Chapter 198: Chapter 186: West Palace
"Since you’ve made up your mind, I naturally won’t persuade you further. However, if anything happens over there, send us a message early. As for German matters, I’ll help you take care of them." Prince Karl Anton said.
"Thank you, Karl." Constantine expressed his gratitude.
"Hmph, we’ve played together since we were young, and both families can be said to have endured hardships and weathered storms together, always aligning in strategy. To be honest, now that Karl has achieved success and become the King of Romania, Leopold’s chance at the Spanish throne is also quite substantial. In the future, this Sigmaringen might truly rise under me.
Ernst, although still young, has a vast enterprise. The youths have ventured out, and in time, Heixinggen and Sigmaringen will inevitably become mere names within Prussia." Prince Karl Anton reflected.
"Indeed! For the young, Heixinggen and Sigmaringen are still too small. The future stage must be Europe." Constantine agreed.
...
First Town, city center.
The reserved square has already become a construction site. Due to Fisher’s outstanding performance in the renovation project at Dar es Salaam port, he was transferred by the First Town government from Dar es Salaam to work in First Town.
At the moment, Fisher is directing workers at the First Town central square.
Since the establishment of the Central District, First Town’s status as the political center of the East African royal territory was first explicitly recognized in East Africa’s official documents.
Thus, numerous East African government institutions have been set up here. First Town becoming the political center is credit to its status as East Africa’s first colony.
However, Ernst had his own considerations for placing East Africa’s political center here. Relatively speaking, Dar es Salaam has better transport location; historically, the German East Africa capital was in Dar es Salaam, easing connections with the homeland, utilizing maritime convenience, with high development potential.
However, the real Heixinggen is already Prussia’s, and the icy expanse of Alaska still lies idle. Ernst’s East African colony construction is considered Heixinggen’s homeland.
Dar es Salaam is coastal, but East Africa has no navy, currently only a set of coastal defense systems composed of artillery.
This means that although it can prevent enemies from coming ashore, the enemy’s naval guns can also reach Dar es Salaam.
Looking this way, First Town’s location is better, as it’s somewhat distanced from the sea, ensuring security. East Africa’s strength is weak at sea but dominant on land, and First Town connects both Dar es Salaam and Bajamojo ports, making its transportation not too poor.
"We need to complete the main building within a month’s time, and this matter is of utmost importance to His Highness. Let’s not slack off or delay." Fisher told the workers.
"Mr. Fisher, is His Highness personally coming to East Africa?" one worker asked.
Fisher shook his head and said, "I don’t know either. The document just states that an important member of the royal family is going to reside here, so we have to work overtime to complete the palace construction."
"Mr. Fisher, do your European kings all live in such palaces? I’ve never seen such a luxurious building in my life, occupying such a large area, and it still requires carvings, fountains, and a garden," a Far East immigrant wondered.
"Ah, a palace! I’ve indeed seen one. My hometown is in Stuttgart, the capital of the Kingdom of Württemberg. There, even the residences of the wealthy and high officials are exceptionally luxurious, and Stuttgart is much larger compared to First Town, though the palace is a bit distanced from the city center.
I was fortunate enough to accompany an old architect to carry out repair work in the palace. What we’re building here as a so-called palace now is nothing compared to the Württemberg palace, only somewhat superior to the buildings in the city center." Fisher recalled.
Ernst planned a temporary palace in First Town that obviously could not compare with Ludwigsburg Palace of the Kingdom of Württemberg. First Town itself in East Africa is small but exquisite, with administrative functions far outweighing economic ones.
Moreover, First Town is currently the capital of East Africa, but its position as capital is not certain in the future because East Africa’s territories are still changing, and Ernst is unsure to what extent East Africa can develop. Hence, the capital status of First Town is not solid.
Spending a fortune to build a palace here is clearly uneconomical, yet for Heixinggen royal family’s reputation, it cannot be too shabby either.
"Ah! Mr. Fisher, by what you said, Prince Constantine and His Highness Ernst’s residence is not comparable to that so-called palace of the Kingdom of Württemberg?"
Colonial immigrants are aware of Heixinggen and their own homeland, so they have no concept of Württemberg as Fisher does.
Therefore, some people were incredulous when they heard the Württemberg palace is bigger and more luxurious than the palace being built for Heixinggen royal family.
In their eyes, East Africa is already a region of immense strength and wealth, so Heixinggen royal family must also be synonymous with strength and perfection, since all of East Africa belongs to Heixinggen royal family.
"That’s not quite right; Heixinggen’s palace, which I’ve heard colleagues mention, is called Hohenzollern Castle. When it underwent major renovations years ago, my colleagues were fortunate to participate, and Hohenzollern Castle is top-notch in all Europe, reportedly one of the symbols of the entire Hohenzollern family." Fisher explained.
"Then how does it compare with the Württemberg palace?" the worker asked simply.
"It certainly cannot be compared to the Württemberg palace, at least in terms of status. Because currently, the Hohenzollern family is the most powerful family in the German region, and the Heixinggen royal family belongs to the Hohenzollern family." Fisher didn’t want to shatter an immigrant’s fantasy.
Ludwigsburg Palace and Hohenzollern Castle may have some differences, but not major ones; each has its pros and cons. However, many immigrants hold immense gratitude for the Heixinggen royal family in their hearts.
In the eyes of most immigrants, Ernst is practically a savior, especially for those who wander between hell and earth. It’s Ernst’s East African development that provided them a path to survival.
"I told you! The Heixinggen royal family is so kind and benevolent, they should be rewarded well. Their family ought to be Germany’s number one family." an immigrant said.
"But Mr. Fisher, why don’t Prince Constantine and His Highness Ernst build a large castle in First Town, not too big, just modeled after the Hohenzollern castle, since the so-called West Palace seems unworthy of the Heixinggen royal family." a worker spoke to Fisher.
Fisher nearly lost his composure!
What do you mean by "will do"? Although West Palace is somewhat smaller compared to those European grand palaces, it is undoubtedly the finest in all East Africa, directly surpassing the former Dar es Salaam Zanzibar Palace, and even surpassing some smaller European nations’ palaces.
East African immigrants are truly audacious in their thinking, but most of these workers are farmers who switched careers temporarily, so they are not cultured or informed, making such statements understandable.
Hence, Fisher explained: "It’s not that palaces must be bigger to be better, especially for Heixinggen royal family. Consider that in the German region, they have such a large palace; what good things haven’t they seen? Just like how you often say your previous emperor farmed with a golden hoe! Gold must be too commonplace for an emperor.
The Heixinggen royal family might be similar, having lived in large palaces for so long, now wanting a slightly smaller dwelling, isn’t that the case?"
Fisher tried his best to use plain words to explain to these immigrants. In reality, Ernst would like to build larger, but the issue is lack of funds. If he had the budget, he’d build it bigger. In terms of material enjoyment, Ernst never skimps on himself, especially since this newly planned West Palace might be Heixinggen royal family’s residence for some time.