latelenovela Chapter 721 The Ancient Ban Chao, the Great Deceiver
Chapter 721 The Ancient Ban Chao, the Great Deceiver
Chen Wentai sat down in the chair, his back straight, his posture relaxed yet solemn.
He knew very well what Ali Khan was worried about, and he had come to reassure Ali Khan.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The tragedy in Calcutta is heartbreaking and serves as a reminder that disorderly violence benefits no one."
He paused, then looked calmly at Ali Khan:
"I have just received a secret telegram from Yangon. His Excellency Zhang Chi, our President, personally instructed me to convey to you that the United States of Southeast Asia highly values its friendship and cooperation with Hyderabad and places this friendship at the forefront of our subcontinental policy."
These words gave Ali Khan a slight boost of spirits, but his worries did not dissipate:
"Thank you for your attention, Mr. Zhang. However, Mr. Chen, friendship cannot stop the swords of thugs and the flames of hatred. The situation in my country is special..."
He didn't say it explicitly, but all three people present understood.
Chen Wentai leaned forward slightly, understanding in his heart that this princely ruler was thinking of slipping away, giving up the throne, and becoming a wealthy man.
This situation is unacceptable to both him personally and to the people of Southeast Asia.
If Ali Khan runs away, then the future Kingdom faction will naturally accept Hyderabad, and all the previous investments made by Southeast Asia here will be wasted.
His ambassadorial title was naturally also revoked.
Chen Wentai thought about it and decided to use a combination of intimidation and coaxing:
"Your Majesty, it is precisely because the situation is special that calmness and strength are needed even more."
Fear and avoidance will only accelerate the fermentation of internal instability.
Once news of your departure from Hyderabad spreads, wherever you go, this land will instantly become a prize fought over by various factions, and chaos will immediately descend upon your palace and your people.
Without power, you are all alone, possessing only titles, and your overseas assets may not be safe for long.
These words were blunt, even somewhat harsh, and Rao frowned, but Ali Khan listened and his expression changed several times.
He was well aware of this principle, but in his panic, he inevitably sought the most immediate safety.
"What can I do? Just sit here and wait to die?" Ali Khan's tone was tinged with frustration.
“Of course not.” Chen Wentai deliberately made his voice as steady as a mountain. “Sitting and waiting will only bring chaos. But sitting, with powerful friends backing you up, will bring order and respect.”
He stopped beating around the bush and revealed his hand directly:
"Your Majesty, I have come here not only to convey a friendly message, but also to inform you that, based on the security cooperation framework we previously signed and the need to address the current emergency situation, our country has decided to immediately activate the 'Deepened Cooperation Contingency Plan'."
Ali Khan and Rao both paused slightly in their breathing.
"The first batch of reinforcements, including 10,000 semi-automatic rifles, 250 general-purpose machine guns, 60 light mortars, 30 artillery pieces, 100 wheeled armored vehicles, 40 light tanks and matching ammunition, has been loaded onto cargo ships flying the Nanyang flag and is currently transiting the Strait of Malacca. It is expected to arrive at the port of Madras in ten days."
At that time, your Royal Guard will receive it upon presentation of the documents we have jointly signed.
"At the same time, a 'Special Liaison and Technical Support Team' consisting of 125 senior military advisors, communications experts and intelligence analysts has also set out."
They will be fully integrated into your guard command and training system, with a focus on strengthening border surveillance, intelligence gathering, rapid response, and internal stability capabilities.
With each word Chen Wentai spoke, Ali Khan's eyes lit up a little more.
These were not empty promises; the weapons alone were enough for him to organize two infantry divisions and an armored regiment. Although Hyderabad was predominantly inhabited by Sindhu Muslims, Ali Khan could still find tens of thousands of loyal Crescent-Star followers.
"Are all of these...free aids?" Rao couldn't help but ask, as an advisor he had to consider the costs.
"Most of the equipment will be provided at a friendly price, and some emergency supplies can be provided as pre-positioned support under the framework of security cooperation," Chen Wentai answered succinctly.
The money will definitely be collected, but the situation is urgent right now, and the key is that Ali Khan himself cannot run away.
Chen Wentai almost displayed the same skill as Ban Chao from ancient times, and began to deceive Ali Khan:
"More importantly, Your Majesty, as long as you remain in Hyderabad, holding the central command, and demonstrate to your subjects and all the covetous outsiders your firm resolve to maintain peace and autonomy within the state, then cooperation and support from Southeast Asia will continue and grow stronger."
You are not fighting alone; behind you stands the United States of the South, which considers the stability of Hyderabad a vital safeguard for its western security.
Ali Khan fell silent, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest of his seat.
Only the faint sound of sandalwood burning quietly remained in the study.
Chen Wentai stopped talking and simply waited calmly.
He knew he had already thrown out a sufficiently substantial stake.
This monarch needs time to digest and weigh the situation.
Finally, Ali Khan raised his head, and the panic and hesitation in his eyes gradually disappeared.
He looked at Chen Wentai: "Mr. Chen, do you people in Southeast Asia really believe that Hyderabad can remain unscathed from this storm? Or even... maintain its own path?"
Chen Wentai smiled slightly, a smile that held a deeper meaning:
"Your Majesty, when a storm comes, a lone tree is easily blown down, but a forest with deep roots and mutual support can often stand firm."
John's people are finished; they're too busy taking care of themselves. I can even tell you something: Governor John Wavell is secretly planning an evacuation operation codenamed 'Operation Asylum.'"
Chen Wentai's underlying message was clear: the John people were preoccupied with their own problems, and if Ali Khan wanted to maintain his power, he had to let go of his burdens, act boldly, and unite closely with Southeast Asia.
Upon hearing this, Ali Khan let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, or as if an even greater responsibility had been taken on.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the pitch-black night, where undercurrents were swirling.
“Rao,” his voice regained its usual composure, “inform the Commander-in-Chief of the Guard and the Military Advisor of the South Seas that I will personally inspect the Guard tomorrow morning.”
Furthermore, I hereby issue this address to all my subjects, emphasizing Hyderabad's tradition of peace and the dignity of its laws, and declaring that any attempt to disrupt harmony and social order within the state will be met with the most severe punishment.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Rao bowed and accepted the order. He was very pleased that his monarch was able to pull himself together and face the storm.
Ali Khan turned around, looked at Chen Wentai, and nodded solemnly:
"Mr. Chen, please convey to His Excellency Zhang Chi that Hyderabad cherishes its friendship and cooperation with Southeast Asia. I, Mir Osman Ali Khan, will remain in my palace to fulfill my responsibilities to this land and its people."
We also hope that the promises from Southeast Asia will flow like the Ganges, never ceasing.
Chen Wentai also stood up and nodded gracefully: "As you wish, Your Majesty. May our friendship endure and our cooperation be mutually beneficial. My assistant will discuss the detailed handover process for the first batch of aid with Advisor Rao tomorrow."