Chapter 1145 Hidden dangers of African empires (first update, please subscribe)
Every country desires to be rich and powerful!
Especially after World War II, in almost every new country, those elites who open their eyes have some kind of dream of becoming rich and powerful!
Let alone Asia, the same is true even in Africa.
Ethiopia!
Before World War II, it was the only independent country in all of Africa!
Back then it was called Abyssinia.
This country has an extremely long history, and the Solomonic dynasty that ruled Ethiopia claimed that they were direct descendants of King Solomon of Israel and the Queen of Sheba - which even had some mythical interest.
However, in any case, as the only independent country in Africa before the war, they even defeated the Italian invasion in the 19th century!
Thus it became famous all over the world. Although the country was occupied by Italy before World War II, it was recovered with the help of the Allied forces.
After the country was restored. Emperor Haile Selassie gave a stirring speech, declaring "this day to be the beginning of a new era in Ethiopian history."
In order to show a difference from past history, the emperor announced that the country's name would be changed to the more solemn "Ethiopia".
After the war, Ethiopia ushered in the best period in its history. There was no threat of invasion by foreign powers, and the domestic political elites were also formulating ambitious plans there - enterprises to change the backward reality here. .
Addis Ababa.
Meaning "City of Flowers", the city was built on Endoto Mountain, and the main streets are built along the water. The streets are lined with exotic flowers, which is also the source of its "City of Flowers". Although it is located in the tropics, because it is located at an altitude of more than 2,400 meters, the city feels like spring all year round.
There are eucalyptus trees everywhere inside and outside the city. They are slender and green. This kind of tree imported from Australia grows rapidly. Emperor Menelik II built the capital here more than 70 years ago in order to solve the problem of firewood and building materials in the capital. On the advice of European consultants, people were called upon to plant trees widely. At the same time, the state provided saplings at low cost and exempted them from land tax for planting trees. In less than twenty years, eucalyptus trees not only covered the entire city, but also formed a broad green belt around the city.
The Nanyang Embassy in Ethiopia is located near this lush eucalyptus forest. When the breeze blows from the forest, the entire embassy feels as if the air conditioner is turned on, and the air is cool.
On the lawn under the woods not far from the embassy, several embassy staff were leisurely enjoying the cool breeze, while not far away, several Ethiopians were grilling barbecue for them.
"It's so comfortable. Although it's close to the equator, the temperature is so pleasant. It's no exaggeration to say that it's like spring all year round."
Tian Chenghua, who was sitting on the folding chair, sighed with enjoyment.
He is a newly appointed intelligence officer and is responsible for Nanyang's intelligence work in Ethiopia. Because this is not the focus of Nanyang's intelligence work, there are only three people under his command.
“It is true. Because we are on a plateau, the climate is particularly pleasant, which is completely different from that in the plains. Thinking about Hyderabad the year before last, I could faint from the heat two or three times a day. ”
Liu Dewen’s As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Shubang laughed and said,
“Haha, that’s an exaggeration. It’s not hotter than Chang’an there.”
“But there’s no air conditioning! Besides, we were in the wild at the time, and it was so hot to stay there. Four or five days.”
This is true. Intelligence officers cannot stay in the office every day. Their job is to go out every day.
Soon, the barbecue was served. While the three of them were enjoying cold beer and barbecue, Liu Dewen took the initiative to introduce the situation in Ethiopia.
"Ethiopia is said to belong to the Sterling Area, but now it is more influenced by the United States. Since 1952, the United States has provided economic assistance to Ethiopia under the "Fourth Point Plan".
So far, the United States has provided $96.7 million in aid to Ethiopia, establishing food processing plants, cotton fabric manufacturing plants, oilseed refineries, glass factories and other enterprises. The current amount of aid to Ethiopia reaches the total amount of U.S. aid to Africa.
The banknotes issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia bear the signature of American Governor Blowers; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the United States provided loans to repair the roads; Americans also served as the National Planning Bureau, Highways Director of the bureau and head of the royal household.”
Tian Chenghua had already learned about these situations before he came. He took a bite of barbecue and asked.
“So what is our influence here?”
“For projects, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the United States provided loans to repair roads, and companies in Nanyang helped them build roads. Our Influence is basically this.”
“Not entirely right”
Liu Shubang retorted:
"We still have some influence. 70% of the imported industrial consumer goods in the local market come from Nanyang. Most of what they wear and use, including the cars on the road, are made in Nanyang."
"Also There are airplanes, and the emperor ordered a C717 last year. "
The emperor Liu Dewen mentioned was Emperor Haile Selassie.
“Actually, he originally wanted to order a C707, but the 707 is too big to fit into the airport here.”
“It’s mainly because it’s too expensive!” Liu Shubang said with a smile.
"What do you say about this place? Although in this country, there are some enlightened people trying to introduce this country into modernization.
But overall, until now, except for foreign aid from the United States, Little has changed here. Ethiopia's main income comes from customs and internal taxes. Coffee, tobacco, and animal skins are its main sources of foreign exchange earnings. Although the slave trade has disappeared, the ivory trade has also been caused by hunting in Central Africa for more than ten centuries. Disappeared.
Beyond the capital Addis Ababa is a medieval world. Except for some modern farms run by Europeans, the Ethiopian church and the great nobles who own almost all the land still follow the same rules as they have for thousands of years. The custom was to charge farmers land rent in kind, in addition to labor service, construction taxes on roads and bridges, and church taxes."
"There was no modern education, except for a few Canadian-aided secondary schools. There is no education at all in the country.”
"However, Japan does have a certain influence here. When Emperor Haile Selassie visited Japan in 1954, Japan sent 15,000 stable immigrants here, and they brought engineering and agricultural technology."
Tian Chenghua is no stranger to the Japanese presence in Ethiopia. The emperor also visited Nanyang that year, but did he get any benefits from Nanyang? Except for some old munitions.
However, Japan has transferred a certain amount of population there to relieve domestic population pressure.
"There is also Yugoslavia. Tito provided them with a large number of weapons, donated a sugar factory, a shoe factory and a brick factory, and sent doctors, teachers, military and agricultural advisors, and even Yugoslav experts also formulated a first five-year plan for the emperor from 1957 to 1961, but this plan was only made into a beautifully decorated book for propaganda and was never implemented."
This is the most amazing thing. This strange friendship between imperial Ethiopia and Yugoslavia that transcends ideology is based on the common foundation of fear of the Soviet Union.
Listening to Liu Shubang and Liu Dewen's narration, Tian Chenghua asked with some confusion:
"Why is this?"
"Church!"
< br>Liu Dewen said:
“Because the church believes that the rapid industrial development of the outside world after the war is meaningless and even anti-Christ for this country. Therefore, agricultural experts from both sides of the Iron Curtain all Comprehensive reforms of agriculture were recommended, including improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation projects, and the eradication of livestock diseases, but their suggestions were politely shelved."
Liu Shubang agreed from the side:
"Yes, it's just one sentence anyway. No matter what suggestions they make? The emperor will not accept them."
Listen to the two of them. The description made Tian Chenghua completely confused.
Any normal country will seize the opportunity to develop itself, but what about them? I have no idea about this at all.
Tian Chenghua has realized the danger of this country.
"So the biggest obstacle to the development of this country is the conservative aristocracy and church in their country."
"Yes, it is them."
Liu Dewen continued.
“At present, Ethiopia’s most determined force for reform is the army. Because the best high school graduates in the country must enter the Harar Military Academy established after the war.
So At present, the army is already a concentration of educated young people and is the backbone of the reformists. However, their promotion is hindered by older and less capable generals and officers, so these people are dissatisfied with them. "< br>
"You have overlooked one thing. These people have seen the outside world."
Liu Shubang said from the side:
"These young officers participated in the Peninsula War during the Peninsula War. At that time, Ethiopia The elite soldiers were selected and turned into a battalion, with approximately 1,200 men fighting under the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division.
During the war, they were considered one of the toughest units in the United Nations Army. They suffered more than half of their casualties during the war, but not one of them was captured."
After taking a sip of beer, Liu Shubang continued.
"Most of these people are now the backbone of the Ethiopian Army. They have seen the outside world.
They also know how the world is changing, so they are eager for change in their hearts. But Their ideas don't make any sense at all. At least, they don't make any sense until they have the power."
"Maybe..."
Tian Chenghua nodded and drank. Taking a sip of beer, he looked at the city built on the mountain at the foot of the mountain, thought for a while and said:
"Maybe it is, maybe it is not, who knows? After all, none of us can predict the future..."
(End of this chapter)