Chapter 80: Alphonso's Plan
Far away in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal:
In a luxurious palace located in the royal capital of Lisbon, a majestic middle-aged man sat in his study. He was engrossed in reading a letter that his Knight had just delivered to him. This man possessed golden hair that bore a striking resemblance to a lion's mane, and his eyes were of a unique shade of green. He was none other than Alphonso IV De Braganza, the 9th Duke of the renowned Braganza family, a prominent and esteemed noble lineage in Portugal.
"He he"
As he read the letter, Alphonso couldn't help but chuckle at the news it contained, which clearly delighted him. The letter had been delivered by a typical Western knight-like man, and the knight found his master's reaction to be rather absurd, given the gravity of the information.
Alphonso continued to elaborate on his perspective, "Don't you see, this is an opportunity for us, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The knight, still puzzled, scratched his head in confusion.
"You see, the Dutch are going to war against the Vijayanagara Empire," Alphonso explained, his expression shrewd, akin to a cunning fox.
The knight finally spoke up again, his voice tinged with skepticism, "Your Highness, how can this be good news? Won't their victory only increase their strength?"
Alphonso leaned forward, his eyes filled with intrigue, "Yes, what you're telling me is true. If the Dutch were successful in invading India, it would indeed be a significant concern for us. But who told you that they were going to win?"
The knight was visibly shocked by Alphonso's words. It was hard for him to fathom the idea that the mighty Dutch, a European superpower, could be defeated by a small indigenous country. Alphonso, observing his knight's astonished expression, couldn't help but sigh. He recalled how he himself had been initially shocked by the recent developments in Vijayanagara over the past few years, whether it was in various fields such as education, the courts, police stations, and many others. These ongoing changes continued to astonish him. Consequently, he decided to provide further information to his loyal knight.
"After our setback in Goa in 1625, our family didn't entirely withdraw from India. We maintained our intelligence operations and, moreover, I personally invested significant resources in gathering information about the Vijayanagara Empire and the developments on the subcontinent," Alphonso explained. "I concur that if Vijayanagara had remained in the same state as it was in 1625 when we departed, I would indeed be concerned about the Dutch's chances of success. However, numerous changes have occurred since King Vijay Deva Raya ascended to the throne. Firstly, the nation is now more centralized than ever before. King Vijay Deva Raya wields absolute authority over all aspects of the country. Additionally, I've received confidential reports indicating substantial resources allocated to the development of weapons. Although the precise nature of these weapons remains uncertain due to their rigorous secrecy at the place they refer to as the Bharatiya Academy of Sciences, I have strong reason to believe they involve innovations in cannon-making, musket production, or advancements in black powder technology. Any of these developments could significantly advance their military capabilities."
The knight was incredulous. "How is that possible, Your Highness? How could a lowly barbaric country like Vijayanagara produce advanced weapons comparable to ours?"
"Never underestimate anyone," Alphonso cautioned. "Remember that the Orientals had superior technology to us a hundred years ago. Yet, we surpassed them in only a few decades. Technological advantages are often temporary. Suppose Vijayanagara manages to acquire our advanced cannons, muskets, and flintlocks. In at most 4 to 5 years, they could replicate these weapons, especially given the abundant resources in their country. They would not need to rely on other nations for resources. This is precisely why all of Europe covets India, isn't it?"
The knight, although still steadfast in his beliefs, had to ponder Alphonso's words. "Even if that's true, Your Highness, Vijayanagara may triumph over the Dutch initially. However, once the Dutch learn of Vijayanagara's advancements and their failure to capture the empire, they'll likely dispatch a larger force to deal with the indigenous empire. In such a scenario, Vijayanagara would surely crumble in no time, as it stands little chance."
"Hahahaha," Alphonso IV laughed loudly upon hearing those words. "You are mistaken, my dear knight. Even if, by some chance, the Dutch succeed in Vijayanagara, they won't be able to hold onto it. Capturing Vijayanagara is one thing, but sustaining a strong colonial presence is quite another."
The knight was shocked once again by this revelation. It was the first time he had heard of this, and even though he was mainly responsible for collecting information for his Highness, he had never been privy to such high-level discussions between countries. Hesitating, he finally mustered the courage to ask the question that was on his mind.
"Ah..."
However, Alphonso didn't give him a chance to speak as he continued to explain, "Recently, after the Thirty Years' War, the British lost a lot of their resources and interests. After their defeat against the Catholic camp, they shifted their focus towards the Dutch and the Spanish. I've recently had discussions with the British Interregnum government, and they are willing to assist us in gaining our independence. They are also planning to block Dutch trade routes, effectively weakening the Dutch further."
The knight was dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond, standing there like a statue.
"I don't know about you, but I believe a war between the Dutch and the English is inevitable," Alphonso continued. "If you think about it, it has always been inevitable. Both countries have similar strategies, using their formidable naval power to strengthen themselves. With limited resources available, conflicts are bound to arise."
Finally regaining his composure after the earth-shaking news, the knight asked hesitantly, "Is it... is it alright that you're telling me this, Your Highness?"
Alphonso smiled and replied, "It's alright. Everyone will know this news in a few months anyway. One more person knowing won't change anything."
"Setting that matter aside, let's talk about our country. After the Thirty Years' War, Spain suffered greatly despite being in the Catholic camp. It's the right time for us to gain our independence, especially now that the Spanish Habsburg dynasty has weakened, and Philip IV can no longer suppress the discontent among his people due to Spain's declining status. It's the right time for us to break free from Spain."
Alphonso chuckled to himself with amusement as he thought about the possibility of crowning himself not just Alphonso IV Braganza but Alphonso IV Portugal.
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