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Chapter 1145 Hidden Dangers of the African Empire (First Update, Please Subscribe)
Every country desires to be prosperous and strong!

Especially after World War II, almost every newly born country, its elites who opened their eyes, had some kind of dream of becoming rich and strong!
Not to mention in Asia, the same is true even in Africa.

Ethiopia!
Before World War II, it was the only independent country in all of Africa!
It was called Abyssinia then.

The 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 - this even had a certain mythological interest.

But anyway, as the only independent country in Africa before the war, they even defeated the Italian invasion in the 19th century!

Therefore, it is famous all over the world. Although the country was occupied by Italy before World War II, it was liberated with the help of the Allied Forces.

After the country was liberated, Emperor Haile Selassie gave a stirring speech, declaring that "this day marks the beginning of a new era in Ethiopia's 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".

Post-war Ethiopia ushered in the best period in its history. There was no threat of invasion from foreign powers, and the domestic political elites were also formulating ambitious plans there - enterprises were changing the backward reality here.

Addis Ababa.

The name means "City of Flowers". The city was built on Mount Endoto, and the main street is built beside the water. The streets are full of exotic flowers, which is why it is called "City of Flowers". Although it is located in the tropics, it is spring-like all year round because it is located at an altitude of more than 2400 meters.

Eucalyptus trees are everywhere in and around the city. They are slender and luxuriant. This tree, introduced from Australia, grows fast. More than 70 years ago, Emperor Menelik II, who built his capital here, called on the people to plant them widely under the advice of European consultants to solve the problem of firewood and building materials in the capital. At the same time, the state provided seedlings at low prices and exempted land taxes for planting trees. In less than years, eucalyptus trees not only covered the entire city, but also formed a wide 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 cool as if it were air-conditioned.

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 meat for them.

"It's comfortable. Although it's close to the equator, the temperature here is so pleasant. It's not an exaggeration to say that it's spring all year round."

Tian Chenghua, sitting on a folding chair, exclaimed with enjoyment.

He is a newly appointed intelligence officer, responsible for Nanyang's intelligence work in Ethiopia. Since this is not the focus of Nanyang's intelligence work, he has only three people under him.

"That's true. Because we are on the plateau, the climate is very pleasant. It's completely different from the plains. Think about Hyderabad two years ago. I fainted from the heat two or three times in one day."

As soon as Liu Dewen finished speaking, Liu Shubang smiled and said,
"Haha, that's an exaggeration. It's not hotter there than in Chang'an."

"But there's no air conditioning! Besides, we were in the wild for four or five days."

This is true. Intelligence personnel cannot stay in the office every day. Their job is to go out every day.

Soon, the barbecue was served. While the three people were enjoying the 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 Ethiopia with $9670 million in aid, which has helped it build food processing plants, cotton textile factories, oilseed refineries, glass factories, etc. The current amount of aid to Ethiopia accounts for half of the total amount of aid the United States provides to Africa.

The National Bank of Ethiopia issued banknotes with the signature of its American president, Blowers; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided loans to repair roads; and Americans served as directors of the National Planning Bureau, the Highway Bureau, and the head of the royal household.

Tian Chenghua had already known about these situations before he came. He took a bite of barbecue and asked.

“So what about our influence here?”

"Projects. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the United States provided loans to repair roads, and companies in Southeast Asia helped them build roads. This is basically our influence."

“Not entirely.”

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."

"And airplanes. The emperor ordered a C717 last year."

The emperor Liu Dewen mentioned was Emperor Haile Selassie.

"In fact, 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.

“How can I say this place? Although there are some enlightened people in this country who are trying to modernize the country.

But overall, until now, apart from foreign aid from the United States, there has been little change here. Ethiopia's main income comes from tariffs and domestic taxes, and coffee, tobacco, and animal skins are its main sources of foreign exchange income. Although the slave trade has disappeared, the ivory trade has also disappeared due to hunting in Central Africa for more than a dozen centuries.

Outside the capital Addis Ababa is a medieval world. In addition to some modern farms run by Europeans, the Ethiopian church and the great nobles, who own almost all the land, still collect rent in kind from the farmers according to the practice that has been in place for thousands of years. In addition, the farmers also have to perform labor, pay taxes on the construction of roads and bridges, and church taxes.

"There is no modern education. Apart from a few secondary schools assisted by Canada, there is no education at all in the whole country."

"However, speaking of it, Japan did have a certain influence here. When Emperor Haile Selassie visited Japan in 54, Japan sent 1.5 stable immigrants here, who brought engineering and agricultural technology."

Tian Chenghua was not unfamiliar with the Japanese presence in Ethiopia. The emperor had visited Southeast Asia that year, but he did not gain any benefits from Southeast Asia, except for some old weapons.

However, Japan transferred a certain number of people there to ease the domestic population pressure.

"Then there is Yugoslavia. Tito provided them with a large amount of weapons, donated a sugar factory, a shoe factory and a brick factory, and sent doctors, teachers, and military and agricultural advisers. Yugoslav experts even formulated the first five-year plan from 1957 to 1961 for the emperor, but this plan was only made into a large book with beautiful decorations for propaganda and was never implemented."

This is the most amazing thing: the unique friendship between imperial Ethiopia and Yugoslavia, which transcends ideology, is built on the common foundation of fear of the Soviet Union.

Listening to Liu Shubang and Liu Dewen talking back and forth, Tian Chenghua asked with some confusion:
"Why is this?"

"church!"

Liu Dewen said:
"Because the church believed that the rapid industrial development of the outside world after the war was meaningless and even anti-Christian to the country. Therefore, agricultural experts from both sides of the Iron Curtain all suggested comprehensive reforms of agriculture, including improving seeds, applying fertilizers, building irrigation projects, and eradicating livestock diseases, but their suggestions were politely shelved."

Liu Shubang agreed:

"Yes, in short, no matter what suggestions they make, the emperor will not accept them at all."

After listening to their descriptions, Tian Chenghua was completely confused.

Any normal country would seize the opportunity to develop itself, but what about them? They have no idea in this regard at all.

Tian Chenghua has realized the danger of this country.

"So the biggest obstacle to the development of this country is the conservative nobles and church in their country."

"Yes, that's them."

Liu Dewen continued.

"At present, the most determined reform force in Ethiopia is the army, because the best high school graduates in the country have to enter the Harar Military Academy established after the war.

So the army is now a concentration of educated young people and the backbone of the reformists. But their promotion is hindered by older and less capable officers and colonels, so these people are dissatisfied with them. "

"You overlook the fact that these people have seen the outside world."

Liu Shubang said:
“These young officers had fought in the Peninsular War, when Ethiopia selected elite soldiers to form a battalion of about 1200 soldiers to fight under the U.S. Army’s Seventh Infantry Division.

During the war, they were considered one of the toughest units in the UN forces, suffering more than half their casualties, but none of them were captured.”

After taking a sip of beer, Liu Shubang continued.

“Most of these people are now the backbone of the Ethiopian Army, and they have seen the outside world.

They also know that the world is undergoing a transformation, so they are eager for change. But their ideas are meaningless. At least, they are meaningless now before they gain power. "

"Maybe……"

Tian Chenghua nodded, took a sip of beer, looked at the city built on the mountain below, thought for a moment and said:
"Maybe it is, maybe not, who knows? After all, none of us can predict the future..."

(End of this chapter)