Chapter 52 - Next target

Aariv was currently busy managing city affairs. he needed to bring everything back to normal.

The new governor appointed to Kalinga was still 2 days away. Merchants had started to bring food and the city market had started flourishing again.

The city soldiers had fully surrendered now and were awaiting their fate.

Aariv didn't want to waste manpower so he told them to get back to work. patrol the streets and keep things in order, however he didn't give them an authoritative position.

He appointed his soldiers to mingle with the city soldiers and root out any Kalinga royal family sympathizers and spies from other kingdoms.

Things were calming down in the city, people had started to return to their daily life. People had happily accepted the Mauryan rule.

"Baldy, I am done with Kalinga. Now, tell me about Chola empire."

Aariv was talking on his holocom.

"Well, what we know is that they are in a constant struggle with Pandeyas and Cheras.

We have a very good relations with them, we conduct a lot of trade. They also have a navy."

Aariv scratched his chin and thought about what to do with the father and daughter.

"What about the family situation?" He asked.

"King Purusaprabhu Chola doesn't have a son, he had 3 but were assassinated, probably by his younger brother. His younger brother is next in line as The King is too old to produce an heir. He probably knew that his sons were assassinated by his brother but couldn't do anything as his brother is stronger than him in the Kingdom, he has the support of the ministers.

King Purusaprabhu Chola must be wanting to marry his daughter with the King of Kalinga so that he could get some aid in dealing with his brother."

Aariv was happy with this news. He now knew what needed to be done.

"Thanks Baldy, I'll be taking 20,000 archers, 60,000 hors.e.m.e.n, 100 war elephants 19,900 foot soldiers with me to Chola. The remaining 150,000 soldiers of 200,000 will be returned to you. 50,000 will be left here until everything is confirmed to be normal." He informed.

Kautilya bowed and disconnected.

suddenly the door opened and 2 soldiers walked in holding a guy in between.

"Your highness, we found this man sneaking in the palace"

Aariv recognized that it was the painter guy, Surupa.

"let him go, he didn't do anything," he said and waved his hand.

Surupa suddenly rushed to Aariv and held his feet.

"Your highness, please let me go. I need to see my sister... she is all alone," he said while crying.

"Okay... let's go," Aariv said calmly and headed out.

Surupa was in a daze for a moment before hurriedly following him.

...

In the city,

Aariv and Surupa crossed streets, people bowed respectfully to Aariv whenever someone saw him. Soon they came in front of a run-down building.

"You... live here?" Aariv asked doubtfully.

"Yes... This was passed down to me by my parents. They died from a lions attack in the jungle while picking up firewood." He sadly replied.

Aariv felt bad but this was a common occurrence. He then went inside the building and was greeted by an exciting little girl. She looked healthy. Aariv was worried because Surupa was stuck in the palace, and thought that she must've been hungry. But seeing her, it seemed that she ate her fill. She looked to be 5 years old.

Surupa dashed to his sister from behind Aariv and hugged her.

"Thank god you are fine, I was so worried about you... did you eat something?" he asked with concern.

"Yes... a good guard uncle gave food to everyone, every day." She said.

Aariv felt quite happy that his soldiers were doing a good job.

"Haha... What's your name little girl?" he asked.

"Oh... you're so pretty big brother... and my name is Kaveri... who are you?"

Aariv saw her cutely poking at his golden dress in awe.

He ruffled her hair and said, "My name is Aariv Maurya"

Surupa suddenly jumped and reprimanded her and said that she should address him more carefully because he's a prince.

"Woaaah, are you my prince charming who came to save me?... but... I am sorry I can't go with you and leave my brother alone" She said and respectfully bowed.

"hahaha..." Aariv started laughing.

"Then I'll take you both," he said and picked her up in his arms.

"Yesss... that would be awesome" She cheered up.

"Your highness, forgive me for her rudeness," Surupa apologized.

"Tell me, why do you paint buildings," Aariv asked.

Surupa was surprised with that question but honestly replied.

"I find painting buildings very easy, and I've sold them twice"

"How do you imagine the building?" Aariv asked.

"I imagine myself in that building, I imagine every corner of it and then paint the structure."

Aariv was pleased, this meant that Surupa was quite a talented architect but he still needs training.

"Do you want to make those designs a reality?" Aariv asked.

Surupa had a confused face.

"Your highness, how can I..."

"You will just have to instruct the workers and make sure that the building is made according to the plan. I'll also give you a book with technical knowledge about making big buildings... tell me, are you interested?... you will be paid handsomely," Aariv said.

"Yes, I will take this job, your highness," he said excitedly with a deep bow.

"Okay then, go to Patliputra with my army and wait there for me. Here, take this money and get a nice place to live there" Aariv said and handed him 10 gold panas.

"Yayyyy... we're going sightseeing" Kaveri cutely cheered in Aariv's arms.

He put her down and said goodbye to them, he was going to have a talk with King Purusaprabhu Chola.

He went into the room where the father and daughter were imprisoned. The moment he entered, both of them fell on his knees, pleading.

"Stop this nonsense, I've come to talk to King Purusaprabhu." He said with a serious face.

They stopped pleading and looked at Aariv in confusion.

"tell me, why did you decide to marry your daughter to the king of Kalinga?"

"Because... it was a good choice..."

"Truth," Aariv reprimanded.

"I...I needed help in taking back my kingdom" he said.

"You are spineless... you would ruin your kingdom even if you got it back. I have another idea... I can kill your brother and once again make you a true King, also heal you so that you can make another son"

"What's the catch?... King Purusaprabhu Chola asked. He knew that nothing good comes free.

"Condition 1. Chola will become a subsidiary of the Mauryan empire. You will have no administrative power but your family will remain and no one will touch you as long as you do not commit a crime.

Condition 2. All your sons will study in the world university opened in Patliputra. They will study and live there for at least 12 years, then they can come back and become the king.

If you agree to these conditions then I will help you," Aariv said.

King Purusaprabhu Chola understand his 1st condition was understandable but not his second condition.

He didn't see any harm in his future son going to the Mauryan capital and studying there as it would help him rule better.

What he didn't know was that his son would probably reject the king's position.

Aariv was going to set up the world university and it would have a special class for young prices. They would be introduced to the miracles of science and technology, and all about democracy.

He would make sure that small kingdoms would cease to exist, this way he'd conquer the Indian sub-continent 100%.

The university would also be open to any foreign students. He was going to make a big library there, with knowledge about everything from basic to high school level.

If someone wanted to learn more then they would have to enroll in the specialized program, for that they would need citizenship. This way he would bring in a lot of intelligent people.

King Purusaprabhu Chola thought for a bit. He would just be losing his administrative power but he'd still be a king and would also not have to worry about an invasion. He wasn't worried about money from taxes as his family owned a lot of business and that was more than enough for him. He also had no other choice.

"I agree with your conditions, your highness. Let's sign the agreement," he rushedly said.

Aariv nodded,

"The new governor will bring notarized paper for agreement by tomorrow. We'll head to Chola the day after tomorrow," he said and left.

Seeing Aariv's back, King Purusaprabhu Chola took a sigh of relief. He felt like he dodged a bullet.