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Chapter 34: Calm Before The Storm

Now that the important matters of his life were completed, it is now time to get back to the construction of the Empire.

Vijay summoned Lokanandha Senapati to the palace in private.

Within a few hours, Lokanandha Senapati arrived at the palace as requested. After the exchange of greetings and a salute, Lokanandha inquired, "How can I be of service, Your Highness?"

Vijay beckoned him to come closer as he asked, "How is the military training going? Are the new recruits ready for battle yet?"

Logananda thought about the new recruits who had undergone intensive training for half a year in the academies and replied, "Your Highness, we are awaiting your order to let the newly trained recruits join the army."

Vijay was relieved that the training had been completed, as he wanted a substantial amount of military might for his next plans. He stated, "Let 20,000 newly trained recruits head to the front line of the Empire. Then Summon 20,000 veterans to the capital and have them lead and show the ropes to the 30,000 new recruits."

With a ruthless expression, Vijay continued, "The 50,000 soldiers will form a new division. This division will be stationed near the capital in secret."

Logananda was shocked by the orders he received. With hesitation, he asked, "Your Highness, are we going to war against someone? No offence, Your Highness, but we simply do not have the financial resources to wage a war. And although the new recruits have been trained very well, they haven\'t seen any blood in combat yet, so they will not be combat-ready," he said worriedly.

Listening to the words of the Martial, Vijay replied, "You don\'t have to worry about that, Logananda. We are not going to war against any foreign enemy, but the reforms I am about to make will touch the interests of the upper-class people. In a sense, you could say that I am going to war against the nobles and zamindars of our kingdom."

"This will be a perfect opportunity to test the new recruits and expose them to combat early before heading to the battlefield," Vijay responded.

"But Your Highness, I don\'t think that the nobles and zamindars will take up arms against you. You have a great amount of respect among the common people due to the kindness you have shown to them. Moreover, I believe they will not resort to violence even if they are dissatisfied with your actions," Logananda expressed his opinion skeptically.

Vijay knew that Logananda wouldn\'t easily believe him. After all, what he was about to do had never been done before. A king turning against his own class for the sake of peasants had never been documented.

So he roughly explained some of his ideas to Logananda. He mentioned the land reform, the justice system, the education system, and the caste system which he planned to change.

Listening to this, Logananda couldn\'t stand still and quickly took a seat, cold sweat on his face and back. He looked like someone who had seen a horrifying Bhutha (Ghost).

"But... but... why, Your Highness?" Logananda said with trepidation. He couldn\'t understand why the king would undertake such a drastic action, destroying the very foundation in which the king ruled the Empire.

But soon Logananda came back to his senses. He quickly realized that it was not his place to question the king\'s decision. If he couldn\'t fulfil his obligations, the king could replace him with someone else.

So he swiftly regained his composure and replied to the king, "Please order Your Highness. This old bone will be the sword and shield in your hands. I will cut down on the enemies no matter who they are or when it\'s required. I will confront anyone who opposes your decisions, including the nobles. I will do so without hesitation," Logananda said, his eyes brimming with resolution.

Vijay was very satisfied with Logananda\'s promise.

"I have always believed in your family\'s loyalty, Senapati. The Senapati family has been fighting for the Vijayanagar Kingdom from generation to generation. Your grandfather, your father, and now you and your son are all serving this land. I\'m speaking to you straightforwardly because I know of your unwavering loyalty, and I understand that you don\'t possess the oppressive tendencies often found among the nobles in the same class as you," Vijay stated, praising the old man.

Listening to the king\'s praise, Logananda\'s back straightened even more than before, resembling that of a young general. His eyes were brimming with pride when the king mentioned his family\'s contribution to the motherland. Vijay finally ordered, "Now, go back and carry out the tasks I\'ve mentioned in secret. Spread the news that the veteran soldiers are coming to the Military school to teach the recruits as a form of propaganda among the nobles. I don\'t want them to catch a hint of what I am about to do. And remember, don\'t let the Mughals take an opportunity to attack our borders. I am very sure that they have no time to deal with us while they integrate their lands, but just in case, be vigilant at all times."

As Vijay completed his instructions, Logananda left the hall. Seeing the departing figure of the Marshal, Vijay went to his study room with resolve and determination in his eyes.

He would start conceiving multiple reforms that would directly propel the Vijayanagar Empire into the early modern age, similar to the trajectory of European countries in the 18th century.

The nobles and the zamindars don\'t know that their rich and prosperous lives are coming to an end. Unfortunately for them, what they are experiencing now is just the calm before the storm.