Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 616 Difficult Negotiations (Part 3)
On November 27, at 11 p.m., the fleet carrying the Spanish negotiating delegation slowly approached the harbor that the new Chinese called Nanping (now San Diego).

A group of Spaniards stood on the ship's railing, gazing at this land that was both familiar and unfamiliar with them, their feelings a mixture of emotions.

It is familiar because, on the kingdom's map, this should have been the edge of California, a region claimed by Spain but never effectively controlled.

The unfamiliarity stemmed from the fact that what they saw completely overturned their imagination of frontier outposts.

The first thing that catches the eye is the long, narrow sandbar island that stretches across the entrance to the bay area—Dingyuan Island (now Colorado Island).

The island is not a barren sand dune; near the coast, several angular gun emplacements stand clearly, their dark muzzles protruding from behind the bunkers, menacingly pointing towards the narrow port channel.

Several crimson flags fluttered in the morning breeze, and the figures of sentries flickered faintly between the fortifications.

“The Virgin Mary…” A young Spanish official couldn’t help but make the sign of the cross. “The new Chinese have turned this place into a sea fortress! If we were to send a fleet to attack here, we would probably be torn to shreds by this net of fire!”

Military advisor Lieutenant Colonel Pedeva looked grave. He carefully observed the layout and firing arc of the gun emplacements and whispered to his companion, "The location is very cleverly chosen; the firepower can completely cover the entire waterway."

"If I'm not mistaken, there should also be coastal defense batteries set up on the cape on the right, thus creating crossfire. And you see, those batteries seem to be permanent brick and stone structures, not temporary fortifications."

"The new Chinese...are prepared to occupy this place for the long term!"

These words immediately cast a shadow over everyone's hearts.

It seems that it will be quite difficult for Spain to regain its rule here through negotiations.

The master of this body of water has changed.

Guided by a Xinhua boat flying signal flags, the fleet carefully navigated the narrow, choke-like channel and entered the calm, open bay.

The sight before them once again astonished the Spaniards.

This was neither the rudimentary outpost they had imagined, nor a military outpost like Jingyuanbao!

The dock area on the shore is not a simple wooden pier, but a sturdy berth built of regular stones (cement), like several arms, steadily extending into the deep water.

At a glance, it is large enough to accommodate ten large sailboats at the same time.

On the dock, rows of tall brick and stone warehouses stand in neat order, their roofs covered with fired red tiles or waterproof tarpaulins.

A sturdy bastion stands at the highest point of the dock area, its gun barrels overlooking the entire harbor and berths, forming a pincer movement with the firepower of Dingyuan Island.

Cranes, handcarts, mountains of cargo containers, and busy workers and sailors create a bustling and efficient port scene.

On the south side of the dock, a shipyard can be vaguely seen, which should be a ship repair shop to provide repair and maintenance for passing ships.

“God… this is no colony outpost at all!” Baron Cruz muttered to himself, gripping the ship’s railing. “This is clearly a fully-fledged port town! How… how did they manage to do that in such a short time?”

Marquis Mendoza of Villarta's face grew even more somber.

Acapulco's "prosperity" could be explained by relying on existing foundations and the greed of unscrupulous merchants, but the port that was built almost from scratch nakedly demonstrates the amazing organizational ability and construction speed of the new Chinese.

This is more impactful than a simple military victory.

After the Xinhua protocol officials who came to greet them extended their warm greetings, they arranged for the delegation to travel to their lodgings in the city in several horse-drawn carriages.

As the carriage traveled along the road connecting the docks and the city, the Spaniards were once again... astonished.

The road is wide and carefully paved with gravel and cinders, with drainage ditches on both sides and small trees planted along the roadside.

The carriage traveled so smoothly that the Spanish gentlemen, accustomed to the rugged roads of the colonies, felt somewhat surreal.

“Even during the rainy season, these roads are perfectly clear,” Baron Cruz commented, a look of admiration on his face. “Think of our ‘Royal Route’ from Mexico City to Veracruz… well, most of it is a nightmare after the rain.”

Marquis Mendoza snorted coldly and did not reply, but his gaze unconsciously swept across both sides of the road.

In some of the clearly newly cultivated fields, the crops had already been harvested, leaving neat stubble.

On the distant grassy slopes, you can see herds of cattle and sheep grazing.

All of this shows that Xinhua not only stationed troops here, but also took root here and carried out long-term operations.

When the carriage entered Nanping City, the Spanish were even more surprised.

This is indeed a city, though it is still small, with a circumference of about one league, but it is already taking shape.

The city's planning presents a Xinhua-style rigor and sense of order, with streets laid out in straight lines, as regular as a chessboard, and the main street wide enough to accommodate four horse-drawn carriages side by side.

Drainage ditches are still dug along both sides of the street.

Most of the houses are neatly arranged. Although more than half of them are made of adobe, the walls are flat and the thatched or wooden roofs are neatly arranged.

Interspersed among the buildings are many brick and stone structures, square and sturdy, some of which even have shops facing the street with signs written in Chinese characters.

Several other buildings stand out from the crowd, with two or even three stories, using more brick and wood, and with glass windows, indicating their unusual status.

It was probably during the off-season for farming, and there were many pedestrians on the streets of the small town. In addition to soldiers and officials, there were also many civilians dressed in ordinary cotton clothes, men and women, and even children playing in the open space by the street.

They all cast curious glances at the foreign convoy, but showed no fear or hostility.

Some shops along the street are selling daily necessities such as grains, oils, cloth, and ironware, and there is even an organization with a sign that reads "Xinhua Post Office".

"They...brought their families here?" Baron Cruz looked at the women and children in disbelief. "They really intend to settle here and live here for generations!"

Marquis Mendoza silently gazed out the window. The smooth streets, the neat houses, and the busy yet peaceful residents all challenged his preconceived notions.

This is not a scene that could be created by a group of predatory pirates or short-lived military occupiers.

These new Chinese immigrants were transforming a "wilderness" into a home that met their civilized standards, in their own way. This ability to change the environment and establish order sent a chill down his spine, and... a barely perceptible sense of admiration through him.

The delegation was accommodated in a two-story state-run hotel. The building looked very new and must have been recently built.

The building has a simple design with white walls and gray tiles, but the Spaniards were taken aback when they went inside.

The interior furnishings were as simple as the exterior, without any fancy decorations, murals or sculptures, but it was exceptionally clean and tidy.

The walls were painted snow-white, and the wooden floors were spotless.

Whether it's a single room, double room, or quadruple room, all are equipped with sturdy wooden beds, cabinets, and tables and chairs. The beds are covered with thick, soft cotton quilts and mattresses, making them look very comfortable.

Each room had a white ceramic thermos, which was still warm to the touch.

Moreover, the Xinhua Hotel was concerned that guests who had traveled from afar might get cold at night, so they thoughtfully equipped each room with a small iron stove, with some dry firewood and charcoal piled up next to it.

What left them even more bewildered was that each room's washroom contained a brand-new ceramic mouthwash cup, a small bar of yellow soap, a soft white cotton towel, and a finely crafted "toothbrush" with soft bristles.

"They...they even thought of this?" A young administrative officer, holding a toothbrush, looked somewhat bewildered.

In Mexico City, even the most discerning aristocrats do not maintain such meticulous daily cleaning practices.

Baron Cruz carefully inspected everything in his private room. He opened the window and looked down at a detached bungalow not far away.

The Xinhua interpreter accompanying us explained that it was a public toilet, separated for men and women, and that it would be cleaned regularly by designated personnel every few days.

“Practical and hygienic, the furnishings are simple, but… impeccable.” Baron Cruz said to Marquis Mendoza in a low voice, his tone filled with undisguised admiration. “Your Excellency, I must admit that in these details of daily life, they have demonstrated a level of civilization that we had never anticipated.”

Marquis Mendoza did not immediately refute as usual; he simply silently ran his fingers across the gleaming tabletop, savoring its exceptional cleanliness.

This pervasive sense of order, evident in the details, and the emphasis on quality of life, was a cultural shock to him more than military might.

His previously held belief in the superiority of Spanish-Catholic civilization began to waver slightly in this simple yet unusually "civilized" room.

His perception of the new Chinese gradually shifted from simply being "barbaric enemies" to being "opponents with a unique civilization."

In the evening, a welcome banquet was held in the banquet hall of the Nanping Commissioner's Office.

The banquet hall wasn't large, but it was decorated in a dignified and appropriate manner.

The long dining table was covered with a clean white linen tablecloth, and set with exquisite ceramic tableware and glasses, as well as several potted plants that remained green even in early winter as decoration.

The Xinhua delegation was led by Foreign Minister Chen Rui, a composed official in his forties who remained neither arrogant nor servile in the face of the Spanish delegation.

Beside him was Javier, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (one of the earliest Spanish sailors to defect to Xinhua) – a Xinhua official of Spanish descent. His appearance caused the members of the Spanish delegation to show expressions of surprise.

In addition, there was Lin Afu, the shrewd, capable, and smiling official in charge of trade affairs in Spanish America.

The remaining personnel were officials from the Nanping Colonization District and several administrative staff responsible for the specific details of the negotiations.

The atmosphere at the dinner party was initially a bit reserved, but it gradually became more relaxed after Chen Rui's gentle and appropriate opening remarks.

He first welcomed the Spanish delegation on behalf of the New Zealand government and expressed his hope that the negotiations would be an opportunity for the two countries to end their hostility and begin a new chapter of peace.

"Our New Continent and the Kingdom of Spain are separated by a vast ocean, and should be exchanging goods and engaging in friendly exchanges," Chen Rui said, raising his glass. "Unfortunately, the conflict stems from misunderstandings and conflicting interests. I believe that through the joint efforts of everyone and us, we can find a path that aligns with the principles and interests of both sides. For the peace that is about to come, please drink this cup to the brim."

The Marquis of Mendoza could only raise his glass in response and then deliver a series of diplomatic remarks typical of the Spanish court.

The dishes were served one after another, all of which were oriental flavors that the Spaniards had never seen before: crystal-clear shrimp dumplings, fresh steamed sea fish, fragrant braised pork, glossy roast duck, light and refreshing seasonal vegetables... The seasonings and cooking methods used were very different from Spanish cuisine, but they had their own unique charm, which amazed the Spanish nobles who were used to heavy oil and garlic.

Throughout the dinner, Xinhua officials deliberately avoided any topics that might upset the Spanish, such as the specific battle situation, the gains and losses of both sides, or even Spain's disadvantages on the battlefield.

Instead, they talked more with their Spanish guests about the geography, flora and fauna, indigenous cultures, and the situation in Europe.

Lin Afu then cleverly brought up the possibility of future trade between the two countries, mentioning the possibility of complementarity between Eastern silk, porcelain, and Xinhua industrial products and American silver, agricultural products, and livestock trade.

“We believe,” Minister Chen Rui raised his glass again, his tone calm yet firm, “that war is a failure of politics, and peace is the cornerstone of civilization.”

"The Kingdom of Spain is a great nation with a long history and a splendid culture, and it has an unquestionable influence in the Americas. Our Republic of New Zealand fully respects this. We hope that our future relationship can be built on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation."

These words, along with the erudition, politeness, and restraint displayed by the Xinhua officials throughout the dinner, greatly changed the Spanish delegation's perception.

New Chinese people do not seem to be difficult to deal with.

There was no aggressive victorious attitude, no rude and ignorant barbarian behavior, only a calm, confident, knowledgeable, and “civilized” demeanor that followed certain etiquette norms that they did not yet fully understand.

“They…they are not barbarians.” After the banquet, back at their lodgings, a young officer couldn’t help but remark to his companion, “They have their own writing system, etiquette, exquisite food culture, and even a clear understanding of the world situation.”

"And that Minister Xinhua, his demeanor and manner were in no way inferior to any of the senior diplomats we met in Europe."

“Their urban planning, hygiene habits… all of these demonstrate that they are a highly developed civilization,” another official chimed in. “Although their beliefs differ from ours, they can indeed be considered ‘part of the civilized world.’”

Baron Cruz found Marquis Mendoza, who was standing alone by the window deep in thought, and said softly, "Your Excellency, it seems that some of our previous judgments need to be adjusted."

“These new Chinese are more powerful and more… ‘civilized’ than we imagined. Negotiating with them can no longer be done simply in the same way we would with natives or pirates.”

Marquis Mendoza nodded slightly without saying a word.

He had initially thought this was a lesson from civilization to barbarity, but now it seemed more like a contest between two evenly matched opponents.

"The beginning... does seem promising." After a long silence, Mendoza finally spoke, his voice low, "They have shown strength and grace, and expressed their willingness to negotiate."

"But Cruz, don't be fooled by this apparent mildness. At the negotiating table, interests are the eternal theme."

"Tomorrow will be the real test."
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(End of this chapter)