Chapter 29: CHAPTER 29 - Portuguese delegation-1.
Early June 1538, Capital city, Dharanikota Kingdom.
It was a lovely day in the city of Dharnikota. The sun was very forgiving, and there was ample cloud cover. Quite a change from the hot summer days like usual. Especially compared to the lovely weather in Lisbon, Portugal.
For a brief moment, Fernão Mendes Pinto was reminded of home. But the thought was soon shattered as he heard a loud bell ringing from a nearby temple. He was not in the Portuguese empire's grand capital but in the capital 'city' of the backwater kingdom called Dharanikota.
He used to be in charge of the delegation, which was to establish diplomatic and economic ties with the Dharanikota kingdom. 'Used to be' was the keyword as the role was taken over by his now boss, Nuno da Cunha.
Nuno da Cunha used to be the governor of the entire Portuguese Indian territory and was the man who appointed Fernão in charge of the delegation in the first place. When orders arrived from Lisbon that he was to be replaced, Nuno took over the delegation to have some semblance of power and prove that he was capable.
Thankfully Fernão gave up the power, as soon as Nono asked. Otherwise, he would have been the one to justify this disaster of a trip. ' I have been quite lucky recently.' he thought to himself, remembering the disaster of a voyage to India.
Their ships encountered Ottoman slaver ships, and Fernão was almost captured as a slave. Luckily, they were able to outrun them, at the cost of one of the ships being captured. He thanked the almighty god that he didn't suffer such a fate.
As for this disaster, Nuno, Fernão, and the others, arrived in the kingdom on the eve of the civil war. They had a chance to meet a king, whose name was Karana Deva, and shower him with gifts, but that man died in the war, and his young nephew came out on top.
The delegation soon tried to re-establish diplomatic ties with the new king but was shocked to find that, all the people who held influence in the previous court were being hunted down.
Just like that, many years' worth of connections the Portuguese established in the kingdom during the reign of the last two kings had gone down the drain. On top of that, the new king disrespected Nuno da Cunha, and in turn the Portuguese empire, by not meeting them, and always postponing the meeting.
Fernão Mendes Pinto was a tolerant person. He was very curious about new cultures and took the time during delays, to explore the local culture. But the same could not be said about the leader of the delegation, Nuno da Cunha.
After the king ignored the meeting request for the fifth consecutive time, Nuno began meeting nobles of the kingdom, who were planning to overthrow the young king. He made a deal to supply them with weapons and Portuguese matchlock mercenaries, but it backfired and they were dead before the first mercenary set foot on the kingdom's land.
Their payment costs were swallowed by Nuno, reluctantly. This only increased the leader's resentment of the kingdom even more.
"Filthy people, and a filthy kingdom. If I were still in charge, I would do to this kingdom, what I done to Damão(Daman)!!" Nuno complained in Portuguese, as none of the locals understood it.
When he was the governor, Nuno da Cunha ordered the city of Damão to be sacked and burnt as revenge against the Gujarat sultanate. Now that he was mostly powerless, such threats were futile, and the translator who was accompanying them did not bother to translate it to the curious locals.
Fernão was also somewhat upset at being made to wait. But he was not that stupid to express it. Sure, their empire can probably conquer this backwater kingdom, but that does not mean they will not be caught in the crossfire.
After all who cares what happens after one dies? It does not matter to him that revenge will be taken, it is better to be alive. It is especially true for diplomats like them, as the kings like to take their prestige very preciously.
While they were nearing the Royal palace, another member of the delegation asked Nuno, " I heard that this king is a barbarian. Are we taking any additional precautions?"
"A barbarian ruling other barbarians! Hah! Quite a fitting title too, I heard that he killed his entire family to get the throne. Who would do that? I'd say this will be even simpler. Dangle some money in front of him, maybe a few bed slaves, and he will give in!" another one chimed in.
"They must have heard of what we have done in Goa and Calicut. If things don't go as planned, we will say that our armada will arrive at these shores and blast them into brimstone!" Nuno said, still not accepting that he is now only a disgraced governor.
Fernão did not feel that comfortable discussing their plans like this in the open. The soldiers escorting them into the palace were listening in on everything, even though they could not understand it. Especially the masked soldier at the back. He felt that man's stare piercing through him.
After they entered the palace they were told to wait in a room, and the soldiers left them alone. The delegation used that time to organize the gifts they bought with them. These Asian kings loved the gifts. Even though it was not that valuable, something from back home, and an ample volume of gold, would usually do.
After waiting for some time, an attendee entered the room and announced "His Majesty, Rudra Deva, will see you now. Utmost respect to the throne is to be maintained."
They circled back to the main hallway, to enter the court. Large wooden doors opened for them to get into the room. The room itself was not that large when compared to other rooms of similar function. The court back home in Lisbon, and even the vijayanagari court he had a chance to visit were a lot bigger.
The pillars were nicely carved, with stories being told in those carvings. The ceiling was also high, making the room appear grand. Curtains covered the large windows behind the throne, yet they provided ample lighting. The room appeared different than when he visited during the reign of the previous king.
The Throne was placed on a small elevated platform and seemed to have a gold coat. 'All these kings are the same.' Fernão thought as he observed the king, as they walked to the middle of the room.
The man was striking, to say the least. There were obvious hints of adolescence visible on the face, but the eyes, to Fernão, looking at those eyes felt like looking into an endless pit. It was not the cold and dead eyes, he had seen in the people who had let go of all hope, but they resembled those of the experienced professionals.
Just as the delegation was observing the king, the young man was observing them right back. When he looked at the king again, those eyes returned to normal, as if it were just the eyes of a 16-year-old.
"Your Majesty, Rudra Deva, your wisdom knows no bounds and we have heard about your achievements from across these lands." Nuno put up a convincing act after entering the Royal court and praised the king. While the entire delegation bowed, the message was conveyed by the translator.
They were having an advantage by having the only translator on their side. They can get all the information from their side, while only conveying what they want to the other side.
Praising the king was also a pretty standard move. Inflating their ego means that in most cases, they will have an advantage. Sure, some kings will see right through it, but the reputation of this Rudra was that he was a brute. They will probably get away with it.
The King said something, in his native language and all Fernão could get was the gibberish. The translator converted it to " Welcome, foreigners. I hope my staff has treated you well. We are quite due for this meeting. My minister has been telling me about you for quite some time."
Fernão did not know how accurately the message was translated, but the message was conveyed and that was enough.
"We were treated 'quite well'. As good as you barbarians can at least. Translator, tell this king that we brought some gifts. Add a praise or two, kiss ass a bit." Nuno said, suddenly disregarding the court etiquette.
'What the hell is this man doing? Just because we have the translator, does not mean you can speak whatever you want.' Fernão thought, as understandably the translator panicked.
The translator was a mestiço, which means he was only half Portuguese and possibly never visited his homeland. Such half-breeds were quite common in the overseas territories, born from sailors 'borrowing' local women.
After the translator stumbled through, the king did not express any doubt as to whether the message was properly translated, and asked " What is the purpose of your visit? What could this humble kingdom offer you, that an empire such as yours needs?"
Fernão relaxed quite a bit at that question. It seems that the brute king did not suspect anything amiss in the translation. He will ensure a proper reward to the translator whatshisname, after this is over.
"The greatest Ruler of the lands and the oceans, John III of Portugal, has used his god-given right of his people to obtain anything, from wealth to land, for the benefit of the homeland. We are his envoys, and we seek to establish, a Warehouse Factory to properly conduct trade in these lands. Make sure to nicely translate it. I want this inexperienced fool to bloat with the praise we fill him with." Nuno instructed the translator, who was now used to his antics, and proceeded cautiously.
'There was a reason, this fool was removed as the governor, and his declining finances were not the reason. If he could keep his mouth shut, he would be a lot better off.' Fernão noted to himself.
"So you wish to trade. If I may ask, Why? I seem to recall that you already own similar warehouse factories in the Vijayanagara Empire and Malacca. Not to mention the Calicut and Cochin. What can this Kingdom offer you, and more importantly what can you offer back?" The King asked.
"To showcase the wealth of Portugal, and signify the new friendship between our kingdoms, we have bought gifts. Ivory and Pelts from Africa, a statue from Brazil, and a printed Bible from the Royal Library of Lisbon. Tell him how valuable these are, he must think these are more valuable than the town we are asking." Nuno replied to the translator with the same unchanged expression.
"Quite good. Especially the book. It will go into my collection. Now you want to trade textiles, dyes, and other small items. Yes? " The king asked. Hook. Line and sinker.
Once a basic presence is established, further steps will be quite easy. First a warehouse. Then fortifications around it. Then comes the soldier garrison. Then killing the local trade. With the final step being complete occupation.
But Fernão still felt uneasy. It was going too easily. Yes, KIngs love gifts, but they will not accept the terms so easily. He particularly remembered the king's eyes. It was still the same amused expression as before.
"Yes. Yes. Tell him we will trade using Silver bullion, and occasionally gold. These people's mouths water for the precious metals." Nuno da Cunha instructed the translator.
"Excellent. I love the Idea. Especially the part where you try to rip me off. " The King suddenly said, but the delegation didn't require the translator this time. Rudra Deva spoke in perfect Portuguese.
Nuno da Cunha, Fernão Mendes Pinto, and the rest of the delegation were shocked. What is this nonsense? Are they collectively hypnotizing? Why is the King speaking their language?
"Aww, Don't make that face. After all, you shouldn't be that worried. I am just a barbarian ruling other barbarians right?" this new reply sent Fernão reeling. The sentence was said by Nuno before coming to the Palace. Were they listening in on them then too?
Then he recalled the masked soldier with the sharp eyes, who was observing them when they were escorted to the Palace. 'The king was there from the beginning!' Fernão realized suddenly. He came to escort them in himself and took the opportunity to spy on them.
As for the language, if they had captured a Portuguese merchant, they could learn it from them, he concluded. It was their stupidness to say those comments out loud in the first place. If it were not for Nuno, they would be better off.
"Are you kidding me? I am the envoy of King John III of Portugal and carry his imperial authority. You are trying to play me for a fool, are you not? This is not only an insult against me, but the entire Portuguese Empire!" Nuno da Cunha suddenly declared.
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