Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Village Site Selection

East African Colony - East Malawi Lake District

"This is the ideal location. Utilizing the natural terrain of the riverbed, we will construct a series of dams to channel water this way. This approach not only diverts excess river water but also ensures that the water supply remains steady during the dry season. Additionally, it can effectively manage excess rainwater during the wet season," explained Luo De to the villagers while indicating a specific area within the riverbed with variations in elevation.

This river, situated in the upper reaches of the Lufuma River, may be relatively small, but its waters eventually join the larger Lufuma River. The surrounding terrain boasts extensive flatlands with fertile soil, making it highly suitable for agriculture.

Starting this year, East African immigrants have been migrating northward along the Ruvuma River, establishing settlements one after another along its northern banks. This process is gradually filling the gaps in the lower coastal regions and the East Malawi Lake area, forming the initial residential belt distributed along the river in East Africa.

Even the port of Mtwara in the southern region of East Africa has been touched by this wave of immigrants, with ships frequently docking at Mtwara Port.

Concerned about potential flooding, the acting village chief, Wasim, inquired of Roald, "Mr. Roald, if we construct the village here, will we face the risk of flooding?"

Roald replied, "I've conducted a thorough survey of the terrain here, along with studying the maps provided by the East African government. In this vicinity, there are no elevated areas; it's essentially a flat plain. During the rainy season, if heavy rainfall occurs, it will disperse evenly across the area. So, as long as we effectively manage drainage by constructing additional channels and sewers to redirect excess rainwater from the village into the river, we shouldn't face significant issues."

Wasim continued with his concerns, "Building the village near the riverbank would make development easier, but what if the river experiences a sudden surge during the rainy season? Can it handle the increased water flow, or will it flood the surrounding land?"

Roald addressed this issue, stating, "I've already taken that into account, Mr. Wasim. Here, the Rufuma River meets this smaller river at this point, and our current location is to the northwest of their confluence. This area stands approximately half a meter higher than its surroundings. I've also studied the soil and river channels in the vicinity. Even during historical flooding, the river's water level would not exceed ten meters from the riverbank. Therefore, our primary concern here is not excessive rainfall but rather insufficient rain. Developing additional water resources for agriculture poses no harm. The reason I've proposed an arch dam in the middle of the river is to secure a water supply during the dry season. Although the population here is currently small, we can't predict future growth. Water demand may increase significantly, especially considering European population densities."

As a professional, Roald meticulously analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the site selection.

Wasim, however, expressed reservations, saying, "The project doesn't seem too difficult, especially compared to the Ruvuma River, which is significantly larger. But, at the moment, we have limited resources. We only have around a hundred and ten people, and we might not be able to commence work until additional personnel arrive, and the allocation of laborers is organized. Right now, our priority is preparing housing and cultivating the surrounding land."

Wasim hailed from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and had previously been a villager near Ron Roda in the lower coastal area. Upon immigrating to the Ruvuma River Basin, he took on the role of establishing a village with new immigrants, thanks to his experience as an old immigrant.

As an acting village chief, Wasim was a position he secured relatively easily. Education was scarce across East Africa, which led to the selection of leaders from the local population.

Wassim's proactive nature and scarcity of applicants for the role led to his appointment. Chinese immigrants usually demonstrated stability, reducing the competition for positions like village chief. European immigrants, on the other hand, preferred to remain in Ron Roda, bringing their own groups to develop new areas, making them unlikely candidates for these roles.

Village chiefs in East Africa, particularly during the initial stages of development, faced numerous challenges, including the demanding responsibilities of the position. Despite offering a slightly higher monthly salary than ordinary laborers, it remained an unattractive prospect for most immigrants.

Roald reassured Wasim, saying, "Mr. Wasim, rest assured. I've spent a considerable amount of time working in East Africa, and I'm well aware of the region's efficiency. I'm confident that the East African government will provide support soon. However, this is contingent on us finalizing the village plan and reporting the construction site promptly."

Roald was a geography student hired by the East African colony at a high salary. He had been working in East Africa for nearly two years, arriving half a year before Wasim.

However, East Africa struggled to retain such talents. Many individuals, including those lured by high salaries, came to East Africa with the aim of making quick money and moving on. Roald, an educated individual, was a rare talent in his era. His journey to East Africa stemmed from an impulsive decision caused by his youth and a tendency towards gambling.

Despite coming from a relatively well-off family, Roald had accrued a small gambling debt. Fearful of his strict father's reaction, he concealed this debt from his family and sought a job in the hopes of paying it off. Fate brought him into contact with a recruiter from the Heixingen Consortium.

In an agreement that helped Roald clear his gambling debt, the East African colony provided him with a threefold salary, allowing him to return home to Europe on a Hechingen ship once a year. Lured by such prospects, the young Roald enthusiastically embarked on an adventurous journey.

Upon working in East Africa, Roald discovered the region's favorable conditions and the colony's commitment to fulfilling its promises. Nevertheless, he found the place to be incredibly impoverished. Roald's role primarily involved scouting potential locations suitable for habitation in East Africa, often taking him to sparsely populated regions. This journey meant bidding farewell to the luxuries and vibrancy of the world, similar to Ernst's earlier experiences in life.

Despite the hardships, Roald grew attached to his job. He managed to overcome his gambling addiction, travel extensively across East Africa, and witness geographical landscapes that had only existed in his textbooks. When he eventually returned to Europe, he believed he would have no trouble finding work, even aspiring to become a university teacher.

In summary, Roald's time in East Africa marked a period of personal growth. While he planned to return to Europe for future career prospects once his contract ended, he cherished the experiences and lessons learned during his time in this unique region.