Chapter 351 Prelude to India
"India?" Daphne repeated, her brows knitting together in a frown of confusion. "But whatever business have we in India?"
"We're bound for India to inspect the progress of a grand palace under construction," Francis explained, his tone carrying a hint of formality. "It's a directive straight from our father—the Emperor. His word is final, and we must adhere."
Realizing the gravity of the situation and that resistance would be futile, Daphne's shoulders slumped ever so slightly. She understood that imperial commands were not to be taken lightly, nor were they open to negotiation.
"India," she murmured under her breath, a mix of resignation and curiosity in her voice. "I never imagined setting foot on such exotic lands."
Francis, noting the change in his sister's demeanor, offered a reassuring smile. "It will be an adventure, Daphne. Perhaps, there's more to gain from this journey than we initially thought."
Daphne lifted her gaze to meet his, a spark of intrigue now flickering in her eyes. "An adventure, you say?" She pondered the idea for a moment before finally nodding, her sense of duty as a royal outweighing her personal reservations.
"Very well, Francis. If it is our father's command, then we shall go to India and see this grand palace for ourselves," she declared.
Her decision made, Daphne turned on her heel, her maids falling into step behind her as they continued down the corridor. Francis watched them go, a thoughtful expression on his face as he contemplated the unforeseen detour in their journey.
***
The distance from Edo to Calcutta is roughly 4,500 nautical miles, spanning across the East China Sea, through the Strait of Malacca, and into the Bay of Bengal. It's a twelve-day journey by sea, assuming favorable weather conditions and no unforeseen delays.
July 24th, 1821.
Just as calculated or estimated, the French Pacific Fleet arrived in the Bay of Bengal twelve days later without facing any major setbacks or delays. The journey had been relatively smooth, and the weather had been kind to them.
The IFNS Napoleon was greeted by the sight of Calcutta's bustling harbor as it made its way towards the docking area.
In the docking area, merchant ships sailed about, unloading and loading their cargo in a metal container. The merchant ships were mass-produced and named Victoire Ship. The reason why it's coined the mass-produced ship is because it was built like an assembly line in the Imperial Shipyards owned by the Bonaparte family.
Introduced in 1814, the Victoire cargo ships replaced the traditional, wooden ships that had been in use prior, marking a significant shift in naval technology and trade practices. The ships were constructed primarily of durable metals, with reinforced structures, and used revolutionizing techniques called welding.
An average worker in a shipbuilding company can learn how to weld in two weeks, a month for riveting. This efficiency in training and production significantly increased the output of ships, making the Bonaparte family a dominant force in maritime trade.
The Victoire cargo ships were known for their speed, stability, and capacity, attributes that made them highly sought after. They were also considerably safer than their wooden predecessors, with lower instances of damage during long voyages and a reduced risk of fire. The introduction of metal containers for cargo further streamlined the loading and unloading process, saving time and reducing labor costs.
Speaking of the loading and unloading process, there's another revolutionizing invention developed in France. It's called metal containers.
Prior to its invention, cargo was loaded into the ship via multiple smaller containers and packages, which was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. The introduction of standardized metal containers allowed for a more efficient loading and unloading process, as the containers could be easily moved using cranes and other machinery.
The faster loading and unloading process meant money flowed faster into the economy, making the trade and commerce sector more robust and efficient. The metal containers ensured that the goods were better protected from the elements and potential damage, reducing losses and insurance claims. This, in turn, resulted in more reliable delivery of goods and contributed to the overall growth of international trade.
So far, there were 4,500 cargo ships in active service, with more of them planned to be built in the coming years to meet the increasing demands of global trade.
The IFNS Napoleon docked at the Calcutta port. There was a red carpet laid out on the dock, leading to a series of royal automobiles prepared to transport Francis and Daphne to the construction site of the grand palace.
On either side of the red carpet were Indian sepoys, a local militia working under the French Empire in the French Foreign Legion. All of the India sepoys joining the army swore an oath of allegiance to the French Emperor and pledged to serve the French Empire with loyalty and dedication.
Even when they were part of the French Foreign Legion, they were still allowed to wear their cultural clothing, for example, a turban for those who came from Sikh backgrounds. In the Hindu community, many wore traditional dhotis or churidars with their military jackets. And lastly, the Muslim community members were often seen in their pathani suits or sherwanis.
As Francis and Daphne made their way through the line of sepoys, the soldiers crossed their ceremonial swords above their heads, creating an archway—a symbolic gesture of welcome and protection for the visiting French royalty.
As they neared the royal automobile, a man stepped forward. A man in his early forties, wearing an exquisite governor uniform.
"Eugène de Beauharnais," Francis called and the two shook hands casually.
"Your Imperial Highness, we have been expecting your arrival."
Eugène de Beauharnais was Francis's second-in-command during the French-Maratha wars, which allowed France to control the whole subcontinent. When Francis left India, Francis recommended him to Napoleon to serve as the governor of the French territories in India. With extensive experience and proven loyalty to the Empire, Eugène had proven himself to be a capable administrator, ensuring stability and prosperity in the region.
"Governor de Beauharnais," Francis greeted, "It's been quite some time. How have you been managing our father's territories?"
Eugène offered a small smile, "It has indeed been a while, Your Imperial Highness. Things have been going well here. The integration of local governance and our administration has been smoother than anticipated. And as you can see," he gestured around, "the region is prospering under French rule. Not only that, it's benefiting France financially."
Daphne, observing the exchange, stepped forward with grace. "Governor," she greeted, inclining her head slightly.
"Princess Daphne," Eugène bowed respectfully. "Welcome to India. It is an honor to have you here."
"Thank you, Governor," Daphne replied. "So, can we see the Palace now?"
"You're sounding a bit impatient, Daphne," Francis whispered.
Daphne shot him a quick, sheepish smile before turning back to the governor. "My apologies, Governor."
"No need to worry. I'm sure you are eager to return to France. Being far from home is one of the most difficult feelings," Eugène sympathized, understandingly. "But to answer your question, yes, we can certainly proceed to the palace. It's not far from here, and I believe you'll find the progress quite impressive."
The group made their way to the royal automobiles, with Francis and Daphne taking a seat in the lead vehicle. The convoy started to move, winding its way through the streets of Calcutta.
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