Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

It was a fine morning at the Patwardhan Mansion, the air filled with the aroma of firewood and spices mingling with the fresh scent of morning dew. The mansion, once gloomy and derelict, had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Five months earlier, the Patwardhans had pledged their support to the Prince, a decision that had proven highly beneficial. The arrival of Mithun and Karna marked a turning point for the Patwardhans.

Mithun had been tasked with harnessing the Patwardhans' influence to generate wealth for the Prince. He seized the opportunity to buy surplus goods from local traders at low prices, capitalizing on the instability. These goods were then sold at a considerable profit to European merchants. This lucrative trade not only generated substantial income but also reignited the Patwardhans' finances.

The efficient management of their finances ensured minimal costs and the elimination of unnecessary expenses. Investments were made wisely, and resources were allocated effectively. The influx of funds enabled the Patwardhans to upgrade their weaponry and bolster their military capabilities.

The financial improvements were not just limited to profits. The Patwardhans' soldiers, previously lacking in training and resources, were now subjected to rigorous instruction by a skilled individual sent by the Nayakas.

This training enhanced their patrol effectiveness and solidified their presence within the region. The newfound wealth from Mithun's investments allowed the Patwardhans to upgrade their weaponry, creating a stronger and better-equipped force.

Karna, working alongside Mithun, had utilized the funds generated to expand his network of spies and combatants. His group proliferated, gathering critical intelligence that furthered the Prince's strategic objectives. The combination of Mithun's economic success and Karna's expanding spy network significantly bolstered the Patwardhans' standing and influence.

As the sun rose over the revitalized mansion, the Patwardhans were now a formidable force, well-funded and strategically positioned. The mansion, once a symbol of decline, now stood as a beacon of newfound prosperity and power, reflecting the significant changes brought about by their allegiance to the Prince.

In a room on the edge of the Patwardhan Mansion, Mithun sat hunched over a cluttered desk. Papers, ledgers, and financial reports were scattered everywhere. He looked worn out, his clothes rumpled, and dark circles shadowed his tired eyes.

Karna burst through the door, his demeanour full of energy. "Do you know what day it is today, Mithun?" he asked, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Mithun looked up from his work, his face going pale as he struggled to comprehend. "What is it?" he asked, his voice tight with stress.

Karna's expression hardened as he entered the room. "It's the day we have to send the report to Viswa," he said, waving his hand in the air as if it were obvious.

Mithun's eyes went wide with alarm. "DAMN IT!" he shouted, slamming his fist onto the table. Papers flew into the air, some scattering to the floor, as he buried his face in his hands. "I forgot to send it!" he continued, his voice muffled as he pulled at his hair in frustration. "He's going to tear me apart for this."

Karna chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly with amusement. "Well, that's your problem to solve," he said with a shrug. "I'm not the one who has to report to that monster."

Mithun shot him a frustrated look, his eyes narrowing. "You're heartless, Karna!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "The report is late partly because you didn't hit the targets Viswa set. Now, I have to deal with this mess!"

Karna's smile faded a bit. He stepped closer to Mithun, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, alright. I'll help you this time," he said.

Mithun sighed deeply, visibly relaxing as he nodded. "Thank you, Karna. I really need your help right now."

Every month, Mithun and Karna had to send a detailed progress report to Viswa. Even though the prince had originally said they should only report every two months, Viswa, being very strict and loyal to his duties, insisted on receiving updates monthly. He also set new goals and targets for them to meet each time they reported.

Mithun didn't always like how demanding Viswa was, but he couldn't deny that Viswa's strategies were working wonders. Under Viswa's guidance, their caravan operations grew at an impressive rate. His plan to expand their network and take in people wherever the caravan went proved to be very effective.

As a result of these plans, they managed to establish nearly 70 small bases across the Empire. Each base was set up with a local leader who was responsible for managing it. These local leaders reported to one of the 10 regional leaders. The regional leaders, who were carefully chosen and vetted, then reported to Karna. Karna, in turn, reported both to the prince and to Viswa.

This well-organized system helped ensure that information flowed smoothly and made it easy to spot any potential leaks or problems.

To keep their plans secure, only a small number of people were given access to the most sensitive information. Local leaders were only given basic details to minimize the risk of leaks. Additionally, most of the combatants and leaders they recruited came from lower castes, which helped prevent potential betrayals.

These individuals were often disregarded by other nobles and had less incentive to undermine their efforts.

In just five months, Mithun and Karna had successfully built a fairly large army and set up an extensive spy network throughout the Empire. This success was largely due to Viswa's smart planning, Mithun's financial expertise, and Karna's ability to quickly adapt and expand their operations. The strong structure they created helped them maintain gather valuable information.

The prince also provided Karna with special training techniques in a leather-bound book. These techniques were very effective for training small groups of people stationed at different bases throughout the Empire. Each base could now be trained uniformly and efficiently, thanks to the detailed instructions in the book.

After finishing the report, Mithun quickly instructed Karna to send it using a fast messenger. "Finally, the report is done. Send it quickly before Viswa sends me a death threat," Mithun said, his frustration clear.

Karna, with a smirk of amusement on his face, gathered the reports and headed out. "Okay, sure. See you later, Brother Mithun," he replied.