I Really Didn't Want To Make A Lot Of Money

Chapter 223

Senegal is the westernmost country on the African continent, with a backward economy and a per capita GDP of only a few hundred dollars. Dakar, the capital, is a regional port city because of its strategic location. It was also the starting point of France’s ambitious African railway network.

In the 19th century, the French occupied large colonies in Africa. In order to facilitate management and development, the French established “French West Africa” ​​in 1895, including today’s eight countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger.

The smug French dreamed of building Africa into the so-called “New France” and planned to build railways between cities in the colonies to interconnect them. On the one hand, it is to transport Africa’s rich mineral deposits and products, and on the other hand, it is convenient to quickly mobilize the army and maintain the rule.

According to the French plan, an unprecedented rail network extending in all directions will be formed throughout West Africa, connecting the coast and inland of West Africa. The first railway built by the French in French West Africa was the Dakar-Bamako railway.

However, in the eyes of many people, this railway is actually an unfinished project. Because the French originally planned to build the railway from Dakar to Niamey, the capital of Niger today, passing Bamako on the way.

Fortunately, one section of the railway can be used after repairing one section. However, the French did not expect that even this unfinished section, because Senegal and Mali became two countries, the unfinished project was divided into two parts.

What is regrettable is that this unfinished railway that was built a hundred years ago is still the main economic artery of Mali and Senegal to this day.

A hundred years ago, the French were capable of building railways, but a hundred years later, Mali and Senegal did not have the money to maintain this railway. It seems that in a hundred years, this area has not advanced but is regressing.

When the plane landed in Dakar, Chen Ling looked at the international airport terminal, which was like a bus station, with emotion in his heart. The violent colonial rule of the French back then was of course wrong, but today the Senegalese and Malians manage themselves by themselves, but there are always endless problems and slow development. What is the crux of it?

François and Bill did not have these thoughts. They used to travel to Africa before, and they had already seen no surprises. What they have to do now is to take care of the boss Chen Ling. Bill will take a look at the rally while François wants to take the opportunity to take a stroll on the Atlantic Ocean.

While waiting for the luggage, Chen Ling was not in a high mood, and felt the two people’s vacation mentality. He thought it was necessary to remind them, and said, “You may not understand why I have to walk along this railway. It doesn’t matter; but you Please note that this time you are not out for vacation, but out for work. You can’t relax too much.”

François quickly said: “Mr. Chen, please rest assured, we will devote ourselves to security work. The local partner unit has sent people to the airport, and they will provide 24-hour security services in accordance with our plan.”

Bill also followed suit. It doesn’t matter if you don’t watch the rally, work first.

Chen Ling looked at the two men’s serious faces, still feeling uneasy.

“Two of you, I don’t know why. From the time the plane descended, I didn’t feel very good, but I can’t say what’s wrong with it. We must stay vigilant!”

François and Bill looked at each other and began to get serious. Both of them knew that Chen Ling had the ability to predict things at critical moments, and he was very accurate every time.

When Chen Ling suddenly said unexplained bad feelings, it is likely that there really is a big problem.

François suggested: “Mr. Chen, let me send some people from Algeria.”

Chen Ling thought for a while, shook his head and said, “No. More people may not be able to solve the problem. Let’s follow the established plan.”

Bill said, “Would you like to inform Molly? She does things more carefully than me and François.”

Chen Ling thought about it again and said, “Molly belongs to MI6. This piece is the territory of the French intelligence agency. Molly may be more troublesome when it comes, so she won’t let her get involved.”

After leaving the airport, the three people saw many tents printed with the logos of car manufacturers. These are the temporary points set up at the airport by the teams participating in the Dakar Rally. These teams have their own logistical support aircraft, because there are almost no decent supplies along the Dakar Rally, and ordinary vehicles cannot pass on the race route. They can only fly to the place designated by the organizer and wait for their own vehicles to arrive. After that, repairs and maintenance are carried out.

“Look at that!” Bill pointed to a giant map. “The red line is the race route. It crosses the railway twice.”

“Twice across the railway, if you happen to encounter a train passing…” Francois did not understand this arrangement.

Bill laughed and said: “This increases the chance of the race. The trains on the Bamako and Dakar railways are never on time, and God cannot predict when the train will pass.”

Chen Ling was dissatisfied and said: “The railway will be repaired in the future, and this kind of thing will never be allowed to happen!”

“Mr. Chen, then we have to train the locals well…” François thought that Chen Ling was talking about the train late.

Chen Ling shook his head and said, “It’s not that. The train delay is a technical problem that can always be resolved. I mean this practice of racing vehicles crossing the railway at will.”

Bill didn’t understand, and said: “I believe the organizer will definitely have security measures and there will be no problems.”

“No, it’s not just a safety issue. Many railways cross roads. This is common and there are traffic lights. However, it is wrong to let racing cars cross the railway in an disorderly manner. This is important to the railway. disregard.”

François probably understood what Chen Ling meant, and said: “This is partly because the railway is not up to date, and the operation management is too poor.”

“You are right. We are here to change this situation!”

François shook his head: “Mr. Chen, it’s not that I said frustrated. It is very difficult for you to change this situation. The Tanzania-Zambia Railway that you Chinese helped build is a typical example. In the hands of those two countries, they made it into a mess.”

“Have you known about that railway?” Chen Ling asked.

“Understand a little bit, I’m currently collecting major projects done by Chinese in Africa.”

Bill curiously asked: “Why are you collecting this?”

Francois said seriously: “Mr. Chen’s approach is different from that of other Chinese people. I want to see which one is more beneficial to Africa.”

Chen Ling hadn’t thought about these things himself, and couldn’t help but look at François with admiration. This big man had been studying Chinese culture some time ago, and now he is starting to study Chinese people in Africa. He must have been working hard.

Chen Ling asked: “Then have you summed up any differences?”