The deal was finally closed and they agreed to the terms. The Marathas and the Vijayanagara Empire officially became allies. Although it wasn''t a strategic rtionship like with the Yadava kingdom. It was still something for the Marathas to rely on in the times of hardship. The Regent of the Maratha kingdom was happy with the favorable deal they got in the alliance.


    This would increase the kingdom''s influence in the subcontinent. The Mughals would be reluctant to wage war or try to attack them once the news about the alliance spreads to their noble circles.


    Aadarsh was quite d about the results. He initially thought the deal would be heavily in favor of the Empire since they were the ones that needed the alliance desperately but it turned out to be the opposite.


    He got all he could have asked for in the deal.


    After the deal was signed. Harsha and Aadarsh took a look at the rebuilding efforts in Surat. The Emperor of Vijayanagara pledged some amount for the rebuilding efforts in both Surat and Daman as a verbal agreement. Although he could take them back at any given moment.


    Aadarsh trusted the emperor to be one to not go back on his words. So he nodded at the verbal agreement.


    The Emperor stayed for a couple of days before setting out to leave for Hampi, the capital of the Empire.


    Aadarsh and his trusted aides were there to see him off from Surat.


    "It was a great time, Lord Aadarsh." Harsha remarked. "I was quite disappointed about the port city."


    "I hope to see it once again after the rebuilding."


    "Sure, Lord Harsha. We would happily wee you to visit Surat." Aadarsh smiled warmly.


    Your journey continues with empire


    "Oh, that would be nice."


    He turned his gaze to Aadarsh. "So when is the coronation ceremony?" He asked with a curious look.


    "Um…" Aadarsh stuttered. He also hadn''t nned the coronation yet. He did think of doing it once the mess in the kingdom was sorted.


    By the looks of it, he needed to establish himself as the ruler soon before the politicalndscape in the kingdom twists too much.


    "It will be soon, once I finish most of the rebuilding efforts." He smiled warmly.


    "I see," Harsha patted Aadarsh''s shoulder.


    "Anyway, think about the Dutch deal." He said. "They will surely contact you soon, unless their general is too ipetent."


    "Yes, Lord Harsha."


    "Stay vignt too; no Mlhas should be trusted." Harsha warned.


    Aadarsh nodded.


    Harsha turned to leave. He entered the carriage and waved to say his goodbyes to them. The carriage headed back to the Empire with the usual huge contingent of guards.


    "Naveen, we did it right?" Aadarsh asked nkly.


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    Aadarsh gripped his head. "Finally," he eximed.


    He took a deep breath topose himself. "Damn it! It was intense."


    Vasant also nodded. "I didn''t think someone that young could be that intimidating and strong."


    "He had the same demeanor as Your Highness''s father during battles."


    "Let''s head back as well, Naveen."


    "Yes, Your Highness." Naveen bowed. "I have already arranged the papers for you to take care of in order."


    Aadarsh sighed. "So there must be a lot of work to finish."


    Naveen shrugged smugly. "There sure is."


    Aadarsh turned to Vasant, "Meanwhile, you think of the offer I have presented you with."


    Vasant''s expression turned dark. "Is it really necessary that I must take that position?"


    Aadarsh smiled and patted his shoulder. "There is no one better than you for the position of royalmander."


    Naveen cleared his throat and added. "Your aplishments speak for you, Vasant."


    "I need some more time, Your Highness."


    "...."


    "Sure," Aadarsh left with Naveen tagging along.


    After a few days, Harsha was quite close to the border between the Empirend and the annexednds. His journey through the annexednds was far fromfortable due to the bad roads. He was close to entering the Empire so he was quite relieved that he could travel quitefortably once he reached the bordering vige.


    He was reading a book and thinking back on the terms of the deal. He had dealt with a gue known as "Portuguese" quite effectively. Their influence in the subcontinent would be effectively gone once the trade deal between the Marathas and Dutch was signed.


    Harsha knew that Barnabas would suspect him of the interference in the war and their loss in the Daman. The wary General''s next move was quite predictable to Harsha.


    ''He would go to Portugal asking for more support.'' He thought.


    He was a dangerous threat in Barnabas''s eyes. Despite this he wasn''t worried in the least. The rumors to the Dutch would be sessful and Barnabas wouldn''t have enough time or strength to deal with him since he would be busy with the Dutch.


    ''Well, it would have been impossible to mask all the information.'' He thought.


    He was patiently waiting for the Dutch and Portuguese to fight or at least get into the standoff. Even a small skirmish could hasten the Iberian Union, which was the crucial step for him to take Lanka under the noses of the Dutch.


    Sri Lanka, or the Kandy Kingdom, was one of the most lucrative inds. Harsha had already set his eyes on taking over. The hard part in taking Lanka was the movement of troops into the ind. They didn''t have big ships to moverge numbers ofnd troops. Nor did they have and connection with Lanka.


    So his ideal was to mass-produce the third-rate ships of the Dutch to deploy troops in the Lanka while the Dutch were busy using their manpower to fight the Portuguese. Although the n seemed good on paper. It was quite a risky endeavor for the Empire.


    Failure wasn''t an option there.


    Harsha also was yet to even produce a single ship much less mass produce it. He also needed to train naval soldiers for the mission.


    ''It''s too much to n just right now.'' He thought. ''I need to ramp up the rebuilding efforts in the newnds''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Also have to make new weapons in the Empire.''


    He scratched his chin. He had a little facial hair, patches of a rough beard. Although he thought of growing it , the beard seemed rough on edge so he decided to shave it off once he reached the Royal Pce.


    Harsha was quite satisfied by the deal with the Marathas as well. Despite the deal seeming favourable to the Marathas and quite a burden on the Empire.


    It actually wasn''t, the Portuguese and Dutch despised each other. It was the Yamaduts in charge of the mission. There was little to no chance of failure.


    Although the terms might seem like Empire was doing work to build a solid friendship.


    Harsha considered the isted position of the Marathas. The roads would just boost their trade with them. It was a win win situation for them.


    Not only that, it would make them dependent on the Empire''s merchants for wealth acquisition. It would give him a lot of influence to y with.


    This would be even pronounced once the standard measurement system woulde into y. It would not only destroy trade with other kingdoms but also make their industries depend on the Empire.


    It was the first step for Harsha to expand his soft power in the Maratha kingdom. On paper the deal might seem unfavorable but as time passes. The Marathas would be a puppet state for the Empire to use.


    The industries would be dependent on their merchants. Since they had ess to the ports, it meant he could slowly but surely limit European trade with the Marathas to make thempletely dependent on him.


    It was quite an borate n Harsha cooked up to increase his influence in the north western part of the subcontinent.


    There was also a reason behind the small bases in Daman and Surat. If he had asked for a huge base. They would be caved in eventually but it would limit him either in Daman Or Surat but not both.


    But what if he asked for small bases and limited control in the two ports. It would seem much more reasonable for them


    As his influence in the kingdom grows


    He could eventually negotiate for a bigger base or more autonomy in the region since he had already established their sphere of power there.


    The goodwill money he offered for rebuilding would enforce the ideal of a benevolent Emperor in the minds of the citizens of Daman and Surat making it less likely for the Empire''s bases to be rebelled against.


    The Regent of Marathas and his assistant were too engrossed in the present than looking at the future prospects of the deal.


    In the end the deal was nothing but Harsha slowlyying his bait around the Marathas before he captured them in his.


    Harsha smiled with a satisfied expression.


    ''The first step of the n is underway''