Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 80 A New Beginning ([-])

On Highway 1 from Dongfang Port to Dingyuan Fort, a group of unkempt "beggars" were marching in a column. They were Spanish prisoners captured in the last war. September 9st was the last day for the release of prisoners of war agreed by the two parties. Therefore, these more than 1 Spanish prisoners were being driven by the police of the Ministry of the Interior to go outside Dingyuan Fort, ready to be taken over by the Spaniards.

The weather is fine today, and the newly renovated crossing in the east of Dingyuan Fort is full of soldiers from the first sentinel of the infantry with live ammunition.They stared warily at the shambling Spanish prisoners of war, disheveled and exhausted by a month's hard work and harsh life.Major Antonio Carlos felt a little dizzy, and his footsteps were a little heavy. Living with only a few potatoes for his hunger every day made his body weak to the extreme, and the noise of some religious figures and propagandists from the East Coast next to him made him feel even more uncomfortable. terribly upset.

"Spanish friends, before I leave, I want to tell you something. In this unjust war, why were you sent to the east bank to die? It was all because of the greed of the nobles. Cities, wearing clothes made of oriental silk, drinking wine from French chateaus, eating deep-sea cod in La Plata, and chewing the best tobacco in Havana, but they send you to the east coast to die! They are even stingy with Pay you even a little bit. God, they must be the agents of the devil. Wake up, friends, and stop being puppets of these nobles who lie on you and suck blood. This war is a tragedy. The tragedy led by those nobles in Peru. We can coexist peacefully, we can be friends, but we should not be enemies. Friends, go back and think about it, who is your real enemy?" As the investigation bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Father Pedro, who was officially staffed, gave a speech at the top of his lungs, trying to instill anti-Spanish kingdom ideas in these Spanish prisoners of war.It's a pity that the effect doesn't look very good. Only a few Spanish prisoners of war are listening, and most of them are in a daze.

"I am Lucio from Chile. Now I have converted to Taishang Laojun - the only true god in the world worthy of my belief. What I want to tell you today is the corruption of the Spanish Church. This is what I have personally experienced. On Chiloe Island in the south of Chile, I was once ordered by some Jesuit missionaries. They ordered me to lead the police to forcibly sell goods such as glasses that they did not need at high prices to the local indigenous Araucans. All the money was taken back to the country privately. They bought land and workshops in the countryside of Granada, and lived a luxurious life. In addition, some depraved priests even had affairs with nuns, oh, this is really shocking. They They should really be sent to the Inquisition in Madrid, not those innocent farmers. My friends, abandon this corrupt and degenerate church, and let us return to the correct belief-the Supreme Old Monarch and the True God, orthodox belief will never go out of style!" Lucy Ao, wearing a funny gossip robe, said with emotion.However, he received less response than Father Pedro. Most of the Spanish prisoners of war looked at him with fear and puzzled eyes.

"Ahem..." Lieutenant Leo, who was standing at the crossing of the bridge, reminded the handover staff of the East Coast Republic, Liu Yun, Director of the Prison Affairs Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with some dissatisfaction.Liu Yun smiled slightly, and casually said a few words to Pedro and Lucio, and the two unscrupulous guys immediately shut up.Liu Yun picked up a few pieces of paper in his hand, on which was written a list of all the Spanish prisoners of war in Spanish, this time traveler who worked hard all day to learn various languages ​​spoke slowly to Lieutenant Colonel Leo in fluent Spanish : "Okay, then the handover will officially begin now. Lieutenant Leo, this is the list of all prisoners of war, a total of 718, please have a look."

"718 people?" Lieutenant Leo frowned. "I remember that the number recognized by both parties during our previous negotiations was 767 prisoners of war. Why are there only 718 people now, and where are the other 49 people? I have to take everyone Go. Liu, you know, this makes me very embarrassed."

"No, Lieutenant Leo, there are no 767 people, only 718 people. In fact, we made a mistake before, it's that simple." Liu Yun still had the same smile on his face.

Lieutenant Leo looked at the prisoners of war who were tortured to the point of being out of shape, then at Liu Yun, and then at the first sentinel soldiers with live ammunition, sighed, did not say anything, and wrote a handover Pass it to Liu Yun.

"Lieutenant Leo, I heard from some friends in La Plata that you are about to serve as the sheriff of Colonia Town?" Liu Yun looked at Leo who was writing there with his head down, and asked tentatively.

Leo raised his head in astonishment, looked at Liu Yun, and said with a wry smile: "I have to say, people from the east bank, you are very well informed. Yes, I was transferred here as a punishment due to the humiliating defeat. , maybe some people don't want to see me back in Lima again."

"Haha, don't worry, Mr. Leo, you are a friend of our east coast people, and we east coast people will not treat friends badly." Liu Yun laughed and said, "Look, the heaven of La Plata It's so blue, and the air in Buenos Aires is so fresh. Perhaps, your career as a sheriff in Colonia is not as bleak as you imagined, in that city where gold flows Here, I think many people who have targeted you will regret it and cry bitterly."

Lieutenant Leo did not speak, but lowered his head and continued to write.After a long time, he said softly: "People from the east coast, sometimes it is scary to think about you. I can't see what the future of La Plata will be under your influence, but my instinct tells me that La Plata is currently Drifting away from the kingdom. But... who cares? Governor Gutierrez? Baron Bravo? Or Mr. Manuel Ignacio Rodriguez who you have close ties to? Hehe , Well, people from the East Coast, I admit that you won. The reality is that, I don’t want to interfere or know how many shady secret transactions there are between you, but please don’t treat me like a fool.”

There is never a shortage of sensible people in this world.Just like the inconspicuous Lieutenant Leo in front of him, although he didn't know the connection between the native white elites in the La Plata area and the time-travelers, he successfully guessed the matter with his own experience and wisdom. Nine is not far from ten.In fact, Manuel's son Alvaro is currently a guest at the Ministry of Commerce in Port Orient.This guy represented dozens of elite native-born white families in the La Plata region, and was an integral part of the Department of Commerce's ambitious smuggling plan.

In the eyes of the people in the Ministry of Commerce, the abundant timber (especially high-quality hardwood resources), horses, cheese, leather, wool, tallow, livestock and other materials in the La Plata region will provide a solid foundation for the economic development of the East Coast Republic of China. Foundation.In addition to these ready-made materials, since the La Plata region can also trade with Lima, the East Coast Republic can indirectly import the scarce saltpetre, sulfur, graphite, mercury, Strategic materials such as iron, copper, lead, and tin are not insignificant.Otherwise, do you think Gao Mo and others are so desperate to persuade the Spaniards to open a small window of trade, what are they trying to do?It's not for the urgent supplies that are lacking in these east coast areas.

The profits generated by such a large material transaction will also be astonishing.So it's no wonder these La Plata natives are jumping up and down so well, because the bulk of the profits must be shared with them by the East Coast.Of course, in addition to them, a large number of colonial officials, soldiers and even missionaries in the La Plata area are also sharers of the benefits, and they will also get their own share.

For example, the Lieutenant Leo in front of him is the sheriff of Colonia Town who is about to take office. It can be said that the two sides of the transaction have to try their best to win over officials.Because both parties will definitely not honestly do the designated legal business, if there is a more serious sheriff, then everyone will not be able to feel comfortable.Therefore, for Lieutenant Leo, there are only two ways for everyone, either let him join or kick him out, there is no third way to choose.

"That's very well said, Mr. Leo." Liu Yun clapped his palms and praised: "Many people are blatantly encroaching on the interests of the kingdom, while accusing others of being illegal. This is really absurd! La Plata The trade with the east coast has a positive side for both parties. The people of La Plata no longer have to endure the exploitation of the greedy Lima merchants, and we can also purchase the goods they produce at a reasonable price. How perfect Mutually beneficial trade, it must be the will of God directing us to do so!"

Leo smiled and said nothing.I saw him struggling to draw a few strokes, signed his name at the end of the document, and then handed over the receiving document to Liu Yun.

When Liu Yun took the document, he whispered in a voice that only two people could hear: "Mr. Leo can visit Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez in Buenos Aires before taking office. I believe There will be many common topics between you." After speaking, he quietly stuffed a "giant panda" (100 yuan coin) into Leo's palm.

Leo held the gold coin tightly in his palm, and nodded imperceptibly.

After the captives were handed over, Lieutenant Leo and several of his subordinates, escorted by two platoons of soldiers at the first post, took more than 700 Spanish captives to the port of Rocha and boarded the ship.

(End of this chapter)