I am a master in India

Chapter 208 Coveting

Chapter 208 Coveting
Mirzabur is more accurately described as a county or town than a city.

The town has a population of less than 200,000, several times smaller than Varanasi's million-strong population.

However, in Uttar Pradesh, even a small street with only a few hundred people can breed leaders and violent groups around them.

Mirzabul was no exception; the Tripati family's rule here was deeply entrenched, and from their ancestors they had managed the small town like an impenetrable fortress.

By Kalinbai's generation, the town's police station was no different from his family's servants' quarters.

If there's any disturbance in the city, or any sign that could be detrimental to the Tripatty family, the police will immediately notify Kalimbai.

The gunfight that occurred in a small border village in Mirzabul some time ago did not cause much of a stir in the town.

Because it was far from the city and a low-caste village, no one cared how many people died.

However, as the director, Gupta should at least know the general outline of what happens in his jurisdiction.

Most importantly, Kalimbay must be informed who fired the shots in Mirzabul.

When Gupta arrived at the Tripathi family estate, Kalimbai was having afternoon tea.

"You mean that small-time landlord from the countryside who got taken care of last time?"

"Not a single one was left; even their families fled in panic that day."

"Those Varanasi people?"

"Yes," Gupta replied respectfully.

Kalimbai remained unmoved; he hadn't really cared who the crow was fighting with.

He's in the arms business; the fiercer the fighting, the better his business.

As long as things remained peaceful in the city of Mirzabul and the foundations of his kingdom remained intact, he cared little about the affairs of the small villages in the countryside.

However, Gupta's tip-off made Kalimbay reconsider the matter.

That crow bought dozens of guns from him, enough to arm a small gang.

Not only has it been completely cleaned up, but even the news hasn't spread much.

Kalimbai was on high alert; it was bound to be a brutal, overwhelming battle.

"Who are they?"

"Those who are in the mining business."

“Minerals?” Kalinbai frowned.

“I personally sent people to inquire. Some time ago, someone was exploring there, and it is said to be a limestone mine.”

"Of course I know that, that crow does this kind of business."

Kalimbai had long suspected that the crows were secretly selling cement.

He simply looked down on it; a few hundred bags of cement a month wouldn't amount to much, not as much as he could earn selling a few double-barreled shotguns.

“No, no, Kalinbai, that’s big business. I heard that a lot of people have come to Kana Village now, just to prepare for mining.”

"When did this happen?"

"yesterday."

"Markbu, bring me today's newspaper," Kalinbai said, turning to the tall man beside him.

Soon a local newspaper from Uttar Pradesh was handed to him, and Kalimbay quickly flipped through it, but couldn't find what he was looking for.

Gupta was about to say something when Kalinbai raised his hand to interrupt him, then got up and went to the living room to pick up the phone.

As the King of Mirzabul, he naturally had close ties with politicians in Lucknow.

"Mr. Rao, have you heard about the mine in Mirzabul?"

"Oh, of course, it was personally approved by the minister. You'll see it in the newspaper tonight."

“But this is my territory,” Kalinbai said in a low voice.

“Kalin, that mine is on the border of Mirzapur, and a small part belongs to the neighboring Chanda-Uli. It doesn’t conflict with your business at all, and the other party is not an outsider.”

"They attacked my people."

"Really? I didn't see any news about the shootout in the newspapers. Are you mistaken?"

“Rao,” Kalimbai’s tone hardened, “if you want to have enough funds for the next election, you shouldn’t be talking to me like that.”

“Alright, Kalimbai. The other party is very powerful, both in terms of money and manpower. It's a huge project with an investment of hundreds of millions of rupees, and apart from the minister, no one else can get involved.”

Kalinbai silently hung up the phone; he finally understood why no word had come through.

Before the dust settled, their minister had already secured the deal.

"Gupta, tell me everything you know."

“The other party is a Brahmin like you, with the surname Sur. Originally, they only operated in the Varanasi area, but recently some of their descendants returned from Mumbai, and that's how they got into the mining business.”

How much do you know about that mine?

"I don't know. Very few people go to Kana Village. The news only came yesterday."

Kalimbai's eyes were gloomy; the investment of 100 million rupees already spoke volumes.

“Father,” came Ram’s voice from outside, “when did this big merchant arrive in Mirzabul?”

“Where are the merchants from?” Kalinbai asked, turning to him.

"It's a small village, I think it's called Kana. I passed through Tianna yesterday, and there was a construction crew working there."

Kalimbai and Gupta exchanged a glance, both understanding the situation.

"Where did you go yesterday? Why are you only coming back now?" he asked his son.

"I went to a party at a classmate's house in Changwudali, and I drank too much last night." Ram was a little guilty; he had forced himself on her last night.

"How many people are there on that construction site?" Kalinbai's focus was not on his son.

“Several hundred, maybe more than a thousand,” Ram shrugged.

"Don't go out too much lately, and focus on the family business."

“Yes, Father.” Ram replied absentmindedly.

His father calls the shots in the whole of Mirzabul, and he can't even get involved in the family business. What else can Ram do besides be a rich kid?

He waved his son upstairs, then turned to the policeman in front of him.

"Gupta, keep a close eye on Kana village."

"Yes, Kalimbay."

After watching Gupta leave, Kalimbai sat in his chair, lost in thought.

He certainly wanted a piece of the mining business, but not now.

The 100 million rupee investment hasn't yielded results yet; the Tripathi family will only step in when the cement plant is running smoothly. Kalimbay is a shrewd businessman; he's used to reaping the rewards, not being a sucker who invests.

No business in Mirzabul could spare him; it was a matter of family prestige, otherwise how could he keep the challengers in check?

Do you know the King of Mirzabur?

"What kind of bullshit king?"

“Here,” Ron pointed to the ground, “is the boss of this territory.”

"I've heard of them. They seem to be involved in smuggling and arms dealing, but it's all inferior stuff." Ratan fiddled with his beloved pistol.

“Yesterday Muna told me that the other side’s people appeared in Kana village.”

"What?" Ratan looked up. "They're eyeing this place?"

"I don't know, but I think it's best to be cautious."

"Don't worry, brother, the family has recruited some more people. If they don't come, fine; if they do, they'll suffer the same fate as those two beasts. However..."

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"We don't have enough guns," Ratan said with a grin.

Ron was a little annoyed. His older brother had no interest in business or anything like that, but he was obsessed with all kinds of guns.

This thing is a complete money pit, you could even say it's a bottomless pit.

"You want to buy a gun again?"

"This time, in addition to the AK, there's also a Bren light machine gun." Ratan's eyes lit up.

"A light machine gun?" Ron gasped.

"This is mainstream stuff, designed by the British."

Ratan's weapons were all taken from the Indian army: AK series, Beretta pistols, and military daggers.
For money, those officers in the army would sell anything. They'd even steal rations and replace them with pig feed—what wouldn't they dare to do?

After making several deals, Ratan was no longer satisfied with the firepower of pistols and rifles; he set his sights on the Bren light machine gun, which could fire five or six hundred rounds per minute.

It began service as early as the 1930s and 40s, making it a complete antique.

But India's military industry is so weak that it still relies on a mix of foreign-made products.

The Bren light machine gun, which others despise, is India's standard-issue weapon and a dream gun for local armed groups like Latan.

"Three thousand dollars a gun, plus five hundred rounds of ammunition. I went through a lot of trouble to get these, there are only three, just waiting to pay."

"How much is this batch of weapons in total?" Ron got straight to the point.

"Four million, and some more bullets while you're at it." Ratan gestured.

"I'll have someone go and collect the money in the next couple of days, but we'd better keep a low profile. Having too many guns will make more and more people wary of us."

“As long as they don’t cause trouble, I won’t come knocking on their door,” Ratan said confidently.

He considered himself a law-abiding citizen of the Northern Gang and would never fire the first shot.

Those two beasts can't blame him; they had official approval from the Northern Gang, and it was those two rural landlords who were defying the government.

“Since you’re expanding your team, you can recruit suitable locals,” Ron advised him.

“They have to pass the test first.” Ratan remained unmoved.

"Assessment?"

"Who knows if that damn king has any spies here? We've just arrived, so it's best to be careful."

"You decide what to do, but the mine must be absolutely safe."

Ron thought it would be easier to find a few guides first, which would make things much more efficient, while Ratan trusted his hometown people more.

What he called an assessment was probably something like a pledge of allegiance.

The servant Muna was quite suitable; with him taking the lead, the people of Kana Village clearly cooperated much more.

This is of course also related to Ron's "good deeds" during this period. He has been in Kanah Village for so long, and he has never killed anyone.

He could get angry, but he wouldn't resort to beating or scolding his servants.

They would never do something as cruel and cruel as two beasts to kill their servants.

He paid the villagers their wages for their hard labor at the construction site, and he would not deduct wages without cause.

In the Northern Gang, this person could already be called a great philanthropist. If he were to perform two more religious ceremonies, he would be a saint.

Latan, well, the villagers are all afraid of him.

He doesn't look like someone to mess with, and he even has a gun.

Although no one was killed, the animals near Kana Village suffered.

The daily gunshots were terrifying.

Sometimes, when villagers' pigs are accidentally killed, no one dares to confront them.

If the Brahmin lord is in a bad mood and even kills people, that would be truly unfortunate.

Muna was also afraid of Ratan, and would always take a detour whenever he encountered him.

Unfortunately, I ran into them today.

"Hey kid, I heard your family's having a wedding?" Ratan asked.

"Yes, sir, my brother is getting married."

"Oh, we have wine to drink."

“It’s great news that the master is going.”