Chapter 221 Might is Right (Sixth Update! Please Subscribe)
The Presidential Palace, also known as the Pizarro Palace, is located on the north side of the Plaza de Armas in the central part of Lima. Its original site was a large Indian cemetery. This official residence was built in 1535 as the Governor-General's Palace of Peru, and thus became the presidential palace and government headquarters of Peru.
Ever since Peru was invaded by Spain again, this presidential palace has been the center of the storm. Whether it is the war faction or the surrender faction, all final decisions need to be made by President Pezet.
"You mean... what did they find there, Juan?"
As the president, Pezette never expected that such a change would happen - how could such a problem arise among the Chinese workers at this time?
What is even more worrying is that this may even lead to tensions between Peru and American companies.
"Yes, as we all know, no one ever treated the Chinese workers as... ordinary people. Whether on the plantation or on the Guano Island, they were shackled to prevent them from escaping. As you can imagine, the whips and abuses by the supervisors were inevitable, so they would definitely find out something."
"Well, this is not good news..."
President Pezet's brows were furrowed.
"Now when we need their help, if this matter makes them angry, it is certain that the fleet will withdraw from here. Of course, this is still the best outcome. If the situation deteriorates, they may even make extremely rude demands like the Spanish."
After a moment's silence, President Pezzet said.
"Now, the only thing we can do is probably pray..."
Praying is meaningless. Even God cannot change many facts. After only three days, the fleet returned to Lima again. Then in the Pizarro Palace, Mario immediately took the report he had just compiled and protested to President Pezzet in person.
"Dear Special Envoy, please believe that this is only an extremely isolated case. Peruvian law..."
Before President Pezzet could finish, Mario said loudly,
"No doubt about it! Your laws are a joke!"
President Pezet, who was a lawyer, immediately looked embarrassed. Feeling his self-esteem was hurt, he was about to retort when he heard the other party say.
"According to my investigation, in the past ten years, more than 10,000 Chinese workers died from various abuses and diseases caused by abuse on Guano Island alone. Your supervisors there can beat Chinese workers at will, or even shoot them. God can testify that if there is a hell on earth, that place is the closest to hell. Not only that, abuse and beatings are common in various plantations. The way you treat contract Chinese workers is even more brutal than the way you treated slaves in the past. Law? Where is your law when Chinese workers are abused? Where is your law when they are killed! Mr. President, the law written on paper is just a joke!"
Facing President Pezzet, Mario's protest was direct and merciless, regardless of the fact that the other party was the president of a country. After all, this world speaks with strength. Even if the other party was the president of a country, what would it matter?
When one is weaker than others, even the president can only be bullied by others.
"Mr. Special Envoy, I need to remind you that those people are Chinese workers, not South China people!"
Foreign Minister Juan, who was standing nearby, said in an annoyed voice.
"We respect the friendship between us and the American company very much, but the basis of this friendship is equality and mutual respect. We do not think that your company has any position to blame us on the issue of Chinese workers. After all, they are not South China Chinese."
Indeed, from the perspective of international public law, the Americana Company has no right to interfere in the issue of Chinese workers, but can international public law... be as powerful as naval guns?
Even if it is not in accordance with international public law, what does it matter? What is power?
Power is nothing more than naval guns!
Naval guns are the truth!
“Who says they are not South Chinese?”
After that, Mario picked up a formal letter and said.
"According to the relevant immigration laws of the American Company, as long as Chinese immigrants apply, they can automatically become citizens. Now, the Chinese workers on the island have completed the naturalization procedures. Of course, I need to speak for them. In addition, I have sent entourages to various plantations. Believe me, those Chinese workers who have been abused will definitely compete for naturalization and become South Chinese. Mr. Minister, now, what we need to discuss is no longer the issue of indentured Chinese workers, but the issue of South Chinese citizens being abused, beaten and imprisoned in Peru!"
After that, he handed over the official letter with both hands and then said.
"This is the formal written protest from the American Company. We demand the immediate release of all the South China workers who have been deprived of their personal freedom and abused, and compensation for their losses!"
After handing over the written official letter, Mario raised his head and chest proudly, and spoke in a deep voice, ignoring the astonishment of the president and the minister.
"Please consider our request seriously!"
What do you mean by serious consideration? This is basically an ultimatum. Whether you are happy or not, I have left my words here.
Either accept it or refuse it, but the question is, can you afford the cost of refusal?
“You, you…”
Minister Juan pointed his finger at the other party and immediately made an excuse in anger.
"The demands you made are totally unreasonable. Even if they become Nanhua citizens, you cannot ask for compensation for what happened to them yesterday. Moreover, such naturalization is totally against common sense."
"They are now South Chinese, this is an ironclad fact, Mr. Minister!"
Mario said bluntly.
"Please believe that no country will turn a blind eye to the interests of its overseas Chinese. The Spanish are like this. America may be just a company, but please believe that we also attach great importance to the interests of our overseas Chinese!"
Although he did not threaten directly, anyone could understand the meaning of his words.
"Is this a threat?"
President Pezet stared at the other party and questioned.
Yes, that is a threat, but of course you can’t say it that way.
"No!"
Mario answered directly.
"This is just a normal diplomatic protest. If all diplomatic means fail, then perhaps something that none of us want to see will happen, Mr. President!"
What does it mean to shoot oneself in the foot?
Now President Pezet finally understood that he was the one who invited the America Company's fleet, but he never imagined that this fleet, which was supposed to be a reinforcement for Peru, would become another threat. Thinking that they might even collude with the Spaniards, he felt mixed emotions.
Now, I really hit my foot!
And it’s a big stone!
President Pezet, whose foot was bleeding, was silent for a moment and then spoke.
"Mr. Special Envoy, first of all, I need to make it clear that Peruvian laws are definitely not useless laws written on paper. We will handle this matter in accordance with Peruvian laws. I believe that justice will be given to all contracted Chinese workers in the end, but this does not mean that Peru will accept any threats!"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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