Maximilian I, idling away his days in East Africa, had never been someone who could sit still. Having had his fill of the mind-numbingly dull life in Mombasa, he planned to undertake a journey across East Africa.
Back in Europe, Maximilian I's family learned through Ernst that he was staying in East Africa and had considered calling him back. But Maximilian I had been born with a stubborn temper, the kind that ten oxen could not drag back.
Maximilian I's state of mind now was probably much like Xiang Yu's when he cut his own throat by the Wu River—too ashamed to face the elders of Jiangdong.
Back then, he had refused all advice and pushed forward against the opposition of his entire family, determined to go to Mexico and fulfill his ambitions and worth in life, only to end up imprisoned.
Thus, Maximilian I made up his mind to remain in East Africa for three to five years, then return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire once people had forgotten about him.
If he had no ties to bind him, Maximilian I would have gladly lived in East Africa for the rest of his life. But he was a filial son. Though somewhat willful, he did not want his mother to grieve herself to death. Besides, she was getting old, and he would have to return to visit her someday.
Though his failure had left him deeply despondent, after arriving in East Africa, Maximilian I still sent several letters home to assure his mother of his safety, so she would not worry.
As for everyone else—his brother and father—Maximilian I asked Empress Dowager Sophie to convey his greetings in his letters.
As for his beloved daughter, Maximilian I currently had no way to keep her by his side. When he had