Fox continued, "The Persians have just suffered a crushing defeat. Their King was assassinated by rebellious soldiers. The situation is probably very grim now."
Most of the British ministers present had read that report, The Great Game—in fact, it had become extremely popular lately, a hot topic in every salon.
When Fox finished, everyone's expressions turned grave.
Sir Gracie had already given a detailed account of the situation in Persia and Afghanistan in the report—
Persia had only recently been unified by Agha Mohammad, and Tehran's hold over the country was not particularly strong. With his death, those major tribes would likely break away from the government and establish themselves independently.
In other words, the Russian Army would be able to march into Tehran without meeting much resistance.
Afghanistan was in even greater chaos. More than twenty princes each held their own territory, slaughtering one another until blood flowed like rivers. The Russian Army would hardly even need to fight; some Afghan prince who had fallen from favor would invite them into his lands, seeking protection from being butchered by his brothers.
Once the Russian Army occupied Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, it could swagger through the Khyber Pass and enter India.
East of the Hindu Kush lay boundless plains. The Indian Princely States had no natural defenses to rely on. With their feeble military strength, surrendering to the Russians would be their only path.
The Russians would effortlessly seize at least half of India—only upon reaching Bengal or Maratha would they encounter even a little resistance.
At present, the Colony of India was the British Empire's most vital "blood pump." Not the slightest mishap could be tolerated.
The discussion at 10 Downing Street immediately shifted from the sugar issue to strategy in the Middle East.
The meeting ended at dusk and