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Chapter 1219: Incompetents in High Positions
Because of a letter from Lopez Díaz de Almanza, the Viceroyalty of Peru had already doubled its spending in the past six months. If it continued to spend like this, it would go bankrupt before the Ming Empire came to attack.

It is true that the governor can enjoy one-tenth of the tax revenue of the colony, and this amount of money is indeed a lot, but he is just a passing god of wealth. Most of the income has to be used to manage ministers at home, and in the end, less than 30% can be kept.

His wife was a noblewoman who spent money lavishly and loved to hold balls all the time. The jewelry, clothes, spices she bought and the artists she supported every year alone would add another 10% to the tax bill.

"It's not a matter of money. Governor de Almanza has already replenished the insufficient artillery and ammunition, as well as two musket companies of soldiers."

Colonel Mendoza took the glass and casually placed it on the table. He had come back from such a long journey not to drink for free, nor to listen to the governor complain about his poverty.

Like the previous governors, De Cabrera was not greedy, and he took every silver coin he deserved, and he did not take any more than he deserved. But he was also incompetent, and he barely managed to maintain the status quo, and he would be at a loss when something unexpected happened.

But this is the current situation. The governors sent from the mainland are all mediocre, and the truly capable people are not given important positions. Even if some individuals want to do something practical, they will be dragged down by a large group of mediocre people.

"So what did the major want instead of refitting the ship in Guayaquil and returning to Lima?" When de Cabrera heard that the Governor of New Spain had actually sent the promised weapons and manpower, he was not happy at all. Instead, he felt it was an insult.

As the Governor of Peru, he had to rely on the help of the Governor of New Spain to protect himself, and his generals felt a sense of satisfaction when talking about this. Isn't this a slap in the face!

"Four days ago, Paita Town was robbed by pirates again. This is the third time this month. If we don't stop it, this kind of thing will increase until it can't be stopped.

This is a handwritten letter from Governor de Almanza. At about the same time, two coastal towns in the Isthmus were also looted. The situation was similar to this. In addition to robbing gold, silver and jewelry, the pirates also took away all the food and livestock they could find. "

Colonel Mendoza ignored the dissatisfaction in the governor's tone and took out a roll of parchment from his pocket and placed it on the table. The wax seal had been broken, obviously it had been opened and read.

"Damn pirates, they all deserve to go to hell!"

De Cabrera slowly unfolded the parchment, stared at the words on it, his breathing began to rapid, and soon his face turned red. Finally, he slapped the table hard, cursing viciously.

This was not an ordinary letter, but a letter from Governor de Almanza, who rebuked Colonel Mendoza, arguing that it was his failure to supervise and control the pirates, who allowed them to run rampant in the Viceroyalty of Peru, and then spread to the towns in the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

If the pirate problem cannot be dealt with quickly, he will formally file a complaint with the king and request that the country nominate a more capable naval commander to take up the post.

The words in the letter were all saying that Colonel Mendoza was derelict in his duty, but Governor de Cabrera was no fool. He clearly sensed the indirect criticism and naked threat.

Although they were both viceroys, in the eyes of the king and a group of local ministers, the Viceroyalty of New Spain was their own son, while the Viceroyalty of Peru was picked up from the street. If the son and the bastard had a falling out and the matter was brought to the father, the outcome could be imagined. "Colonel, you came at a very timely moment. But speed alone cannot solve the problem. What should we do next?"

After taking a big gulp of wine, De Cabrera finally calmed down his angry and panicked mood. At this time, the colonel in front of him suddenly became lovable. If he wanted to solve this trouble, the only one he could rely on was him, Colonel Mendoza Samar!
"If Your Excellency allows me to mobilize all fleets, including the converted silver-carrying ships, to launch a large-scale crackdown on the pirates, the outcome will surely be a happy one. At the same time, I will also ask Governor de Almanza to act together and leave no sea area for the pirates to hide.

He should support it. If this group of daring pirates is not eliminated, the plan of expedition to the Daming Islands will be shelved, which is something he cannot tolerate.

In addition, with the help of the fleet of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the elimination of the pirates in the Viceroyalty of Peru will also be of great benefit to your subsequent governance. In the report to the king, the Governor-General can describe the process in a more exciting way. "

Since Mendoza had come all the way here, it was not just to pass on a private letter. As the naval commander of the Viceroyalty of Peru, he could not sit idly by in the face of the increasingly rampant pirate attacks. However, the commander's power was far from enough to mobilize all the fleets, and he had to get the written approval of the Governor.

"...the entire fleet...has found the pirates' base?" Governor de Cabrera raised his eyebrows, somewhat hesitant.

Ever since the fleet under the Governor of New Spain accidentally discovered the archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and saw the Ming army building a dock on it, the armaments of the two governorates have been raised to the highest level.

The mainland's attitude towards this matter was also very clear. They wanted to destroy the unfinished port at all costs. For this purpose, they specially sent 3,000 regular troops and seven warships from the mainland.

If the modification of the original ships progresses normally, the expedition to the Daming Islands will be launched in a month. At this time, mobilizing a large fleet to encircle and suppress pirates seems a bit like using a cannon to kill a mosquito. If something goes wrong and delays the expedition, the responsibility will be great.

"We have a rough idea. It's the intelligence provided by Governor de Almanza. If you can make a prompt decision and issue an order, we can conduct a practical exercise by suppressing pirates before the expedition fleet officially sets out."

"Will the fleet of New Spain also be dispatched?" De Cabrera didn't care whether the expeditionary fleet would conduct exercises, but there seemed to be another meaning in the colonel's words, which had to be confirmed.

"Yes, if Your Excellency can give the order in time." Mendoza nodded vigorously.

"...Of course, why not? It would be best to capture those damned pirates, put them in the square and execute them in public, then burn them into ashes, and let their souls go to hell! Come, I wish you and the expedition fleet a victory, cheers!"

After a little thought, Governor de Cabrera suddenly changed his attitude and became very positive. Not only did he agree to the colonel's request, he also filled his glass again to congratulate him in advance.

(End of this chapter)