NOVEL WEB Chapter 195 Foreign Direct Investment ?
195 Foreign Direct Investment ?
Dakshin Bhartiya Empire, Cheranadu, Thiruvananthapuram Special Economic Zone.
Thiruvananthapuram has undergone significant changes since being declared a special economic zone. Due to trade with European countries, it has embraced various cultural influences from Europe, reflected in its architecture. Many buildings showcase medieval styles of architecture from countries like Portuguese, Roman, Greek, French, and other prominent artistic influences. Interestingly, these buildings are owned by individuals from the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire, not the Europeans. After engaging in business with Europeans, they became wealthy and tailored their establishments to a specific audience. Consequently, these buildings, which were originally workshops, were designed in the style of their customers as a sign of friendliness.
The port of Thiruvananthapuram has experienced considerable expansion since being designated as a special economic zone. Despite serving as the administrative capital of Cheranadu state, it now boasts business throughput comparable to other leading financial capitals in the empire. The changes in Thiruvananthapuram extend beyond aesthetics, affecting administration as well. Operations have become more standardized since the establishment of the special economic zone. European merchants conducting business here have witnessed various changes, from the renaming of the Empire to the division of the empire into various administrative states. Even recently, the young Emperor made what most Europeans believe to be a suicide move by dividing his imperial powers among three different entities, all restrained by a single set of regulations.
But all these were just some tea-time conversations for the typical European merchant, because the news about the division of administration, or how things were done in this new Empire, held very little interest for them. The only things they considered were their own interests, as long as that was not affected they did not care. However, the British were different; being a European power without a monarchy, Thomas Bartholomew felt very intrigued by this new constitutional monarchy that the young emperor talked about. As the Book of Constitution was relatively easy to obtain because of the civil exams, Thomas bought a copy, read it carefully, and decided to send it back home as he thought there were a lot of interesting laws and provisions in this constitution. Maybe Lord Protectorate Cromwell would get some ideas after reading this.
Immediately, he took a paper and wrote a letter, along with packing it with the Constitution of Bharat, and sent it through a speedboat to England. But as his messenger left the room, in a corner of an alleyway, a sneaky figure could be seen spying on Thomas and his movements. This sneaky figure was also a white foreigner dressed in the same attire as the messenger, so it could be concluded that this person was also part of the British group. While this was happening, a large sailing merchant ship docked in the port. Looking at its flag, it was the flag of the Republic of Venice. In order to receive the guest, a warm welcome was given by the local administrative head, Nagappa Reddy.
All the merchants looked at this special treatment and were intrigued about the relationship. However, looking at the soldiers carrying firearms, their thoughts did not run wild. The delegation from the Republic of Venice was welcomed with a traditional ceremony, where flower garlands were hung on them, saffron bindis were placed on their foreheads, and shawls were draped over them. The foreigners who witnessed the scene cast distasteful expressions towards the Venetians for accepting such blasphemous religious rituals. Leonardo Bellini, who was among the Venetian delegation, was very happy to be finally back. The situation back home had suddenly become more serious since the Ottomans launched a new offensive, and they had to go back into defence again. Now, the most lacking aspect of their war effort was materials and weaponry. Soldiers were not a problem because, even though European countries had many differences and sometimes fought fiercely amongst themselves, even till the bitter end, when it came to opposing outsiders like the Ottomans, at least on this matter, no one opposed or hindered those fighting against the Ottomans.
Leonardo is in the Vijayanagar Empire this time, In order to make some significant deals with its Minister of Trade and Commerce, Rajesh, and possibly even meet with His Majesty Vijay Devaraya. However, as he looked around, he noticed that a lot of things had changed since the last time he had seen them. There are more shops and businesses in Thiruvananthapuram, and the language in which the banners of each business are written has undergone a lot of changes. Suddenly, he came to realize what this could mean, 'Has the Vijayanagar Empire fallen? How could that be? What happened? Didn't they just defeat the Mughal Empire? How can it fall? Why did no one inform me of this?' With various questions, he approached the person stationed here from the Republic of Venice.
The person who was suddenly asked so many questions was confused for a few seconds, but suddenly he felt enlightened and replied with a smile, "Ha ha, sir, you have misunderstood. The Vijayanagara Empire has not fallen; it just changed names. The name Vijayanagara still exists, but it has turned into an administrative state where the Empire originated. A lot of changes have taken place since the last time you've been here. Come, let me explain slowly."
"Oh."
Leonardo was relieved that the Vijayanagar Empire was still around. Now that he thought about it, it made sense, as the supply of war materials was coming in non-stop, so maybe it was just him who became unwise for a second.
Later, when he heard the full explanation, he got enlightened and was skeptical about the changes his Majesty Vijay Devaraya made, bringing an autocratic Empire to a constitutional monarchy, as the king called it. He did not know what the future would hold for this Empire, but like the British, the Venetians also had a governance system that was not monarchical. So, he also sent back a copy of the Constitution of Bharat to the Republic of Venice.
Finally, after a few days of resting, he decided to meet with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Rajesh, his old acquaintance. They both greeted each other with familiarity as they shook hands and chatted for a few moments about their individual daily lives. But finally, Leonardo got to the point, "Sir Rajesh, recently, our Venetian Republic has gotten into some trouble as the Ottoman Empire has waged an unjust and immoral war against us."
Rajesh was surprised by this detail, so he expressed concern, "I am sorry to hear that. Is there anything our Dakshin Bharat can do for you? His Majesty, Emperor Vijay Devaraya, has already proclaimed that the Republic of Venice is one of the close European partners of the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire, so I will do my best to convey your request to His Majesty if it is not too difficult. I'm sure His Majesty would agree."
Leonardo was surprised by the comment made by Rajesh, so he asked in doubt, "Then are you not afraid of the Ottomans causing trouble for Dakshin Bharatiya Empire?"
"What fear? We have already been dealing with their cousin, the Mughal Empire. What does a distant Empire like the Ottomans have to do anything with us? So don't worry; we have no good relations with the Ottomans."
Leonardo was satisfied with this result and decided to gift the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire with a piece of information that he thought would be important to the Indian Empire.
"My friend, please take this. This is important news collected by our intelligence from the Ottoman Empire."
Rajesh was confused about what the Ottoman intelligence had to do with the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire. Seeing Rajesh's confused face, Leonardo didn't say anything but just forced the letter into Rajesh's hand. "Take it. I assure you that it is of great use to the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire as it pertains also to the Mughal Empire."
This time, Rajesh did not refuse as he took the letter and kept it aside.
"So, my friend Leonardo, what more can I do for you?"
"My friend, it's like this. The new Doge of the Republic of Venice, His Excellency, Giovanni Morosini, felt like the limited financial resources of the republic were wasted on producing weaponry at home because of its higher cost. So, His Excellency suggested that the Republic of Venice set up factories in Dakshina Bharathi Empire, produce it here, and export it back to Europe."
Hearing this set of operations, Rajesh was surprised, as nothing of such had been undertaken till now in the empire or any empire for that matter. So he was hesitant about how to deal with this, and he replied, "I am sorry, my friend, but I don't have enough power to decide on this matter. I will convey this information to His Majesty, the Emperor Vijay Devaraya."
Leonardo also agreed that this was a new concept put forward by His Excellency, the Doge, so he had some time to wait for the news until he would eventually travel back to Europe.