I Became The Crown Prince Of The Mexican Empire - Chapter 114



Only Noblemtl

Rebellion and Revolution (3)

The Mexican Empire’s fleet entered Santo Domingo, a major port on the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola.

“I guess that’s the ironclad ship.”

“France didn’t lose for nothing. How can you catch such a monster?”

While the townspeople were admiring the majesty of the Mexican Empire’s fleet, the troops began to land.

chuck-

Juan Pablo Duarte squeezed his eyes shut at the sight of those disciplined soldiers.

‘There is no turning back now.’

The Mexican Empire’s fleet and troops had the power to destroy the will to fight just by looking at them.

Is this the result of leading ‘La Trinidadaria’ for a long time and pushing for independence?

I felt a sense of disappointment.

‘Shouldn’t we have compromised? Should we have stopped it even by fighting?’

This is meaningless talk.

After the last debate, public opinion among the eastern people had completely turned toward joining the Mexican Empire. In such a situation, even if they insisted on fighting, nothing would have worked out.

A Mexican diplomat approached, escorted by a military force, since he was nominally one of the representatives of the eastern population.

The diplomat said.

“Even if Haiti decides to go to war, there will be no bloodshed on the eastern people, and there will be no concern about land reclamation, except for those related to the Haitian government.”

“···All right.”

“So, can you help me gain control?”

“yes.”

The conversation between the two parties was already over thanks to the Fuentes guy who had already insisted on joining.

All he could do was watch as Mexican troops and officials took over the East.

The Mexican Empire’s fleet landed marines along the coast, seizing ports that were not yet under its control.

Kwakwakwang-

A single threatening shot from the fleet would instantly calm even the most rebellious places.

Juan Pablo, who was watching the scene from the boat, felt a mixture of relief and fear. A Mexican diplomat who was watching said:

“Would you be able to continue to help with government work? The Mexican government prefers local people to take charge of local administration. If you accept, I will recommend you.”

“···I thought that position was going to Fuentes. Or did he receive a higher position?”

It was Fuentes who led the way to join the Mexican Empire and ultimately succeeded. It is understandable that locals were favored for the sake of regional stability, but Fuentes was the first choice for that job.

If, as he said, the Mexican Empire was coveting dominion over the Caribbean, how remarkable it must have been for Fuentes to help them easily seize more than two-thirds of the second-largest island in the Caribbean.

“No, Mr. Fuentes refused. Of course, we offered him several positions since he had already established a foundation, but he asked us to establish a school instead.”

Pablo felt like he had been hit in the back of the head when he heard those words. He had always thought that Fuentes was just a talkative person who wanted to show off to the Mexican government and get ahead. But he turned down a high position and went to school.

As he remained silent, inwardly shocked, the Mexican diplomat continued.

He described the administrative divisions of the Mexican Empire as being organized into four levels: state (Estado), province (Provincia), district (Distrito), and city (Ciudades) or town (Pueblo).

“The position I am proposing is that of Alcalde of the “Distrito de la Dominicana,” a sub-administrative district in the eastern part of the “Provincia de Hispaniola.” I know that you have a great affection for the region, having long been pushing for independence. I would like you to take on the position.”

Pablo thought about those words for a moment.

‘I guess the highest official at the provincial level is sent from the Mexican central government. Of course, they wouldn’t give him such a high position.’

Pablo was on the verge of losing his motivation when the independence movement unexpectedly resulted in joining the Mexican Empire, but he could not yet completely trust the Mexican Empire.

It would be good to have a position, if only to protect the residents.

Pablo made a decision.

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

***

“You approved the annexation request? How can that be possible? That is our rightful territory!”

Haiti reacted vehemently, but the Mexican diplomat just laughed it off.

“Haiti’s claim of ‘rightful territory’ is not very convincing. Aren’t Haiti and the Dominican Republic completely different in terms of culture? In fact, Haiti conquered them by force 22 years ago when they had formed a government and tried to establish an independent nation. Can that really be considered a valid claim?”

“Our occupation of the eastern part of the island was for the purpose of spreading the ideas of anti-slavery and liberation. In fact···”

The Haitian diplomat tried to justify the conquest, but the Mexican diplomat had no intention of buying such empty rhetoric.

“If Haiti had really liberated the eastern people, they would not have revolted and asked to join the Mexican Empire.”

“It is just a temporary discontent caused by the increased tax burden to pay off the enormous debt that has now been transferred to France and now to your country. And you are using that discontent as an excuse to commit such an outrage.”

“Don’t you think we know that the Haitian government officials and big landowners are all living comfortably as if this ‘huge debt’ had nothing to do with it? I don’t want to hear any more of that nonsense.”

The Mexican side has come out strong. Further talks are pointless.

If you’re going to declare war, then do it. That was the attitude he seemed to be saying.

“···”

Naturally, it could not declare war on Mexico, and Haiti lost two-thirds of its territory in an instant, as the Mexican Empire occupied the areas that had been former Spanish colonies.

Mexican soldiers seized the farms of Haitian government officials. Haiti was a victim of injustice, but there was no country to help.

Losing territory and farms was one thing, but bigger problems were just beginning.

“We lost two-thirds of our territory, and we couldn’t do anything?”

“Then what the hell are you doing!”

The long-suppressed discontent of the Haitian people began to explode with this incident.

***

“Hmm, a series of pleasant things are happening.”

After a long time, I had a comfortable conversation with my close associates over a meal and drink. When I woke up at the hotel, there was a report that the Dominican Republic had been successfully taken over.

“I see you enjoyed the party last night, Your Majesty.”

Diego said with a bright expression.

“That’s right. I’m glad everyone is still healthy. I should make space like this more often.”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. It seems like not only Your Majesty but all the guests had a great time.”

“I bet you enjoyed it quite a bit too.”

Of course, Diego was also a guest invited to the party, so it wasn’t a problem.

“Ahem, it’s nice to meet friends.”

“Friend? Oh, you mean Sergio.”

Andres Ortega, the president of Ortega Construction, attended with his son, Sergio Ortega, a talented man who had been sent to college at his own expense and who was working at Estrada Steel.

It was Sunday, the last day of vacation.

Normally I should go to church, but today I decided to take it easy and rest. Starting tomorrow, I have to work hard again.

For the upper class in Mexico today, attending Catholic church is practically mandatory, but missing one day is not a big deal.

I ordered Diego to go back to his hotel room and enjoy the last day of his vacation, and I was just relaxing.

Outside the window, it was raining for the first time in a long while, so I opened the window and listened to the sound of the rain.

Swaaaah-

After enjoying our leisurely time for about ten minutes, there was a knock on the door.

Knock knock-

‘Who is it?’

There will be a security guard outside the room, so it can’t be a stranger, but since there is no way a security guard would knock on the door, it means that a guest has arrived.

“I thought today was a vacation day···.”

I opened the door in simple attire.

“You?”

I know that face. I don’t remember the name, but I know that he is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I apologize for interrupting your rest, Your Majesty. An emergency has come up.”

“···Come in.”

I guess I shouldn’t rest any longer.

Knock knock-

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

Diego soon came looking for them, as if he had heard the sound.

“Come in.”

The large hotel room also had a reception room. As soon as the Foreign Ministry official and Diego sat down, he asked.

“So, what is this urgent matter?”

“The United States and the Republic of New Granada have signed a military alliance treaty.”

“what?”

The moment I heard it, I felt as if a cold wind was blowing down my spine.

The Republic of New Granada refers to Colombia, which shares a southern border with our Mexican Empire. Although many people simply call it Colombia for convenience, the official name is the ‘Republic of New Granada (República de la Nueva Granada)’.

I asked urgently.

“Military alliance? What exactly do you mean?”

“The United States and the Republic of New Granada announced that they had agreed to a formal military alliance, as well as most-favored-nation treatment for navigation and commerce. They also promised the United States free passage through the Isthmus of Panama.”

There was a similar treaty between the United States and Colombia in the history of the original. I am not a history major, but I know a little about Central and South American history during this period because I enjoyed playing history games.

‘Most-favored-nation treatment and Panama transit rights are the same, but it must have been a defense treaty.’

“···Is it certain that this is not a defense treaty but a military alliance?”

“Yes, that’s for sure.”

under-

“Okay. Thanks for relaying this to me on Sunday.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Diego, I think we should call it a day off. Get ready to go to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I hurriedly packed my bags and left the hotel room.

As I arrived at the palace and tried to open the office door, I heard a familiar voice.

“majesty!”

“Colonel, you heard that too. Come in.”

It was Colonel Ricardo, the head of the intelligence unit.

He apologized as soon as he entered the room.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I should have known about this in advance.”

“Colombia was still in the process of establishing its base, so it couldn’t be helped. This would have been done in secret, so it would have been impossible to find out unless they had recruited some high-ranking officials. The important thing is not that, but why on earth did Colombia make this choice. Is there anything you can point out?”

It is not a defense treaty that requires participation only when a country is invaded by another country, but rather a military alliance treaty that requires participation in all cases of war.

The reason America made this choice is obvious. Isn’t it because of our Mexican Empire?

The Mexico of the previous life was nothing more than a soft-looking prey that couldn’t even defeat the Republic of Texas, but the Mexico of this world was no easy opponent even for the United States.

No matter how much you want to ignore it, it is the Mexican Empire that defeated France. And it was not long ago that thousands of American soldiers died in the Comanche War.

‘Still, I can’t give up my desire for territory.’

It’s not just politicians who are greedy for territory. The desire for expansion has always been enormous, but it’s now being blocked.

If the US wants to expand, it has to fight either Britain or Mexico, but Mexico is still easier. Some people in the US now call Mexico their “deadly rival,” so it is understandable that the US has sought a military alliance in South America.

‘But why Colombia?’

Colonel Ricardo answered my questions with absurd simplicity.

“The exact amount was not disclosed, but it appears that a significant amount has been agreed to be paid as a Panama toll. In addition, the alliance with the United States could provide stability to the politically unstable President Herran and the government of the Republic of New Granada.”

“If it’s money, isn’t it possible to sell coal to our Mexican Empire? It’s strange that Colombians would go so far as to sign a military alliance just to get some money, when they must know the tensions between our Mexican Empire and the United States.”

“I’m not sure, but it seems like the US side offered a secret deal to President Eran.”

“···You still haven’t broken that habit.”

Colonel Ricardo said he wasn’t sure, but my gut told me it was true.

Isn’t this a pattern we’ve seen a lot?

It was the United States that offered me bribes to buy Texas for my wedding.

Although the details are somewhat different, the essence is that official business between countries was handled by giving bribes to the rulers.

ha-

I sighed involuntarily.

Even though it was broad daylight, the world outside the window was dark, shrouded in rain clouds.