"In the event of a war," the Queen reminded him gently, "many lives will be lost. During the last war with the British we suffered severe losses both in lives and in finances, don't forget. If this dispute can be settled amicably, there's no point in going to war. But come, tell us about the historical significance you mentioned" Just then the boom of cannons could be heared resounding across the parade ground. Twenty thousand troops were already assembled there in full battle kit, ready to leave the very next day for Tibet. Jung Bahadur was inspecting the troops and was being given a nineteen gun salute at the very moment that the fate of these self-same men hung in the balance. Jagat should have been at that parade, his presence was indispensable in presenting the rank and file with a unified family front and at the sound of the cannons he shifted around restlessly. "Come on Jagat, out with it," the King ordered and so Jagat had no alternative but to sit at the King's feet as bidden and the Generals followed suit. "Well," he began, "initially the Tibetans used to accept Nepalese currency for all normal business transactions, then during the period of Your Majesty's great-great grandfather, King Prithivi Narayan, a new nepalese currency was introduced which the Tibetans refused to accept, placing a great strain on the relationship between our two countries. A contingent of our army subsequently reached a place called Shikarjong and hoisted our flag and during the following months a peace treaty was signed, only to be broken by Tibet the very next year and once more our forces were obliged to fight their way in to Tibet. Our treaty with Tibet has always been favourable to us, but only because we have been prepared to defend it by force of arms if need be. contd..........