Chapter 565: Naval Cooperation
"In the next two weeks, the navy must adapt to the local climate and restore combat readiness quickly. This may be the East African Navy's first real combat mission since its founding, so I expect everyone to treat it with utmost seriousness."
The East African fleet docked at the Zhuhai Trade Zone and began acclimatization training. Although East Africa controlled vast maritime territory, this was their first time operating in the Far East for a combat mission.
Training near Zhuhai proved difficult for the East African Navy. Likewise, the Far Eastern Empire wasn't entirely comfortable with the arrangement either. But given that the Guangdong Fleet, responsible for the area's maritime defense, was woefully weak, they had no choice but to tolerate the presence.
Within the Far Eastern naval structure, there were four major fleets: Beiyang, Nanyang, Fujian, and Guangdong. The Beiyang Fleet was the most renowned and favored as the "imperial son" due to its role in guarding the northern coast—where the empire's political center, the Jingji region, was located. The government's mistrust of the southern regions ensured that Beiyang received the lion's share of resources.
The Nanyang Fleet had a somewhat misleading name. Though it suggested "Southeast Asia," its base was in the coastal regions of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Ernst considered Southeast Asia and the East Indies the true Nanyang region. Nanyang's ships were mainly built at the Jiangnan and Fuzhou shipyards, with a few imported from Britain and Germany. Despite being second in strength, it was far inferior to Beiyang.
The Fujian Fleet had the longest history and highest domestic production capacity, being closely tied to the Fuzhou Shipyard.
At the bottom was the Guangdong Fleet—weakest, smallest, and least known. It had only a dozen vessels with a total displacement of just a few thousand tons. One top-tier East African ironclad alone exceeded 7,000 tons, making the gap between the two navies painfully clear.
The East African flagship "Partridge" wasn't the biggest vessel, but it still displaced over 6,800 tons. The other two ironclads were over 5,000 tons each. Their combined displacement exceeded that of the entire Guangdong Fleet.
Compared to East Africa's expeditionary force, the Guangdong Fleet was like a child among giants. Its most modern ships were still sail-powered—no match even for East African gunboats.
Guangdong's next modernization wouldn't come until after 1882. For now, its best ships dated back to before 1868.
"Captain Luo, once you return, please communicate with your navy officials. During our joint naval exercises, I hope your country can assist us. Our main goal is the Southern Ryukyus. We won't pull a Portugal and seize your territory."
East Africa had to tread carefully while training in another nation's waters. To justify their presence, they claimed the purpose was joint anti-piracy drills.
The long-term plan was to base the Pacific fleet in the Southern Ryukyus. But for now, the islands lacked proper infrastructure—even the ports were ancient. East Africa still hadn't finished land-based construction.
"General Gleis, you're too kind. We trust your nation's intentions. But just to be clear, we only ask that any conflict between your country and Japan not involve us."
"Of course. We'll handle Japan ourselves. Even if something goes wrong, we won't blame you. Letting us rest and resupply here already means a lot to us. We're not the type to forget a favor," Gleis assured Captain Luo Yijun.
"Haha, then I wish you success in your mission."
Although he said the right words, Luo Yijun didn't fully believe them. He didn't trust Japan—or East Africa. But in an age full of wolves and snakes, East Africa didn't seem so bad by comparison.
If East Africa and Japan both suffered losses, that would be ideal. At the very least, Luo hoped East Africa would cripple the Japanese navy.
Japan was the real threat. East Africa was far away—closer than Europe but still remote. A glance at the globe showed that Japan couldn't even see East Africa from the Pacific side. But the Indian Ocean side connected Far East and East Africa clearly.
"Captain Luo, I'm not just making promises. Since you helped us, we can return the favor in the future. In training, warship procurement, and weapons, we can help. We have good ties with both Germany and Austria-Hungary."
"Good. If the opportunity arises, I hope we can work together again," Luo replied without hesitation.
And that opportunity would come soon. After 1880, navies around the world—including those of the Far East, Germany, the U.S., and Japan—began to expand significantly.
But Ernst wasn't sure Japan would keep pace. East Africa had altered many nations' destinies. Japan's most valuable industry was silk, which had grown well—but not as well as in the original timeline.
Due to East African and German investment in the Far East, the Far Eastern Empire's textile industry was thriving—far more than before. Powerful merchant groups like Jin and Hui families were deeply involved.
The Far Eastern government focused on heavy and military industry. That left textiles and other light industries to private enterprise. The Huaihai and Zhuhai zones became ideal areas for such investment. Local entrepreneurs borrowed from Hechingen Bank, creating a win-win scenario.
Japan, meanwhile, struggled. Nearly ten million Far Eastern immigrants had gone to East Africa, easing the local population burden and freeing up resources for industrial growth.
Fewer people meant more land available for factories. The Far East's textile industry now competed directly with Japan's cheap labor—but with more advantages. East Africa supplied raw materials, machinery, funding, and even markets.
Japan could borrow from Britain—but Britain couldn't change Japan's small size. Unless Japan somehow acquired Australia or Canada, its limitations would remain. And that kind of dream was just that—a dream.
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