Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Type 70

In the sweltering boiler room of the Jiaozhou Textile Factory, workers diligently fueled the boilers to power the factory's machinery. Steam engines drove over 1,500 machines, ensuring high-speed production.

The Jiaozhou Textile Factory was equipped with textile machines imported from the UK, making it different from the Berlin Textile Factory. The latter had used machinery produced in Prussia. The Berlin Textile Factory had been transformed into a Prussian military uniform manufacturer for East Africa during the colonial period. However, with the establishment of the Kingdom of East Africa, it was necessary to shift away from being a "Prussian" kingdom and produce a wider range of clothing. Ernst had begun to prepare Prussian-style military uniforms for the Franco-Prussian War, aiming to supply the Prussian army. Consequently, the Berlin Textile Factory abandoned its East African business and sold its products within the German region. The Jiaozhou Textile Factory in the Far East took its place.

The choice of British textile machines was practical and cost-effective. Britain was a global leader in textile manufacturing, with superior technology and lower machine failure rates. In Europe, machine failures could be addressed relatively easily, but in the Far East, obtaining replacement parts could be a lengthy process. Thus, using reliable British machines and hiring skilled technicians was a prudent choice.

The Jiaozhou Textile Factory employed over 7,000 workers and had an annual output of 700,000 bolts of cloth. It supplied East Africa and neighboring regions like East Asia, North Korea, and Japan.

The Jiaozhou Garment Factory, adjacent to the Jiaozhou Textile Factory, shared infrastructure and produced a variety of clothing, including Western-style suits. These suits were considered luxurious attire and were typically worn by high-ranking officials. Additionally, new uniforms inspired by the military were introduced, featuring lion-shaped cap badges, which were part of the coat of arms of the Hexingen royal family.

The military uniforms were categorized into two types: the grassland type, which was light blue in color, and the desert type, which was brownish-yellow. These uniforms featured shield-shaped cap badges with black, red, and yellow colors, made of brass. The military caps were designed with sunshade in mind to protect soldiers from sunlight.

The military uniform jackets had five pockets, including one inner pocket, and came with a belt. The belt had holes for future pendants. The trousers were similar to European military trousers.

Although the 70-style military uniforms appeared similar to Prussian military uniforms, this design was common among German states, including Hechingen during its independent era. The uniforms were mass-produced and featured a limited range of styles. They were available in specialized stores, which accepted vouchers from Hechingen Bank.

With the expansion of the East African army by 100,000 troops, a significant number of 70-style military uniforms were being produced. Over the next few years, East Africa planned to gradually replace the Prussian military uniforms previously in use with the new 70-style uniforms.

In Hechingen, Ernst handed over the responsibility of overseeing the Hechingen Military Academy students to Leopold. Ernst requested that the students be treated equally and not assigned harsh tasks. These students had received extensive military training and were highly skilled soldiers. They would be integral to East Africa's future military endeavors.

Leopold agreed to take care of the students but wanted to assess their skills before assigning tasks. Ernst assured him that the students had excelled in their training, were proficient in German, and familiar with military regulations. They had never failed in exercises and were well-prepared for future tasks.

Leopold requested to see the students in action, and Ernst organized an exercise on the spot. The students' swift assembly and organizational skills impressed Leopold, who believed that with some battlefield experience, they could rival elite Prussian troops.

Ernst emphasized the importance of utilizing these soldiers effectively and training them to their full potential. He expressed his confidence in their abilities and their significance to the future of East Africa.

In the evening, after a successful exercise, Leopold commended the students for their strong organizational skills, proficiency with firearms, and exceptional physical fitness. He believed that, with proper training and experience on the battlefield, they could become a formidable force comparable to elite Prussian troops.

Leopold was satisfied with the students' performance and was determined to lead them to success, understanding the importance of their role in East Africa's future military endeavors.