Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 581 Contact (Part 1)

Alonso Pablo Garza sat in a luxurious carriage, the carriage swaying slightly with the undulations of the cobblestone road.

A small squad of Xinhua Army soldiers rode on horseback to guard both sides, the sound of their hooves particularly clear on the narrow street.

Through the glass car window inlaid with his family crest, he surveyed the city, which was both familiar and unfamiliar, with a complex expression.

As a core member of the Garza family, and a Creole (native-born white man) with intricate ties to Xinhua Trade—a clandestine smuggling trade, of course—he was intimately familiar with this port city.

There is a trading post of the Garza family in the city, and an estate in the suburbs covering an area of ​​more than 1,200 fanecas (1 faneca is approximately equal to 0.7 hectares).

However, what he saw along the way today seemed to be different from the Acapulco he remembered, exuding an unusual and unsettling vitality.

A year ago, the Xinhua Army attacked the port of Acapulco. The fortifications built by the colonial authorities failed to keep them out. In just a few days, the Xinhua Army captured two forts that had been on high hopes, and then the army landed on the shore.

Faced with this disciplined and well-equipped army, the Spanish defenders almost lost all courage and surrendered without hesitation.

He had expected that what followed would be the massacre of the city, looting, and the horrific scene of Spanish residents being driven out or enslaved.

Yes, just as the Spanish did to Tenochtitlan (the capital of the Aztec Empire) more than a century ago.

But none of this happened.

According to news sent back by his cousin Quasimodo, who remained in Acapulco, the new Chinese only confiscated the property and supplies of the colonial authorities, and did not harm the merchants, citizens and ordinary officials in the city. They also announced that they would protect the lives and property of everyone.

As for the property of the Garsa family, it also received special care from the new Chinese, who stationed many soldiers to maintain and look after it.

Although sporadic extortion and robbery occurred in some villages and manors on the outskirts of the city, the city of Acapulco maintained an unusual level of order and stability.

Even a month after the occupation, the new Chinese enacted a "free trade" policy, allowing merchants and peddlers from all over the world to freely enter and exit Acapulco and then purchase or sell goods in markets designated by the new Chinese.

Moreover, no taxes or fees will be levied.

On the streets, vehicles come and go in a constant stream, and pedestrians jostle shoulder to shoulder.

Soldiers dressed in the distinctive dark blue or blue uniforms of the Xinhua Army (militia) patrolled in rows of three or five. Their formations were orderly and their steps were powerful, making them the undisputed masters of the city.

But more often, they are ordinary people of all kinds.

Local Native Americans, dressed in traditional clothing, carried baskets and sold fruits and vegetables.

The Mestizo people (of mixed European and Indigenous descent) busily moved goods in front of shops and warehouses, their sweat dripping onto the packaging.

The Hispanic residents of the city mostly looked normal, either shopping at the market or chatting outside the tavern. Apart from the occasional shadow in their eyes, it was hard to tell that they lived under the rule of the conquerors.

The market's prosperity exceeded his expectations. Almost all the shops along the street were open, with exquisite porcelain and smooth silk from the East, unique spices from the East Indies, woolen fabrics and hardware tools from Xinhua, and mysterious medicinal herbs that were said to be able to ward off evil and cure diseases, all prominently displayed on the shelves to attract customers.

What shocked Alonso even more was that he saw several familiar faces—businessmen from Mexico City!
They were dressed in respectable clothes and were talking in hushed tones with some people who looked like logistics officers or licensed merchants of the Xinhua Army, their fingers secretly gesturing prices in their sleeves.

These guys, completely ignoring the governorate's ban and the ongoing war, swarmed here like flies to honey, hoping to be the first to obtain these goods that could bring huge profits.

After all, shortages of any kind of supplies are inevitable during wartime.

"Ha, even war can't stop smuggling. This activity... has probably become an open secret," Alonso thought bitterly to himself.

In the face of practical interests, war seems to have become a wishful thinking insistence of the gentlemen in Madrid.

The Creoles of the colonies, and even many of the Peninsulars, valued their lives and their desire for wealth far more than His Majesty the King's dignity and the laws of the Empire.

He was led to the former Acapulco City Hall, which had become the temporary command post of the Xinhua Expeditionary Force.

The soldiers standing guard at the gate were tall and straight, holding muskets with bayonets fixed in their hands. Their eyes were cold, and their gazes towards him carried a subtle scrutiny unique to victors.

In the reception room, decorated with captured Spanish armor and oriental ink paintings, Alonso met with Mo Tianhai, the deputy commander of the expeditionary force and commander-in-chief of the army.

This general, who struck fear into the hearts of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, did not appear to be very old. He was lean and wiry, with skin tanned from years of warfare.

He wore a well-tailored navy blue military uniform with minimal embellishment; only the collar and cuffs were embroidered with simple gold patterns, yet he exuded the aura of a Xinhua soldier.

He was standing in front of a huge map of Mexico when he heard the announcement. He slowly turned around and his gentle gaze fell on Alonso.

“Mr. Garza, welcome.” Mo Tianhai’s voice was calm, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. “I hope that the changes in Acapulco along the way have not made you uncomfortable.”

Alonso bowed slightly, performing a standard gentleman's salute: "Your Excellency, the changes are indeed enormous, but... I must admit, the order and prosperity here have exceeded my expectations."

He chose a neutral word: "order".

Mo Tianhai's lips twitched slightly, as if forming an unformed sneer.

"Order stems from power, and also from realistic choices. We provide security, as well as the goods and wealth they crave. Wise people naturally know how to choose."

He gestured for Alonso to sit down, then took the seat of honor himself and went straight to the point, "Mr. Garza is an old friend of ours in New Spain. He's here on behalf of the Mexican authorities, surely not just to visit this city that we 'govern'?"

Alonso took a deep breath, seemingly considering his words.

He straightened his posture and put on a perfectly timed smile: "General, you are wise. I have come here on behalf of Governor Pacheco and the Council, hoping to discuss with the senior officers of your New China Army the possibility of ending this unfortunate conflict."

He paused for a moment, observing Mo Tianhai's expression, only to see that the other man was simply looking at him calmly, signaling him to continue.

“To be honest…” Alonso lowered his voice, with a hint of helplessness, “Last year, after His Excellency the Governor submitted a series of reports on the war's setbacks to the Madrid court, we did not receive the reinforcements we had been hoping for. Not a single warship, nor a single company of soldiers, arrived in Mexico from the mainland.”

A hint of resentment crept into his words, “On the contrary, the governorate was ordered to ‘do its utmost’ to repel… uh, your army’s invasion on its own. And…”

He shook his head, a wry smile on his face: "His Majesty's order also emphasizes that the Viceroyalty must ensure that the gold and silver mined from major silver mines such as Zacatecas and Guanajuato are transported back to Spain in full and safely. The Kingdom's finances and the battlefields in Europe are what His Majesty the King and the Duke of Olivares (Prime Minister of Spain) care about most."

He glanced at Mo Tianhai, whose face remained expressionless, as if he were listening to something that had nothing to do with him.

“General, as you know, the Garza family has always had very close trade relations with your Xinhua.” Alonso changed his perspective. “We, and many Creole families like ours, hope that this war can come to an end.”

"The ongoing conflict is not only depleting the colony's wealth, but also disrupting many normal... well, commercial activities. Restoring peace and stability to the Mexican region is in the common interest of the majority of people living on this land."

He cleverly avoided the word "defeat," instead emphasizing "common interests."

Mo Tianhai finally moved. He picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on it, sipped the green tea from the Ming Dynasty, and then slowly spoke: "Mr. Garza, we are soldiers, and we prefer to be direct. You want a ceasefire, fine. But the Spanish started the war, and now that you can't continue, you want to pretend nothing happened?"

He put down his teacup, his gaze sharpening. "Our New China Army has crossed thousands of miles of sea, endured a long and arduous expedition, and our soldiers have shed blood and sacrificed their lives. Is it all just to hear you say 'restore the status quo'? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Tell me, what price is the Spanish government prepared to pay in exchange for us stopping the war?"

Alonso's heart sank; the most crucial question had been laid bare.

He felt his cheeks burning, and a sense of embarrassment and helplessness gripped him.

He licked his dry lips and said with difficulty, “General, regarding the conditions… the envoys sent by the Madrid court did not bring much authorization from His Majesty the King. Their instructions… mainly… are to ask the Viceroyalty to find a way to repel your army, or… to reach a ceasefire agreement in some form, and restore… restore to the state before this war.”

After saying that, he himself felt that his words were weak and even somewhat ridiculous. Sure enough, Mo Tianhai sneered, his laughter filled with undisguised sarcasm.

"Restore the status quo? Hahahaha..." He stood up, walked to the huge map, and pointed heavily at the west coast of Mexico. "Does that mean we give up Acapulco, Cuernavaca, Iguala, all the Spanish towns and strongholds we have already occupied, and then obediently retreat back to Xinhua?"

"And you continue to shut your doors and enjoy the good life in your colonial territories, continue to regard us, the new China, as enemies, prohibit our merchant ships from conducting legal trade, and continue to discriminate against our merchants in various ways?"

He whirled around, staring directly at Alonso: "Mr. Garza, you're a smart man. Do you think this is possible? The Spanish government must pay the price for this foolish war! Otherwise, why should we stop?"

"So... what are your conditions?" Alonso sighed inwardly and asked, forcing himself to speak.

Being a middleman might not be easy!

Mo Tianhai turned to look at him, clearly having already made his decision, and spoke with an undeniable force: "First, cede territory. In addition to the California region, you must also cede all the territory west of West Matter Hill to Xinhua."

"Second, reparations, to make up for our country's military expenditures and various losses in this war. The specific amount can be discussed, but it must be in real money."

"Third, comprehensive and unrestricted trade, abolishing all discriminatory laws and trade restrictions against our Chinese merchants, allowing our merchants to trade freely in all ports and cities of New Spain and enjoy the most favorable treatment."

"Fourth, the right of free passage in the Pacific coastal areas. Our ships and merchant vessels have the right to dock and resupply in any Spanish-controlled port without any obstruction."

With each new story he heard, Alonso's face paled a little more.

Each of these conditions was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the most sensitive nerves of him and the entire Spanish colonial empire.

“General…” Alonso almost jumped up from his chair, his voice trembling slightly, “These…these conditions…please forgive my bluntness, but no matter which lands are ceded or how much reparations are paid, the Madrid court will absolutely not agree!”

"This is tantamount to carving a piece of flesh out of Spain's entire territory, an insult to the Kingdom's government. As for full trade and free movement... this completely violates His Majesty's trade monopoly ban, and the magistrates of the Indian Affairs Council will see it as a challenge to the very foundation of the Empire!"

"Disagree?" Mo Tianhai sneered. He walked to the window and pointed to the bustling street scene outside. "Mr. Garza, look outside. Haven't you noticed that your Spanish residents, under the rule of our Xinhua, are living a more prosperous, safer, and freer life than before?"

"Merchants from all over the Americas, and even some officials from your colonial authorities, are secretly exchanging silver and gold for our goods, having long since disregarded your king's ban. Why bother talking about any trade monopoly bans?"

"As for the humiliation of ceding territory, how could that constitute an insult to your Spanish government? I ask you, in recent decades, has Spain lost little territory?"

"Leaving aside the independence of the Netherlands and the disloyalty of the Italian lords, there must be quite a few islands and mainland territories in the Americas and the Caribbean that have been occupied by European countries such as England, France, and the Netherlands, right?"

As he spoke, his voice suddenly rose: "Mr. Garza, have the Mexican colonial authorities forgotten that in June of this year in Puebla, the four thousand men you painstakingly cobbled together were utterly defeated by our army, with over fifteen hundred killed, wounded, or captured!"

"It's fair to say that the whole of Mexico is like a young girl stripped naked, utterly powerless to resist. Do you still have any organized troops? Does the Mexico River Valley still have any force capable of stopping our advance? Tell me, what gives you the right to make us stop the war?"

Mo Tianhai took a step closer, the immense pressure making Alonso almost breathless: "If Xinhua is determined to launch another round of mobilization domestically and obtain more troops and supplies, do you think we can break into Mexico City?"

"If it really comes to that, your Mexican authorities won't even have the right to sit at the negotiating table and bargain. You'll just have to watch helplessly as the whole of New Spain is reduced to ruins. Tell me, is it harder to accept ceding territory, paying reparations, and opening up trade, or is it harder to accept completely losing everything?"

Alonso Pablo Garza felt a wave of dizziness.

Although he knew the other party was making threats and wouldn't actually launch a nationwide mobilization to attack Mexico City and take over the entire territory of New Spain.

But what the other side said is an indisputable fact: the Mexican authorities are no longer able to fight.

No, it should be that they were powerless to resist!

In the Battle of Guadalajara, more than 5,000 troops were routed and scattered, barely forming any organization.

In early June, the colonial authorities managed to muster more than 4,000 soldiers, but they suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Xinhua Army near Puebla. Even the commander, General Galas, was captured by the Xinhua Army.

If the Xinhua Army had not lacked a large cavalry force, it might have been completely annihilated under the enemy's fierce and concentrated firepower.

As Mo Tianhai said, the entire Mexican region is now like a "young girl stripped naked," at the mercy of the new Chinese.

The colonial authorities' troops were in complete disarray, with virtually no morale or fighting spirit, and support from home was nowhere in sight. Faced with such a powerful enemy, the Spanish had no room for negotiation.

Today, the Creoles crave stability and wealth, the Peninsulars worry about their property and status, and the Governor and Council are in a state of turmoil, yet without the full authorization of His Majesty the King and the Indian Affairs Council, they have no right to make any substantial concessions to Xinhua.

This seems to be an unsolvable deadlock.

He slumped back into his chair, his face filled with helplessness and deep disappointment.

Looking at the tough Xinhua general before him, he knew that any attempt to bargain at this time and place would be futile.

“General…” his voice was weary and hoarse, “I understand your…your conditions. I also fully understand your army’s position and strength. But…”

He raised his head, his eyes filled with utter helplessness. "I am merely a messenger and cannot offer any answer. Of course, in my opinion, our Governor should also have no right to agree to any conditions involving cession of territory, reparations, or changes to the fundamental laws of the kingdom."

"Therefore, without a clear decree from His Majesty the King and the Indian Affairs Council, we...we can promise nothing."

He paused, trying to make his tone sound sincere: "However, I assure you, on behalf of the Garza family, that I will bring back every single one of your terms to Mexico City and present them to His Excellency the Governor and the Council."

"Then, the Governor will certainly send these conditions to the Madrid court as quickly as possible... so that His Majesty the King and the officials of the Indian Affairs Council can make a decision."

After he finished speaking, the reception room fell silent.

Only the faint sounds of the market outside the window and the occasional bugle calls and commands from the direction of the military camp could be heard.

Mo Tianhai stared at Alonso for a moment, the sharpness in his eyes softening slightly, replaced by a silent mockery.

Of course, the target of this mockery was probably not him.

“Very good!” Mo Tianhai nodded: “Then please ask Mr. Garza to bring our ‘voice’ to Mexico City as soon as possible, and then transmit it back to Madrid. However, we hope that the King and ministers of Spain are more astute in assessing the situation than their agents in Mexico.”

"After all..." he added at the end, his tone calm but with a hint of pressure, "every day the war continues, you may lose far more than the conditions we just proposed."

Alonso remained silent; he knew this was not a threat, but a cold, hard reality.

As time goes on, the new Chinese will gain more and more leverage.

"General, are you really going to attack Mexico City?" Alonso asked instinctively as the conversation was about to end.

"Hmm?" Mo Tianhai raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "If the situation forces us to do so in the future, we cannot rule out this possibility."

"..." Alonso was stunned, and the air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.

He brought with him the Governor-General's desire for peace, but took away a set of harsh conditions that were almost impossible to accept, and a long and uncertain wait.

The dawn of peace did not seem to brighten because of this contact; instead, it was shrouded in a thicker gloom.

The predicament of the American colonies was laid bare at this moment: they couldn't win in battle, and they couldn't make decisions through negotiation.

The future is uncertain.
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(End of this chapter)