Chapter 344 Perfection

Not only Nehru himself, but the vast majority of Indians are immersed in excitement at this moment. Independence has been the dream of Indians for decades. Today, a substantial step has finally been taken.

In front of the Government House, Governor Mountbatten solemnly read out the letter of appointment, in the name of King George VI, recognizing Nehru appointed by the Attlee Cabinet as the Deputy Prime Minister of British India, and Governor Mountbatten himself as the Prime Minister of British India. From 1858 to today, in the nearly century-long history of British India, an Indian finally squeezed into the top level of the colonial government.

During the broadcast, Governor Mountbatten's voice read out the appointment letter of King George VI, which brought tears to the eyes of countless Indians who listened to the news. The journey to independence has been bumpy all the way, and the joys and sorrows involved are difficult to describe in words.

At the same time, Governor Mountbatten also stated that next year, when the British Empire celebrates its 100th anniversary in 1948, the British Empire will withdraw from British India and return all rights and interests in this subcontinent to the Indians so that the Indians can regain their independence. Be free.

This was the time when Governor Mountbatten once again confirmed the independence of British India in public. At the same time, this was also the final opinion of London. In this way, Nehru became the Deputy Prime Minister of British India. The vast majority of Indians were convinced of this. It was a very satisfying day, but not without some dissatisfaction, but Patel felt quite disappointed.

"Mr. Patel, if it were not the Labor Party but the Conservative Party that was in power now, maybe the results would be different." Sir Barron comforted you at this time, "As far as I know, Churchill and the Conservative Party are very fond of you. , the Labor Party’s opinion is exactly the opposite, that’s what politicians do, they oppose for the sake of opposition.”

"Thank you. Nehru was also a very talented man. I have nothing to say about fighting for independence." Although Patel felt disappointed, he still took the overall situation into consideration and performed a show of toleration for the country in front of Sir Barron. .

But on such an important occasion today, Patel always felt that something was wrong, that something was missing. Then the cheers from the surrounding area interrupted Patel's thoughts.

Without an Assistant Commissioner who specializes in gossiping, he is still negotiating a big deal of 100 million pounds. When he learned the news that Nehru was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, he first expressed congratulations to the big compradors of India present, and then continued his own work. mediation work.

These big compradors will definitely not lose money on this transaction. It is an absolutely conscientious price. The reason why they think it is expensive is because they are greedy.

On September 5th, Alan Wilson, who had disappeared for a week, returned to the Government House with contracts signed with major Indian business families. These contracts totaled 100 million pounds. At the same time, he telegraphed the news to London.

This is the second big business of over 100 million that Alan Wilson has made in his not too long life.

The British Indian assets sold were all at an absolutely conscience price. Some important assets were not sold entirely, but a certain amount of equity was retained. This created a situation where you are the one with me and the other with you among these business families in India.

"I need to think carefully about what else I have missed to make a perfect ending to my life in British India."

Hearing Alan Wilson sitting there muttering to himself, the corners of Sir Barron's mouth twitched, is there anything he missed? How comprehensive have you done this? Anything missing?

In the end, Alan Wilson gave up and couldn't think of it for a while. If he went out for a walk more often, he might think of it.

Attlee was not entirely without regrets regarding the solid step taken by British India in the process of independence. British India was the pearl of the British Empire, but when he was Prime Minister, this pearl was lost.

When he was feeling sad, the new cabinet secretary Norman Brooke came in and brought in a telegram worth hundreds of millions of pounds, informing British India that a number of properties had been sold to local business families in India.

British India was born out of the East India Company and was later taken over by the state. Naturally, there are many enterprises belonging to the state. European countries, not the United States, have never felt any rejection of companies operating under this model.

The incentive of 100 million pounds made Attlee, who was feeling quite depressed, return to normal in an instant. Ask Norman Brook if the price is right.

"Part of the reason for the very conscientious price is to maintain influence over the Indian elite. In fact, according to the opinions of local civil servants, all should be cashed out. Although the Governor-General has been discussing with the Congress Party the issue of preserving legal property. But it must Admit it, most of the voices from local civil servants are Indian and cannot be trusted.”

Norman Brooke said unhurriedly, "If the situation this year is the same as last year, we can still draw the same funds from the major colonies as last year, and the short-term debts have all been cleared. If we add this amount of funds, If injected, it will be more than enough to accomplish the goal.”

Norman Brook spoke upright, mainly because he was moved by India's great act of setting up a drug testing site, uh, saving lives and healing the wounded. It had absolutely nothing to do with the drug testing site or the bribery of American companies.

There is currently a consensus between Norman Brooke and Edward Bridges that the status and welfare of future civil servants will largely depend on the existence of the colony. This is the consensus formed during the two years of British India's experience.

"By the way, Prime Minister, regarding some issues concerning the princely states and British India, the civil servants in British India also have some opinions, so we can take this opportunity to talk to the Prime Minister." Norman Brooke took the initiative to ask, "I wonder if the Prime Minister has any time."

"Please sit down, Norman, of course I have time." Prime Minister Attlee expressed his interest very graciously.

Last year's revenue of 600 million pounds from the global colonies was based on the plan of the British-occupied areas of Germany and British India to fly together. Of course, British India was suffering a lot, and Germany was also having a hard time in the British-occupied areas. The British-occupied Trade Commission reversed Ma Zhe's operation, and more than 20 million Germans in the entire British-occupied area had worked in vain for a year.

But this income is not all. The number of properties transferred by major princes to British banks is not included in this number.

Norman Brooke first talked about this matter. The Maharaja Ali Khan of Hyderabad alone transferred dozens of tons of gold and jewels, as well as a large amount of pounds and US dollars, as well as other princes. It is said that almost everything that can be moved has been moved.

What to do with these princes and states? Politicians in London believed that the relationship between the British government in India and the princely states was very special. As soon as British rule in India ended, Britain's power and responsibility over the princely states would also end.

In terms of collecting money, Alan Wilson was definitely an example. He mentioned the status of Hyderabad in the telegram.

"We can't care about them now. Of course we can try our best to speak for them. It also depends on where the bottom line of the Congress Party and the Muslim League is." Prime Minister Attlee shook his head and said, "Of course we still have hope and hope that they will Don’t be so tough on this issue.”

"This is similar to the judgment of local civil servants, but local civil servants have an idea through the Northern Rhodesia incident to see if they can take advantage of the safety of overseas Indians to get the other party to make concessions."

"I didn't hear about this." Prime Minister Attlee shook his head directly, which was regarded as a statement on the matter. Of course it would be best if it was useful, but he still knew what happened in Northern Rhodesia.

As a politician, Attlee would never be able to make up his mind about this very cruel method. If it were to leak out, it would be a very serious blow to his image.

He said that he did not hear it, which was already a statement. In the entire colonial system of the British Empire, Indians enjoyed a higher status and privileges than almost all other colonial people except the European Dominions.

It became a powerful helper for the British Empire in ruling these countries and regions. There were even governors and commissioners of the British Empire's African colonies who openly advocated developing the areas under their jurisdiction into the Americas of Indians.

Alan Wilson knew this voice, and he even knew that there were colonial administrators who believed that the local indigenous people should be replaced by Chinese. It is still a minority. There are many groups of Indian origin in the colonies of the British Empire in Africa, especially in East Africa.

This is the natural condition for the printing wave to occur in Northern Rhodesia. The British Empire regards British India as the center for ruling the entire Indian Ocean. But now that British India is about to become independent, the previous Indian helpers have become a burden.

In fact, there are some places that do not need help from Indians at all. The British Empire can manage itself. Civil servants in British India also needed somewhere to go, and they could not all return to their home countries and cause employment pressure.

Norman Brooke did not get a definite answer from Prime Minister Attlee about the princely states and overseas Indians, so he talked about the last question and explained what quantitative easing was.

"Printing money? Will this cause the collapse of the local currency?" Attlee frowned. What kind of bad idea is this?

"The local civil servants decided to print a sum of banknotes at the last moment of British India and distribute them to the locals as welfare. This will of course cause a certain depreciation of the rupee, but after calculation, the benefits are still many. On the one hand, it can win people's hearts. On the other hand, if the rupee depreciates, the pound can achieve relative stability."

"Whose opinions are these local civil servants?" Prime Minister Attlee asked after thinking for a moment.

"Uh, he's the Assistant Commissioner of British India." Norman Brooke hesitated before finally answering.

Sneeze... Alan Wilson, who sneezed, apologized to Merck Group representative Ronald Koeman, "I'm a little rude. I wonder what the results of Merck's inspection are? I must solemnly remind you, At present, the rights are still in our hands, but once you talk to the Indians, it will not be so convenient."