Upon hearing this, Prince Constantin understood Maximilian I's purpose. He wanted to use him to persuade Ernst to establish naval forces for East Africa.
Before Prince Constantin came to East Africa, Ernst had not really explained the situation along East Africa's coastline. The materials he had read mostly contained data on land, population, revenue, and similar matters.
However, since Maximilian I had already mentioned this matter to Ernst and Ernst had not responded, he presumably had plans of his own.
Thus, Prince Constantin did not intend to agree at once. He would talk with Maximilian I first, then consider it.
"So this was what you were worried about?" Constantin said. "I don't know much about East Africa. Before coming here, I truly hadn't considered the issue of coastal defense either. After spending so long in Germany, I had even forgotten about the navy myself."
Hechingen lay deep in the heart of Europe and could not even reach the edge of the sea. Never mind a navy—even fishing boats were a rare sight in Hechingen. Neighboring Sigmaringen at least had the Danube River passing through it, so ships were indispensable for freight transport. Hechingen, however, had no major river flowing through it and was wedged into a small plain between low hills.
Even though Constantin had later spent some time in the Prussian Army, he had only served in the army.
If Ernst had not developed the East African colony, Prince Constantin likely would not have had much to do with the sea in his entire life.
"Although I still don't know much about East Africa's circumstances, I do possess some basic knowledge of navies. Among the many countries in Europe, quite a few make their living upon the seas.
Yet the number of nations with truly powerful navies can be