Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 238 The Procrastinating Spaniard

July 1633, 7, Port of Acapulco.

As a key hub for trade between the Philippines and the Americas, the Port of Acapulco has entered its golden age of development since the 1980s.

Every year (sometimes every other year), one or more Manila galleons loaded with oriental goods would set out from the Philippines, cross the Pacific Ocean, and arrive at the port of Acapulco.

These ships brought silk, porcelain, and spices from the Ming Dynasty, pearls and gems from the Philippines, and luxury goods from other Asian countries and regions.

After these goods are unloaded at the Port of Acapulco, a grand market will be held there to sell the goods directly to merchants from all over the world.

Of course, most goods were transported overland to Mexico City and then distributed to other parts of New Spain, and even as far as Peru and mainland Europe.

The prosperity of the port has also driven the development of the local economy.

Huge warehouses, markets, and merchants' magnificent residences were built around the port, attracting merchants, sailors, and laborers from Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Asia.

The port's activities were not limited to trade, but also included related services such as ship repair, supply and material storage, which further promoted the rise of local handicrafts and service industries.

Acapulco gradually developed from a remote fishing village into a busy international trade center with a population of more than 5,000.

Whenever the Manila galleon arrived, a large number of temporary people would flock to the port, including sailors, merchants, travelers and officials from Mexico City, causing the population here to sometimes surge to 7,000 or 8,000, or even 10,000.

However, these people may leave after the trading season ends, causing the port to appear relatively deserted during the non-trading season.

However, starting in April, when the Manila galleon had not yet returned, the port suddenly became bustling and became the focus of great attention from all parties in the entire Mexican region.

In late March, the Count of Avila, the Governor of New Spain, issued an order to send a large army to suppress the pirates in the north, and immediately mobilized the entire viceroyalty.

Teams of soldiers continued to gather at the port of Acapulco from various inland garrisons, and muskets, cannons, armor, spears, daggers and gunpowder were continuously transported to the port via carriages or pack horses.

Armed merchant ships were requisitioned by the Governor's Office and, after receiving orders, they sailed into the port of Acapulco and docked there.

The once empty gun deck was re-installed with powerful naval guns, fully arming it and turning it into a powerful weapon for naval warfare.

Vice Admiral Juan Vicente Gomez of the Governor-General's Military Council, who had extensive combat experience, was appointed commander of the expeditionary task force, responsible for commanding all naval and land forces gathered in the port of Acapulco.

At this time, the port of Acapulco is full of busyness and noise.

There were five huge three-masted sailing ships anchored in the harbor, including a large galleon from Manila.

These ships had three decks, huge hulls and gorgeous decorations, symbolizing the maritime hegemony of the Spanish Kingdom.

At the dock, workers were busy loading and unloading goods, transporting combat supplies gathered from the inland hinterland.

In a magnificently decorated mansion in the city, General Gomez was leaning back in a soft chair, listening calmly to the report given by his adjutant.

"…There are currently only five armed merchant ships docked at the port. The other three are still in ports to the north and south. They will only rendezvous with Acapulco after completing their commercial transport missions."

"...Captain Calles, the former commander of the Exploration Fleet, was ordered to San Diego Bay over a month ago to deliver supplies to the immigrants there. He may return to Acapulco Harbor a little later."

"…Only two-thirds of the musketeers from Mexico City have arrived. The rest are still stranded in the barracks, waiting for their overdue pay to be paid."

"…The troops drawn from Guadalajara, León, San Luis, and other places are sufficient in terms of numbers, but the composition of the soldiers is inconsistent with the transfer documents sent by the Governor-General. The original total of 500 Creole spearmen has become 400 Indian servants and 100 Creole soldiers. We have reason to doubt whether these soldiers have the necessary fighting ability and courage in battle."

"...Originally, we were supposed to be provided with twelve 4-pound land battle cannons, but the munitions officials in Mexico City believed that such powerful firepower was not necessary to attack a group of pirates. Therefore, they only shipped five cannons, and two of them were small 3-pound bronze cannons."

"...In addition to the insufficient number of artillery pieces provided, the muskets, spears, armor, gunpowder, and the corresponding food, wine, clothing, medicine, and other supplies we requested all fell short of the required quantities."

"..." Major Fernandez, the adjutant reporting the situation, saw the commander's face grow increasingly grim, and his voice lowered. He swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "In short, our current preparations are not very good. Without strict supervision and thorough improvements, the task force may not be ready to depart in early August..."

"You think our preparations aren't going well?" Lieutenant General Gomez stood up suddenly, looking at him stiffly. "Haha, it's not bad at all, it's a complete mess! And it's... abysmal!"

"..." Fernandez didn't dare to respond, lowered his head, ready to face the commander's anger.

Indeed, as the Commander-in-Chief said, the entire war preparation situation is a mess.

If the situation continues like this, not only will the task force not be able to depart on time in early August, it will probably be difficult to complete all preparations by September.

Once we get to September, there will be no more fighting this war.

Because the fleet was traveling north against the strong monsoon, it would take at least forty to fifty days on the road.

The northern lair where the pirates are based will enter the early winter season at the end of October and the beginning of November. The temperature will become very low and there may even be heavy snow.

Fighting at this season would have been a disaster for the colonial army.

If we rush over rashly, we might not be defeated by the pirates, but instead be severely damaged by the severe winter cold there.

Therefore, the task force must complete all preparations before departure by the end of July, and no later than early August.

No one could predict how long it would take for the landing troops to capture the enemy's stronghold and wipe out all the enemies after the fleet reached the pirate's lair.

According to Lieutenant Guardado, who went to the pirates' lair to deliver the ultimatum and declaration of war, the pirates built a strong castle with a large number of cannons deployed on the walls.

To capture such a stronghold would probably take a lot of time and effort, and even result in considerable casualties.

Then, the task force must reach the pirate stronghold by mid-September, leaving enough time for the landing force to attack the city.

But now it seems that all preparations are greatly delayed, which inevitably casts a shadow on the prospects of this war.

The colonial government is so inefficient!

What is even more worrying is that the military soldiers who arrived in Acapulco one after another had nothing to do and often harassed women, stole and looted property, causing local officials and residents to complain and come to this temporary headquarters from time to time to express their dissatisfaction and protest.

Lieutenant General Gomez took a deep breath and tried to calm the anger in his heart.

Now is not the time to get angry, we must find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

He turned and walked to the window, looking at the busy scene of the port in the distance, thinking secretly in his mind.

He had to contact the Governor's Office as soon as possible and urge them to speed up the transportation of supplies and the assembly of soldiers.

At the same time, he also had to send supervisors to strengthen disciplinary management of the soldiers to prevent them from continuing to harass local residents.

"Major Fernandez," Lieutenant General Gomez said in a deep voice, "Immediately draft an urgent report detailing all the problems we currently face and including my recommendations. I want you to personally travel to Mexico City and deliver this report directly to the Governor."

Major Fernandez nodded in acceptance and quickly left the room.

Lieutenant General Gomez continued to stand at the window, gazing at the sea horizon in the distance.

He knew that this war was not only a test of his command ability, but also a matter of the glory and dignity of the Spanish Kingdom, and even more so of his personal reputation.

He must go all out, not only to ensure that the task force can depart on time, but also to win the war and wipe out all those pirates.

(End of this chapter)