The Rise of the Empire

"I think that the actions of the empire in the African colonies are not only detrimental to the face of a civilized country, but also one of the important reasons why we are currently struggling in Africa. We want to use our own sabers to establish a military rule and use power. Squeeze the surplus value of Africans in the shortest possible time. But I think you should be very clear about the result. Just last year, the central government of the empire dedicated 1 million marks to hire a lieutenant colonel to suppress the local uprising. As far as I know, this kind of uprising has never stopped me since 1985, and I doubt that under such circumstances, the empire's investment in the colonies can recover the cost!" Ruprecht said.

In fact, the Crown Prince already had the answer in his mind. It seems, maybe, probably, except Togo, other places are losing money. The only difference is the question of paying more and paying less! The annual investment in the colonies is a large part, which is naturally a cost that must be paid, but the biggest problem in Germany is that the frequent uprisings cost Germany more! There is no way, we are at a dead end, and the African buddies are going to be overwhelmed!

"We'd rather spend 5,000 marks on military spending guns and blood to acquire a colony, and then use 20,000 marks on military expenses to fight against indigenous rebellion and uprising, than buy a colony with 2,000 marks! All our colonies can use land It can be described as a lot of people, but our government and businessmen, can't we do it in a different way?" The crown prince said with some grief. Everyone knows that the British spent a lot of money to suppress the Boer uprising, and Germany's "stability maintenance" expenditure in the colonies is equally astonishing!

"Businessmen are all short-sighted, and so are the guys from the East African Company." The cost of the colony is also a new problem for the Prime Minister. A large amount of money has been invested but there is no output, and he is unwilling to put it on anyone.

"The fundamental reason is that the military expenses for suppressing uprisings and rebellions are paid by the government! The greedy nature of the businessmen makes them care nothing about everything except themselves! So the government finally took the blame for this! It's unfair, The government must play a role, and all the actions of colonial merchants must be in line with the national interests. Our place is far from being as rich as the Gold Coast and South Africa. The British can gain benefits by simply squeezing, but for us it is not worth the loss! "

"Give the Wittelsbach family a place, and we can buy it with money. After a few years, we will tell everyone how the colony should be governed!" Ruprecht said, holding out three fingers, " If the central government agrees, our Kingdom of Bavaria will contribute an additional 3 million marks to support the empire's actions in East Africa! How about it?"

"We buy a piece of land, and all the remaining expenses have nothing to do with the imperial government. We pay a fixed tax every year. And the imperial colonial authorities can't interfere with the things on this land. How?" Looking at the prime minister with vacillating eyes, the crown prince continued Said.

"You are equivalent to establishing an African Bavaria among the African Teutonic. The colony belongs to the imperial government." The Prime Minister said with some dissatisfaction.

"It's all like this in the mainland, so what about the colonies? What's more, some large local companies have already done this, and they let the country take care of those troubles when they want to reap the benefits. We have done a good job. This It will be a very meaningful attempt, which will not only greatly reduce the abnormal expenditure of the colonies, but also bring more people to Africa, won’t it?” the crown prince asked with a smile.

"Your words are very harsh." The crown prince's explicit words made the prime minister very dissatisfied, but he had to admit that the crown prince was right. The German government's control over African colonies is indeed very weak, and many places are still handed over to the Managed by local chiefs. Africa is now a money-losing business. Since Bavaria wants to share part of the burden of the empire, it is normal to make some demands.

"How about the tax you pay based on the percentage of the empire's expenditure in the colonies? I can persuade the parliament to give you five percent of the land in German East Africa,

But you have to pay the corresponding fee! "The crown prince asks for a lot of money, and the prime minister pays back the money!

"Then you continue to spend money in Africa, I'm quit!" The crown prince said that the conditions were unacceptable, and he was about to throw the table! , The ratio of 5% seems very low, but the traversers happened to read the information on the German African colonies before crossing, and some of the figures can be described as very scary!

In the years before the First World War, Germany's investment in German East Africa averaged about 250 million marks per year! 250 million marks! Just 5% have 12.5 million marks! Isn't this TM cheating? And there are even worse ones! The cunning Bismarck speaks of colonial expenses! Rather than simply construction appropriations! You must know that Germany spent 600 million marks to suppress the uprising of the Naama-Khoi people from 1904 to 1907! If this is multiplied by 5%, it will be 30 million marks! This kind of loss-making business must never be done! In 1913, the German export of sisal in the East African colonies was only 10.3 million marks!

"The annual tax of 1 million marks for the first 5 years, the annual tax of 1.5 million marks for the next 5 years, and 2 million marks per year for the next 5 years, with a lease period of at least 30 years! How? This is our bottom line, and we cannot make any further concessions!" Crown Prince With a wave of his hand, he signaled that this is the limit of his concession, and if he disagrees, he will be separated!

"I need to think about it again. After all, I'm not the only one who has the final say." Bismarck didn't promise anything, but his attitude had already loosened. "Which piece of land does the royal family want?"

"This needs to be investigated on the spot. Maybe there will be a lot of alternative answers, maybe none of them can be found, and this plan will fail. Who can say for sure." His Royal Highness laughed. "However, we are quite satisfied with Cameroon. Cocoa, palm, rubber and tobacco can be grown there. It is also close to the long-term British and French colonies, and the transportation and infrastructure are relatively convenient."

"Then it may be difficult, and the price will be relatively high. Your asking price may not be acceptable." Bismarck said.

"Then mark out a place." The crown prince was already very impatient!

"If nothing else, it can only be selected in East Africa and Southwest Africa."

"That place is up to us to choose! This is the bottom line!" the prince said with a sullen face.

"Give me a few days, and I'll give you an answer!" Bismarck replied. At this time, the good relationship between the two parties at the beginning seems to have disappeared, and talking about money hurts feelings!

"In a few days, I will visit your Excellency again. In addition, the representative of the Bavarian royal family is also preparing to have some exchanges with His Majesty the Kaiser on the colonial issue. Even if the results are the same, it will be done through you in the end. It is His Majesty's favor." There is a big difference in accuracy. We accept your favor for the former, but if it is the latter, then it is really a matter of business!" said the crown prince before leaving.

"The little lion of Bavaria!" Bismarck couldn't help but wryly smiled as he looked at the back of the traveler.

There is only one industry in Germany's African colonies that is profitable. Readers can guess~~~, and add more after guessing~~~!

Side position yesterday's performance was very bad, and the recommendation period increased by about 50 collections in one day. The depressed side decided to play a game--! A night wasted. Please fellow readers. Ask for favorites, clicks, and recommendations! !

In addition, I would like to thank the book friend zhouyu1976, the one who is not energetic, and the private Clausius for the reward~~~.