Chapter 214: Seaside Spy (Second update, please subscribe)
A winter snowstorm swept across Araucanía from south to north. The winter snowstorm was just like any other, coming and going quickly, and even the snowflakes melted as soon as they hit the ground, leaving only a little snow on the leaves, branches, and roofs.
Of course, there was some residual snow on the masts of the ships facing the bay.
As usual, after breakfast, Alfred Weling opened his shop. His watch shop faces the bay. He came here last year to open the shop. While repairing watches, he also sells them. As the only watchmaker in the city, his business is pretty good.
"A warship..."
Alfred muttered to himself, squinting his eyes and staring at the two warships at the berth in the bay with a smile.
"It's strange that they should send a fleet."
In fact, Alfred has another identity - a spy!
He was a spy for the Chilean military. Since the so-called "Orchid Tribe" occupied Araucanía and colluded with Pedro León Gallo and others to establish a separatist regime in Chillán, the military regarded the "Orchid Tribe" as the biggest threat. Captain Alfred was also sent to Araucanía to collect intelligence at that time. His father was Scottish and his mother was Indian. As an officer, he had amazing language skills. In addition to Spanish, English and Mapuche, he could speak English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Danish and Swedish.
After coming to Araucaní, he also learned the "Orchid Language". Of course, now everyone knows what the so-called "Orchid Tribe" is, and also knows that the "Orchid Language" is the language spoken by the Chinese.
But, so what?
This world has always spoken with strength. Even if we know that they are Chinese, it cannot change the fact that they have "occupied" Araucanía.
"Why did they send a fleet to the sea?"
Just when Alfred was puzzled, a naval officer came to the shop. He came to repair his pocket watch. After a brief conversation, he found out that the fleet would be stationed in Linhai permanently. This information made his heart tighten.
Soon, Alfred sent the information to Santiago through the telegraph office, and a few hours later, the corresponding information was presented to President Perez.
As President José Joaquín Pérez Mascayano, from the day he took office, faced a crisis that no previous president had ever faced. Perhaps the invasion of the Mapuche people was "repelled", but the separatist regime in Chillán, the indigenous people of Araucanía, no, the Chinese, all these problems were what he had to face.
And now the Chinese, no, the so-called "America Company" has actually sent their fleet.
"General, why do you think they sent the fleet here?"
Perez put down the documents and looked at War Minister Odria and asked.
The Minister of War was the commander-in-chief he had reappointed after the army led by General Cornelio Saavedra Rodríguez was annihilated in Araucanía, and it was thanks to his efforts that the Chilean army was reorganized.
"Mr. President, first of all, we need to note that their Feilong and Qinglong are ironclad ships that the American company bought in the UK last year. Although they were built in the name of merchant ships in the South of the United States, Mr. President, there is still no warship in South America that can be an enemy of them."
Odria analyzed.
"Why didn't they send a fleet here in the past? The reason is very simple, because we have never sent a fleet to attack Linhai."
It’s not that Chile doesn’t want to, but it dares not. Whether it is the president or the minister of war, they are worried that sending a fleet to attack Linhai will lead to further deterioration of the situation, such as the other side increasing its assistance to the separatist forces in Chillán.
So, it seemed that a certain balance had been maintained here, but this balance was broken by the arrival of the fleet.
"But now it's different. They are aware of some kind of threat, so they sent a fleet here?"
"Some kind of threat?"
Perez said with a frown.
"You mean the Spanish?"
Spanish!
Two months ago, the Spanish fleet occupied the Chincha Islands, which are rich in guano, and blocked the Peruvian waters, using the excuse that its immigrants were being mistreated. As we all know, the so-called protection of the Spanish immigrants was fake, and in fact they were jealous of the guano in Peru.
"Mr. President, what other explanation is there?"
Odria sneered.
"The reason they sent the fleet at this time must be that they believed the Spanish posed a threat to them, so they needed to strengthen their defenses. After all, their immigrant ships needed to be anchored in the sea, so they were naturally extremely vigilant about possible threats."
Odrea said, looking at the president.
“So, I think this might be our chance.”
"Our chance?"
"Yes, Mr. President, ever since the merchants of the American Company occupied Araucanía, they not only brought a large number of Chinese immigrants there, but also built a railway to the Pampas. If we let them develop, we will soon lose that land forever. Now, the arrival of the Spaniards may be our opportunity. Perhaps we can invite the Spanish fleet to visit Chile."
Although Odria didn't say "how to visit", Perez still understood what he meant and said it with some excitement.
"You mean to open our ports to the Spanish? Are you crazy? We all know that the Spanish are not only after the guano of the Chincha Islands, they will even occupy Peru! My friend, the Peruvian envoy is in Santiago now, and they are inviting us to fight against the Spanish together. If we refuse to allow the Spanish fleet to enter the port, then their fleet will not be repaired, and the sailors will not be able to rest. Soon, they will retreat without a fight. General, if we help the Spanish, it will be tantamount to betraying the entire South America!"
Whose territory was this?
Of course it was a Spanish colony. Perez's father was even a Spanish nobleman in Santiago, but so what? If the Spanish reoccupied Chile, they would have to become second-class citizens again, no, second-class nobles. So these South American politicians were always 100% wary of the Spanish.
"But, Mr. President, the South American countries will not help us capture Araucania, but the Spanish fleet can!"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
