Chapter 907: The Price of Independence (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)

   Baron Charles Harding's words made everyone's expressions change drastically. As the leaders of India's largest party, no matter what purpose or selfish desire they have, they still hope to see India getting better and better. Germany's imminent invasion of India is something they don't want to see.

"The authorities are preparing to arm more troops to defend India. We hope that more Indians can join them. The Congress Party and the Green Party Alliance are the largest parties in India. I hope you can exert influence, Let the people join the army. Instead of letting them resist us and oppose us. If we are defeated by the Germans, it will be of no benefit to everyone!" Baron Charles Harding earnestly persuaded.

   "Your Excellency, we do not want a war to break out. Once Rang and the German army go to war, our people will suffer heavy casualties!" Gandhi said, frowning.

"Mr. Gandhi, we also don't want a war. But there is no way the Germans will not agree. This war is not what we want to start. There is only one possibility to keep India, and that is to hold off the Germans attack," said Baron Charles Harding.

   "However, the Germans are too powerful! It is impossible for us to defeat them." Jinnah shook his head. The Green Party is the second largest party after the Congress Party. Jinnah's attitude is also very important. It's just that Jinnah obviously doesn't think they have the strength to confront the world's most powerful country.

"Everyone, I know that you all know that Germany is very powerful. I don't deny this. Even Germany is stronger than the British Empire. Otherwise, the British Empire would not have been defeated by them. However, If we dare not confront them because Germany is strong, then we may have no choice but to surrender to them."

   In this regard, these Indian elites have no other performance. For them, India is now under British colonial rule. If the Germans come in, they will just change their masters, and it is no big deal. It would definitely be a good thing if the Germans could be kinder to them.

   Baron Charles Harding looked at the expressions of these guys, and of course he understood what they were thinking. He knew that if he didn't make a ruthless move, there would be nothing he could do.

"Everyone, the British Empire has always been aware of your political demands, and has considered this issue. It has not agreed before, because the vast majority of Indian people are still relatively ignorant. That's why the authorities rejected you. However, when India is at a critical juncture, the authorities can assure you. As long as the German attack can be resisted in this battle. Then, the authorities will gradually agree to Indian autonomy!" Baron Charles Harding said.

  Suddenly, the expressions on the faces of Tilak and the others changed. Charles Harding's proposal moved them very much. Haven't they been fighting for the right to self-government all along? As long as self-government can be achieved, it will soon be able to go a step further and achieve true independence.

   "Your Excellency, is what you said true?" Tilak asked.

   "Of course, I guarantee this is true. If you don't believe me, I can sign the relevant documents with you!" Baron Charles Harding said.

"Huh! These stupid guys, I knew this would definitely tempt them. These guys are indeed a group of ungrateful people. They all forgot that the British Empire brought them from ignorance to civilized society. Now, But you want to get rid of the control of the British Empire with all your heart, and you deserve death. Wait until you resist the Germans, and then deal with you!" Baron Charles Harding thought secretly in his heart. He seems to have forgotten that if it were not for the slavery of the British Empire, these Indians would not be living in such poverty. You know, the wealth that the British Empire plundered from India every year is an astronomical figure!

   "Your Excellency Governor, what is the specific period for the gradual self-government you mentioned?" Nehru asked. He didn't want the British to regret it after resisting the German attack.

   "Three years! After resisting the German attack, within three years, the authorities will gradually allow India to self-govern!" Baron Charles Harding promised.

  Anyway, these are just empty promises, as long as these Indian natives are deceived.

  Three years is not a long time. These Indian elites are quite satisfied with this.

   "Your Excellency, even if we assist the authorities with all our strength, it will be very difficult to defeat the Germans!" Gandhi said. When everyone else fell into ecstasy because of the words of Baron Charles Harding. Gandhi was not like everyone else. He knew very well the style of the British and Indian colonial authorities. If he was not forced to do so, he would never regress. Now, the British and Indian colonial authorities have let go on the issue of self-government. Then, there is undoubtedly only one possibility, and that is that the Germans are very difficult to deal with. If they fail, they will pay an extremely heavy price in this war. At that time, I don't know how many Indians died in the war.

"Yes, the Germans are very powerful. We must be prepared for heavy casualties. However, there is no free lunch in the world. If India wants to gain autonomy, it must contribute its own strength. Otherwise, with so many colonies in the British Empire, why should India be self-governed?" said Baron Charles Harding.

  Suddenly, Tilak, Gandhi and others were silent. They are wondering whether it is worth sacrificing the lives of countless Indians for India's independence.

"Everyone, although Germany is very powerful, it is impossible for them to devote all their strength to India. The German army we need to deal with is at most a few hundred thousand. Although the German army is very powerful, it is definitely not invincible. If We can arm five million troops, and we will definitely be able to resist the Germans' attack. Even defeating them is not difficult." Baron Charles Harding persuaded.

   "Five million troops? So many?" Tilak, Gandhi and others all exclaimed.

   "India has a population of more than 300 million. Arming five million troops is nothing at all. If it is further mobilized, arming tens of millions of troops is nothing." Baron Charles Harding said nonchalantly. Today's India is a populous country second only to the big eastern countries, and its superiority in soldiers is enough to make other countries daunting.