Chapter 40
Chapter 40: The Immigrant Army Returns to China
Following the conclusion of the naval battle of Lissa, Ernst continued to focus on expediting immigration from both the Far East and Europe to the Binhai District. While some areas had been cleared for development, there remained a shortage of labor to cultivate the vast expanses of land in the middle, leaving them abandoned.
To address this labor shortage, Ernst instructed the East African colonies to accelerate immigration efforts. They were tasked with bringing more people from the Far East, even if it meant using unconventional means such as deception or coercion.
On July 4, 1866, a Dutch fleet, en route through East Africa, docked in Jiaozhou Bay. This time was different from previous visits. Alongside the crew were Chinese individuals who had spent considerable time in the East African colonies. They were the first group of Chinese immigrants returning from East Africa.
These immigrants had undergone significant transformations since leaving China. Initially emaciated and malnourished, they had now gained strength and vitality after nearly a year of recuperation in East Africa. Their return to the motherland marked them as registered Germans, holding household registrations from the East African colonies.
This shift in their status also impacted their confidence. They were no longer the same people who had left China, now carrying firearms and negotiating with German and Qing officials.
Their mission was to negotiate with the Chinese authorities in Jiaozhou Bay, and their armed presence served to deter any potential challenges. Trained by German instructors, these Chinese immigrant troops presented themselves professionally, equipped with new front-loading flintlock guns from the Hechingen Arsenal and custom Prussian military uniforms.
This display caught the attention of Qing diplomats, who were perplexed by the situation. The local Manchu Qing official, who was responsible for managing the port at Jiaozhou Bay, was aware of the presence of the "German caravan" engaged in trade but had always exercised caution, not wishing to provoke trouble.
However, this time, a hundred or so armed individuals accompanying the foreigners raised concerns. They couldn't continue to turn a blind eye to the situation. The official approached the situation with caution.
Anthony, a staff member of the Heixingen Consortium, explained that their armed presence was intended to protect their interests as they aimed to recruit workers from China. This explanation, however, was met with suspicion.
The Qing official was hesitant to allow such an armed group to operate on Chinese soil. He was worried about potential conflicts or incidents that could lead to diplomatic problems.
Anthony became frustrated and even hinted at the possibility of war if their demands weren't met. This alarmed the local official, who understood that such an armed group could not be easily dealt with by one person.
Wang Qiangui, the local official, decided to consult with higher-ranking officials to address the situation. He was caught between the aggressive stance of the Prussian immigrants and the potential consequences of allowing them to recruit workers freely.
The higher-ranking official advised Wang Qiangui to find a solution, even if it meant temporarily sending the Prussian immigrants away, while also monitoring their activities closely. The official suggested reporting any suspicious activities and temporarily replacing the local officer if things escalated.
With this guidance, Wang Qiangui reluctantly allowed the colonial immigration army and the recruiting staff to continue their work inland, and local authorities along the way did not interfere. The goal was to recruit laborers for overseas work, and the local officials deemed it a minor issue compared to potential conflicts.
This allowed the Prussian immigrants to proceed with their mission to recruit workers while avoiding confrontation with the Qing government, at least for the time being.
(End of Chapter 40)