"These terms are rather good, but most of the areas you're offering are undeveloped. Take Port of Beira, for instance—judging from the map, it is practically a brand-new city. I'm afraid there aren't even many people there yet, are there?" Rudolf asked, pointing at the words "Under Planning" written before Port of Beira on the map.
Ernst explained, "Our population in Port of Beira has already exceeded seven thousand, and a railway running directly inland leads straight to Port of Beira. Investing in factories here certainly will not be a bad prospect in the future. Strictly speaking, East Africa does not lack population, especially given how well-established compulsory education is here."
"Besides, you do not understand East Africa's national conditions. Do you see this region? In fact, this is where East African industry is most developed. Once Port of Beira is connected with the central provinces, it will develop by leaps and bounds, just like the Port of Trieste that you developed back then."
The region Ernst pointed to was East Africa's foremost industrial province—Matabele Province. Clearly, if Port of Beira could assume Matabele Province's responsibility as an outlet to the sea, its future status would be no lower than that of Dar es Salaam city.
This was Matabele Province's fastest natural route to the sea, and it could also extend its reach over central regions such as southern Lake Malawi and Hohenzollern Province.
Ernst's words left Rudolf somewhat incredulous. "Isn't East Africa's most developed region the eastern coast?"
After all, from what Rudolf had seen and heard during his visit to East Africa, Mombasa city and Dar es Salaam city were no less developed than any city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Bagamoyo and Tanga were also quite good, while First Town was extremely modern. Thus, his first impression had