Veerasimhan reflected for a while and then said, "Minister! Send a reply to Sundaravarma that we want to be friendly with Makara country but that since our financial position is weak now, we are not in a position to pay ransom to them."
"Pardon me, Your Majesty! This gives an impression of our making a humble submission to the enemy" said Parantaka, shocked.
"If the enemy looks at the message that way and decides not to ask for ransom from us, won't it be good for us?" said Veerasimha, smiling.
'The term 'Veera' meaning courage is a part of the King's name but it is not one of his traits' thought Parantaka. He nodded his head, without saying anything.
A reply was received from Sundaravarma that he was accepting Veerasimha's offer of friendship, that he was giving Veerasimha one year moratorium on ransom payment and that Veerasimha should start paying the ransom from the next year.
The Minister was unhappy about the King getting a concession like this, after virtually begging the enemy king.
After one year, Veerasimhan sent another message to Sundaravarma, requesting him to extend the moratorium on the ransom payment for one more year, since his country was in the grip of a severe famine.
"It is doubtful whether Sundaravarma will agree to this request" said Parantaka.
"I have no doubt on that score. Sundaravarma won't agree to our request!" said Veeravarma, laughing aloud.
"Your Majesty?" asked the Minister, perplexed.
"We should get ready for a war with Makara country."
"But, only to avoid the war, last year, we sent a message to Makara country, asking for time."
"Yes. At that time, we were not in a position to fight a war."
"I am unable to decipher your thinking, Your Majesty."
"As you had mentioned earlier, no country had invaded us during my father's time. Therefore, we didn't focus on strengthening our armed forces and on acquiring more weapons. Last year, our army was not in a strong position. If we had fought a war at that time, we would have lost the war and our country would have been made a part of Makara country. It was only after ascertaining the strength of our armed forces and of the weapons in our arsenal, from the Chief of the Armed Forces that I decided to buy time, by extending my hand of friendship to Sundaravarma. You might have thought that I lacked the courage to fight a war!"
"No, Your Majesty" said the Minister, feeling embarrassed.
"I could read your thoughts by looking at your face. But, it was only natural that you had such a thought. I wanted to surprise you by proving to you that when it came to valour, I was not behind my ancestors. I had instructed the Chief of the Armed Forces that he should strengthen the army and build up our weaponry to a formidable level within one year. He has accordingly strengthened the army and also augmented the stock of our weapons, during the last one year. I kept these developments a secret from you, since I wanted to surprise you. Our army is very strong now. On the other hand, Makara country has become weakened due to internal strife. The present time is favourable to us. If there is going to be a war now, we are sure to emerge victorious" said Veerasimha, with enthusiasm.
"Please pardon me, Your Majesty. I failed to realize that a retreat can be a strategy to pounce upon the enemy with a greater force" said the Minister.
Knowing One's Strength
thAkkaRkup pErum thagaiththu.
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