Hard March

In East Africa during March, the rainy season had arrived. Amidst booming thunder, a torrential downpour began, the raindrops dense and impactful. On the sparse, exposed earth of Kitsuchi, the intense rain washed away the soil, quickly turning it into a muddy mire.

The murky rainwater gradually gathered, flowing around the grasslands and high slopes. Thousands of tiny streams converged into the river through depressions and gullies.

The Little Rhine River was no longer its usual calm self; it became turbulent. The rushing water, mixed with driftwood, weeds, and mud from upstream, surged forward along the riverbed.

In the paddy fields of Second Town (Luvu), overflowing rainwater poured continuously into the river through the drainage ditches. The rice stalks were battered by the rain and strong winds, swaying precariously. Houses built with grass and earth looked like they would collapse in the gale and downpour, as if roaring to tear everything visible on the East African land into the sky.

Such a powerful storm, where heaven and earth seemed to act in unison, was common during the rainy season. In the dry season, all of Africa was like a stagnant pool, with thousands of miles of grassland empty of people. Occasionally, explorers and hunters would witness the migration of hundreds or thousands of animals across the vast, dry grasslands; the entire African continent was deathly still.

Once the rainy season arrived, the entire African continent seemed to come alive, fiercely lashing the land with rainwater stored for over half a year. Yet, life only became more vibrant in the face of such terrifying natural phenomena. The dry riverbeds across the plains became winding and intricately intertwined.

The withered plants donned new green clothes. Wildebeest and antelopes, in herds, chased the most succulent grasses. Hippos frolicked in the lakes, and crocodiles lurked, waiting for opportunities.

All life was abundant and overflowing.

But for the East African advance party, pushing inland, this was not good news.

Andre, the leader of the Fourth Team, sat calmly on a rock, using a small knife to scrape the mud off his shoes.

Staff officer Zhou Wei directed his subordinates to inventory supplies. "Remember to place the food and ammunition on top of the vehicle frames so they don't get damp from touching the ground."

"How is this rainproof tarp set up? What if water seeps in? Everything must be arranged strictly according to the training procedures! Our journey is still long; the safety of our food and ammunition must be ensured."

The sudden downpour had forced the advance party to halt their march. The team was temporarily resting on a high piece of ground.

"Zhou! Let's not march any further today. We should rest here for a day. We've been rushing for the past two weeks, and the team's morale has dropped considerably. We need to ease their spirits," Andre said to Zhou Wei.

Zhou Wei looked around. The rain had lessened slightly but was still falling, and he didn't know when it would stop. He nodded, "Mr. Andre, you are right. It's mainly that time is too tight, which is why we chose to depart at the most unsuitable time. I didn't expect the rain here to be so heavy!"

Andre chuckled, "Seeing this rain reminds me of my days on the European battlefield. I was a new recruit then. It was my first time camping outdoors with the army, and suddenly, it started raining heavily in the middle of the night. We were rushing, and the temporary resting place we chose was in a low-lying area. As a result, our shelters were flooded. Many soldiers didn't even have a dry change of clothes. The next day, we fought Napoleon's army in our damp clothes."

Zhou Wei listened to Andre's story. He had seen Napoleon in textbooks; he was indeed a formidable figure. Andre had actually participated in the anti-French wars back then. Thinking about Andre's age, it made sense. Andre hadn't mentioned his exact age, but Zhou Wei inferred from his appearance that he was at least fifty.

"Mr. Andre, your past is truly remarkable!"

"Thank you for your compliment, Zhou. It is your performance that surprises me. I attended elementary school and had never seen Chinese people then. I only saw their appearance in the picture books our teacher had. Our teacher said that all Chinese people had long queues, looked indistinguishable between men and women, and liked to smoke opium, always appearing listless." Andre recalled.

"Later, after I retired and was hired by the Hechingen Company, I came to East Africa. They deposited my salary into my family's bank account. That was the first time I traveled across the ocean to such a distant place, and the first time I saw Chinese people."

Andre continued, "When they first disembarked from the ship, they did indeed have queues and were malnourished. However, the first rule in the colony was to cut off the queues and keep their hair short. After removing their queues, they truly looked different, especially when they put on German uniforms. Their spirits improved. After cleaning up, I saw that the Chinese looked more like the dark-haired Italians from the Mediterranean coast."

"However, you Chinese soon changed my impression. In the early days of the East African colony, in First Town, your diligence and hard work made me realize that Italians couldn't compare, as Italians enjoyed life too much. But even then, I still thought the Chinese were inferior to Germans."

"Until I met you, Zhou, I completely changed my previous thinking. Your cultural knowledge and rigorous spirit made me realize that the Chinese don't need comparison. They are as excellent as us Germans. You know, some of my former comrades, including French and British people I've met, were very rude."

Andre went on to express his thoughts, "You Chinese are like us Prussians, born soldiers and the best farmers in the world."

Zhou Wei listened quietly to Andre's words and said, "Mr. Andre, I need to correct one thing first. I have already obtained my citizen certificate issued by the Hechingen government, so I am also a German. And I believe that the people here today will also be part of the German Empire in the future, because our Principal, Mr. Ernst, once said that no matter where you come from, as long as your heart belongs to Germany and you are willing to strive for it your whole life, then you are a true 'German'."

Andre laughed heartily upon hearing Zhou Wei's words, "You are absolutely right, Zhou. I was narrow-minded."

As evening approached.

In the makeshift camp, the members of the advance party, who had been traveling for days, slept soundly. Even though the rain was still falling outside, it did not disturb their deep slumber.

Sentries kept watch in the rainy night, preventing wild animals and other dangers from intruding. Zhou Wei would occasionally come out to check on them. Everyone could sleep, but Zhou Wei could not. As someone educated at the Hechingen Military Academy, the education he received there constantly reminded him that diligence and personal involvement were essential for a qualified soldier.

On the third day, the advance party, having completed their rest, set off again. The mud caused by the rain made the march extremely difficult, but they pressed on resolutely towards Lake Tanganyika.