Chapter 342: The Indian Quagmire
The East India Company's spy nodded confidently. "That should be correct. I've heard the same information from multiple sources.
"Those Shah fellows constantly surround Tipu, portraying us as a colossal threat. Moreover, the populace of Mysore towards us..."
While Sheikh Khan, Shah, and others had overthrown Jahan Zeb, the pro-British faction in Mysore still held considerable power. They were bound to seize this anti-British sentiment to completely eradicate British influence in Mysore.
Half an hour later, the spy left Griffith's office. The senior representative of the British East India Company immediately instructed his servant to prepare a carriage for Amba Vilas Palace, intending to gauge Tipu Sultan's attitude.
Tipu Sultan had recently been greatly agitated by the British "instigating" Jahan Zeb to kill over 300 people, so he naturally wouldn't show Griffith a friendly face. Shah, meanwhile, added fuel to the fire, skillfully steering the conversation towards the British's "atrocities."
Griffith was practically lectured from beginning to end, and then summarily dismissed.
Leaving Amba Vilas Palace, Griffith's expression turned grim. Based on the spy's report and Tipu Sultan's attitude that day, the situation had likely become extremely serious.
He immediately returned to his residence and penned a report to Cornwallis, the Governor-General of India, detailing the situation in Mysore and recommending the temporary withdrawal of British East India Company employees from Mysore.
He handed the letter to a messenger and then immediately began arranging the British evacuation. Mysore could declare war at any moment; waiting for the Governor-General's reply before withdrawing would be too late.
The intelligence gathered by the British East India Company spies was precisely what Salah had instructed Shah's subordinates to sell. Additionally, one of Tipu Sultan's close attendants had also accepted money from Salah, covertly hinting that 'the Sultan has decided to launch a preemptive strike against the British.'
Coupled with the recent fervent anti-British sentiment in Mysore, the British would likely choose to temporarily leave this troubled land.
If Griffith still insisted on staying, the French Intelligence Bureau would continue to arrange "surprises" for him, such as Mysore citizens looting British merchants, or even British personnel being kidnapped. Salah didn't believe the British could maintain their composure then.
However, Salah hadn't expected Griffith to be so "cooperative," choosing to leave at the first opportunity.
He immediately sought Lafayette for a discussion, and the following morning, they both went to audience with Tipu Sultan.
Inside Amba Vilas Palace, Lafayette looked at Tipu with a face full of urgency. "Your Majesty, I have consistently warned you that the British would invade Mysore again. The situation is now quite clear; they are withdrawing from Mysore, evidently preparing for a subsequent military offensive."
Although he somewhat disdained Salah's methods, the latter had already set the stage, and he naturally wouldn't waste such an opportune moment.
Tipu Sultan's expression was also grim. As the ruler of Mysore, he naturally couldn't be unaware of the British East India Company's withdrawal.
Salah then stepped forward and began to vividly recount the tragic scenes of the previous two Mysore Wars, particularly the immense damage the latter war had inflicted upon Mysore.
In reality, if Joseph hadn't intervened in the Indian situation, the British would have instigated the Third Mysore War early next year, which would have been the most devastating blow to Mysore.
That war would have cost Mysore half its territory and resulted in enormous reparations of 3 million Pound Sterling, or 75 million Livre.
After that, Tipu, known as the "Tiger of Mysore," would become a toothless tiger, no longer able to contend with the British, ultimately dying in 1799 during the Fourth Mysore War while defending Srirangapatna.
At this point, the British were still nearly half a year away from being fully prepared for war. The British East India Company would need a considerable amount of time to transport weapons and supplies from mainland Britain, tens of thousands of nautical miles away. If Mysore launched a preemptive strike against the British before then, it would inflict enormous losses upon them.
While Mysore would find it difficult to utterly defeat the British, given Britain's deep resources, the British, in their desire to secure India, "the most brilliant jewel in the crown," would undoubtedly have to divert resources from other areas — such as the funds used to antagonize France in North Africa — and reallocate them to India.
This would immediately alleviate France's predicament in North Africa, and depending on the situation, they could even increase aid to Mysore, further raising Britain's colonial costs.
Of course, Joseph wouldn't drain his own resources to aid Mysore as Louis XVI had supported American independence. His style was to achieve the greatest returns with the lowest possible cost.
Finally, when Salah spoke of his father, Haider, dying in the war against the British, Tipu Sultan could no longer maintain his composure.
He shot up from his large golden throne, clenching his fists. "You're right! Rather than wait for the British to attack Mysore again, I will take the initiative!"
He turned to the court steward beside him. "Issue the command! Convene a ministerial meeting immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mysore's "Ministerial Council" also adopted the European cabinet meeting model, comprising four ministers for Finance, Military, Industry and Commerce, and Religion, in addition to the Sultan's secretary – currently absent on pilgrimage – and important military generals, serving as the nation's core political power structure.
Tipu Sultan then looked at Lafayette. "If possible, I hope you can also attend this meeting."
The latter immediately bowed slightly. "It would be my honor, Your Majesty."
Around 5 PM, Salah, who had been anxiously pacing in the outer hall of Amba Vilas Palace, finally spotted Lafayette. He hurried forward. "Marquis, what was the outcome?"
Lafayette calmly adjusted his coat, a rare smile gracing his face since his arrival in India, and whispered, "The decision has been made to declare war on Britain. Not a single minister opposed it."
Salah nodded repeatedly, equally excited. "That's wonderful!
"That's all I could do. The rest is up to you, Marquis."
Lafayette confidently clapped him on the shoulder. "I won't disappoint you, my old friend."
Leading greenhorns into battle, especially foreign ones, was Lafayette's greatest strength.
Years ago, he had led the raw recruits of the American Continental Army to defeat the formidable British expeditionary force.
He had previously inspected the Mysore army; they had clearly undergone some European-style training. Although overall slightly inferior to the American militia, these soldiers were far more obedient—officers could even command them to commit suicide on the spot.
The greater advantage, however, was the sheer number of Mysore's soldiers. Even without mobilization, they already numbered over 58,000. According to Tipu Sultan, the maximum number of troops that could be mobilized was around 120,000.
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