Awakening of India - 1947

New York - 12th April 1948

The evening shadows stretched long across the Indian Mission's private meeting room, casting patterns through the heavy curtains that reminded Arjun of the monsoon clouds over Delhi.

Outside, New York's traffic hummed with its usual urgency, but inside, the only sounds were the gentle clink of teacups and the rustle of papers being carefully arranged.

Dr. Tingfu Tsiang looked older than when Arjun had last seen him. The Chinese ambassador's scholarly features carried new lines of exhaustion, and his usually immaculate suit seemed to hang more loosely on his frame.

The civil war was eating away at more than just territory. It was consuming the men who had to watch it unfold from a distance, powerless to change its course.

"Prime Minister," Tsiang said, accepting his tea. "I must admit, your sudden invitation surprised me."

Major Chen Liang, Tsiang's military attaché, sat rigidly beside his superior.

Unlike the ambassador, Chen looked like a coiled spring, young, intense and probably frustrated by months of watching his homeland crumble, while he attended diplomatic parties and Security Council meetings.

Arjun smiled, "Well, it was only natural. Given China's circumstances, it would have been a pain to setup a meeting some other time."

Tsiang's eyes squinted a bit, "I see. Though I must say, India has been diplomatically absent regarding our issues back home."

"We've been simply observing, to plan properly before moving ahead." Arjun replied carefully. "Our non-alignment doesn't mean indifference, but merely discretion."

Krishna Menon, who had been unusually quiet since the Chinese delegation arrived, finally spoke. "I think sometimes the most useful perspective comes from those who aren't directly involved in the said situations."

Tsiang's eyebrows rose slightly. "Oh, Perspective?"

Instead of answering immediately, Arjun reached into his briefcase and withdrew a manila folder. It looked unremarkable—the kind of bureaucratic document that passed through diplomatic hands daily. He placed it on the table between them but didn't slide it across yet.

"We've been receiving reports," he said. "Nothing official, you must understand. Just... observations from people who happen to be in the right places at the right times."

Chen leaned forward, his military training evident in his alert posture. "May I ask what kind of observations, Prime Minister Mehra?"

"The kind that come from tea merchants who've been trading along the Burma Road for thirty years. From missionaries who know every village between Imphal and Kunming. Or even from the traders who do business with Tibet."

Arjun's voice remained conversational, almost casual. "The British left behind quite a network of... interested parties. We've simply been listening to what they have to say."

The reference version of this chapter is on M*V*LEMPYR.

Now he pushed the folder across the table. Tsiang opened it with the careful movements of a man who had learned to expect bad news in official documents.

Inside were hand-drawn maps, annotated pictures, and what looked like sketch of water ways near the southern region of China, particularly those bordering the Communists-controlled regions.

Nothing that would seem remarkable to a casual observer, but Chen's sharp intake of breath suggested he understood their significance.

"Your northern defenses are collapsing faster than anyone expected," Arjun said matter-of-factly. "But the Communist advance isn't as coordinated as it appears from the outside. They're stretching their supply lines thin, especially as they push south toward the Yangtze."

Tsiang looked up from a map marked with red arrows and blue defensive positions. "You're remarkably well-informed for neutral observers."

"Information has a way of flowing toward those who know how to ask the right questions, Ambassador Tsiang" Menon interjected. "The question is what to do with it."

Chen was studying what appeared to be a detailed analysis of river crossings and bridge conditions. "This intelligence... is it fresh?"

"As of last week," Arjun confirmed.

It was already April of 1948, and although the information about the civil war was not very detailed in the original history, by aligning the timing of some of the minor and major victories of communists, it was not difficult to know of their general location.

That, of course, considering that the butterfly hasn't beaten its wings already. Though, he has yet to see any sort of butterfly effect.

"Our sources suggest the Communist Fourth Field Army is planning a major push across the Yangtze, but they're should be dependent on a very specific set of river crossings. If those crossings were... compromised... it would force them to extend their timeline considerably."

The room fell silent except for the distant sound of Manhattan traffic. Tsiang closed the folder and looked directly at Arjun.

"Why now?"

It was the question Arjun had been expecting, the one that would determine whether this conversation led anywhere useful. He set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair.

"Because one can plan it's own retreat strategy, Dr. Tsiang, but not how they collapse. A carefully managed retreat leaves many options open. A collapse eliminates them permanently."

"And what interest does India have in our options?"

Arjun smiled slightly. "Stability has value. Chaos does not. We believe the Republic of China can still turn this situation around—your forces have shown remarkable resilience, and there's always the possibility of international intervention, mainly US, or internal Communist divisions."

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "But even the strongest governments must plan for contingencies.

If circumstances were to force a tactical withdrawal, to Taiwan or other secure positions, it would be better to execute such a move with dignity and strategic purpose rather than in disorder."

Chen's jaw tightened. "You think we're going to lose."

"I'm just sharing my perspective as an outsider," Arjun replied diplomatically.

"But I also think wise leaders prepare for all possible scenarios. The intelligence we're sharing could help you achieve victory. But if victory proves elusive, the same intelligence could ensure that any strategic repositioning happens on your terms, not theirs."

Tsiang was quiet for a long moment, his scholar's mind clearly working through the implications. "What does India need in exchange for this perspective?"

Arjun met his gaze directly. "Nothing, for now. When we needed support for our Security Council seat, the Republic of China stood with us. And this is just us honoring our side of the promise."

The Chinese ambassador's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise and then returned to calm.

"I see", he nodded.

Tsiang's expression softened slightly. "I remember those discussions. My government believed India deserved recognition as a major power."

"And now we're proving that trust was well-placed," Menon added quietly. "Allies help allies, especially when the stakes are so high."

The Chinese ambassador nodded slowly. "Yes. And what if we needed...additional 'advice' in the future?"

"You'll have it," Arjun replied simply. "For as long as the Republic of China exists, India will remember who stood with us when it mattered."

Tsiang stood, gathering his gloves from the table. "Thank you, Prime Minister. It means a lot really. I'll also need to consult with Nanking, of course."

"Sure. But you must not wait for too long. After all, the situation is quite fluid."

As the Chinese delegation prepared to leave, Chen turned back. "Prime Minister, this assistance...will risk your neutrality.

After all, if KMT did manage to regain it's footing at the end moment, India will be one of the prime suspects, especially to all those parties that are involved."

Arjun stood and walked to the window, looking out at the Manhattan skyline. "Major, neutrality doesn't mean abandoning one's principles or one's friends. Like I said, China assisted India when we needed, and that creates obligations—honorable ones."

He turned back to face them. "Besides, we believe in the value of legitimate governments, even when they face impossible odds. What happens to China affects the entire region. We have a stake in seeing how this transition goes."

After the Chinese had left, Menon poured himself another cup of tea. "Quite generous of us, I would say. No payment required."

"It's not generosity," Arjun said, settling back into his chair. "It's honor, Krishna-ji. And pragmatism. Today's favor creates tomorrow's obligation.

When the Republic of China establishes itself in Taiwan, and they will, eventually—they'll remember us. And I firmly believe that it'll help us in future."

He paused, watching the steam rise from his cup. "Besides, we're building something here. A reputation. Countries need to know that India keeps its promises, honors its debts, and stands by its friends. That's worth more than any payment in the long run."

Outside, the lights of Manhattan twinkled like stars, each one representing someone making calculations, weighing options, trying to survive in a world that seemed to be changing faster than anyone could keep up with.

In rooms like this one, across the city and around the world, the future was being negotiated one conversation at a time.

India, Arjun thought with a smile, was finally learning to be one of the negotiators rather than merely one of the negotiated.