Wearing British clothes as a second-generation aristocrat

As the planks were lowered, Dugan, carrying a simple bag, stepped onto the soil of Kolkata on the damp stone steps.

The docks were bustling with people and vehicles, with merchants from various countries, local laborers, and British guards coming and going, creating a vibrant scene reminiscent of a colonial metropolis.

As soon as Dugan disembarked and before he even left the port area, a white young man dressed in a neat British suit, wearing a top hat, and exuding a capable air quickly approached him.

The other party was respectful, bowing slightly: "Are you Colonel Dugan Connby? I am Mr. Megan's personal employee, Foley. I am here to await your arrival on Mr. Megan's orders."

Dugan nodded slightly: "That's right, I am Dugan."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Foley immediately stepped forward to take Dugan's baggage and stepped aside to lead the way: "Colonel, the carriage is ready. Mr. Megan is waiting for you at headquarters. Please follow me."

"Are you Irish?" Dugan had several hundred Irish soldiers under his command, so he recognized Foley's accent.

“Yes, Colonel, I was born in Belfast,” Foley replied. “You can even tell I have an Irish accent.”

Dugan smiled and said, "I have a battalion of Irishmen under my command; they're all a bunch of brave lads."

"Thank you." Foley was pleased to hear Dugan praise the Irishman so highly.

The two walked through the bustling dockside district and boarded a fine black four-wheeled sightseeing carriage.

The wheels rolled over the smooth stone road, speeding towards the heart of the city.

The scenery along the way once again confirmed the city's fragmentation and prosperity.

One side of the road is lined with low and crowded local houses, with vendors everywhere and a bustling atmosphere, full of the everyday life of South Asia.

On the other side is a wide, straight tree-lined avenue, flanked by European-style stone buildings, with neat lawns, lush flowers and trees, and a constant stream of gentlemanly carriages, showcasing the colonial hegemony of the British Empire.

Before long, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a magnificent and solemn pure white European-style building.

This is the East India Company's headquarters building in Calcutta.

The entire building is designed in the highest level of neoclassical style, constructed entirely of pure white stone. Towering Roman columns support a magnificent portico, and the steps are clean and solemn. The East India Company flag flies on the roof.

The guards at the gate stood at attention with guns, and those entering and leaving were all high-ranking employees, colonial officials, and military leaders in suits.

This region controlled trade, finance, colonial administration, and military and logistical affairs throughout British India, making it the power core of the entire South Asian continent.

Foley led Dugan through layers of corridors, past the office lobby, and directly to the top-floor exclusive office.

Folie gently knocked on the door.

"Mr. Megan, Colonel Dugan has arrived."

"Please come in."

Folie pushed open the heavy, carved wooden door, and a spacious, bright, elegant, and sophisticated office came into view.

The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the vast Hoogeley River, while the interior features rows of bookshelves, neatly arranged documents, and understated yet luxurious furnishings.

Behind the desk, a young man dressed in a dark, high-end suit, with a calm and refined demeanor and features somewhat resembling Dugan, was reviewing documents.

Folie bowed slightly and then tactfully left.

Dugan walked in confidently and hugged his brother Megan.

"My dear brother, after being tempered in the army, you are now incredibly sharp," Megan said with a smile.

Dugan smiled and said, "My dear brother, you are as mature and wise as ever."

Dugan glanced at the nameplate on Megan's desk.

Senior Commercial Officer of the East India Company, and Deputy Minister of Finance of the Bangladesh Territory.

Dugan has been in India for quite some time now, so he knows a bit about the East India Company.

Megan's position granted her control over the core finances of Bengal, the authority to approve regional trade, and the right to attend colonial government meetings directly, liaising with the London board of directors and the Governor-General's office in India.

Throughout Calcutta and even the entire East India Company, he was undoubtedly a top-level figure of real power, holding a high position at a young age with unlimited potential.

Dugan casually found a sofa to sit on, took the whiskey his brother offered, and got straight to the point: "You said in your letter that you wanted to discuss something with me. What is it? Why does the old man insist that I return to London? What's going on?"

Megan said, "That's right, Father has decided to end your military service in India and transfer you back to London. Of course, the main reason is your marriage."

Dugan was taken aback: "My marriage?"

"Yes." Megan nodded, her tone becoming serious. "Your father has selected a group of top aristocratic marriage partners for you, all of whom are from respectable and well-matched families. And among this carefully selected list of potential partners happens to be Miss Katalina, whom you specifically asked me to inquire about before."

"Huh? She's there?"

Dugan had to admit that he felt a little excited and pleasantly surprised when he heard the name.

He had been secretly lamenting on the way back that Catalina was being fawned over by countless dignitaries after returning to Barcelona, ​​and that if he didn't return to Europe soon, he might completely miss the opportunity.

To his utter surprise, after all the twists and turns, the girl he had been secretly thinking about had already been included in his grandfather's marriage proposal list.

Before Dugan could finish his smug satisfaction, Meghan's tone turned serious: "Moreover, this marriage is no longer a simple family alliance. Currently, the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary are personally involved in this matter."

"Miss Catalina comes from a top noble family in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Her family has deep roots in the business and political circles of Spain and France, and is involved in the trade and diplomatic landscape of southwestern Europe. At present, with the Anglo-French confrontation and the tense situation in continental Europe, the London elite intend to use this marriage to bring the British and Spanish local nobles closer together and ease the diplomatic deadlock in continental Europe."

"Simply put, your marriage to Katarina has long since transformed from a private family matter into a semi-official marriage at the national level."

"Fuck, shit, you bitch..." Dugan thought to himself, a thousand horses galloping through his mind.

It was late 1803, and the entire European continent was already engulfed in war and turbulent undercurrents; no one could remain uninvolved.

The Treaty of Amiens, which had previously granted a brief truce between Britain and France, completely broke down. In May of this year, the British Empire officially declared war on France, and Napoleon immediately sent troops to occupy the British territory of Hanover. The two sides completely broke off relations and began a full-scale war.

Napoleon firmly grasped European hegemony, mobilized his army to prepare for a plan to land in Britain, and the Continental System began to take shape, with the intention of completely blocking Britain's European trade and living space.

Britain, with its invincible navy, controlled maritime hegemony and used financial support and diplomatic alliances as its core strategies to win over European countries and prepare to form the Third Anti-French Coalition to contain France's expansionist momentum in all aspects.

Caught between the two great powers of Britain and France, Spain finds itself in the most awkward and delicate position, and is also the core fulcrum of the current European power struggle.

At this time, the Spanish monarchy was weak and passive, and had long been subject to France. It was forced to pay huge war subsidies to Napoleon, and its finances were deeply tied to France. Nominally, it was an ally of France, but in reality, it was almost a vassal.

However, Spain possessed a vast overseas colony and numerous gold and silver trade routes, was a core hub in the southwestern Mediterranean, and had a formidable naval strength, making it a key force that both Britain and France were striving to win over but dared not completely offend.

It was precisely because of this unique position of being able to play both sides that Spain constantly wavered between Britain and France in order to survive: it dared not openly betray France lest it be invaded and annexed by the French army, yet it was unwilling to completely offend the maritime hegemon, Britain, which led to the complete blockade of its overseas trade routes by the British army.

Catalina's family, a top noble family in Barcelona, ​​holds the key to this three-way power struggle.

This family has been rooted in Catalonia, Spain for a century. They not only have deep roots in the Spanish political and business circles, but also have cultivated a strong business network in southern France, wielding considerable influence and power among the aristocratic circles of southern France.

With the ability to influence the Spanish royal family's diplomatic inclinations and to smooth trade and social barriers in southwestern France, this family is one of the very few top families simultaneously recognized by Britain, France, and Spain, and whose interests span across the three countries.

Meghan poured Dugan another glass of whiskey with a helpless expression and said, "Downing Street sees things very clearly. It's extremely difficult to directly win over the Spanish royal family right now. It could easily anger Napoleon, triggering the French army to immediately occupy Spain completely, which would completely ruin the situation in southwestern Europe."

"But by binding the Catalina family through a noble marriage, a wedge could be driven under Napoleon's nose."

"For Britain, this marriage alliance was a way to quietly infiltrate the Spanish elite, undermine Spain's diplomatic neutrality, weaken the Franco-Spanish alliance, break through Napoleon's continental blockade, and ensure the safety of Britain's overseas trade routes."

"For the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, this is a zero-risk, high-return political investment. No need to spend military money on war, no need to sign any treaties, just a respectable aristocratic marriage can shake up the entire diplomatic landscape of southwestern Europe, a sure win."

Dugan said with a hint of helplessness, "I remember just a few months ago, we were in a French restaurant in Bangalore, lamenting that most aristocratic ladies' marriages were not their own choice. Now it's my turn."

Seeing her brother Dugan's expression, Megan could only gently pat him on the shoulder to offer comfort.

"Don't say that. If you really marry Katarina, that would be a good thing. After all, her family has titles and lands, and Miss Katarina herself is a beauty."

With that thought in mind, Dugan felt relieved.

"Alright, I'll accept the mission this country has entrusted to me."