Chapter 346 The Value of Utilization (Second update, please subscribe)
Trenklawn has fallen!
Adolfo Alsina surrenders!
The news spread like lightning along the telegraph line all the way to Buenos Aires, and for a moment, the whole city fell into silence.
The silence is scary, but what is even scarier is the panic.
"We're done!"
After receiving the telegram, this thought came to Sarmiento's mind - what does Adolfo Alsina's surrender mean?
That’s nearly 50,000 troops!
Almost all of their troops. After these troops surrendered, it meant that the main force of the Buenos Aires Provincial Army disappeared!
This means that there are almost no troops between Tren Lacan and Buenos Aires, and most of the remaining troops are local civil defense teams.
Can they resist those barbarians, no, can they resist the attack of the South China Army?
"Sir, we must mobilize everyone immediately, sir, otherwise, they will soon reach the city of Buenos Aires."
"Oh my God, they're going to plunder the whole city..."
"Sir, we must seek help from the Brazilians as soon as possible. They can still help us. ..."
As the cabinet members gave their suggestions one after another, what Samisto felt was not suggestions but panic, a panic that came from the bottom of his heart.
Adolfo Alsina surrendered. How could that damn guy surrender?
"Why would he surrender?"
"bombing!"
Major General Matolo replied.
"Sir, according to General Alsina's last telegram, the bombing by the South China Army's airships caused them extremely heavy losses. According to the description in his telegram, more than half of his men were killed or injured in the airborne darts or bombing by the airships. They also lost almost all of their artillery in the bombing. The troops have completely lost their combat effectiveness..."
"Excuse!"
"Yes, these are all cowardly excuses. Without their cannons, they still have their rifles, their bayonets, and their teeth!"
"They should kill the Nanhua Army with their teeth. How can they surrender? Shameful guys..."
There was a chorus of rebukes all around, and none of the dignitaries in the cabinet would excuse Alsina. Now someone needed to be held responsible for the failure, and that person must be Alsina.
What a bunch of politicians!
Major General Matolo thought to himself, and at the same time he felt a little uneasy - the South China Army was about to attack.
He and the Nanhua Army were old acquaintances. Although he was defeated by the Nanhua Army in the past, he escaped with his "flexible mind".
Then, as an aide-de-camp, he followed Mitre's promotion all the way. Even though Mitre lost the presidency two years ago, it did not hinder his position in the Ministry of War. He was already a famous general.
But now it seems, what about the general?
Once defeated in a war, China will become nothing more than a target for politicians to shirk responsibility.
"General Matolo, what do you think?"
Sarmiento looked at the silent Matoro and asked. Although he was Mitre's man, this guy was a professional officer and he must have better suggestions.
"I think even if we want to ask Brazil for help, we must prove that we are capable of resisting. Otherwise, why would the Brazilians ask for help from a loser?"
"You are quite right."
Sarmiento nodded.
"And the British, if we don't show our worth, the British will abandon us too!"
Those who are helped by God must first help themselves; those who are helped by others must first strengthen themselves. The ancient Chinese understood this truth, and the Argentine president Samistor certainly also understood it.
"So, we must mobilize all the forces we can mobilize. We must stop them here. This is related to Argentina's survival!"
"Yes, that's right. We must let everyone see our determination to defend our country!"
After Sarmiento said this, he stood up and spoke again.
"You should immediately formulate a plan, mobilize all our forces, distribute our weapons to the citizens, and tell them that the South Chinese have conquered Tren Laquen. Just ahead is the City of the 9th of July, and then Buenos Aires! Tell our compatriots that no matter where they come from, once the South Chinese occupy this place, they will rob their property, ravage their women, and burn their houses just like the Indians looted this city..."
In Sarmiento's view, the South Chinese were a group of bandits just like the Mapuche. In fact, in official Argentine reports, they even deliberately confused the relationship between the South Chinese and the Mapuche, and even lumped the two together. In the name of progress and civilization, they actually wanted to turn the South Chinese into the barbaric side in order to "have a legitimate reason for their actions." This was the tactic that European colonists were best at.
Now, in order to mobilize the people and arouse their enthusiasm to defend their homeland, it is justified to slander the South Chinese.
"I went to the British Embassy to seek their help. Their warships are on the Rio de la Plata. Now, the British must make their position clear!"
U.K!
It had become Sarmiento's last straw, and what made him even more relieved was that two days ago, two British battleships had sailed into the La Plata River and docked at the Buenos Aires pier.
Those are two armored battleships!
More than a dozen huge cannons, plus the reputation of Great Britain, are enough to intimidate South China and prevent them from acting rashly.
"Please rest assured, Sarmiento, my friend, Britain will always be Argentina's friend. The reason why London sent the Royal Navy's most powerful warship is to send a message. We - Great Britain will always stand on Argentina's side!"
In response to Samisto's request for help, Edward Thornton, the British ambassador to Argentina, still stood on Argentina's side verbally as he had in the past.
However, what he mentioned was true. The "Minotaur" and "Hector" sent by London were indeed the most powerful warships of the Royal Navy, and their purpose was to show support for Argentina. They came to stand with the team and show Britain's military deterrence.
This kind of gunboat diplomacy is the norm in European diplomacy. It is nothing big at all.
Sarmiento was naturally moved by his statement. Fortunately, the British were on his side. As long as there were British warships on the La Plata River, the South Chinese would definitely not dare to occupy the city.
After Sarmiento left with many thanks, General Henrys asked.
"Edward, do we really want to side with them?"
"My general."
Edward Thornton smiled.
"I just told him that Britain will always stand on the side of Argentina, only on the side of Argentina."
After saying this, Edward burst into laughter.
The promises of diplomats are always changing according to the reality. Maybe before this, he had repeatedly expressed his support for Argentina, but now?
It is impossible for Britain to go to war with a country for Argentina.
"It seems that you have decided to abandon them?"
General Henrys' tone was very calm. In his naval career, he had long been accustomed to this scene. Britain had abandoned friends who were of no use to it more than once.
"No, I have abandoned them."
Shaking his head, Edward Thornton said in an extremely calm tone.
"It's that Argentina itself has not proved their value. If they can prove their value in the future, we certainly won't abandon them. But if they have no use..."
By that time, it will not be Great Britain that has abandoned them, but they themselves who have abandoned them.
As the President of Argentina, Sarnto certainly knew the rules of the game. After he left with gratitude, he immediately gave instructions to his secretary.
"Okay, now we have received the British's promise, but if we want the British to fulfill their promise, we must mobilize all our forces. Only in this way can we win their support..."
When saying this, Sarnto's tone was full of helplessness.
But what can he do? This is the basic rule of the game of international diplomacy. If a country is no longer useful, no one will stand on its side.
If one wants to gain support from other countries, he must demonstrate his strength and let powerful countries see the value of using it. Otherwise, he will not even have a place to survive on the international stage.
"Sir, are we going to mobilize everyone?"
"We have no other choice now."
Sarnto sighed.
"We must turn Buenos Aires into a fortress and stop them here. Only in this way will the British stand on our side and the Brazilians will send their troops here."
Where is Argentina's future now?
That is foreign interference.
But what if we can't resist their attack? For some reason, an ominous thought suddenly emerged in Sarnto's mind.
"God bless! At least the British are still on Argentina's side now. As long as we show our value, they will definitely not stand idly by..."
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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