The Oil Revelation and Strategic Alliances

The air in the grand palace felt heavy with anticipation as Krishna stood in front of his father, Emperor Shriranga, his heart racing with the weight of the discovery. His eyes glimmered with the excitement of the recent findings. "Father," Krishna said, his voice filled with confidence, "we've found oil, just off the coast of Chennai, 11 nautical miles away. It's a significant find."

Emperor Shriranga blinked in disbelief, his brow furrowing. "Oil? In our region? That's impossible. We've scoured every corner of the empire for years and found nothing." His disbelief was evident, but Krishna's unwavering expression told a different story.

Krishna nodded, acknowledging the past failures in exploration. "It was a lack of technology before. Now, with the advancements in our capabilities, we were able to locate it." His voice dropped slightly, as the weight of what this discovery meant for their empire sunk in. "I believe it's crucial we handle this discovery carefully. We can't let the news spread too quickly, or it might attract the wrong kind of attention from other nations."

Shriranga's gaze hardened with concern. "Yes, you're right. Oil is a precious resource. If this information leaks, we risk inviting other powers to covet what's rightfully ours. We must be strategic."

Krishna's expression remained serious. "I'll go personally to oversee the drilling and the necessary steps to secure our position. But we also need to ensure our international relations are stable. I think a state visit to Russia would be a good idea. We can partner with them for the oil mining operations."

Shriranga nodded slowly. "That sounds reasonable. If Russia's involved, it could prevent other countries from making a move. Proceed with the visit. I trust you'll handle it well."

And so, Krishna made his preparations. Taking a small but elite group of 200 palace guards from the 11,200 at his disposal, Krishna set off for Russia. The journey was discreet, and news of the oil discovery remained tightly controlled. He arrived at the Russian airport where President Vladimir Putin personally greeted him, the cold Russian air sweeping over them as they exchanged pleasantries.

"Welcome to Russia, Your Highness," Putin's voice was formal, but his eyes held a keen interest. "We've been looking forward to discussing future cooperation between our nations."

Krishna bowed slightly, returning the greeting with respect. "Thank you, President Putin. I'm here to discuss not only potential military cooperation but also a strategic partnership in the oil sector."

The two leaders moved to a private conference room where they sat down to talk. The conversation quickly turned to the specifics of the oil discovery. Putin, ever pragmatic, offered Russia's help. "We would be willing to take a 25% stake in the oil field's operations through our Russian oil company. The remaining 75% would stay under the control of your Royal Petroleum Company, of course."

Krishna was impressed by the offer. "That sounds fair. In return, we would also like to discuss the purchase of Russian military assets—ships, fighter jets, and missile defense systems—to bolster our defenses."

Putin's eyes gleamed with interest. "That can certainly be arranged. I believe this is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Your nation's growth aligns well with Russia's strategic interests."

Before long, the deal was set. Russia would provide $20 billion in interest-free loans to the Vijayanagara Empire over the next five years, ensuring a stable economic foundation for the oil venture. The two leaders shook hands, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their nations' relations.

Upon returning to Vijayanagara, Krishna wasted no time in briefing his father on the outcome of the visit. The news was nothing short of encouraging. "Father, we've secured the deal with Russia," Krishna explained. "We'll be receiving the necessary military equipment and the interest-free loan to support our oil industry. Plus, with Russia's involvement, we've ensured the oil fields are protected."

Emperor Shriranga nodded approvingly. "That's good news, Krishna. But we must also think about our neighboring countries. India, with its vast population, is a huge potential market for our oil. If we can convince them to import from us instead of the Middle East, we'll save them billions in transportation costs."

Krishna smiled, already formulating plans in his mind. "Exactly. We can extend this opportunity to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka as well. There's no need to worry about selling the oil. The demand will be there."

With his strategy in place, Krishna turned his attention to the next phase. The Royal Petroleum Company swiftly created a subsidiary, the Royal Chemical Industries, with plans to refine crude oil and develop petrochemical products. This move would ensure that the empire didn't rely solely on exporting raw materials but could create valuable by-products from the oil, much like the Middle Eastern countries had done.

The following day, the Energy Bureau made a significant announcement—one that would send ripples through the global oil market. "We've discovered 1 billion tons of oil in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Chennai, just 11 nautical miles away," the announcement stated. The news quickly spread, though the extent of the discovery remained a closely guarded secret, with Krishna's team opting to understate the true value of the find.

Krishna smiled wryly as the world reacted. 1 billion tons of oil was a massive discovery, but he knew the true scale of the find—6 billion tons of oil—was even greater. He couldn't afford to reveal that just yet. The geopolitical implications were too great. After all, an oil field of that size could easily attract unwanted foreign attention, particularly from countries like the United States.

Not long after the announcement, an executive from ExxonMobil, one of the largest oil corporations in the world, paid a visit to the royal palace. The man, well-dressed and with a sharp gaze, sought an audience with Krishna.

"Your Highness, we've been following the news of your oil discovery closely," the executive began. "ExxonMobil would be interested in forming a partnership with your Royal Petroleum Company. We propose a 70/30 split, with 70% of the profits going to us and 30% to your company."

Krishna listened carefully, his mind calculating. He was aware of the value of this offer but also the risks. The terms were far too skewed in ExxonMobil's favor. Without a word, Krishna calmly dismissed the executive, sending him away with a polite but firm response. He didn't want to give away too much, not when the empire had so much leverage.

Later, when Emperor Shriranga asked about the meeting, Krishna explained the offer and his decision. "ExxonMobil wants the majority stake, but I've declined. We can't afford to let foreign companies dominate our oil industry."

Krishna's father listened carefully, then spoke. "Be cautious, Krishna. Such powerful companies won't back down easily. You've made the right call for now, but always be prepared for the consequences."

Krishna nodded, his thoughts already moving forward. "I plan to give a one-time subsidy of 20 billion Varaha, about $4 billion, to all 46 million citizens of the Vijayanagara Empire. It's a way to secure their loyalty and keep their focus on the prosperity that's coming. If we can maintain their support, it'll be much harder for foreign companies or opposition forces to sway them."

Emperor Shriranga was taken aback by the scale of the subsidy. "That's a large sum, Krishna. Are you sure?"

"It's nothing compared to the potential profits we stand to make," Krishna replied with determination. "We can earn 30 to 40 billion dollars a year from the oil, and that's just the beginning. The people need to see the benefits of this wealth firsthand."

After a moment of thought, Shriranga smiled. "You have my full support, Krishna. Do what you think is best. I trust your judgment."

Krishna's heart swelled with pride at his father's words. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with the right strategies in place, the Vijayanagara Empire was poised to enter a new era of power and prosperity.