Chapter 303 The Governor-General Comes to New Delhi

This meant that the Viceroy of British India, who had been vacant for several months, was finally going to take office, and General Mountbatten’s long protests were ultimately inconclusive; Pamela Mountbatten, on the other hand, had already packed her bags long beforehand, and was just waiting to depart.

Good news about the U.S. Steel Corporation, finally came after the successful merger and acquisition, which is in the eyes of the source of the value of the information, on the one hand, the post-war reconstruction led to a large increase in demand for iron and steel, on the other hand, this is equal to the U.S. companies deep into the milestone of the British India, a major symbolic significance.

Buoyed by the favorable news, U.S. Steel’s stock soared, seemingly back to the top overnight, almost comparing to the heyday of the old Morgan when he first formed U.S. Steel.

Edwina Ashley also made a fortune on the rise in U.S. Steel stock because of this happy news. Now she thinks that the family’s fortunes will certainly be very good in the new year.

The aftermath was that her youngest daughter mentioned Allen more and more often, and Pamela Mountbatten dared not bother with more than a few words in front of General Mountbatten, but played the part of a good daughter and tried to keep her presence down.

But in front of the mother would not care so much, not to mention that Allen Wilson did not forget the Mountbatten family, the key moment leaked the news, so that Edwina Ashley only had the opportunity to, to experience the feeling of a surge in wealth.

Back home, Mountbatten didn’t talk much, directly leaked the news that he was ready to go to the office, “Pack up your things and get ready to depart.”

“Yes!” As a wife, Edwina Ashley nodded, she was able to make it clear that her husband really didn’t want to go.

Mountbatten’s greatest ambition was still to be the Secretary of State for the Sea, just like his father, but in order to get Mountbatten to accept the position of Governor-General of British India, Prime Minister Derry proposed to the King to make him the “Earl of Mountbatten in Burma”.

King George was particularly pleased that one of the royal family should receive this honor on his own merits. Since Mountbatten had no sons, the king also took the unusual decision to allow Mountbatten’s daughters to inherit the title so that the honor would not be interrupted in Mountbatten’s wake.

Mountbatten heard this happy news, but also mixed with a touch of sadness. He had a lifelong attachment to the title of “Lord Louis,” which he had inherited from his father, and had an almost superstitious feeling that it had brought him much good fortune.

However, he had no regard for these when he received the higher honors, and accepted the title of Earl of Mountbatten, Burma, without demur.

The acceptance necessitated the appointment, and even though General Mountbatten had fought and acted upon it, yet it was of no avail, and in the end he was to go to British India.

“Pamela, are you not glad?” Seeing the unusually quiet youngest daughter, Mountbatten instead took the initiative and asked, “Hasn’t my daughter always wanted to return to New Delhi?”

“I had to consider my father’s feelings, and Alan advised me at that time to leave British India and not to be too selfish in fooling around with my family.” Pamela Mountbatten replied good-naturedly, “Although I really wanted to stay there.”

Mountbatten, who had lost the battle with fate, was somewhat relieved at this point, it was probably God’s arrangement, “This time you’ll get to see your sweetheart again, I’m not against the two of you, he’s too worldly for his age, but amazingly bold, and father’s main fear is that you’ll be sad because of something later.”

“But it is your choice, and as I said, if I ever return to British India again, I will never interfere in your affairs.”

The New Year was not more than a few days old, London was still in the midst of smog, displaying the majesty of the fog capital, the new British India Governor General’s family packed their clothes and prepared to go to New Delhi to take up their duties, although it was not Mountbatten’s own dream, and he also understood that the job was difficult, but since he had accepted it, he always had to carry out the relevant preparations.

To others, at least, the Mountbattens appear to be joyfully on their way to their appointment, headed for a powder keg that is about to explode at any moment.

“Higher, bigger, this sign needs to be updated every single day.” On the avenue midway between New Delhi and Delhi, the countdown sign on the independence of British India was being erected under the personal care of Allen Wilson.

This was no secret operation, it was done entirely in the open, and naturally it caused many citizens of Delhi to crowd around and exchange words as they watched the scene.

Even in Delhi, not everyone understands the meaning of these numbers, although Arabic numerals were invented in ancient India.

After hearing the explanations from knowledgeable, but really only literate people, everyone cheered and gazed parasitically at the huge sign; every day that passed from now on would mean another day closer to the departure of the British.

To many, the present suffering was only the darkness before the dawn, and all could see the day when India would be free again, only for the present it would have to be endured for the time being.

“Look at those Indians, ah, the ordinary Indian character is a good one, and there is nothing wrong in approaching them on an individual basis.” Alan Wilson happened to be on the opposite side of these Indian onlookers, with binoculars in his hand, commenting, but then the conversation turned and said, “But in terms of the group, they are simply incomprehensible.”

“Probably all waiting for the dawn, who want to witness that day.” Commissioner Secretary Ender shrugged, “It’s not really incomprehensible, it’s just that our positions don’t align with theirs.”

“We are all modern educated people, the so-called darkness before the dawn does not exist. Because of the rotation of day and night, all religions call for the world to be filled with truth and goodness, but which religion has done so for thousands of years?”

Alan Wilson put down the binoculars and shook his head slightly, “The Indians want to see it, just keep looking, a sign is just a sign, but we have to go back, the Indian winter is short, but the power is not small.”

Alan Wilson remembered the news of a cold snap that hit Thailand one year, dozens of people froze to death because of it, one check of the temperature, five degrees above zero! New Delhi was a little warmer than that in January, but it wasn’t exactly friendly temperatures for a number of near-proletarian Indians.

One of the last things the Viceroy’s Office did before the new Viceroy took office was to remind the British diaspora in the cities to open up the free sale of property and to allow Indians to buy property in British neighborhoods.

Out of prudence, the pilot cities started with Calcutta, which was Allen Wilson’s last chance for the British diaspora to escape by cashing out and leaving British India.

Unlike the same period in history, there was an emergency evacuation of the British Indian diaspora as the Congress PML-N tussle became more and more violent.

While this saved the lives of the expatriates, it can be argued that the expatriates lost all their wealth in British India, except their lives.

Now Alan Wilson gave these expatriates a choice, either with the end of British India to return to Britain, or continue to live in independent India, the choice is in their hands.

At the same time Allen Wilson was drafting press releases to prove that India was about to move from one victory to another by counting down signs and opening up properties to free trade.

In fact, even if he did not do anything, I believe that the Indians will also be so interpreted, but the Indian interpretation of which is as professional as he, the executive, Allen Wilson can casually interpreted, India 10 must win, the British Empire 10 must lose the reason. More comprehensive than the Indian newspaper interpretation.

Inside the Viceroy’s residence, Sir Barron, the Commissioner of British India, chatted with Allen Wilson, “Our Viceroy is already on his way. He actually has a lot of good qualities, but the newspapers only pay attention to eye-catching jokes, don’t they, Alan.”

“Generous, loyal, reliable, and goes out of his way to help people. He was kind-hearted and liked everyone he met. He was courteous, thoughtful and considerate. He has amazing patience and is always ready to listen to others.”

Sir Barron nodded his head in approval, “Putting the tedious business of government into professional hands is the greatest strength of all.”

“I couldn’t agree more!” Alan Wilson nodded in salute, quoting the Cabinet Secretary’s words in a telegram, “A train is also an individual, but the rails keep it on its set course.”

For Mountbatten, the needs of the British Empire led him to aspire to become, like his father, Britain’s first Secretary of State for the Sea.

The sails of the ideal were not so smooth, yet he was as determined as ever.

The Viceroyalty of British India had its ups and downs, but he believed that a year and a half to settle things and he would be back in his beloved navy.

General Mountbatten’s family kept turning around, and now that he had decided to take office, he didn’t have to use the boat ride kind of approach to procrastinate. London, Rome, Cairo, Aden, New Delhi.

A few days later, the military plane of the new Viceroy of British India, landed at the New Delhi airport, the cabin door opened, Sir Barron with the Viceroy’s House of people came to meet and welcome General Mountbatten’s arrival.

Sir Barron prepared an elaborate salute and red carpet to maintain the last vestiges of British Empire decency in British India, and Mountbatten himself walked down with his wife, Edwina Ashley, followed by Pamela Mountbatten, dragging her suitcase.

“Mr. Vice-King, we have been waiting for you to descend on New Delhi for many hours.” Sir Barron’s face was filled with a genuine smile as he greeted General Mountbatten, followed by his wife, Edwina Ashley, and finally to Pamela Mountbatten, “Oh Pamela, welcome back.”

“Sir Barron it’s been a long time, I didn’t think we’d have a chance to work together, er ……” Mountbatten was speechless for a moment, his gaze filled with helplessness as he looked to the other side.

“So heavy.” Pamela Mountbatten beeped, Alan Wilson will understand, out of the general public stepped forward to take the suitcase, crying and laughing, replied, “This is also called heavy, you are not never seen my suitcase, which one is not heavier than this.”

Two people like no one else to hand over, directly to General Mountbatten get broken defense, boy you say clearly, why my daughter has seen your suitcase ……

“The Viceroy’s house has prepared a dinner for the Honorable Vice King and his wife to unload their fatigue.” Sir Baron spoke promptly and made a gesture of invitation, reminding the Vice King not to care about those details.