The Rise Of Australasia

From this, one can also see that the long-standing resistance of the Indians was not without its results. While most of the high-ranking officials within the Indian Empire were either British or of mixed British-Indian descent, the country was still called India and had a certain degree of autonomy, which was not just an empty talk. After careful preparation, officers from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by intelligence personnel, disguised themselves as ordinary French businessmen and successfully arrived in the Indian Empire. Given India's immense wealth, there were still many traders from various countries coming and going in India. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, after careful disguises, were not detected as abnormal by the British stationed in India. After a rushed journey of nearly one week, the French representative, Norman Mackay, finally arrived at a stronghold of the Indian National Congress. As the party associated with Gandhi, the Indian National Congress was quite famous in India. After various ordeals, the French delegation finally met with an important figure in the Indian National Congress, who was also a major representative of dissenting opinions within the party against Gandhi. If Gandhi represented the extreme of non-violence, then Prabhati Ram Patil, the individual whom the French representative Norman Mackay sought, leaned towards the other extreme of a violent revolutionary. Prabhati believed that to achieve true independence for the Indian Empire, it was imperative to use force to defeat the rule of the British. Gandhi's pursuit of non-violence was doomed not to defeat the British; Gandhi's successive compromises in the face of British demands were the best example. Though it appeared that the Indian Empire had obtained certain autonomous rights, the privileges of the British in India had not disappeared, and India still had not gained independent diplomatic and military rights. Previously, Prabhati's followers almost ignited a war with the British. If it were not for Gandhi's repeated obstruction, the so-called non-violent non-cooperation movement might have turned into India's war for independence. "Mr. Prabhati, please forgive our uninvited presence. We have a business proposition that we would like to discuss with you, one that I'm sure you will find most interesting," said Norman Mackay, the French Foreign Representative, with a smile on his face as he and his two subordinates walked into Prabhati's private residence and got straight to the point. "A business proposition?" Prabhati frowned, looked at the three with European faces, and felt little affection: "If it's about compromising in the movement, then I'm afraid that's something I cannot do." "Not at all, Mr. Prabhati," Mackay replied with a smile, maintaining the good traditions of a diplomatic representative: "I come from the great France, not the Britain you speak of. And my purpose here is not to seek compromise for this movement as you mention, no. Rather, I'm here to represent myself and the Mackay family, expressing support for the movement you and Mr. Gandhi are committed to." As a diplomat, Mackay was aware that his actions could lead to a conflict between the United Kingdom and France, and even the possibility of a war breaking out. After all, the British Empire's interest in India was well-known, and this type of action was akin to undermining the British position; it was no surprise that it could drive the British to a state of outrage. For this reason, Mackay did not explicitly state that he represented the French government but instead fabricated a family. If discovered by the British in the future, he could shift the blame onto this non-existent family, thereby preventing the French from being at a disadvantage in the court of public opinion. "The Mackay family?" Prabhati, having heard that his visitors were not British, was somewhat interested and asked with a hint of curiosity: "What business are you referring to?" "It's none other than the arms trade, Mr. Prabhati," Norman Mackay said with a smile, his words causing astonishment on Prabhati's face: "Frankly, any weapons you see on the market, the Mackay family can procure for you." All the weapons available? Prabhati was stunned upon hearing this, first astonished by the confidence of the other party, and then overwhelmed with elation. If there was anything India's independence movement was lacking, it was certainly comparable weapons and equipment to stand up to the British. Even though India generated vast wealth for the British Empire every year, this did not mean that the Indian Empire's finances were flourishing. On the contrary, as most supplies and revenues, including grain, had to be handed over to the British Empire, the government of India was actually quite poor. Even the income that stays in India is largely divvied up by the British within the government. What little remains is then split among the Anglo-Indians and the higher castes of India, leaving ordinary Indians with very little in their own hands; even a full meal is a luxury. In such circumstances, many parties opposing the British, including the Indian National Congress, could never truly match the British despite having substantial support from the Indian populace. For they lacked both money and weapons, and aside from India's abundant but undervalued manpower, they really had nothing in their hands. "But we currently lack the funds, I'm afraid we can't afford the weapons you mentioned," Prabhati said, testing the waters. Beyond gauging the extent of the other party's support, he also wanted to try to get weapons and equipment for nothing, if possible. Being Indian didn't mean Prabhati wasn't clever. He understood basic reasoning and was aware of why the French would come to him proactively. While it seemed like the French supporting him was a loss, as long as France supplied him with weapons and equipment, it would create significant trouble for the British. In this give and take, the French might not be at a loss and could at least fulfill their strategic goals. For Prabhati, receiving support from France, even if it was just a small family in France offering some weapons and equipment, would firmly back his violent ideology. Besides opposing Gandhi's proposed non-violent non-cooperation, it would also allow him to achieve independence for India in his own way. At the very least, he could force the British to actively compromise in certain areas, rather than waiting for Gandhi, that hypocrite, to negotiate with the British. "Funds are not a problem," said Norman Mackay, smiling. "I believe that once India successfully gains independence, the Indian government with its independent finance power will not lack the funds to repay our loans." "So your family is willing to offer us a loan?" Prabhati immediately followed up on the opportunity, seizing on Norman Mackay's mention of a loan and asked, feigning excitement. "Of course," Norman Mackay, true to a diplomat's nature, displayed a compassionate demeanor and spoke with apparent sincerity: "The French do not wish to see the Indians excessively exploited by the British. Although we are both Europeans, France is a more civilized nation and cannot remain indifferent to such cruelty. Even without any return, we are willing to provide your side with some aid as is France's responsibility as a major world power." "That's wonderful, Mr. Mackay," Prabhati continued, pretending to be overjoyed and eagerly said: "With the weapons provided by your country, we will surely win this movement, drive out the brutal rule of the British, and achieve true independence for the Indian Empire." Prabhati understood that what Norman wanted was for them to take up arms against the British, so he readily spoke in line with the French expectations. As for Norman, hearing the answer he desired, he naturally nodded with satisfaction and immediately began discussing the figures of the loan and the interest rates with Prabhati. Despite Norman's pleasant words, the loan to the Indian side would still be with interest. Although the rates had been kept low, the French would not truly make nothing from the Indians. After negotiating everything, the two old foxes with maxed out deception skills shook hands amicably and concluded the unexpected meeting very satisfied. Both believed they had achieved their objectives and their lips curled into a smile when they were out of view of others. "Mr. Mackay, should we report back to our country now?" an intelligence agent accompanying Norman asked eagerly after the meeting. "There's no rush," said Norman, smiling. "I'm more curious to see whether the Indians will still stand united against British rule after they have received weapons and equipment."