers for his war preparations against Austria, faced the challenge of raising these astronomical sums. Ernst knew that this privatization plan would sacrifice long-term government interests for short-term financial relief.

Breschroder's privatization plan, introduced in 1862, aimed to immediately secure compensation from the railway company and revitalize part of the deposit. However, it was met with opposition as it involved selling valuable government assets at a steep discount.

Ernst understood that the privatization of railways was inevitable, but his priority was to maintain the current historical timeline. Privatizing assets too early could disrupt the course of history. Behind the privatization plan, the shadow of the Rothschild family loomed large.

The Rothschild family, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, was orchestrating war funds for Prussia, despite their Austrian citizenship. They acted in their own interests, and their actions had repercussions in the East.

Ernst was more concerned with the agreement at hand. While he was wealthy, he had numerous financial commitments, including the development of the East African colonies, population migration, food reserves, production tools, and colonial weaponry and equipment.

After covering all these expenses, only a few million Taylors remained available. The Prussian royal family approached Ernst because they hoped he would be more conscientious than banks and consortia focused solely on economic interests.

Ernst proposed an agreement in which the Hechingen Consortium would purchase 40% of the government shares of the Cologne-Minden Railway. This agreement allowed Prussia to reclaim the shares in the future, provided they paid the appropriate price.

In exchange, Prussia agreed to recognize the Hechingen royal family's ownership of East African colonies and support the expansion of the Hechingen Consortium across Africa. This gentleman's agreement, though not without risks, provided a foundation for the future.

Ernst also seized the opportunity to secure a long-awaited admission ticket.

Chapter 24