Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Homecoming

On July 13, 1866, in the Far East, Wang Dazhi, an old member of the Chinese immigrant community in the East African colony, returned to his hometown in North China as a member of the Chinese immigration army in the Binhai District.

Just a month earlier, senior officials from the Chinese Immigration Office in the East African Colony had approached Wang Dazhi. They wanted him to use his Chinese identity to return to the Qing Dynasty and encourage people to immigrate to East Africa.

At this time, China had recently pacified the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the south, alleviating the land and population conflicts that had plagued the region for years. The economic center of gravity had shifted southward, attracting a dense population to the south. Meanwhile, in the north, the expansion of Tsarist Russia posed a threat to Chinese territory, pushing people to immigrate northward to defend ancestral lands.

For immigrants from the northern regions, there were two primary choices: the Northeast (Guandong) and East Africa. However, the preference was always to remain in one's homeland, making the East African colony's recruitment of old immigrants crucial. These immigrants had experienced the benefits of East African colonization and could serve as living proof to attract others.

The situation was different in the southern regions of China. Despite the opportunities created by the end of the Taiping Rebellion, people from the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta had two alternative options: immigrate to the Americas or establish businesses in Southeast Asia. Competition was fierce in the south, and the conditions offered by the East African colony were less attractive.

To entice Chinese immigrants to East Africa, Ernst devised a plan that wouldn't give away land too easily. The land in East Africa belonged to Ernst personally, and it would become valuable in the future. He didn't want to risk giving it away without ensuring that the Chinese immigrants would be loyal and productive.

The distribution of land would be linked to military merit. Those who served the Hohenzollern family with dedication would receive land as a reward. This system would ensure that the most dedicated and capable individuals would benefit.

Ernst also envisioned an intensified form of agriculture in East Africa, emphasizing large-scale farms over subsistence farming by smallholders. This approach would encourage population growth among the Chinese immigrants and support the development of East Africa's vast lands.

Wang Dazhi, the returning immigrant, shared his experiences and successes with his fellow villagers, emphasizing the benefits of life in East Africa. He highlighted the superior living conditions, three meals a day, meat consumption, Western fabrics, and a monthly salary. These advantages helped Wang Dazhi paint an attractive picture of life in the East African colony.

However, he also acknowledged one drawback: a shortage of women. This created a marriage issue, but Wang Dazhi assured them that the problem could be resolved with time and resources. He even shared his plans to buy a wife from Nanyang, provided he continued to excel in his role as a soldier.

His fellow villagers were intrigued and asked how they could join the opportunity. Wang Dazhi reassured them, explaining that there was plenty of land and labor was in high demand in East Africa. He urged them to join him, promising to speak on their behalf to secure spots in the immigration process.

Wang Dazhi's return home created a buzz in the village, and a propaganda team quickly formed to promote the idea of immigrating to East Africa among the villagers. They saw this as a chance for a better life and were eager to seize the opportunity.

(End of Chapter 41)