Chapter 211: Another variable?
Purana Qila, Delhi , 19th April 1557.
On the same day when the Northern Imperial Corps was occupied with finding an alternate route to Kashmir, the capital city of Delhi was in an uproar.
A week earlier, during a court meeting where the second official reform was being discussed, several significant developments occurred. These not only shifted the empire’s direction but also altered its geopolitical standing with other kingdoms.
Initially, news of the Kashmir attack diverted everyone’s attention to the remote member kingdom, as it threatened the empire’s precious Silk Route trade connection between Asia and the Western world. As a result, discussions about the company’s business were postponed, though the draft for reforms had already been settled, but awaiting few changes.
Regarding the patent reform bill that was introduced by Aditya, it was accepted by the council under the pretext of a 20-year time period before being renewed at the mercy of the Trade Minister appointed by the crown, which was again Aditya himself. So this way, the tussle for private armies died down legally, with only the mercenary army allowed in the empire to be held by Aditya, and that too recognized as the Grand Mercenary Army, though it maintained the restriction of heavy infantry for security reasons
This outcome not only gave Aditya an unprecedented advantage over other financial entities but also solidified his position as a potential successor to the throne, despite being known as bastard child.
Despite these successes, Aditya had something else on his mind as he practiced his sword training with Bheem in the training grounds, even though it had been way past his scheduled time.
The training ground echoed with the sharp clash of metal as Bheem struggled to block Aditya’s relentless, deadly strikes. His hands trembled under the force of each blow, the pressure becoming overwhelming.
Panting heavily, Bheem gasped, "Cut me some slack, will you? It’s already afternoon, Your Highness."
Ignoring him, Aditya launched into a diagonal slash, only to swiftly rebound into a horizontal strike. Bheem barely managed to block both, adjusting his sword’s positioning at lightning speed, but the attacks came too quickly for him to counter. Dodging a downward blow, he narrowly evaded an upward strike that followed, Aditya’s blade cutting the air as he parried effortlessly.