NOVEL NEXT Chapter 906: Marriage & Steam Engine Sale
Vijay had returned to Bengaluru nearly a week ago and had been waiting for Peter to contact him. He already knew the Grand Duke of Russia would be visiting the Bharatiya Empire — the Ministry of External Affairs had informed him, and Peter himself had written a personal letter. From the start, Vijay expected the purpose of the visit would be to discuss the Kesari steam engine. It was only a matter of time before foreign powers took a serious interest.
But then, a new detail changed everything.
Peter wasn't coming alone. He was bringing his family.
That was unexpected. Diplomats and generals came with entourages — not wives and daughters. And certainly not when the matter at hand was just industrial negotiation.
For the first time, Vijay wondered if Peter had something else in mind. A marriage proposal?
It wasn't impossible. A union between the Bharatiya Empire and the Romanovs would be historic. Agni was already sixteen — young, yes, but of an age where engagements could be considered. Vijay himself had entertained the idea before, especially given Russia's growing closeness with the Bharatiya Empire. Such a marriage would solidify their bond, offering long-term strategic depth stretching from the Deccan Plateau to Siberia.
Still, he was cautious. Marriages among European nobility were bound in layers of tradition. Even marrying across Christian sects was controversial. To marry outside the faith entirely? It would be unprecedented.
But then came another twist.
Peter arrived in Puducherry two days ago, and yet, he hadn't reached out. No visit to the palace. No meeting arranged.
Instead, he spent his time touring factories and meeting ministers on the outskirts of the city.
That didn't fit with the idea of a marriage proposal.
Vijay frowned. If Peter's purpose had truly been to propose a match, wouldn't he have come straight to the palace? Wouldn't there have been formal courtesies, symbolic gifts, or subtle conversations to begin the process?
And yet... this wasn't just a routine diplomatic trip either. He'd brought his family, after all. Why do that, if the visit was purely industrial?
It didn't add up.
One moment, Vijay was certain it was about the steam engine. The next, he was sure it was about marriage. And now, with Peter making neither intention clear, he was left genuinely uncertain.
For people at their level, nothing was ever simple. Even the most casual gesture could be wrapped in hidden motives. The more he thought about it, the less confident he became.
He sighed quietly and leaned back in his chair, gazing out at the hazy Bengaluru skyline.
"It's a pity!" Vijay sighed. He now had to continue to find a match for Agni among the daughters of various kings or among young princesses of ASEAN, although there was nothing wrong with these princesses. They were extremely beautiful, and culturally, they were very compatible as well. However, they came with their own set of troubles.
For one, the strategic ties fostered because of such a marriage might not be too useful to the Bharatiya Empire, which is unlikely to go downhill for the next few centuries, and the Bharatiya Empire could get anything it wants in its sphere of influence. Having a marriage tie could only be considered as icing on the cake. And number two, the marriage could break the balance between the countries under the empire's sphere of influence.
Until now, all the countries have quietly fought against one another, be it economically or in innovation and education. If a marriage happens between one of these countries and the royal family of the Bharatiya Empire, even if an official statement is not made, they become a lot closer to the Bharatiya Empire than any other country and obtain a lot more benefits, in a way creating a hierarchy of nations, which was not something he wanted to see.
"Forget it, it will happen as Shiva intends," Vijay put the matter aside and went on with his duties.
It was nearly 10:00 o'clock when Peter finally decided to set up an appointment for a visit.
Vijay got to know that he would be bringing along his family as well, so he immediately contacted the Shaurya Royal Palace and informed Kavya to come, bringing along Vedant and Tanvika.
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It took nearly two hours for Kavya and the kids to reach the Simhasana Bhavana, but it was all right since the appointment was made for two o'clock.
As soon as Vijay and Peter saw each other, they warmly hugged each other like close friends. The ladies were respectfully standing to the side with warm smiles, while the princesses and princes were looking at each other with curiosity.
"Vijay, allow me to introduce you, this is my wife, Wilhelmine Adelheid von Hohenzollern."
Vijay looked at the pretty German woman who looked a little tense and did a namaskara.
Wilhelmine did not know how to respond, since the greeting was completely different from what she was used to, but still, she did a curtsy first and a namaskara afterwards.
"I wholeheartedly thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. Our family has been welcomed very warmly by the Bharatiya Empire."
Vijay chuckled, "No, madam, the honour is all mine."
Peter went on to introduce Ekaterine and Mikhaill.
Vijay casually praised the beauty of the little girl in a few words, and the liveliness of the toddler, after which he introduced his wife and children to Miss Wilhelmine, since Peter had already met all of them.
Finally, Vijay was left alone with Peter.
"How have things been, Peter? Are you doing well?"
"Hehe, it's really kind of you to ask, Vijay. And yes, everything is alright, we are making steady progress in the war, and Siberia is developing, thanks to the Bharatiya Empire, at a very fast speed. I am already thinking of building another city, Vladivostok has become too crowded."
Vijay thought about it and agreed, "You really have to expand the living area. I suggest you use the large bay area fed by the Partizanskaya River. At least two large-scale port cities could be built with throughput not lower than Vladivostok, not to mention you can use the river for better transportation of minerals from inland."
Peter's eyes lit up, "It's a very good suggestion, thank you, Vijay. After I go back, I will have my subordinates do a survey."
Vijay smugly added in his heart, 'Of course it is a good suggestion, two of the largest ports of Russia in the future, Vostochny and Nakhodka, will be built here after all, not to mention Vostochny port even surpasses Vladivostok when it comes to throughput.'
"I guess congratulations are in order, Peter. Russia is constantly gaining an advantage against the cursed Ottomans."
"Haha, how could we do worse when we received so much support from the Bharatiya Empire? We can only make sure not to let our allies down."
Vijay smiled, not commenting further.
"I bet Emperor is overjoyed."
Peter smiled, but this smile contained a hint of bitterness, which took Vijay off guard.
"Is there something wrong with His Majesty?"
'Sigh!'
Peter nodded with a heavy expression, "Father has been bedridden since I left Moscow; his condition must be even more severe."
Vijay was not expecting this. He was not surprised that Alexis was sick because he was 63 years old, and living to 60 is already a rare thing, but he was surprised because the sickness came at a very critical time.
Looking at Peter, he started to understand why he chose to bring his entire family. If Alexis I was bedridden, then the Russian Empire is currently under the control of Dmitri Alexandrovitch Romanov, the Crown Prince of the Russian Empire. Unlike Peter, Dimitri is a traditionalist; he has traditional and conservative ideas. Peter, who was in a way a revolutionist, is a complete thorn in the eyes of his brother.
Foreseeing the unavoidable contradictions, he chose to vacate his entire family while his father was still alive, and his brother dared not take things too far.
"Don't worry, Peter, he will get well soon enough. If you want, I can send you the best doctors in our empire to look at his situation."
Peter smiled gratefully.
"Leave that aside for now, tell me, I am thinking about letting Ekaterine study in the Bharatiya Empire for her college. What do you think?"
Vijay was surprised, "Are you sure? You do know that you are allowing me to influence how your daughter grows up, don't you?"
Peter smiled and shook his head, "Of course I know this, but I have no better way. I have yet to establish a good university in my territory, and I do not feel safe letting Ekaterine go to universities in Moscow."
He directly acknowledged the friction between him and his brother. If it was anyone else, Peter would not be giving out such crucial information, but in front of Vijay, he knew that Vijay had already figured it out, so it does not matter if he gives Vijay a confirmation.
"Which only leaves me the choice of the Bharatiya Empire. It's not like Ekaterine will be losing anything here. The education in your empire, although it does not care about art or devotion, cares highly about pragmatism. All the subjects taught are extremely useful for the functioning of a society. I think it will be good for Ekaterine to learn your ways for a few years."
Vijay understood and shrugged, "In that case, I welcome the little princess to study in the capital."
Peter nodded with satisfaction.
Both of them talked about the war some more, but finally, Peter brought up the matter of the steam engine on his own initiative.
"Vijay, I heard that a new invention has been made in the Bharatiya Empire that can run machine tools without the power of animals or humans. Can I see it?"
Vijay did not refuse and agreed. In a few months, the appearance of the steam engine would be known to many European nations anyway, as he planned to sell them on a large scale to major industrial manufacturers, so he didn't mind letting Peter see the crown of the Bharatiya Empire's machinery in advance.
Travelling through the 4th lane, they reached Kavery Bank industrial zone before daybreak. Vijay proudly showed off the working of the Kasari steam engine in one of the branch factories under Sri Ranga Industrial Tools, which was responsible for making one of the simpler parts for the steam engine.
A few hours later...
Vijay and Peter walked out of the factory in complete silence, the shock still etched on Peter's face. What he had seen wasn't just a machine—it was a monster capable of changing the world. The thought of such a force driving thousands of machines across the Bharatiya Empire without pause left him shaken, as he began to grasp the true scale of its manufacturing power.
"No wonder the deadlines for arms delivery have been cut down by a week, and even the cost has been reduced."
"Vijay, would you sell one of the Kavery engines to me?"
Vijay smiled and looked at Peter directly in the eye, "What do you think? If you were me, would you sell it?"
Peter was immediately dejected. If he were in Vijay's shoes, he would, not to mention sell it, he would not even let anyone take a look at it.
"I guess it's a no then."
"Yes, it's impossible to export the Kesari engines... but I can export you the other steam engine."
"What!!"
Peter couldn't hold back his exclamation. I mean, who could blame him? He had been asking for the steam engine used in the mines for a long time, but Vijay had always rejected it. But now he is agreeing so suddenly—what could have happened?
"Are you sure?" he asked, his expression hesitant. Although he did not understand what made Vijay make this decision, he was still looking forward to the steam engines that can be used in the mines.
Vijay had a serious look on his face. "Yes, I am sure. I can export you the Devaraya steam engines for sucking out water from the mines on the condition that the machine can only be put into use in your own territory. I will immediately stop the export if I catch the wind of it being used anywhere else in Russia."
His words were very direct. Peter, however, did not take any offence. "Definitely, it could be written into the contract. I wouldn't be foolish enough to sell the machine that caused a revolution in the mining sector in the Bharatiya industry to someone else. Not to mention, we have had to abandon a lot of mines due to troubles caused by the water. Now, mining in these mines could be restarted and the output of minerals could be increased."
Vijay smiled. This was the reason why he sold the Devaraya steam engine. It was so that he could gain more resources from not only Russia but from the overseas territories as well, since he decided to put the machine on the exports list for the closest allies and for his own territory.
Vijay was not being hasty by doing such a thing because he had read intelligence reports sent by Roshan, in which he could tell that all the European nations are conducting experiments on the atmospheric steam engine, and from what he could see, some countries are very close as well.
Vijay was not surprised by this since the Europeans already had the foundation to build a steam engine, as the first two generations were built by them. So now that they have come very close to mastering the atmospheric steam engine technology, he decided to make as much money as possible with the machines before the major European countries bring it out.
Also, the steam engine he will be exporting is not the latest version but the earlier version, the one without a condenser, which made it less efficient and more fuel-hungry than the latest version.