Kambis signed a treaty with the Eastern Empire, leasing Abbas for a hundred years and allowing their merchants and oil extractors free passage and rights throughout Persia. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Lei Ming and Yue Yun prepare for an imminent attack on Calcutta, receiving intelligence that the enemy forces are in disarray and led by the Cao family father and son, who are working with hidden agents.
“Hmph, as long as the Cao family father and son are still in India, I will absolutely not let them escape this time.” Lei Ming clenched his fists tightly, the destruction caused by the Cao family father and son in the south still vivid in his mind. He vowed to eliminate these traitors. "I hope so. Cao Kun is a very cunning individual, and capturing him might require considerable effort. However, with our people keeping a close watch on him, our confidence is much higher this time," Wang Xuan stated, his voice chilling, sending a shiver down the spines of both Lei Ming and Yue Yun. Being in the presence of the head of the secret guards was indeed quite stressful.
Wang Xuan’s sole objective in visiting Singapore was to deliver a warning to Lei Ming and Yue Yun. After conveying his instructions, he and his retinue departed on a warship, their destination unknown.
Following Wang Xuan’s departure, Lei Ming immediately convened his generals. The intelligence provided by Wang Xuan was of paramount importance. After enduring a six-month siege, the allied forces in Calcutta had finally encountered difficulties, presenting a golden opportunity. Once Wang Xuan delivered this intelligence to Qingzhou, the Emperor would likely issue the command to attack Calcutta. Therefore, preparation was now essential.
Much like Lei Ming, Yue Yun could sense the escalating tensions. India had become the most formidable obstacle in Southeast Asia. Overcoming this challenge would effectively seal off Europe’s colonial ambitions in Asia for the Empire.
Calcutta.
Nicholas and Butler strode past rows of deceased soldiers, casualties of the ongoing conflict. Having been blockaded along the Indian coast for half a year, the situation for the allied forces had progressively deteriorated.
He had to concede that this Eastern Empire was truly formidable. He had anticipated that the Eastern Empire would leverage their naval victory to land in Calcutta and engage them in direct combat. However, their wait proved futile, as the Eastern Empire’s soldiers never materialized. The fury stemming from their naval defeat had been systematically eroded by this peculiar stalemate. The morale of the allied forces’ soldiers had plummeted to an all-time low. In his view, the Eastern Empire's coastal blockade, which left the allied soldiers with no prospect of returning home, was the primary reason for their predicament.
"We have sustained six hundred fatalities and over two thousand wounded soldiers," Nicholas lamented, his expression dejected. "Such fine lads, perishing not at the hands of the enemy, but from our own allies."
"If this situation persists, our losses will exceed this number significantly. The greatest crisis we now face is the scarcity of food," Butler stated grimly. "You must now forcibly compel the native states to contribute food supplies."
Nicholas’s brows knitted together in a tight frown. "Butler, that is simply not feasible. Do you not believe the current situation is chaotic enough? There have always been opposing forces here. If we resort to such measures, the native states will undoubtedly unite against us and drive us out!"
"You place your faith in them? A collection of rabble. Have you forgotten how I subdued the rebel forces over these past two years?" Butler scoffed. "Our dominion over India is maintained not through kindness, but through the might of our guns and cannons. Observe these soldiers, teetering on the brink of madness. Perhaps tomorrow, their muzzles will be turned upon us."
Nicholas retorted with a sneer, "If we were not under the threat of the Eastern Empire, this plan might be viable. But what if the Eastern Empire launches an attack at this critical juncture? Would you still possess the strength to quell an uprising from the native states?"
"I no longer concern myself with that. Without food, we are doomed to perish regardless," Butler declared, gesturing towards the soldiers nearby. The soldiers promptly raised their rifles, aiming them directly at Nicholas.
"Are you insane?" Nicholas bellowed, confronting the menacing muzzles of the firearms.
Butler sneered, "I refuse to be threatened by their muzzles. I can only direct them towards you. Issue the order, Nicholas. We have no other recourse."
Nicholas closed his eyes in utter despair. After a brief silence, he turned and entered the Governor’s Office. Moments later, an order bearing Nicholas’s signature was dispatched.
Upon receiving the order, Butler promptly summoned the officers of the allied forces. With this legitimate authorization, they could now requisition food in the name of the Governor’s Office.
Leveraging this official decree, the allied forces dispatched a substantial contingent of soldiers out of Calcutta. Their destination lay beyond the city, within the territory of the Cuttack native state.
Within a Calcutta hotel, the father and son duo from the Cao family observed these developments. Accompanying them were influential family members they had managed to recruit during their stay. In stark contrast to the composed atmosphere of just a few days prior, everyone's expression was now grave. The imperial navy's blockade of the coast signified that their passage back to Britain was also severed.
"Father, where are they headed?" Cao Zheng-tong inquired, a hint of confusion in his voice.
“To seize food. I never imagined the allied forces would be reduced to this state. It seems this war is destined for more misfortune than fortune. We must devise a solution,” Cao Kun declared.
A grim expression settled upon the faces of the others, with some turning pale from sheer fear. They were acutely aware of the dire consequences that awaited them if apprehended.
Emperor Xiao Ming of the Empire would undoubtedly display their severed heads upon the city walls of Qingzhou.
“Remaining here is tantamount to awaiting death. The allied forces' morale has crumbled, rendering them no match for the imperial soldiers. Once the imperial army launches an assault, not a single one of us will escape.”
“Whatever shall we do? I absolutely refuse to perish here.”
“Alas, this truly is an unfortunate turn of events.”
“…”
A palpable sense of dejection permeated the atmosphere within the hotel room.
“I happen to know a pirate named Ma Hai, who has been preying on merchant vessels near Burma. If we can reach Burma, we may find passage on his ship to escape,” a young man proposed.
“Is that genuinely the case?” Cao Kun inquired, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
“Undoubtedly. We once shared a bond as sworn brothers. He was apprehended by officials in Guangzhou some time ago, and it was I who offered him refuge,” the young man affirmed.
Cao Zheng-tong and Cao Kun exchanged glances. This young man had joined their ranks a year prior, also hailing from a prominent family and finding himself adrift overseas.
“This is our sole viable option now. Qing, this is hardly the time for jesting. Do not compel me to resort to harsh measures with you,” Cao Kun issued a veiled threat.
“President, I too desire to live. Why would I possibly deceive you?” Qing responded with an air of innocence.
Cao Kun gave a slight nod. “The journey to Burma is straightforward. In the past, I traveled from Guangzhou to India via Burma. Back then, I managed to appease the various checkpoints along the route. They will undoubtedly show me some leniency now.”
With their plan decided, smiles returned to their faces, and they retired to their respective rooms to prepare their belongings.
Qing also turned to depart, a fleeting glint of coldness in his eyes. The Cao father and son were completely unaware that he was, in fact, an operative of the secret guards.
Furthermore, the pirate Ma Hai he had mentioned was also one of their own agents. The moment the Cao family members set foot on Ma Hai’s vessel, their escape would be impossible.
The reasoning behind his calculated move was his perception that the Cao father and son were intent on fleeing. Rather than allow them to abscond unchecked, he chose to lay a snare for them.
Now, with the desperate Cao family father and son readily believing his words, he had been presented with this opportune moment. However, before his departure, it was imperative to relay this intelligence, which required the Empire's battery-powered wireless radio.
