CHAPTER 30- Portuguese delegation-2.

Early June 1538, Capital city, Dharanikota Kingdom.

The atmosphere in the Royal courtroom of Dharanikota was Tense. Most of the people there did not know what was happening but knew that the Portuguese delegation said something, and the king caught them.

Only the delegation and Rudra Deva knew what was happening. The supposed leader of the Diplomatic mission was caught insulting the Kingdom and its people and threatened Rudra Deva himself when got caught.

Rudra could have them killed for insulting him and his kingdom. But that would only invite problems to his kingdom. He also expected racism coming from them, but doing so in such a blatant manner was what surprised him.

He was tailing them from the morning, disguising himself as one of the security guards, to properly assess the Diplomats. He did not have a properly justified reason for why he did that, other than that he was bored from being cooped up in the palace and went to do this, much to the headache of his guards.

The head of the diplomatic mission, Nuno da Cunha, was supposed to be this very important person, from the records in the memory library. But seeing him here, leading such a group, was proof that history is everchanging and he can't rely on the history books.

In the old timeline, Nuno served as the Governor of Portuguese India, during which he burned the Indian city of Daman, belonging to the Gujarati Sultanate. He spent most of the time as a governor, feuding with the Gujaratis, escalating the conflict at every turn. After being relieved of his position, he died in a shipwreck, off the Cape of Good Hope, while returning.

Rudra did not have any doubts about the military ability of the man, but the arrogance with which Nuno carried himself, pissed him off. He can excuse the comments made during transit, as he was not supposed to be there, but insulting him in his court? That was crossing a line. 

But before he can chastise the man properly, another member of the delegation moves forward and stops Nuno from embarrassing himself further. Two others followed him as they physically restrained the ex-governor from doing anything stupid.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty. I do not know what came over him, but that was not a behavior fit for a diplomat. Senhor Nuno was recently relieved of the governor position and is quite bitter about it. It was our mistake and we apologize." the man known as Fernão Mendes Pinto, quickly said.

Fernão Mendes Pinto was another relatively famous person, from the Portuguese empire. He was famous for visiting the East Asian kingdoms, just as the first contact was being made via the sea. 

History changed yet again and Fernão who was captured and sold as a slave during his first voyage to India, successfully arrived in this land, a few years earlier than he did. This made Rudra wonder, how else the world had changed on an individual level.

"This is not a game, Sir Fernão. The man leading your delegation, which supposedly arrived to increase friendship and trade, insulted me, my people, and my kingdom. Is this how you treat foreign powers in your Empire?" Rudra questioned the man, putting on an angry face, and going back to speaking the native language so that everyone could understand him.

He did not remember much of the personal memories from his previous life, but he figured that racists were not new. Besides, he was a king. If he turned down a deal beneficial to his people, just because his feelings were hurt, what sort of leader would he be?

"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I will make sure, this does not happen again. We truly did come for Trade, and I even fell in love with the wonderful culture here. Please, try to understand that this is not how we behave." Fernão sounded remorseful while saying that. If the Oscars were present in the 16th century, Fernão deserved one.

Rudra knew that Fernão was also putting on an act. Though he could not prove it, Nyayapala found out that, the dead rebels were negotiating with the Portuguese to hire Musket mercenaries. These were opportunistic assholes who would suck the kingdom dry if they can.

"What is done, is done. Do you want to be a proper merchant on my lands? Go and be one someplace else. But let it be known that, I am generous. I will allow you to trade with the kingdom, but your only seller will be the Kingdom itself. You are not allowed to buy goods from the common people, and if found, The warehouse factory will be seized, and your merchants executed." Rudra declared, to the Portuguese delegation. 

It was not much of a threat when faced with profits. But Rudra hoped that, by restricting the trade, these merchants would at least behave. He even acted with mock outrage because of this. He used that to implement this.

It was to prevent, the common factory strategy used by the Europeans. They cannot just roll up to a port and buy a few ships worth of goods, such as spices and textiles. Doing so would skyrocket the cost, and in many cases would prove impossible. 

So they came up with the Factory warehouse concept. What they would do is, set up a warehouse, to buy goods throughout the year, and pack them for the ships. They would then start to build fortifications around the 'warehouse' to protect the money and goods they were storing.

Because of the constant demand and price they provide, the producers will readily sell their products, thus driving the local merchants out of business. Once they are out, they would drastically reduce the offered price, and the producers would not have a choice to accept it.

To 'protect' them from these angry producers and merchants, they will start bringing their soldiers as security. This will escalate even more until the total area is occupied. Rudra thought it was a genius move, but not something he appreciated when turned against him.

These Portuguese wanted Machilipatnam. But Rudra will not allow it. In the original timeline, as the town was the main port of the Golconda Sultanate, the Portuguese and later the Dutch who owned did not gain a foothold there until the late 16th century. But, it was now under Dharanikota, and they arrived decades early. 

"But we cannot get sufficient trade volume to justify such trade, Your Majesty. Please consider an alternative!" Fernão asked.

"I am done discussing this topic. If you want to move forward with it, discuss it with my trade advisor" Rudra ordered, as Montra moved forward from the crowd, to bring attention to herself.

"A woman! Insult upon insult you hurl our way! Are you so eager to bear witness to the might of the Portuguese armada?!" Nuno who had broken free from restraint, challenged Rudra, once again ignoring basic diplomatic protocols. 

"Also, If that man utters another word, I will personally make sure to kill him." Rudra said to the delegation in Portuguese, and going back to the natives, "Escort these men to their accommodations. The court is dismissed." Rudra ordered and watched as the delegation left the court.