Reborn In 17th century India with Black Technology

Early in the morning, Vijay welcomed an important guest, the director of Bharatiya Internal Pragya, Selvan. Vijay had just completed his workout, so he quickly took a shower to freshen himself, put on some casual clothes, and officially sat down with Selvan to discuss the important matters.

In fact, Selvan did not know the reason he was called. All he knew was that his majesty wanted him to do something that was not supposed to be in the records of the government, or else why would his majesty summon him, using the secure protocols no less, directly to the Shaurya Royal Palace instead of the Simhasana Bhavana.

Vijay took a sip of tea and set the cup down.

"Selvan, I want you to covertly spread the news of what's happening in Europe across the empire, with the main focus on cities that have the highest Jewish populations," he said, dropping the report he had just finished reading.

"And," he paused, briefly gathering his thoughts before continuing, "the propaganda should be shaped so that every Jewish person feels the need to stand with their brothers and sisters, to fight against the European nobles who are looking to massacre their entire race."

Upon hearing these words, Selvan's eyebrows were immediately raised, 'Like I thought, his majesty is really doing something the people wouldn't like.' Thoughts ran in his mind as to why his majesty gave such an order, but he did not enquire any further.

"As you wish, your majesty, I will get it done." He had been in service long enough to understand what he could inquire about and what he could not. Since his majesty clearly wanted the Jewish population in the empire to leave, that is exactly what he would get, nothing more, nothing less.

He had no idea of acting smart in front of his majesty, especially since he didn't know how many agents were planted next to him. The image of the Chief Minister, who had been found guilty of corruption and hanged, was still fresh in his mind. He didn't want to be the next person to succumb to the same fate.

After Selvan left, Kattappa slowly knelt down next to Vijay,

"Your orders, your majesty."

Vijay didn't look up; instead, he picked up the newspaper and silently muttered,

"Just keep an eye on the senior management of the Internal Pragya. The mission I have given to Selvan is of utmost importance, and this mission is only complete if the secrecy is maintained, so if you find an agent trying to sell the intelligence or do some sort of funny business, I give you the right to directly eliminate the agent."

"As you wish, my liege."

It was not that Vijay was being heartless or he was harbouring some hatred against the Jews, but putting it in simple terms, it's just that the Jewish population is a double-edged sword, they are extremely smart, extremely united, and extremely savvy, in small numbers they can do wonders to the economy, but in large numbers it is entirely possible that their community could monopolise certain sectors of society, this is not something he wants to see, he wants continuous competition, not stagnation.

In simpler and more direct terms, Vijay is more worried about the problems with so many Jews in the empire than the advantages they bring. This was completely the reverse when the Jews were first brought into the empire in the 1650s and 60s to take up positions in the society, but now that the Bharatiya Empire has the highest number of educated people, importing talent from Europe is no longer a necessity; instead, it has become a security risk.

Vijay understood that he was being opportunistic, hypocritical, and cruel, even, but he had an empire to run, and bearing those titles was the easiest price he could pay.

---

In the next few days, news began to spread throughout the empire about the Jews being persecuted in Europe, and the European countries waging war on the newly established Kingdom of Israel.

Peculiarly enough, this news seemed to be more concentrated among the places where Jewish communities reside.

Local newspapers reported about the massacres, and so did the word of mouth. As the news fermented, changes finally began to appear in society.

"Goddamnit, I am young, I can contribute to the cause of our race. Don't you dare stop me. As a matter of fact, quickly pack up, we are leaving immediately." A husband stood by his wife with an angry expression as he packed up his luggage, as if to say, Even if you do not agree, I am still leaving.

The threat was really successful, as the wife, even though reluctant, started to pack up her bags as well.

"Mr. Silva Stein, why are you resigning? Is it due to the salary? If so, we can discuss it some more."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Chitra. This company has given me a lot. The compensation I get is very satisfactory, but my country calls me, and I have to fight for it."

"Mr. Rutledge, could you please explain why you are selling your company? From what our bank understands, although your company has a debt, it's not too much. With the current rate your company is growing, it should clear its debt in utmost two years."

"Haha, I'm going to start a weapons manufacturing plant in Israel, and I need some funds for that."

Similar situations happened all over the empire throughout the month. The largest resignation of Jewish white-collar workers, merchants, officials, and business owners was seen.

Benjamin Levi was one of those people who decisively left everything in the Bharatiya Empire and set off for Israel. Truth be told, the reason for his going back is only half due to patriotism. The other half is due to the business opportunity he saw. According to the news mentioned in the newspaper, he doesn't have to go through any complicated citizenship trials in order to become a citizen of the Kingdom of Israel.

The only necessity was to be a Jew. He wasn't yet a citizen of the Bharatiya Empire, as he had only immigrated to the subcontinent two years ago, and his waiting had not ended yet. Besides, if he became a citizen of the Kingdom of Israel, then he would be allocated a large plot of land free of cost and a job according to his skill.

These conditions were completely a step above the situation in the Bharatiya Empire. Although he felt a huge loss leaving behind the comfortable life he was living in the urban city, he still felt like going to Israel would have more growth prospects for him.

The travel for Benjamin Levi did not take too long, especially since the Bharatiya Empire had already established its dominance in the Red Sea. Leaving from the port of Mumbai, it only took him around 42 days to reach the shore of Israel.

Standing on the port of Akiba, he was mesmerised by the view. Hundreds of people were getting down from several ships docked in the port. He even saw a few Bharatiya vessels docked in a harbour of their own, undergoing service.

Looking around, he could see young men and women all looking heroic, walking towards the immigration office with a sense of purpose, as if they were marching to the battlefield.

Standing on the Israeli soil, he couldn't explain why, but he felt like he was home. He felt like this was where he belonged, even though he had never been to Israel. He was getting this feeling, which left him confused. Additionally, even though he did not have the bravado of the youth who all came packing after hearing what was happening in Europe and after hearing what the European countries were doing, he still felt a sense of duty, a sense of duty that told him that he would have to contribute to the cause of his people in some way or another.

For a split second, he even considered putting the exercise he had done in the Bharatiya Empire to use and enrol himself as a soldier, but thankfully, he came to his senses in the last moment and walked forward, wanting to sign up as a person experienced in logistics.

The sign-up went extremely smoothly, and he was not surprised because back in the empire, he worked in Goldstein and Co Pvt Ltd, one of the largest, if not the largest, Jewish-owned trading firms in the empire, as an assistant logistics supervisor in the company. With his experience, it was no surprise that he was able to procure a job in the logistics department of the military, and not only that, he also had the right to claim over fifty acres of land for himself.

As time went on, his nonchalant profiteering intentions continued to wane.

"Sob, sob."

"Mother, I want my mother." A little girl was crying bitterly as she was brought down from the ship.

"Mother has gone to a faraway place, my child, don't worry, she will visit you soon enough." A man who looked to be the father comforted her with tears in his eyes.

"Someone is injured, quick, we need a stretcher, we need a stretcher."

A man whose back seemed to have suffered from gunshots was pulled away on a stretcher.

In front of Benjamin was the ship of refugees who had come from the Holy Roman Empire, one of the hardest places for a Jew to live.

And this was only one ship. He had seen so many people, at a loss, in desperation. They all had deep sadness, regret, and even hatred in their eyes. For the first time, he began to regret why he had been chosen for logistics at the port. Even though he came to Israel mostly to benefit and become rich, constantly seeing people of his same kind in such dire straits, his heart could not help but develop a sense of aversion to Europe.