Cutting 1719

Chapter 665 The Declining Mughals
In October of the 15th year of innovation, the city of Lahore fell into a bleak wind and rain. The rolling autumn wind brought a deep sense of depression, but it seems that the Mughal Empire has gone through the most glorious stage. Ushered in the fate of lingering, and even a decent result cannot be obtained.

The Mughal dynasty was the last Indo-Persian dynasty that ruled the entire South Asian subcontinent. It was established by the Mongols with Turkic ancestry, that is, Babur, the descendant of Timur. After experiencing the era of Babur and Humayun After the events of the Mughal Empire, the Mughal Empire reached its heyday under the hands of the third emperor Akbar to the sixth emperor Aurangzeb. Not only the territory and territory reached the peak, but also the economy was very strong.

Especially the sixth Mughal emperor Aurangbuze, he was an emperor similar to "Yang Guang" and "Li Shimin". He received a very good court education since he was a child. , defeated three brothers in the fierce war of succession to the throne, and imprisoned his father, becoming the Mughal emperor.

Of course, after ascending the throne, Aurangzeb also repeatedly attacked, annexed Bengal and the Deccan region backwards, expanded the territory of the Mughal Empire to the entire South Asian subcontinent except the southernmost tip, and fought in the Anglo-Mughal War. Protecting the trade rights of the Bengal region brought the power of the Mughal dynasty to its peak.

However, there are also very obvious shortcomings in this great emperor. He has adhered to a principle all his life, that is, 'no compromise, no reconciliation'. Tough and downright resolute. Therefore, during Aurangbuze's ruling career, he completely abandoned the national policy of religious tolerance since Akbar the Great, levied a poll tax on domestic illegals, and completely drove them out of the bureaucracy. It even completely suppressed the Marathas, making the empire almost torn apart and surrounded by Marathas and Sikhs.

It can be said that, relying on the mediocre heirs of the Maratha Empire at that time, it was impossible to achieve a rivalry with the Mughals. However, it was precisely because of Orambu's extreme policy issues that made Sivaji passively become a "warrior". Against the Mughal flag", Shiwaji was able to successfully unite the power of the entire Maratha tribe, thus establishing the Maratha Empire.

The Mughals were almost caught in the quagmire of war in the Deccan area. The Maratha generals united under Sivaji's command, and they could recruit a large number of cheap and high-morale soldiers almost effortlessly, while the Mughals People can only rely on local resources to support operations, and a very difficult situation has formed in the long run.

When faced with such difficult difficulties, Aurangzeb did not compromise at all. He was even more exaggerated than "the emperor guarding the country", and directly became "the emperor lives in the barracks". Born in the Mughal Empire created the "barracks generation", that is, born in the barracks and growing up in the barracks, and this crazy move almost caused the entire country's finances to collapse.

As the Mughals continued to be involved in the vortex of the Deccan War, the British, French, Dutch, and French East India Companies also began to gradually strengthen their own strengths and further penetrated the Mughal Empire. For example, Britain gradually controlled Madras and Mumbai, while France controlled Pondicherry. More importantly, as the Marathas continued to plunder the port of Surat controlled by the Mughals, the British These places, controlled by the French and the French, began to become key maritime hubs.

Therefore, when the great emperor died, the remaining Mughal Empire was not a really powerful country, but a country that was gradually falling apart, and soon fell into a state of disintegration.

And up to now, the Mughal Empire has also declined badly. The current emperor Muhammad Shah was a puppet of the Said brothers when he came to the throne. He killed Saeed, but the power is still in the hands of Asaf Jah I, and he appointed him as prime minister.

It was under such circumstances that Qian Songtao, the diplomatic ambassador of Dachu to Mozambique, came to Lahore, was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Assaf Jah, and prepared a grand banquet.

The banquet venue is located in the diplomatic and embassy area of ​​Lahore. It is just an ordinary three-story building. There is a very spacious banquet hall downstairs. The layout inside has a bit of Chinese style. Landscape paintings are hung on the walls, and the combination of mahogany furniture and Chinese porcelain looks quite charming.

When Qian Songtao walked into the banquet hall accompanied by Prime Minister Assaf Jah, he was a little surprised. Obviously, the other party was prepared, and this can also reflect that Assaf Jah did things well. some of the features.

Asaf Jah I smiled slightly and said: "Ambassador Qian has come from afar, and some simple preparations are really not respectful. I was planning to find a few authentic Chinese chefs to welcome Ambassador Qian, but there is really no one. It’s a good candidate to let it go.”

Although Asaf Jah I was polite in his words, Qian Songtao still felt the sincerity of the other party, because at the banquet, all kinds of delicacies from India and Persia appeared in front of the crowd like flowing water, and all kinds of grabs Rice, herb-roasted chicken, meatballs, tandoori-roasted lamb, and milk bread dotted with nuts, herbs, and poppy seeds, the hundreds of dishes are almost dizzying. On the way people deliver food, they are sprayed with rose water and ambergris to ensure the perfect taste and smell.

It has to be said that Qian Songtao was a little amazed by this kind of almost extravagant banquet, and he was even a little dumbfounded, not because he thought the Mughal Empire was so powerful, but because he thought that the other party would still engage in such extravagant activities under such an embarrassing environment. Banquets are simply unimaginable.

You know, compared to the Mughals who don’t know how powerful and rich Chu is, the current court banquets are all trying to be simple. Even the emperor took the lead in stipulating that the dietary standards of the royal family and officials should not exceed four dishes and one soup, and they should not pursue luxury and weirdness. The food, just make sure you can eat enough.

However, Qian Songtao's surprise fell into the eyes of Asaf Jah I, and it became the source of the other party's elation. The reason why he advocated using such a big scene to welcome the envoys of Dachu was to be able to welcome the envoys of Dachu The strength and wealth of the Mughals were shown in front of the messenger.

"I have heard people say that your country's emperor Aurangzeb advocated simplicity, but now it seems that your country does not agree with it"

Qian Songtao smiled slightly. He deliberately asked Asaf Jah I such a question to see what the other party thought of Aurangzeb, which would also determine the future cooperation of Dachu.

Asaf Jah I's expression only changed slightly, and he quickly recovered his calm look, and said softly: "Actually, holding such a banquet a hundred times is not worth the cost of a war for the emperor, and for As far as the Mughal Empire is concerned today, if we can win over more friends, we will naturally be able to avoid unnecessary wars."

Qian Songtao nodded, raised his glass and said with a smile: "May Da Chu become a friend of the Mughal Empire, and may the friendship between the two countries last forever!"

"cheers!"

After the banquet, Qian Songtao did not continue to communicate with Asaf Jah I too much, mainly because he had just arrived in Lahore. He could not make some promises to the other party based on the current situation, and Asaf Jah I He Yi also understood this truth, so he didn't insist on asking to continue talking about something.

In fact, for Asaf Jah, with such a successful banquet, there is also the beginning of future success.

However, after Qian Songtao returned to the consulate, he did not really take time off. Instead, he seized the time to summon the person in charge of the shadow in India. He was an out-and-out foreigner, a typical French immigrant named Ranie The apparent identity is an olive oil merchant in Lahore.

"It seems that this banquet, my lord, went very well."

Ranie was holding a red wine glass, with a flattering smile on his face, he didn't look like the head of a secret intelligence organization at all, but more like those small vendors on the street, showing shrewdness from beginning to end the taste of.

With a little helplessness on Qian Songtao's face, he said softly: "Asaf Jah seems to be the real real power faction of the Mughals at present. I am a little surprised by his enthusiasm."

"That's natural. After all, the Mughal Dynasty is facing a lot of difficulties. He is eager to find an ally who can give more help, and Da Chu is a very good choice."

Ranie drank the red wine in one gulp, and said calmly: "Since the Mughals failed in the war with Maratha 14 years ago, the situation of the Mughals has gone from bad to worse. Eight years ago, the Mughal Empire was here in Ahmedabad. was defeated by the Maratha Empire, and just last year the coalition forces of Mughal and Hyderabad were successively defeated by the Maratha Empire in Bhopal and Firozabad; resulting in Delhi being looted and even The land between the Narmada and the Chambal was ceded to the Maratha Empire, and the situation for the entire Mughals was at stake."

Qian Songtao was slightly taken aback. He recalled that during the banquet, Asaf Jah seemed not anxious at all, and the other party seemed to care more about his own feelings. If this was the result of covering up, then Asaf Jah I am afraid that Jia He's Qi-nourishing Kungfu has really been practiced well.

Ranie continued: "More importantly, the Bangladesh region is also beginning to move around. According to my speculation, I am afraid that within the next two or three years, Bangladesh will also break away from the Mughal Empire. Ranni is not a person who is content with the status quo, and it is estimated that he will make some moves, and the situation in the Mughal Empire will become more serious by then."

"Do you think Da Chu can compete with the British and French in India in the future?"

Qian Songtao lit a cigarette, and after he took a deep breath, an inexplicable smell appeared in his eyes.

As Da Chu's current ambassador to the Mughals, Qian Songtao is by no means an ordinary diplomatic talent. He is not only proficient in multiple languages, but also very keen in thinking, especially good at analyzing the other party's psychology. Right now, he is already keen. I found an excellent opportunity, that is, the current India is still essentially in a power vacuum.

In the past few decades, although Western countries have coveted India, but after all, there is the Mughal Empire in front of them, so that they have not been able to extend their hands so far, but if they wait until the Mughals fall At that moment, India will usher in the era of warlords fighting for hegemony, and I am afraid that the brains of the dogs will come out by then.

And that is Da Chu's chance, a chance to truly rule India.

Ranie shook his head lightly, and said: "Great Chu doesn't have any influence in India at all, and there is no so-called foundation at all, but Britain and France are different, they have colluded with many princes and princes , and even the views on Lahore are held in a superficial attitude, if things change in the future, I am afraid that Britain and France will be the first to go. "

Qian Songtao took a puff of a cigarette unwillingly, and said sadly: "It seems a little late for us to come, but it's not too late to do it now. The Mughals won't fall so quickly. Even if the western countries have some foundations, we Don't be afraid - just one thing, I need to convince His Majesty to increase investment in Mughal."

"If you can convince His Majesty and the cabinet to change the focus of development, it is naturally possible." Ranie is naturally happy to see it, and he does not want to stay in Lahore for the rest of his life.

But only Qian Songtao understands how difficult it is to change the current development plan of the imperial court?After all, Dachu is already developing towards Southeast Asia and the Americas at the same time. If India is added, it will soon fall into a financial collapse, and at that time it will be in a dilemma.

Faint blue smoke was spiraling up, swirling in the air, and sometimes drifting away, but Qian Songtao kept thinking in silence until the cigarette butt burned his fingers, and then sighed softly: "I'm afraid it's not so It is easy to convince, His Majesty has His Majesty's proposition, it is absolutely impossible to abandon America, and it seems that His Majesty will not be too opposed to abandoning India."

"So that's the case, His Majesty played a good game of chess."

Ranie sighed slightly, with a little understanding in his expression, and said: "India's geographical location has already been determined, and it is impossible for any country to completely bypass Dachu in India's actions. If Britain and France in the future Putting down a foothold in India will only end up being cheap - as long as you control the Indian Ocean, you can cut off their lifeline."

The reason is not complicated, and Ranie quickly thought it through, but some things finally made him a little unacceptable, so he could only whisper: "In this case, we can only do our best to carry out the original plan, which is to support the French East India Company against the British East India Company."

"However, we can't ignore Maratha completely. We still have to find a day to see it."

Qian Songtao's eyes flickered, and he put out the cigarette butt directly in the ashtray, with a faint smile on his face.

(End of this chapter)