Chapter 302 – New Governor in the New Year

“Anyway, to be in charge of this reception is an unforgettable experience in my life.” Alan Wilson was still moving his body as he spoke, the feeling of being punched was still there.

“Oh?” A subtle change appeared on Greta Garbo’s face, which was very rare.

“Well, I’ll be in America after I take care of London.” Vivien Leigh opened her mouth to interrupt the two men’s cartwheel, although she could tell that Alan Wilson had no memories, she didn’t want to continue in case she remembered something.

Unwilling to waste time on the road, the group finally decided to leave after New Year’s Day, the last few days, the master of time management thinking he had it all figured out, not realizing that he had long ago been dunked in the foot wash without his knowledge.

“You should be thanking me.” Greta Garbo looked condescendingly at Alan Wilson and uttered something startling.

“Where did that come from?” Alan Wilson frowned, was it better to thank Greta Garbo for her fire? Thanking his opponent for giving him the opportunity to bow to his fate?

Allen Wilson had always been very passive when facing Greta Garbo, and this time was equally very passive. Who made people demanding.

Time has entered 1947, the year of British India’s independence in history, and at the New Year’s Day dinner at the Viceroy’s residence, which included the actresses from the Girlfriends’ Group, as well as the American staff, the friendliness of Britain and the United States at the dinner was on display.

Had Derek still been in British India, he might have been able to attend this dinner as well.

Sir Barron made a speech on behalf of the Viceroy’s Office, wishing all departments to hold fast to their posts in the new year, and to continue their struggle for the prosperity and endeavors of British India.

The reception then officially began, with the expectation of the New Year, the British Empire gentlemen raised their glasses to each other, listened to classical music and talked about the harvest of the year.

Hollywood actresses were also invited to a number of invitations, but after declining, the gentlemen just nodded slightly and did not pester.

What was Alan Wilson doing at this time, he was much busier than these dream girls in the eyes of the public, the executive and judicial officials who greeted him around him were more than twice as many as the actresses put together.

“He’s so popular?” Joan Crawford looked at the direction where Allen Wilson was, and spoke with suspicion.

“Europe is still not the same as America!” Greta Garbo similarly glanced over there and faintly said, “Joan, the world isn’t just America, your knowledge of the world needs to be supplemented.”

Alan Wilson, as the assistant commissioner of British India, as the pioneer of investment in London, the promoter of the big building program, the best think tank for administrative and judicial officials, the best friend of the maharajahs of the various native states, deserved such treatment.

Not this group of bureaucrats who are either bald or greasy, more attractive than actresses, the key is that it is already time to share the money, the Governor will soon take office, the end of the year settlement of the blitz of spending money must be implemented as soon as possible

January 2, about the year 1946, British India’s various expenditures meeting, in British India Governor-General’s Palace grandly held, Sir Barron personally presided over this meeting, in the big building program and against the drought action, showed unprofessionalism to carry out a severe criticism.

Mistakes committed were to be corrected, and the merits that had emerged were to be carried forward. In response to this harsh criticism, the chief executives of the provinces acknowledged it and made sure to correct the mistakes in their work.

“From now on we shall treat every day as if it were our last, and serve British India with all our energies.” Sir Barron said with a solemn face, “There is not much time left for us.”

You are also a Chinese fan? Alan Wilson’s face changed slightly, thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t we set up a countdown sign, at the Delhi Gate? On the one hand it’s to tell the Indians, and on the other it’s to spur us on to work hard ourselves?”

“Having this sign actually gives the Indians a psychological cue, and I think that psychological cue is very useful. On the eve of the appearance of the light, it might keep the Indians from acting rashly. Of course if we don’t leave when the time comes, the Indians might just blow up.”

“That actually makes sense, might as well give it a try.” United Provinces Administrator Burke nodded his head in agreement, “Watching step by step as we approach the time for independence, the Indians might come after us less at the end of the day.”

“Then let’s do it!” Sir Barron nodded after a moment’s thought, “Gentlemen, work hard for the next year.”

“Yes, Sir.” Everyone present responded in unison, and at the end of the meeting, the benefit regarding the gentlemen’s hard work over the year had been calculated, and Sir Baron personally presided over the division of the cake as a commendation for the gentlemen over the year.

In fact, belonging to the gentleman’s share is not much, the average of less than three hundred thousand pounds per administrator, not to say that do what is very hard, and is a big building and fight against drought, there is only so little harvest, earn some hard money.

The beginning of the new year, the civil servants of British India has a different meaning, a year of hard work has been harvested, everyone’s face is full of happy smiles.

Far away in London, Sir Edward, also did not forget the important part of the civil service in British India, the same sent about the process of the sale of iron ore, British India deserves a share. It is not altogether without reason that the Cabinet Secretary, who is worthy of his duties, is widely loved.

In addition to this matter, the Cabinet Secretary brought news that a new Governor-General of British India was about to take office.

On January 3 and January 4, Alan Wilson, with his colleagues in the Viceroy’s Office, exchanged felicitations for the American team that had come to British India to make a documentary, followed the next day by the return of the Great British Treasure to the United States with the same specifications.

Alan Wilson himself, too, was to be more spirited in the midst of the new year for the benefit of the British Indian public.

On the same day, in Hyderabad, Alisa officially received a notice of appointment, became the current British India’s youngest district commissioner, the title originally belonged to Alan Wilson.

But Alisa being a woman, the appointment was even more sensational, and what was explained in the Viceroy’s external report, “It is hoped that Alisa’s womanhood may be used to defuse some of the senseless antagonisms, and to bring a touch of warmth to the work of British India.”

If it was Alan Wilson, just because of the matter of officially becoming a commissioner, he should also take a few days off, don’t always pretend to be a bandit robber, all the class leap, should think of some more brilliant ways to do things.

“It’s also really polite!” Putting the one hundred dragons of gold coins in the iron box and locking it, Alan Wilson was pleased with Alisa’s filial piety, “Honorable Commissioner Alisa, what do you think now?”

“Andy seems very upset. Because of what I did as Commissioner.” Alisa sighed, “Actually, when you think about it, there is nothing wrong with him, he just really isn’t very qualified.”

“We have to put all our personal feelings aside when we do things, and I can’t say anything about the two of you.” Alan Wilson raised an eyebrow and shook his head slightly, “Surprisingly not paying, it’s too much.”

British India side of the new year, for London, things are still the same things, the problems are still the same problems, everything seems to be supposed to change, but at present there is nothing to change.

At the beginning of the new year, the devastated London was foggy and looked very depressed and gloomy.

At 10 Downing Street, Adderley, the new Prime Minister, a Labor secretary who Churchill called “a typical mediocrity,” was waiting somberly for the arrival of a superb admiral.

He was Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, the great grandson of Queen Victoria. Mountbatten was forty-six years old and had long been famous in England. He was tall and good-looking.

He had been summoned by Adderley to become Vice King of India, or Viceroy of India. The Prime Minister had decided to give him this supreme task in India, not to rule India, but to arrange for the withdrawal of Britain from India.

It was an extremely painful mission. The Imperial Government was now determined to withdraw from India wisely, so as not to appear wretchedly driven away by force. The great British Empire of yesteryear was today incapable of continuing to rule its colonies.

General Mountbatten, who had long ago received his appointment, was finally obliged to go to his post, and this visit to No. 10 Downing Street was nothing more than a pre-departure talk.

Mountbatten was well aware that this was a mission with no hope of success. He knew that the former Governor-General, Field Marshal Wavell, who was a soldier of great talent, had been brought to his knees; could he himself have succeeded?

This letter of appointment at the end of the empire did not excite Mountbatten; on the contrary, he was frustrated. The position really wasn’t as soothing as the previously stepped-down position of Commander-in-Chief of the Allied High Command in Southeast Asia.

“I still have to repeat myself.” General Mountbatten looked at Prime Minister Adderley and spoke solemnly, “What I said before, first, the government must publicly announce that Britain guarantees to cease the exercise of sovereignty and agrees to the exact date of India’s independence, so that it will be easy for me to negotiate in depth with the Congress Party and the PML-N, and, second, during my tenure, I enjoy full authority and complete freedom without having to report to London, and especially without allow London to intervene on a regular basis.”

“Good, but I hope that General Mountbatten will not override His Majesty’s recognized Cabinet.” Prime Minister Adderley nodded gravely, “The date of British India’s independence, as I once said in Parliament, will not be changed.”

“Then I will leave at once.” General Mountbatten sighed heavily, after all he had not succeeded in his resistance, and after more than half a year he was going back again.

Even these two excessive demands Prime Minister Airdrie had already agreed to, Mountbatten already had no choice but to take office.

On this day, London officially announced to the public, the vice king of British India will officially take office.