"The concept of canning is simple. Cook the food, and seal it in a container. The French inventor Nicolas Appert sealed it in glass jars. But in Britain, machines use wrought iron cans to seal the food. No one knows how the food is preserved. Nicolas Appert has even admitted he has no idea how it works, but scientists are still looking into it."
The Belgian showed off the machinery, a simple can sealer.
"The cans have to be handmade, but we are keeping our eyes on the British markets. If anyone develops a way to make machines that can make cans, we will obtain it first. Then we'll disassemble the machinery and find out how it works before making our Belgian versions."
"I don't believe the manufacturers would let you take away such precious machinery considering how many of these people see the clones coming out of Belgium," Jan remarked.
The Belgian smirked, "I'll tell you this since we're once under the Kingdom of Netherlands, but we smuggle them through British customs. It ain't too hard to smuggle them across the British channel into Belgium. But that is already over, and Belgium is an independent Kingdom. So, I won't treat you like a fellow countryman."
The Belgium polities of Flanders and Walloon had primarily Roman Catholic, while the Northern regions of the Netherlands were filled with Dutch Protestants, naturally, the two did not see eye to eye on various issues. Belgium had a mostly industrialized economy, but the Netherlands were mostly agrarian. When Belgium seceded, most of the Netherlands' industry evaporated overnight. Thus, the Netherlands is a shell of its former self. The Boers could not rely on support from their old homeland in Elfrica.
"Do you mind opening a couple of canneries in this town? We have cheap food and vast minerals. Look at the various mines being opened in Cape Colony. Although we have not found a source of iron, we could import it from Cape Colony. We have recently discovered coal."
Jan placed a black rock on the desk. Recently handed to him from Ratfrica Mining Co, they unearthed it from a homesteader's farm. They negotiated on his behalf and bribed the owner with a large advance fee to get him and his whole family out of their way.
"Coal, you say?"
The Belgian took the black rock and observed it.
"Doesn't matter. I don't know of any mining companies willing to venture this far out to harvest some mere coal. It's not too valuable. It would be cheaper to import them from the Cape, where the coal mines are more established."
"But if a substantial industrial presence is established, producing coal here locally would be cheaper."
"If."
"I'll be honest with you Dutchman. I'm not too interested in opening canning factories here. I see the potential of course. You could export them to Asia and Europe cheaply here. But I'll have to make a stop here occasionally to check up on the factories. But I am a busy man and am not too interested in settling here."
The Belgian explained, pausing to study Jan's face.
"But I do know some associates that are emigrating out of Belgium for various reasons. Whether it be running away from debts in Belgium or various other reasons, do not worry about them mismanaging the various enterprises here. Once you make a mistake or two, you'll rarely repeat them. But because of this, I request preferential treatment."
"What kind?"
"Now we hail from the lowlands, so I won't be too harsh, and I see little reason for you to not acquiesce to my demands. But I request that the factories to be established here should not be taxed for a minimum of ten years. It would be unfair to tax these enterprises, as they will be barely struggling to make a profit here as they take time to establish themselves. Men must be trained to use the machinery. And I question the quality of your workers."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know how many of your men can read or write. I've been in the business for long enough. There is a vast difference in work quality between an illiterate and a literate worker. My associates would rather have the latter, so give or take a couple of months would be spent training men to read and write. Production would be slow. Thus, I hope you do not see my demands as unreasonable."
Jan took some time to think, studying the canning machine intently.
"Just curious, how much would can food go for if it were manufactured here?"
"I can assure you it would be much more expensive compared to its European counterparts. The price of obtaining the raw material inputs would be much higher. Thus, it is a novelty item for the petite bourgeoisie and upper class. However, the main market comes from the army. You don't have to worry about food being spoiled while being on the march. I believe that there is a need here that can be fulfilled using canned food. And that is with you trekkers trekking further and further inland into the Elfrican interior. Only the wealthy would be able to purchase them, but only the wealthy can purchase a wagon and start a trek."
"So you saying I'll mostly purchase them for my own needs and should not rely on local consumer demand?"
"Correct. I hope you will put your money where your mouth is."
They had to hash out numerous things. For instance, a walk around the pier to demarcate some warehouses for their personal use. A tour around the town, where farmers were delighted with the higher prices of their produce due to the temporary ban on all Zulu goods enacted by Pretorius. Urbanites grumbled but had little political clout due to the number of farmers far outnumbering them.
"You said food prices were low but from what I see. The prices are rather high," The Belgian remarked, perusing a market stall.
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"A temporary ban on Zulu goods is being enacted. Once it is removed, I believe the prices of food will fall dramatically. Just for the canned food industry's sake, I can circumvent this for the business, and allow you to procure Zulu produce cheaply."
"You better because you would be sponsoring the initial purchase orders. Do not blame me due to the high prices. The factory owner would not offend their biggest customer, after all."
With the tour conducted, he bid the Belgian goodbye and went to deal with the rats on the farm.
"So far, we only found this small deposit. But I'm sure there is more nearby." The Austrian rat, Bastian explained.
"So, you have put all your efforts into digging up coal?"
"Could always make money by dumping them into the Cape Colony, who will then bring it Britain. I rather focus our efforts on something that is right in front of us than any elusive minerals like gold or diamonds."
"So, as you have said, the farmer is gone with his family? I assume, there was little trouble?"
The rat showed its front tooth and swung its tail from side to side.
"If you ask if we had to resort to guns, then no. We did not have to use them. All I did was offer the man two years' worth of estimated profits on this little subsistence farm, you will be footing the bill of course, as previously discussed."
Jan nodded, and Bastian continued.
"The chaos due to the unrest has slowed our progress. My boys were thinking of running out of town when we first heard about the unrest. But some correspondence in the Pietermaritzburg let me know of Pretorius' intervention, so my boys stayed put. The unrest might leave us with little leverage when negotiating with some of the mining firms, but it is what it is."
"I apologize for the unrest. I have… mismanaged the situation, resulting in much distress for all of us."
"I'm not someone who gives up so easily. I still see the potential profits right before us. So, I will skedaddle like the rest of the foreign merchants and traders. I am a professional after all. And those men will come back with their goods in a few months."
The elven bureaucrats in their workforce all resigned from their positions, fearing for their safety since much of their work presided in Boer town. Calls rang out for a fence to be constructed between the Boer and Zulu districts, firmly dividing the area in two.
Racism and Bigotry spilt in the Boer towns. Inns and taverns were hanging signs that they would serve no disgusting elves. And swears and curse words were thrown around casually, knowing full well that they could and will not be retaliated upon for their words.
"What a mess," Jan caressed his head, and he saw the numbers fall. The remaining Boer bureaucrats compiled a report of the overall situation, and numbers were all down. As the Austrian rat, Bastian pointed out, there was a large exodus of merchants due to the instability. Many of them headed for towns such as Pietermaritzburg where they perceived it was safer since it was closer to Pretorius. The goods flowing into the town decreased by about 75%. It was depressing to look at the statistics.
"What can I say, sir? Those Boers only saw elves as lesser to them. With the current unrest, those who kept their mouths sheathed could unleash all the words that wanted to see the light of day. For the Zulu's safety, and to prevent the escalation of another conflict. My advice would be to build the fence, no matter how much I disagree with it principally," Russell explained.
He pointed at the windows, where a long rope was drawn between the districts, indicating which is Boer, which is Zulu. Men were voluntarily patrolling on each side, watching the other side.
"There might come a day when we can tear down such a fence. But for the safety of both parties, let us construct one. Allocate some funds to construct the fence. At least those men could stop wasting their time patrolling about a rope."
"Now I hope you're thinking similarly, but I think one of Pretorius' subordinates instigated the unrest," Russell speculated.
"The port was growing too fast. It was natural that some would be jealous of its success. But I didn't expect it to blow up in such a manner."
"I think Pretorius knows it. That was why he was so harsh on you. One of the men with him would report it to this saboteur. But even if we catch him there is little we can do. Such a person would be higher in the hierarchy and would be even someone Pretorius would not be able to touch."
"Why do you say so?"
"The mass exodus of merchants to Pietermaritzburg directly benefits Pretorius and the Veldkornets serving in the various districts around the capital. That's why I think the saboteur would have to be another Veldkornet, as they will most likely benefit from your downfall. Without your father's influence, it was likely that the town could implode spectacularly, but few wanted to make enemies with your father since they were on friendly terms with him. After all, they were all comrades during the Battle of Blood River."
"But if that was true, then we cannot suspect any of the Veldkornets. I do not think they would try to cut me down to size. After all, they are friends of father. Or even Pretorius since it's highly unlikely he wanted to see things become like that."
"Hmm… you're right. Then the most likely candidate is likely another trekker leader or Commando settling around Pietermaritzburg. While they won't be able to benefit the most from the port's downfall, they would most likely revel in knocking you down a peg."
"Any Commando settling by Pietermaritzburg? Could you look into that for me?"
"I'll try my best. But the number of trekker parties setting off from Pietermaritzburg to the Elfrican interior makes it hard to identify them. It would be easier if we enlist Pretorius' assistance, I'm sure he has records on them."
"I don't think informing Pretorius would be good. As you've said, he already knows. He's likely doing his digging into it. Or there is likely something holding him back. Perhaps his every action is being tracked. It will not be too hard, he's like a public figure there."
"Very well. I won't be putting too many resources into this effort. For even if we find the culprit, we will not be able to touch that man. And even if we somehow struck him down, I don't think he would be the only one jealous of your work."
"Siebe Baert."
"Jan Boddewijk."
The two men shook on it and introduced themselves.
"You're the man who will manage the can food factories?"
"Indeed. I have some experience operating them in Belgium before I ran out of the country."
"If you don't mind, do you mind telling me your story? It is fine not to share, many men rather keep their past anonymous in these parts."
"It's fine. No reason to distrust each other since I hope we will have a long and fruitful working relationship," Siebe took some time to ponder for about some time before opening his lips.
"During the Belgium Revolution, many shops in Brussels were destroyed by the nationalistic mob. I cursed those men that destroyed my store, and they chased after me as I tried to flee their fervour. I remember tripping over something and falling onto the ground. The mob descended on me, and they kicked me. My arms, my legs, my stomach. All of it hurt."
Siebe paused, trying his best to remember.
"I can't remember after that. But after being beaten to a pulp by my countrymen, I hoped for the restoration of order by the Netherlands. But the French had to intervene and prevent them from doing so, allowing Belgium to become independent. I stayed in the country for quite some time, opening a new store, and hoping for the Netherlands to restore order. But by 1839, when the Treaty of London was signed, I lost all hope and fled the nation."
Shrugging his shoulders, Siebe smirked.
"I'm looking for a new start. And an old associate brought me here. I hope nothing of that sort will happen."
Jan remembered the unrest that unfold previously and forced himself to smile.
"Of course. I hope to have a fruitful working relationship with you too."
Jan gave him a tour. He showed him the warehouses reserved for the operation. There was food secretly purchased cheaply from the Zulus and wrought iron cans that the Belgian machinery merchant left behind.
Showing him the building reserved for their operations, the first floor was filled with canning machinery. The second floor served as accommodation for occupants.
"Well, I will need workers. Do you have men that can read or write in English or Dutch?"
"Those are… hard to come by. You will have to pay them good wages for them to quit their current jobs working for various merchants."
"Good wages encourage good work. I'm no penny pincher. So, are there any orders to fulfil?"
"I'm looking to have a thousand cans of can food in a few months. I know it is expensive to manufacture these, so is one pound sterling per can good?"
"The raw input goods will cost more here in Elfrica. Not to mention the cost of skilled labourers. It will have to be two-pound sterling at most."
Jan took some to think.
"I tell you what. I'll order an initial run of 100 cans for two pounds a can. The raw inputs are already in the warehouse. Use the money as seed money to hire workers. During the production run, try to optimize the various processes. Once we're done with the initial run, we can discuss increasing the volume in the future. Is that suitable?"
"Very suitable, sir. I will get right on it."