Chapter 590: Warmth and Care
"Welcome, Your Majesty, to our factory inspection!"
The director of the Harare Chromium Plant personally greeted Konstantin along with senior management. Per the king's request, the factory remained in full operation and did not shut down due to his visit.
Thick black smoke and the comings and goings of transport vehicles highlighted the factory's busy rhythm in the city's suburbs. After receiving notice of the king's visit, the workers were even more industrious than usual.
To Konstantin, the factory appeared much smaller than the tobacco plant—a contrast that didn't match his general perception of mining and industrial enterprises.
So he asked the Matabele Province official accompanying him, Greining, "Why is the tobacco factory so much larger than this chromium plant? The equipment too seems much less substantial."
"Your Majesty, it's due to demand. Tobacco is currently the most profitable industry in Matabele Province—not in terms of volume, but net profit. Tobacco accounts for nearly 30% of East Africa's domestic value and continues to grow. Thanks to our unique conditions, this share could rise above 60% in the future."
Greining continued, "As the province's tobacco processing hub, Harare plays a crucial role. Our city alone supplies 46% of East Africa's tobacco exports."
"I see—so the scale of Harare's tobacco plant is dictated by market demand?" Konstantin asked.
"Exactly, Your Majesty. Only demand determines investment scale. Otherwise, it's just a castle in the air. Also, the tobacco plant falls under the Ministry of Industry. We mainly serve in a supervisory and supportive role."
Konstantin dropped the issue but still found the chromium plant's scale lacking. So he asked, "What is chromium mainly used for? Why is it even on my itinerary? Is it really that important?"
It was a fair question. Chromium was discovered in 1797, only slightly older than Konstantin himself, and its uses were unfamiliar to the average person.
Greining deferred, "This is best explained by the technical expert. Director Hern, if you will?"
The plant director, Hern, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, chromium applications are indeed uncommon. It's mainly used to make chemical compounds, which sounds fancy and is typically handled by specialists. Most people haven't heard of it—that's normal. Let me explain briefly.
It was first discovered by the French chemist Vauquelin in Siberia, in a mineral called crocoite. He later used charcoal to reduce chromium trioxide and isolated metallic chromium. That same year, chromite was discovered—and most of East Africa's chromium deposits are in this form. Harare has one of the richest deposits.
For example, our plant mainly refines ore from a small mine southwest of the city. It's just a drop in the bucket compared to the total reserves, but more than enough for our current needs.
In terms of use, chromium is most widely applied in tanning leather and hardening alloys. I've only heard the basics—further studies are done at the Mbeya Metallurgy Institute."
Konstantin was satisfied with that answer. The mention of leather clarified its importance.
Leather was a crucial material—used in many industries and hard to replace. This was especially true in cold regions like Russia and Scandinavia.
East Africa had a warmer climate, but leather remained vital. In colonial times, fur exports were one of East Africa's main income sources—alongside ivory. They helped drive early development.
Today, wild animals had been thinned through multiple East African campaigns, but livestock had risen in their place. So the fur industry kept growing—particularly leather, where East Africa excelled.
Konstantin continued, "That answers the first question. But why is this plant on my schedule?"
Greining fielded this one. "Your Majesty, your itinerary was based on our province's key projects and enterprises. The chromium plant may be small, but it ranks in our top tier. Most importantly, it was once specifically mentioned by the Crown Prince."
Indeed, Ernst had taken note of it. East Africa's chromium reserves were a strategic asset, and laying the groundwork early made sense. But he had reservations—chromium plating had not yet emerged, and electricity in East Africa was still expensive, so no need to rush development.
Also, chromium refining was highly polluting. For now, it made more sense to invest in research—improve efficiency, enhance techniques, and develop cleaner methods before going all in.
Hern added, "Chromium's industrial use is still limited, but as physics and chemistry advance, who knows what its potential might be? Harare is just a starting point for this industry—providing data and serving our current needs."
"Very well. Let's go inside and take a look. You can handle the technical matters yourselves," Konstantin said.
He then focused on talking with front-line workers, learning about their lives and working conditions.
Although he had also visited the tobacco plant, the workload there was lighter, so he hadn't paid as much attention.
"How much do you earn each month?"
"Forty-five Rhine thalers. Last month, with overtime, I made forty-seven."
"Is that enough to live on?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. My family has five members—me, my wife, and our three children. One is six, another four, and the last is a newborn. They don't eat much. We even manage to save a bit each month."
"Six years old—so almost ready for school?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. By law, children must start school at age seven."
"How do you feel about compulsory education?"
"I'm satisfied. The government keeps saying, 'Knowledge is power.' I barely went to school myself, but I think that's very true. It helps with reading, writing letters, doing math—and schools provide a meal, which eases our burden even more."
"Yes, education is always good. East Africa needs educated people. Everything—from your factory's design to its materials and machinery—comes from knowledge. As our industry grows, we'll need more and more skilled workers."
Konstantin spoke freely and warmly, engaging workers with kindness. Official newspaper reporters were on site taking notes. Later, they would publish the story to promote the royal family's compassionate image.
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