British civil servant

"I didn't even take the balloon, saying that the Greeks had steam engines thousands of years ago."

"Aren't you writing a book about the nuclear war in ancient India? Have you published it yet?" Sir Barron let out a long laugh and looked at Alan Wilson's expression very interestingly.

"Published and very well received. It has been passed down by word of mouth among the Brahmin community... as a world-shocking example of the great ancient India!" Alan Wilson held his head high, very much in line with a Soviet phrase, your name is nobody Know that your deeds endure forever.

He not only wants to publish the research results in India, but also share them with the world, reshaping the image of Indians around the world.

"That's a very interesting thing, and it's definitely something to look forward to." After making a joke, Sir Barron returned to the topic, "I should contact Sir Edward, hoping to get Sir Edward's approval, and persuade the Prime Minister to make a deal In this matter, who do you think is more suitable to go to London?"

"Gandhi and Jinnah are definitely not suitable. No matter who is on the side of the Muslim League, it is best to let Patel go on the side of the Congress Party. This person should put his performance on a bigger stage. Staying in India always gives us trouble."

Hearing Alan Wilson's opinion, Sir Barron nodded and said, "Let the citizens of London watch the excitement. They are not losing money, and they still have to buy a ticket to go to the zoo."

The situation in British India is only known to the civil servants working here, not the high-ranking members of Congress.In this way, let others know the true thoughts of Indians through an occasion.

At the same time, the drought is almost a certainty, and the hardliners of the Congress Party and the Muslim League are taken away, and the provinces use the drought to cause trouble.

Chapter 226 Danger Is Opportunity

"In this way, you should discuss it with the chief executives of the provinces. Another thing is to keep in touch with the Congress Party and the Muslim League." After a moment of thought, Sir Barron made a decision, "I leave these two matters to you , I will contact Sir Edward to arrange for the Congress Party and the Muslim League to go to London, and you will inform them of the result. At the same time, I will also meet with General Irvine. "

General Irvine is the general of the British Army in India. After Governor Wavell left, the British Army in India was under the command of General Irwin. If you work in a colonial environment, how can you do it without the military on your side?

For the drought that is almost doomed to occur, two-handed preparations must be made. On the one hand, it is to disintegrate possible resistance.On the other hand, it is to reveal one's own strength and deter the enemy.

Alan Wilson nodded. Although he was working in the crater, he didn't want the volcano to really erupt.

Some people say that the famine broke out in India in 1000, and [-] million people starved to death.

Alan Wilson felt that this was of course a natural disaster and had nothing to do with him, but he still had to arrange the rescue as he did his best.

The bottom line for the Assistant Commissioner of British India is that although there are more adverse situations than in history, the number of deaths caused by natural disasters must not exceed that in history.

As long as the number of people starving to death is less than 1000 million, it can be said that the drought has succeeded.

It's like a plague that would have killed 200 million people, but after understanding the king's efforts, only 20 people died now.This is considered an acceptable result!

After leaving Sir Barron's office, Alan Wilson sent telegrams to the chief executives of the provinces, inviting these busy chief executives to come to the Governor's Mansion to catch up.

Although these chief executives are indeed busy and busy making money in their pockets, they should also show the responsibility of the British civil servants at critical moments. Everyone still has to save British India from the fire and water.

After all, the urgent telegram from the Governor’s Mansion is not a decoration. The chief executives of the provinces are already on their way. I don’t know why the telegram is so urgent this time. From this natural disaster, he showed his nature as an official and saved hundreds of millions of people from the fire and water.

"British India again, there never seemed to be a moment's rest in my last year as Cabinet Secretary."

In the Cabinet Secretary's Office, Edward Bridges shook his head helplessly, and took out a telegram, in which Sir Barron hoped to arrange for representatives of the two major powers of British India to go to London to publicly express their ideas.

Although it was a suggestion, Edward Bridges, who knew Barron very well, knew that this subordinate would not usually send a telegram. Being able to send a telegram in such a serious manner was almost a request, not a suggestion.

Norman Brook frowned, took the telegram handed over, glanced at it and said, "Edward, this is indeed a headache, let these two parties come to London?"

"Yes, but I have to do it. There are signs of drought in British India. You must know that there was the same drought last year. Almost all the grain in British India has been shipped to the mainland. Now the granary is empty. "Edward Bridges glanced at his partner with a stern look, "What Barron means is that on the one hand, he diverts attention, and on the other hand, he asks us for help. The specific plan is..."

Norman Brooke nodded as he listened, "Let the most powerful part of the two forces get out of British India in a reasonable and legal way. When they want to make trouble, it will not be so easy."

"If Barron can handle it, he will definitely not send a telegram. I know him very well." Edward Bridges said in a deep voice, "As for that little guy, Allen, there are countless whimsical ideas in his mind. If we can figure out a solution, we don’t need to worry about it at all, we must ask for our assistance now, maybe the foreseeable problems will be very serious.”

"General Mountbatten has already arrived in Italy, and he will return to the mainland in at most two days. We have a lot of things to do, and now we have to spend a lot of energy." Norman Brooke sighed, "Can't we be quieter."

"For the civil servants in the colony, we must pay attention to the method and method. When they ask for help, no matter how difficult it is, we must do our best. Otherwise, they will be happy in the colony, why should they listen to us?"

Norman Brooke, the appointed next cabinet secretary, Edward Bridges, should not have said those words.

But if you don’t mention it, there will be problems. Maintaining the unity of the local civil servants and the colonial civil servants is one of the most important things for the cabinet secretary, or even none of them. The colonial civil servants are the authority of the cabinet secretary.

There is a group of colonial civil servants, and the cabinet secretary is the one who really controls the overall situation. Without the group of colonial civil servants, the cabinet secretary is a humble social tool.

"Danger is also an opportunity. If the contradictions between the two parties are exposed to the citizens of the British Empire and even the people of the world, they are so hostile and cannot coexist. Then maybe our country will reduce a lot of responsibilities."

Edward Bridges tapped his two fingers on the table fiercely, narrating his thoughts.In fact, up to now, the partition of India and Pakistan is already a high-probability event, rather than the maintenance of the integrity of British India as members of Congress think.

Then once the Partition of India and Pakistan occurs, the responsibility of those chattering MPs is the entire British Empire.Is the British Empire responsible for a series of consequences of the partition of India and Pakistan?

If any politician could afford the responsibility, Edward Bridges was absolutely optimistic.But this responsibility will only be held by many countries on the head of the United Kingdom.

He can't say that the partition of India and Pakistan is a foregone conclusion, so it's better to let people come to London by themselves and make this matter public to everyone.

"Yes, danger is also an opportunity." Norman Brook was persuaded and felt that what Edward Bridges said made sense, "Then I agree with you, and once the Prime Minister asks, I will give the same answer. "

"That's the reason." Edward Bridges nodded, "Norman, you and I must keep the same caliber."

"Danger is also an opportunity. It all depends on how you look at this issue. For you, this may be a good opportunity." Alan Wilson made a judgment calmly.

If it weren't for Vivien Liyu's body, there would be no sense of disobedience when she said this at the meeting with the chief executives of the provinces.But in fact, many chief executives have not yet arrived in New Delhi.

Alan Wilson first told Vivien Leigh, who had nothing to do with the famine, about the possible famine.

"It's an opportunity for me to have such a big tragedy happen. Who am I at that time?" Vivien Leigh's face changed slightly, and her tone also complained, "Do you really think I'm Cleopatra?"

"It's just a matter of fact, don't think too much. On the contrary, the more the disaster is, the more you must show your determination to help each other. Maybe you can leave a deep impression on the Indians before you leave. Anyway, this has nothing to do with us, but A disaster."

Alan Wilson stared at Vivien Leigh's chest... Feeling that it was inappropriate to do so at this time, he turned his eyes away and continued, "In this difficult time, the entire British India needs a spiritual sustenance. Isn't that exactly where you are?"

"What do you want me to do? I'm good at acting in movies, but I don't conjure food out of thin air." Vivien Leigh looked confused, unable to figure out what Alan Wilson was thinking.

"But you have influence, you can express sympathy, you are a public figure, you have been to the United States, and you can even appeal to American filmmakers, donate money and materials, and take out a little money to express your kindness. We all know that's what people in the movies love most."

"Compared with the widespread acclaim afterward, the little money you took out is a very good deal. Otherwise, what do you think is the purpose of doing charity? Are you really doing charity?"

Alan Wilson chuckled, he didn't believe in this kind of thing, everything he did had a purpose.For example, Jack Ma, under the banner of Ant Forest, dared to take the credit for the Three North Shelter Forest for himself.

He kept saying that he was not interested in money, and what he wanted was not just money, but something more serious than money.

As for the profession of film star, which requires personal design, as long as Vivien Leigh makes a public appeal, countless people will take this opportunity to express sympathy for the situation in British India and squeeze out two crocodile tears. Talking to actors is not a piece of cake ?

"That's how you look at actors? I'm not that kind of person." Vivien Leigh puffed her cheeks and said dissatisfied.

"I didn't mention you, how about another way of saying it? I beg my angel to help the Governor's Mansion through the difficulties. This time I am really in a difficult situation." Alan Wilson looked serious, definitely not pretending.

It is very difficult to sit back and watch the drought happen, but also to perform your best. "Before I and the chief executives of the provinces come up with a decision, you must not leak it. When you are needed, you will naturally have the opportunity to perform .”

"Understood!" Vivien Leigh looked like an obedient little girl on my face, and she could feel that this matter was good for her.

The life of a commissioner's assistant is not easy. They work day and night, and they don't even have time to catch their breath. After the chief executives of the provinces arrive, they immediately start to discuss countermeasures. The core principle is still the same sentence, danger is also an opportunity.

"Gentlemen, if the famine really happens, I hope that everyone will come to the front line and set an example for civil servants." Alan Wilson slightly raised his forehead and said in an unquestionable tone, "Show a sleepless and busy look to fight the famine. "

"But we are not busy." Andrew, the chief executive of Bangladesh Province, replied with a wry smile.

"Then pretend to be busy." Alan Wilson replied without thinking, "Pretend that we are fighting the Great Famine."

Chapter 227

Although thanks to Alan Wilson, the current British India may be in worse conditions than the historical British India.

But there is a saying that says that if there are difficulties, you must overcome them, and if you don’t have difficulties, you must overcome difficulties.

The more difficult it is, the more we must give full play to our subjective initiative, tap our internal potential, and work together to fight against natural disasters.

Even if it is difficult to go to the front line in person, what is the difficulty in making a show, if it is really not good, just use the pen, and the following people will naturally solve the problem when making decisions. If it cannot be solved, it can only be said that the Indian civil servants are incompetent, and the British civil servants give With an impeccably perfect plan, the Indians had problems executing it.

In discussions with the chief executives of various provinces, a complete drought relief plan was finally produced.This scheme reflects the excellent quality of the civil service in the British Empire.

The Governor-General of British India, as well as the chief executives of the provinces, attached great importance to the severe drought in some areas of British India, and paid close attention to the development of the disaster and its impact on production and life.

It is necessary to intensify efforts to combat drought, and take it as an important task to protect people's livelihood and promote development, and all relevant departments should further strengthen the guidance and support of drought combat.

We must insist on giving top priority to ensuring the safety of drinking water for the masses, make overall plans for drought-resistant water sources and water demand, scientifically dispatch water conservancy projects, and minimize the impact and loss of drought.

The problem of drinking water for the masses should be given top priority in the drought relief work, and every effort should be made to deliver water to the masses, find water and dig wells, and help localities speed up the construction of emergency water source projects to alleviate the drinking water difficulties for humans and animals as soon as possible.

According to the needs of the current season's production, actively support local governments to repair water conservancy, dredge rivers, and irrigate farmland.

It is absolutely impeccable in terms of wording and sentence making, and no one can find fault with this plan.The only problem may be that Indians who don't know a single character may not know whether this thing exists at all.

Of course, that is the business of the Indians themselves. In terms of attitude, the Governor's Office has shown its determination to attach great importance to it.

But there are always accidents in life. If there is an accident, it can only be said that this may be life, and sometimes such things will happen.

"By the way, gentlemen, I would like to remind you of some things in personal friendship. It is best not to keep the Indian currency in your hand, and exchange it for pounds or gold. In the event of a natural disaster, the value of the rupee may not be stable. .At critical moments, gold is more reassuring.”

After talking about the trivial matters of fighting the drought, Alan Wilson expressed his concern for the legal property of many gentlemen.

In the hands of these Indian chief executives, there must be Indian currency, but it is more or less a problem.

Not to mention that Alan Wilson hasn't smoked the money printing machine yet, and the Indian rupee is not usually a stable currency.

In the face of a possible drought, this kind of worthless currency cannot be kept. It is very likely that the slightest disturbance will cause the loss of the legal property of many gentlemen.

"That's right, we really can't keep rupees, and exchange them for gold. It will be convenient to leave at that time." Andrew, the chief executive of Bangladesh Province, very much agrees with this reminder.

The civil servants of British India reached a consensus on this matter in a tenth of the time it took to talk about the drought just now.

"We will contact by telegram when the time comes, and we will act in unison. We are working in British India, and we have to follow the Romans, which is not too difficult." Alan Wilson reminded the problem of gold, and then began to talk about the drought. "Necessary When the time comes, grab some dirt and wipe your face, lie down directly in front of the public, and fall unconscious on the front line of the drought, what is so difficult about it."

"The main reason is that we have never done this before, although it is not difficult." Burke, the Chief Executive of the United Provinces, smiled bitterly, "When did we ever do such a thing, we are not gentlemen at all."

"This year, everyone has received a more practical return than many years of hard work in the past. It is not such a shameful thing to make money, right?" Seeing many people nodding, Alan Wilson said persuasively, "Everyone still wants to continue to serve the British Empire. If the drought is not brought under control, our promotion...the process of serving the Empire may experience twists and turns. In the final analysis, it is all for ourselves."

Only by putting a long line can you catch big fish. You can’t always think about buying and selling with one hammer, and then you will be an apartment when you return to China. That would be very short-sighted.

For example, the chief executive of the Central Province, whose hair is already gray and who can’t see clearly when he takes off his glasses, is only 59 years old. For a civil servant, he is in the prime of life, and he can continue to serve the British Empire in other colonies 20 years.

"When the time comes, everyone will contact by telegram. Don't act alone." As the meeting came to an end, Alan Wilson relaxed again, "Maybe the situation is not as serious as we imagined, but if there are unexpected results, collective action is always We have more people and greater strength, so we should make fewer enemies and more friends."

The standard of drought depends on how you look at it. British India is currently in a state of relying on the sky.

Simply put, this state is that there are natural disasters every year. If you don’t believe me, you can read the records of Chinese history. Floods and droughts happen every year, but it’s just a matter of size.

This is the state of British India. It is just that sometimes the level of natural disasters has not reached the shocking number of deaths. This can be regarded as a good year this year. It does not mean that no one really starved to death.

If there are not many people starving to death, Indians are used to it, after all, it has been like this for thousands of years.

At the end of the meeting, Alan Wilson remembered one more thing, slapped his head and said with some annoyance, "Look at my head, if there is really an uncontrollable situation, think about it numerically. Four Years ago, the Governor’s Office calculated the population of British India, which was 6000 million. There is still a lot of leeway for us, as long as there are no major problems in the accounts, no one can blame us.”

In 6000, the book population of British India was [-] million. In terms of the authenticity of this number, it cannot be faked.After India's independence, its own statistical population is close to [-] million, and this error is almost doubled.

Even if there is a real drought, no one will see any flaws in the books, because the population statistics of British India are all fake.

On this side, British India is holding an emergency meeting on the possible problems of drought.

London, thousands of miles away, is also discussing the issue of British India. Edward Bridges is very honest and explained the possible difficulties to Prime Minister Attlee.

"It's a big problem, but the local people don't have the strength to help British India." Prime Minister Attlee looked embarrassed, showing that the landlord's family didn't have any food left.

"Dear Prime Minister, British Indian civil servants have always been synonymous with integrity and efficiency. This time the appeal is not for help, but for the mainland to help the subcontinent from another level." Edward Bridges listened to Prime Minister Attlee's expression It is very embarrassing, but the tone is firm, directly expressing that you have misunderstood the Prime Minister.

Sure enough, Prime Minister Attlee, who had always regarded himself as a true socialist, asked Edward Bridges to continue when he heard that he was not asking for help. This showed the consistent position of the British Empire and was willing to provide all support except help.

"Natural disasters can be overcome, but the key is man-made disasters." Edward Bridges said sternly, "If it weren't for the struggle between the Congress Party and the Muslim League, which involved the energy of British Indian civil servants, many disasters would be It is preventable and controllable, just like the great famine in Bangladesh.”

"Is that so?" Prime Minister Attlee looked suspiciously, even the Bengal famine could be prevented and controlled?

"Of course it is. When the Great Famine broke out in Bangladesh, the struggle between the Muslim League and the Congress Party was extremely fierce. The Japanese spread some public opinion, which led to the instability of British India. The local civil servants devoted a lot of energy to fighting against this In terms of hostility, the lack of cooperation between the Muslim League and the Congress Party led to the outbreak of the Great Famine in Bangladesh.”

Edward Bridges lied without blushing and without beating his heart, and blamed the Congress Party, the Muslim League, and even the Japanese for the cause of the Great Bengal Famine.

"If it can be ruled out, the interference of the Congress Party and the Muslim League on the Governor's Palace. I believe this drought can be fought." Edward Bridges put forward his own suggestion, "According to news from British India , the Congress Party and the Muslim League also intend to send a mission to London to explain their views on the future of the subcontinent.”

"Isn't it too childish to let the political forces of the two colonies come to the heart of the empire?" Attlee hesitated. After all, although this kind of thing had never happened before, he didn't want it to happen during his tenure.

Do you think Congress is usually a joke?Edward Bridges thought so in his heart, but he didn't say it, and said from another angle, "Actually, it is not a bad thing for the hostility of the two forces to be known to the whole world. In this way, many countries will understand that in order to maintain the subcontinent Wholeness, how much effort the British Empire has put in."

"Well, Sir Edward, let me think about it." Attlee didn't make a decision right away, and decided to ask Norman Brooke.

"Yes, Prime Minister." Edward Bridges nodded slightly and left the Prime Minister's office.

Not long after, Norman Brook received a telegram and went to the prime minister's office to stay for a long time. The news was immediately sent to the cabinet secretary's office, "Prepare to send a telegram to India, it should not be a problem."

Edward Bridges commanded his private secretary with a calm expression, "Tell Barron to deal with matters in British India properly."

Chapter 228 The Wisher Takes the Bait

There is a saying that Cao Cao Cao Cao arrives. Although Edward Bridges didn't know this sentence, he just said it. It didn't take long for Norman Brooke to come to the cabinet secretary's office.

This is also quite normal. Whitehall civil servants must transcend partisanship in order to serve as the lubricant of the government.The civil servants in Whitehall are all selfless gentlemen, so naturally there is nothing to shy away from.

The Cabinet Office has not always been right, but has largely served successive governments faithfully, generally providing key checks and balances to those prime ministers who try to ignore convention and their cabinets.

"It's similar to what you said. The Prime Minister also asked for my suggestion. Of course, it's no accident. Although we didn't communicate in advance, we still thought of one." Norman Brooke just sat down, and seemingly unintentionally revealed that What happened in the Prime Minister's Office and what happened.

"It can only be said that when dealing with the right things, smart people always get the same opinion." Edward Bridges gave the other party a look that everyone understood, as if confirming and muttering to himself, "There should be no problem Bar."