Chapter 1501 - 39: International Conference

Chapter 1501: Chapter 39: International Conference

Congo acts as the largest intersection between East Africa and Belgium, so utilizing Congo as a springboard to influence Belgium is quite feasible.

Since the era of Leopold II, Belgium and East Africa have maintained good relations, and at that time, the ties between the two countries were Leopold II and his sister Princess Charlotte, who is Ernst’s mother-in-law.

Leopold II has passed away, yet Ernst’s parents-in-law remain in good health, free from government affairs, living a carefree life, perfectly healthy, making it difficult for them not to live long.

Father-in-law Archduke Ferdinand (Maximiliano I) belongs to a family known for longevity, such as his brother Emperor Franz who continues to endure in Vienna. If things go well, the old emperor might hang on for a few more years.

...

May 17, 1922.

Rhein City.

In the northeast corner of Rhein City, at the Rhine International Conference Center, an East Africa-led international conference is underway.

The Rhine International Conference Center stands beside the artificial lake of Rhein City, adjacent to the royal gardens, boasting natural scenic beauty and comprehensive facilities.

This grand building, planned by the East African Government in 1910 and completed in 1915, also represents the East African Government’s proactive attitude towards integrating into the international community at that time.

However, until now, the Rhine International Conference Center is hosting a significant international political and economic conference for the first time.

In front of the conference center building, a red carpet has been laid down, with colorful flower baskets arranged on both sides. On the square before the conference center, Crown Prince Friedrich personally welcomes guests from various countries.

In May, the weather in Rhein City is transitioning from hot to cool, with a gentle breeze caressing Crown Prince Friedrich’s face. He waits solemnly for the arrival of pivotal political figures from other countries.

Soon, a black East African-made Crown car drives in from outside, finally coming to a gentle stop before the red carpet. Then, with the assistance of security personnel, the heavy bulletproof car door opens.

A middle-aged man, appearing similar in age to Friedrich, steps out of the car, dressed in a traditional Southern German Region military uniform, akin to the attire of some contemporary national leaders.

"Cousin Ludwig, welcome to East Africa," Friedrich said as he reached forward to shake the man’s hand.

Ludwig I, currently the King of the Southern German Kingdom, is also one of the members of the Hohenzollern—Sigmaringen lineage.

Sigmaringen can now be divided into three branches: one in Germany, another in Romania, and one in the Southern German Kingdom. Although Sigmaringen is not as illustrious as the Prussian Royal Family or the Rhein Royal Family, it exerts substantial influence in the international community.

At the end of the 19th century into the early 20th century, the Hohenzollern Family indeed flourished, possessing two empires and two kingdoms.

Moreover, both Germany and the Rhein Empire are renowned global powers, and Romania and the Southern German Kingdom could be seen as significant countries in their respective regions.

Ludwig I said to Crown Prince Friedrich, "Cousin, why are you handling the reception work today, where is His Majesty?"

Crown Prince Friedrich replied, "Father said we young ones need more practice, and actually he wishes to slack off a bit, so here I am. But this is definitely a physically demanding task, no wonder Father doesn’t come personally."

Ludwig I patted Friedrich’s shoulder saying, "Haha, you rascal, not realizing how many wish they could do this work but lack the opportunity. If I were the heir to the world’s most powerful empire, standing here all day wouldn’t be a problem."

For someone like Friedrich, born in Rome, even King Ludwig I could only envy him, as the Southern German Kingdom, aside from the elegance of its name, is entirely a backwater compared to East Africa.

Crown Prince Friedrich chose not to dwell on this topic with Ludwig I, and instead asked, "What have you been busy with lately, cousin?"

Ludwig I sighed, "What else? The kingdom’s sole objective at this stage is to expand its seaports to open up a path west to the Atlantic Ocean."

The Southern German Kingdom has persistently strived for seaports, but just like Russia, it currently isn’t without external ports; rather, the coastline is excessively long and lacks relatively superior harbors.

Currently, the Southern German Kingdom’s seaports were established after several wars, narrowly skirting around the borders of the former German colonies, now known as East Africa’s Cameroon Province.

Further north lies the British-influenced Nigeria region, so wedged between East Africa and the United Kingdom, the Southern German Kingdom’s access to the sea is far from ideal; it’s more like a probing arm, cautiously extending from between the crevices of two powerful nations.

More vividly speaking, the Southern German Kingdom resembles a person in a desert on the brink of thirst, while not far away lies a cup of water—the Atlantic Ocean—but reaching this cup is no easy feat for the Southern German Kingdom, challenging its strength as it barely grazes the cup’s outermost edge.

In truth, a large proportion of the Southern German Kingdom is indeed desert, with only the southwestern direction of the country offering a hint of grasslands and oases.