Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 404: I, Daying, am very poor (Third update, please subscribe)

When Downing Street announced that the Vice-President of British India would officially take office, everything in India, thousands of miles away, seemed to be the same as yesterday.

The morning sun rises as usual, the sun, moon and stars remain unchanged.

At least for the princes of India, the sun, moon, stars, and luxurious life have never changed.

Under the rule of the British, there were actually two Indias. One was an India composed of provinces centered on the capital New Delhi, and the other was an India composed of 565 princely states. Hereditary princes ruled one-third of India's territory and one-quarter of its population.

These hereditary monarchs may not have much power, but they live a luxurious life that is unimaginable to Europeans.

In the early morning, just like every other day, a servant with his head wrapped in a turban walked towards the sleeping figure with reverence. The floor of the spacious room is covered with tiger, leopard and antelope skins. The barefoot servant walked forward cautiously, holding a silver tray engraved with various patterns in his hand.

In the dim light of the room, on the walls and in the glass cases, taxidermy eyes of beasts and silver display collections shone brightly, showing that the owner of the room was involved in hunting and the sports of the leisure class - polo and paddle board. Ball – virtuosity on display.

The servant put the tray on the bedside, then leaned over and said slowly:

"Sir, your tea is ready."

The sleeper then stretched and sat up. The second servant hurried forward and hurriedly put an embroidered bathrobe on him. His Royal Highness Prince Maharaja Devintra Singh, the eighth prince of Badiara State in India, started a new day in his life.

"My friend, just as you said, that fellow Attlee has decided to give up on India."

Since last year, in the face of Britain's possible move to abandon India, a group of princes led by Jedhavintra launched a petition in London to express their loyalty to Britain. Although it successfully delayed the process of Indian independence, now, in At the beginning of the new year, the thing I least wanted to face finally happened.

After taking a sip of tea, Dwyer said after a while.

Dwyer admitted that he had been bitten by the teeth in his interactions with princes.

"Your Highness, this is not the point!"

Jedhavantra Singh presided over a princely council composed of 565 Maharaja, Raja and Jawabu. Under British rule, they served as hereditary monarchs with supreme power. Ruled one-third of India.

"Our efforts failed."

Although the sun has risen, today the Chairman of the Maharaja Sabha sipped tea with a sad gloom on his face. The telegram sent from London had confirmed what he had always feared - India was going to be independent.

The Badiala state under the jurisdiction of Yedevandra Singh is located in the center of Punjab Province. It is one of the richest states in India. It has an army of 15,000 men, equipped with centurion tanks and artillery.

Savor the alluring aroma of Wuyi black tea - only ordinary people in the UK drink Dajiling tea, and even in India, they only drink Wuyi Mountain tea.

"Attlee announced the time for India's independence, within this year!"

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality!

Jedeventra put down the teacup and said.

This is not the point, the point is them - what should the princes do?

While Jedeventra was sipping tea, he cast his eyes on the guy in front of him - Dwyer, a lawyer who came from London. Three years ago, this guy came to India. Like all white people, he soon He integrated into India's upper class society and became friends with many princes.

Fortunately, these princes who are used to enjoying themselves need political advisers. Fortunately, they are very rich and can pay high salaries.

"The point is, after India becomes independent, what will you do, Your Highness?"

After asking a rhetorical question, Dwyer continued. “Judging from the current situation, for London, in order to prevent India from turning into another Balkans, they are more inclined to split British India into Jinnah’s Pakistan and Nehru’s India, and what about the princely states? At most, we can only choose between the two, join India or join Pakistan."

"It seems like this is the only option we have."

Holding the teacup and looking at the thoughtful Jedeventra, Dwyer asked.

"Then the question is, in India under Nehru's rule, Your Highness, how long can the power of the princely states be maintained? Will they allow you to continue to rule the princely states like the British? Your Highness, no government will allow half The citizens are under the rule of others. Moreover, Nehru has said that what they need is a modern India, not a feudal India. In this case, how long can the so-called promise last?"

This question is a bit troubling. Even though princes of princes like Jedhavintra handed over the power of foreign affairs and national defense to the British, and only enjoyed the right to autonomy in internal affairs, they are not stupid, that guy Nehru They will never be allowed to rule nearly half of India's land and population forever, like the British did.

"But we seem to have no other choice!"

Jedeventra said.

"Last year, at your suggestion, we petitioned the British Parliament to express our loyalty to the British Empire, but the British have no will to protect us."

Compared to Nehru, Yedeventra is more willing to believe in the British. After all, the British have only taken away the diplomacy and national defense of Badi Alabang. He is still the monarch of this land and enjoys All the wealth of this land.

Thinking of the event in London last year, Jedeventra said with some annoyance.

"Now the British are betraying us and betraying our treaty. We are different from India! During the two wars, we generously donated money and shed blood and sacrificed our lives for the British. But now? They are ready to abandon us to India!"

As a Sikh, Yedeventra does not want to be incorporated into India at all. Of course, if he can only choose one of the two, he will definitely choose India.

"Your Highness, now is not the time to be angry. The focus is on how to solve the problem! This is the most important thing!"

Putting the delicate tea cup in his hand gently on the table, Dwyer glanced at Jedeventra and said in a serious tone.

"Now, Your Highness, you and the rest of the Royal Council must make a decision - whether to continue to exist as an independent country on the South Asian subcontinent, or to accept the rule of India or Pakistan and have you taken away by them in the future. Everything he owns—country, land, and wealth.”

Dwyer's words were very direct and heart-wrenching. In fact, in the past three years, when he became the political adviser to these princes, he repeatedly told these people who lived a debauched life under the protection of Britain. , the princes who had long lost their political sensitivity were instilled with a view that either India or Pakistan would take away everything they had.

No normal country would allow a state within a state to exist. The British allowed it because... India is a colony. Their native Scotland and Ireland are examples. Not to mention the kings, even the nobles have changed several times.

It has to be said that Dwyer's warning was useful. It at least made these princes who had long lost their basic political consciousness in the luxurious life of sensuality realize that independence was their only and best choice.

"But the attitude in London was very clear last year!"

Jedeventra said helplessly.

"How can they support our independence now?"

"Your Highness, the British Empire today is no longer the British Empire yesterday!"

Dwyer said slowly.

"The current...British Empire is very poor!"

(End of this chapter)