Chapter 1404 New Life (Third update, please subscribe)
In what form does war take place?
Tanks are attacking and planes are bombing!
Although the Empire only deployed dozens of tanks in Cuba, and even had only a dozen seaplanes, the role they played on the battlefield far exceeded any other weapon.
The planes in the sky were like mobile heavy artillery, continuously bombing deep into Cuba. Although the bombing was not very effective, the blow to the morale of Cuban officials was unprecedented.
On the afternoon of April 22, several Ming Empire planes appeared in the sky of Havana. It seemed that everything was destined. The planes directly bombed the airship field. Those airships that cost hundreds of thousands of pesos to purchase were destroyed before they even played a role on the battlefield. In the violent explosion and burning of hydrogen, the huge airships turned into ashes.
At this moment, the US Caribbean Fleet in Havana did not want to waste any more time. After the Ming army's flying machine flew away, a US Navy lieutenant hurriedly drove all the way to the presidential palace to meet with the Cuban president.
"Hey, Stanley, you can't just abandon us like this!"
Cuban President Martinez didn't even notice that his tone was full of begging.
Stanley turned his eyes away and said directly:
"Unfortunately, the fleet has just received an order from Washington to return immediately to defend the East Coast."
Defend the East Coast!
Right now, nothing is more important to the United States than defending its homeland.
"The Ming army is invading the west. We must now use all our naval forces to defend the east, Mr. President."
“Who will defend Cuba then?”
Martinez asked, staring at the major.
"You promised to defend Cuba. This is your promise!"
"Mr. President, things have changed now. You can only rely on yourselves. We... can't really help you. As you know, our "Great White Fleet" has suffered heavy losses. We must return to our homeland to defend the United States..."
Facing the other party's answer, Martinez realized that no one could stop them from retreating now. So he nodded helplessly:
"Yes, I know your fleet was attacked, but are you going to leave right away? Evacuate everyone? But if you evacuate, what will we do? We can't stop their attack at all?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. President."
Major Stanley said.
"Although we will retreat, we will not have time to take away the things in our warehouses on the shore, so we will leave all those supplies to you. You can use them to resist the invasion of the Ming people, but please be careful not to leave them to the enemy. Before we leave, we will destroy the docks and block the waterway with sunken ships. Of course, Mr. President, if you wish, your families can also go with us..."
After thinking for a while, Major Stanley added.
"In fact, my personal suggestion is that you and your government should retreat with us, Mr. President. After all, no one can hold this place now!"
“Has the United States just abandoned Cuba?”
Martinez couldn't help but ask a somewhat sad question.
"Have you forgotten your promise?"
"We will come back, Mr. President. Leave here and form a government in exile in the United States. Believe me, one day, we will definitely come back!"
Stanley's answer prompted Martinez to ask back.
"when?"
"Of course we have defeated the Ming army, and when we are able to come back, we will bring you with us, Mr. President."
nonsense!
But nonsense can save lives. Faced with the reality that the Americans were about to evacuate Cuba and the Cuban army was unable to stop the invasion of the Ming army, although he was full of reluctance, Martinez still chose to leave. Before leaving, he did not forget to send 13 tons of gold and more than 5 million silver pesos from the central bank to the warship. Whether this money was the funds of the exiled government or would be put into private pockets, I am afraid only God knows.
On April 23, when Martinez decided to go into exile in the United States, he did not forget to perform his duties as the head of government. Before leaving, he summoned Justice Minister Huang Dejiang. In order to resolve the Chinese nationality dispute, two years ago, according to the agreement reached with the Ming Empire, in addition to a ten-year transition period to resolve the nationality issue of overseas Chinese, it was also necessary to appoint no less than two Chinese ministers in the cabinet, and Justice Minister Huang Dejiang was one of them.
"Huang, from now on, you will serve as the interim vice president and shoulder the responsibility of protecting the people!"
"What?"
Huang Dejiang looked at Martinez in confusion. What was this guy talking about?
Although he knew that the president had made up his mind to go into exile, he did not expect that he would hand over the government to him before leaving.
"Mr. President, are you asking me to take over the government?"
"Huang, my friend, after I am gone, there will always be someone in charge of the government, someone who will be responsible for our people and their safety."
As president, Martinez seemed to be really worried about the safety of the people at this time, but as everyone knows, he doesn't care about the people at all. He only cares about his power and money.
Now that he has lost his power, he...chose to go into exile, taking the national treasury with him. As for the people...they were not even considered.
Soon, the president left, and Huang Dejiang, the first Chinese minister of the Republic of Cuba, was in the presidential palace. He was even a little dazed. He stood in the hall, looking up at the oil painting on the wall. He had mixed feelings in his heart.
Interim Vice President?
What does temporary mean?
It is just to temporarily preside over the government. What is this government used for?
It's time to sign the surrender agreement!
Well, he wasn't too opposed to surrendering to the empire.
Just then, a lieutenant colonel in his thirties came over. Although he looked a little tired, one could still feel the military temperament emanating from him.
"Lieutenant Colonel Derek, I think you already know that before President Martinez left, he appointed me as Vice President to preside over the government."
"Yes, Mr. Vice President."
Lieutenant Colonel Derek said respectfully.
"My army and I will obey your orders as always!"
"Okay, sit down here, Lieutenant Colonel. Tell me quickly, what should we do now? Should we continue to resist or surrender?"
Huang Dejiang asked expectantly.
All right!
This is a surrenderist... Derek sighed helplessly. He is of Chinese descent, and surrendered to the Ming Empire... Is that surrender? That's going home, okay!
Is Cuba really going to perish?
"This... Mr. Vice President, I don't know what to say."
It was really hard to answer this question, but Derek knew exactly what choice the vice president, who had already taken over the government, would make.
The choice couldn't be simpler. He had to surrender to the Ming Empire. After all, he was of Chinese descent, so surrendering to the Ming Empire was the right thing to do. But as a soldier, so what? Could he defeat the Ming Empire?
Alas... After a long sigh, Derek looked at the president in front of him and said.
"For the safety of all people in the Republic, I believe there is no need to resist any further, Mr. President."
What a talented guy!
At this moment, Huang Dejiang remembered the old Chinese saying, "Those who work hard are heroes." Wasn't this guy a hero before?
Such people will definitely be reused in the future, there is no need to wait until the future.
Right now.
"Derrick, we all think alike. Those dignitaries have all fled, leaving us behind. We are responsible for everyone's safety. Well, take a look and contact the Ming Dynasty. Let them discuss surrender. I think we can definitely end this meaningless war in a civilized way."
Huang Dejiang did not feel any pressure at all about surrendering. Is surrendering to the Ming Empire surrendering?
That is abandoning darkness and turning to light!
It was over. Although he was very excited, he couldn't show it. After all, he was representing a country. He needed to take care of other people's feelings.
"Of course, Derek, I know you are definitely not willing to surrender. You are a soldier. Compared to surrendering, you are more willing to defend your country and are willing to stay and sacrifice for it, but we have to protect ordinary people, don't you think?"
Looking at Derek, Huang Dejiang continued.
"So as president, I want you to sacrifice your personal honor. For the people of Cuba, for their safety."
After praising Derek one compliment after another, Huang Dejiang successfully portrayed surrender as a forced choice to protect the people. Of course, they both knew that one was forced to do so, and the other was willing to do so.
However, they are also very clear that making this choice will be extremely beneficial to them, and they will definitely have this position in the future government.
Even Huang Dejiang will become the President of the Republic of Cuba, instead of Derek.
Checkmate!
Derek knows very well what rewards he will get in the future. Everyone has a purpose behind everything they do.
"Sir, we still need to contact the judge and other government officials. We need to reach a consensus on this issue first,"
Soon Huang Dejiang reached a consensus with more than a dozen senior officials that they could find - for the safety of the Cuban people, they would surrender to the Ming Empire.
In fact, they didn't even need to announce it publicly - before the imperial army reached Havana's Chinatown, or the Chinese district, they had already raised the imperial flag. They had long been looking forward to this day, and as for the ordinary people of Havana, most of them watched it all quietly.
Lost the country? No, it is a new life!
On this day, Cuba welcomed his new life...
The old group is down, so I created a new book club group: 739209015. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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