Prince Ashoka came to the chamber of his father and paid obeisance.
He asked, ‘‘Did you wish to see me, father?’’
‘‘Yes son, I did’’ the Emperor spoke in cheerful tone. ‘‘How are you, Son?’’
‘‘With your blessing I am fine, father’’ Ashoka replied. ‘‘There is nothing to worry as ever. I think every one in your empire is hail and hearty. For a long time we suffered no famines or excess rains or any epidemic. Am I right, Sir?’’
‘‘Not entirely, son. Epidemics come in many forms. Right now a part of our empire is suffering from one.’’
Ashoka asked in surprise, ‘‘Sir, which part and what epidemic?’’
The Emperor replied, ‘‘Taxila. It is suffering from the misdeeds of the rebels. They are making the lives of the people and the administration very difficult. I hear that they are on the rampage.’’
‘‘But father! Respected brother Susheem is in that region. How could the rebels raise their heads in his presence?’’
The Emperor fixed his gaze on the wall opposite while saying, ‘‘Only Susheem can provide the answer to that question. Taxila is also in his charge. We can presume that he lacks the skill to use his authority effectively. Or he has little courage to do that. So, when the ruler has weakness the rebels take the advantage of it and they are all over making trouble. This epidemic deserves to be rooted out at once.’’
‘‘That is obvious, sir’’ Ashoka said grimly and asked, ‘‘What is your order for me?’’
‘‘Son, I want you to go to Taxila to deal with the problem. We don’t think Susheem can deal with it. Taxila does not need soft and liberal man like Susheem right now. The situation demands brave and intelligent handling which I think you are capable of.’’
‘‘I will do my best, sir,’’ Ashoka assured and asked, ‘‘When shall I go?’’
‘‘Immediately. There is no time to lose.’’
‘‘As your command, father,’’ Ashoka touched the feet of Emperor Bindusara and exited.
The very next morning, Ashoka formally took leave of Emperor father and set out for Taxila. He was accompanied by a small army of his hand picked warriors.
At that point of time Ashoka was only 18 years old but he already was an accomplished warrior. The enemies of Maurya empire dreaded him. The fame of his valour had spread far and wide. The news of the despatch of Ashoka reached in Taxila somehow in advance and it demoralised the rebels. Perhaps the spies were using pigeons for sending messages. Dealing with Prince Ashoka was beyond to resources and scope of the rebels. They began to disintegrate even before he set his foot on Taxila.
The twelve days of blistering horse back journey took Ashoka and his band of soldiers to Taxila. A soldier branched off to go to Kaikya where Prince Susheem was camping to deliver him the letter of the Emperor Bindusara.
The letter had been written at the advice of the chief minister in which the elder prince was advised not to venture to Taxila and let Ashoka have the free hand to deal with the rebels. The prince also was asked to return to Patliputra a few months hence for some important state business. It was done to avoid the clash of egos between the brothers. Still Prince Susheem felt hurt. Did his Emperor father and his advisors think that he was incapable of dealing with the rebel problem? When he was right there at the troubled spot why was Ashoka sent all the way from far off Patliputra to Taxila? These questions troubled his mind.
Meanwhile, as soon as Ashoka reached Taxila he took over the reigns of that state. He declared himself to be the Emperor Bindusara appointed Governor of Taxila with full sovereign powers. His crafty spies quickly unfolded the rebel plot. The rebels wanted to make Taxila an Independent kingdom by carving it out of Magadha Empire of Bindusara.
It took little time for Ashoka to identify the kingpins of the plotting rebels and their allies. The rapid action groups of his force raided the hide outs of the rebel leaders and put them to death ruthlessly. They had Ashoka’s orders not to take any prisoners. One by one all the leaders of the plotters were dealt with. The soldiers of the rebels met the same fate. Most of them got decimated barring a few who managed to flee to other kingdoms that were not part of the empire. It was clear that no one of them ever would dare to return to Taxila.
Thus, rebellion was fully crushed and buried. After dealing with the rebels Ashoka streamlined the administration. All those whose lethargy and carelessness had helped the rise of the rebels were dismissed. Only the loyal to the empire and efficient were retained. Young blood was infused in the administration. Soon, Taxila had an well oiled administrative machinery that brought the state under the rule of law and good order.
The people appreciated the return of law and thanked Ashoka for bringing peace again in their lives. Emperor Bindusara was pleased at the achievement of his favourite son. But at the same time he had reasons to worry. Ashoka’s ruthless efficiency was awesome. Too much of a good thing is also bad. It was clear that Ashoka was a very ambitious youngman. His brothers stood little chance against him. Bindusara was sorry for his other sons because a father loves all his sons irrespective of their individual merits.
And in their case empirical throne was involved where the hunger for power could override the sibling sentiments. Among his brothers Ashoka was like a cat among the pigeons. Emperor Bindusara shuddered at that thought.
