Chapter 210 Target, Chile (First update, please subscribe)

1864.

These days, drastic changes seem to be brewing.

In this year, the Qing army captured Tianjing and the Taiping Rebellion failed.

In the same year, the Prussian-Danish War broke out, and Prussia once again won the war.

It was also in this year that the Paraguayan War broke out, and "South American Prussia" began its road to death.

However, now, the former obviously has no power. After Li Xiucheng's "Tianjing Victory" last year, he not only severely damaged the Hunan Army under the city of Tianjing, but also went upstream with the help of ironclad ships, blasted open the gate of Anqing, and while seizing Anqing, he regained control of the Yangtze River.

The defeat of the Hunan Army shocked the Qing government and the public, but it had no impact on the world.

What remains unchanged?

It is the latter two. Europe is too far away, but Paraguay is very close. Not only close, but also has a direct relationship with South China. As the situation in Paraguay deteriorates, on the first day of May, Zhu Xianhai walked into the large combat map room on the underground first floor of the Security Command, just north of the Garrison Square.

"By April, the situation had further deteriorated. Brazilian Imperial Minister Jose Sarava arrived at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata on a warship of the Brazilian fleet and demanded that the Uruguayan government compensate Brazilian farmers for the losses caused by the peasant conflict on the border. The Uruguayan White Party ruling authorities rejected the Brazilian government's request and immediately wrote to Lopez Jr. for help. Lopez Jr. then informed the Brazilian government that he was willing to act as a middleman to mediate the dispute between Brazil and Uruguay, but the Brazilian government ignored his request. At the same time, the Red Party rebels in northern Uruguay began to directly accept support from the Brazilian army, and the Brazilian army even began to cross the border to detain Uruguayan soldiers. Considering that Paraguay had already implemented compulsory military service under the pretext of unrest in Uruguay as early as last year, we have reason to believe that war could break out at any time."

Although Heisenberg was once a prisoner, it does not prevent him from being the deputy chief of staff of the Security Command. However, his name is now von Heisenberg. According to the "Naturalized Citizens Regulations", all naturalized citizens must change their Chinese surnames. Of course, whether to naturalize depends entirely on personal wishes, but if not, they can only be consultants.

Only after naturalization can we become our own family.

They are naturalized citizens, so what?

America is a legendary land that has given birth to countless legendary people. Among these legendary figures, many are foreign immigrants. For example, the armies of various countries that were deeply influenced by Prussia were influenced by a group of immigrants from Germany. Among those immigrants, there were not only ordinary farmers and workers, but also professional officers. After leaving the army, a considerable number of the second sons of Junker landlords who were unemployed or had no inheritance rights came to South America.

Although many of them had served as chief of staff, commander and other positions, many were just ordinary officers or even soldiers, who had repeatedly used their lives to prove their loyalty in the war. To put it bluntly, it was "convert fanaticism". As immigrants, they often behaved more devoutly and fanatically in order to gain recognition.

It is precisely because of this that Zhu Xianhai boldly uses these people. Of course, the more important reason is... there is no one available. After all, the Military Academy of Nanhui has only graduated one batch of students so far.

“How many troops does Paraguay have now?”

Zhu Xianhai asked.

"After nearly half a year of preparation, as of February, Paraguay's total troop strength, including regular troops and reserve forces, has reached 64,000. It is estimated that its total troop strength is currently around 70,000. In terms of its population, it is already close to its peak."

peak?

What the hell is the peak?

After several years of war, 200,000 men were killed in Paraguay, and only 30,000 adult men survived in the country.

Unfortunately, the war will continue for several more years!

When Zhu Xianhai was sighing in his heart, Lin De said.

"We have intelligence that Brazilian Minister Sarava is in contact with the Argentine side in Buenos Aires and he seems to be lobbying Urquiza to reach some kind of compromise with Buenos Aires. If they reach an agreement, we will have to face pressure from the north."

As the director of the headquarters' intelligence department, Lin De is also one of the "Eighteen Arhats". His abilities are limited, but his loyalty is absolutely beyond doubt.

"There is certainly pressure from the north, but the reason why the Brazilians intervened is to join hands with Argentina to solve the Paraguayan problem. On this point, it is easy for both sides to reach a consensus. Moreover, the attitudes of Argentina and Brazil are also influenced to a certain extent by the British government's instigation behind the scenes!"

Zhu Xianhai sneered.

"With the British involved, it was only a matter of time before they reached a consensus. The outbreak of the Paraguayan War should be inevitable. The question we need to consider now is where does this war stand for us?"

"Where do we stand?"

Sun Hu asked with a little surprise.

"What does the Marshal mean? Which side should we stand on?"

"Not standing over there."

Looking at Sun Hu, Wang Dewen, Feng Haisen and others, Zhu Xianhai said.

"We can't go to war with Argentina for Paraguay. As for support, Paraguay is a landlocked country. Even if we want to transport arms to them, we can't. So in this war, there is not much we can do, but this war also gives us an opportunity."

"opportunity?"

To the surprise of others, Zhu Xianhai pointed the wooden pole in his hand to the other end of the map.

"Chile!"

Feng Haisen, Bellucci and others were all surprised.

"Does the Marshal want to go to war with Chile?"

"It's not about going to war with Chile, but about addressing potential threats in the future."

Zhu Xianhai said.

"Whether it's Chile or Argentina, we have direct territorial disputes with both of them. This dispute is even greater than the contradiction between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Once Argentina solves the problem of Paraguay and its internal problems are settled, they will inevitably turn their attention to the Pampas. The same is true for Chile. Chile will neither tolerate the separatist regime in the south nor sit idly by and watch us occupy Araucanía. In the foreseeable future, they will inevitably form an alliance, just like Brazil and Argentina, and join forces to go to war with us. By then, we will have to go to war with two countries in two directions at the same time. And the war in Paraguay right now is an opportunity for us!"

A chance for revenge!

Once again, Zhu Xianhai's mind flashed back to the people who sacrificed in the long battle to defend Linhai! He thought of the young people who died in the war.

"We can completely eliminate the threat from Chile while Argentina is stuck in the Paraguayan War and cannot extricate itself!"

(End of this chapter)