Chapter 357

Chapter 357: Soga

East Africa faced the challenge of introducing its people to the concept of railways, much like other regions that had never seen trains. Many individuals would understandably feel apprehensive when encountering a steel behemoth like a train for the first time. The government recognized the need for public education and outreach programs along the railway to ease these fears.

"Look quickly!"

From the carriage windows, the group observed a team of railway workers busy with construction. The railway track was undergoing a change, with a branch line diverging to the south, where workers were laying new rails.

"Why are they still working on the railway if it's already completed?" someone asked Aryan.

Aryan, feeling a bit irritated by their constant questions, replied impatiently, "It is completed! It has been finished for several months. This is a side road under construction, and you should understand what a side road is, right? Roads in the Far East are also connected by smaller roads!"

The group didn't seem to notice Aryan's irritation and continued to inquire, "Where does this new branch lead to?"

Aryan chose not to respond this time. He was in East Africa for the first time, and his knowledge of the region was limited. He wasn't involved in geography or railway matters but worked as a minor clerk at the East African Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, he knew only what he needed to know, and he saw no reason to trouble himself with the specifics of this railway.

The branch line extended southward, leading to a construction site out of the group's sight. The destination was a place called "Soga," situated to the south of Bagamoyo, southwest of Dar es Salaam, and southeast of the first town. These four points formed a rhombus on the map.

Following the completion of the transformation of Dar es Salaam, the extensive workforce involved in the project hadn't disbanded or relocated elsewhere. Instead, it had been mobilized to begin work on a cable car installation located 36 kilometers southwest of Dar es Salaam.

Soga was Ernst's latest planned city, and its precise purpose remained unknown. Its location was somewhat distant from the main railway, but there were plans to connect it with a branch line.

The specifications for Soga City were notably high. Ernst had even invited a royal designer from Vienna to plan and design the city, which was intended to be a "garden city" in contrast to Dar es Salaam, the first town, and Bagamoyo.

Ernst's intentions for Soga City were shrouded in mystery. Even Kang Guo and Constantine, despite their close ties with him, were unaware of his son's objectives in constructing this city. Nonetheless, there seemed to be no major issues with the new city, and as such, people paid it little mind.

At the construction site in Soga City, Lawrence was overseeing the construction of a flower bed. "Mr. Lawrence, we're building a flower bed according to the plans, but it seems rather extensive in terms of area," commented one of the workers.

Lawrence responded, "Follow the plans precisely. These flower beds are created for their aesthetic appeal. You see, this is a Y-shaped intersection, and a three-story building will be erected right in front of the intersection. We're placing a large flower bed in the middle of this intersection. It will serve as a buffer and provide a pleasant view for the residents in the high-rise buildings on three sides. It not only imparts a sense of security but also pleases the eye."

While Lawrence directed his subordinates, other workers were busy excavating the city's sewer system. The drainage facilities in Soga City were more advanced compared to Dar es Salaam.

Soga City had been designed to accommodate around 50,000 people, and its infrastructure was on par with that of Dar es Salaam, which could house approximately 150,000 residents.

Furthermore, the architectural designs in Soga City were more intricate. Many buildings incorporated elements reminiscent of the Schönbrunn Palace in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Fountains, squares, flower beds, and woodlands were prevalent, all resembling the French-style gardens of Schönbrunn Palace.

After instructing his assistant, Lawrence turned to his colleague, Dreis, and asked, "Mr. Dreis, what do you think we should use as a symbol for this work of art?"

Dreis was also a designer for Soga City, but his expertise leaned more towards modern and practical aspects, while Lawrence favored classicism and aesthetic appeal.

Dreis suggested, "Landmarks are crucial for any cultured city. We should design a symbol that reflects the German characteristics of Soga City."

Lawrence pondered, "But what exactly is the essence of Soga City?"

Soga was an East African city, and East Africa was a German territory, so the symbol needed to encompass both of these aspects.

Dreis added, "How about we construct a grand fountain square that represents the artistic features of Soga City?"

Lawrence considered this but remarked, "A square might not be famous enough to serve as a landmark. It needs to be substantial enough to capture people's attention, but Soga City's scale doesn't align with a grand square. I believe we should create a large sculpture that carries profound meaning."

Dreis responded, "Sculptures are challenging. I considered this option initially, but the requirements for design are exceedingly high. It would require master-level artists, and it might be beyond our capabilities. Soga City may be located in Africa, but it deserves a rare piece of art."

Lawrence expressed his frustration, "Indeed, sculptures would raise the design's complexity significantly. We would need to hire master artists, and this might not be practical for us. Soga City is a masterpiece, the most perfect city I've designed among many. It was conceived on a blank canvas, and yet, here it is in the middle of nowhere in East Africa. Who would settle here once it's complete? Besides the construction team and designers, there's no one else."

End of this chapter