I Became The Crown Prince Of The Mexican Empire - Chapter 67



Only Noblemtl

Conquest of the Comanche (1)

We successfully accepted the indigenous tribes of California, including the Chumash, as subjects of our Mexican Empire.

There, Texas also cleared out the rebels and accepted the native tribes, so now only one place remained.

It was the Comanche tribe of New Mexico. If we could just get them out of there, we could finally stabilize the vast northern territory of our Mexican empire.

Even if I don’t handle all this myself, our Mexican Empire’s national power can handle it all by itself.

In the end, you will win, but you will suffer greater damage in the process than you think.

‘They are not beings that can be defeated in one go. Just like the United States in the original history, we will suffer enormous damage. The ill feelings that build up in the process will also affect civilians who did not participate in the battle.’

Bloodshed is inevitable, but I don’t want everyone to die.

In a Mexican history book I read in a past life, there was a section on the Comanche tribe, detailing the damage they did to the Mexican Empire.

‘It is said that in the 1830s and 1840s, dozens of raids killed 2,600 Mexicans and stole over 100,000 head of livestock.’

The situation is completely different with the Chumash tribe.

If they felt like they were ‘getting revenge on those oppressors and reclaiming our freedom!’, the Comanche were more like a nomadic group that had begun a full-scale predatory economy.

‘It won’t be easy to solve them like the Chumash tribe. They are likely already well-versed in guerrilla tactics.’

The Comanche tribe is no pushover.

At least much stronger than Spain. It is estimated to have a population of 30,000 to 40,000 at this time, but it has at least 10,000 cavalrymen and rules over a vast territory known as the ‘Comancheria’.

‘It’s a combat group with numerous records of defeating even the US military.’

It won’t be one or two battles, but dozens or hundreds of battles. But you can’t just leave it alone.

‘We must deal with it before it grows in power and reaches its peak.’

The Comanche tribe, which had been steadily growing in power since the early 19th century, reached its peak in the 1840s. Some scholars even consider the Comancheria of this period to be a kind of nomadic kingdom.

I found Agustin I.

“Father, we have resolved the Indian problem in California and Texas, so we are ready to move on to the next step.”

“You mean the Comanche tribe?”

Mexico was also somewhat aware of their presence and power, as several towns in the north had already been sacked.

“Yes, we need some serious force to catch them.”

“Hmm… That’s the problem. The military is entirely my domain, but declaring war requires the consent of the National Assembly. If you mobilize the military to war levels without consent, there will definitely be a backlash.”

It does require a war-level army. In the original history, it was called the ‘Comanche-Mexican War (1821-1845).’

It was not a war that would determine the fate of the nation, but it was fought for 24 years. The reason it ended was because the United States lost the territory, not because it was won. There is also a sister war, the Texas-Comanche War (1820-1875).

‘These are records that show the power of the Comanche tribe at that time.’

The Comanche tribe maintained its power even in the midst of full-scale conflicts with the United States and Mexico, but declined only after being dealt a serious blow by the bulked-up American army in 1875.

If you are going to fight, you should not go out with a weak force. You should mobilize a force at the level of a real war.

‘Congressional issues can be dealt with by the Republicans, but…’

Dealing with even the issue of war could provoke a strong backlash.

“Father, I will go to Congress and persuade them.”

National pride and patriotism for the Mexican Empire also exist among the members of the National Assembly.

If they knew the danger posed by the Comanche tribe, who, although within the territory of our Mexican Empire, were no different from an external enemy, there would be those who would agree without considering political gain or loss.

‘Even if this doesn’t work out, you can still use the option to trade.’

“Okay. I’ll set up a table for you shortly, so get your speech ready.”

“Yes, father.”

Augustine I summoned the council.

***

All the members of parliament attended the assembly. The summons was given, but no one was late and arrived at the assembly on time, having heard that the Crown Prince was to speak.

Groan groan-

Since they didn’t tell us what they were going to talk about, everyone was busy talking about what they had guessed.

“Have you invented anything new?”

“Why are you announcing that in Congress? I think you’re going to propose a new plan for national development.”

As the Crown Prince came up to the podium, Chairman Raphael slammed the gavel to grab everyone’s attention.

Land, land, land-

With everyone’s attention focused on him, the crown prince opened his mouth.

“Distinguished members of the House, I would like to speak today about the Comanche, a large Indian tribe within our imperial territory.

After I secured California and Texas, the only place that remained outside the control of our empire was the central part of the northern territories, namely New Mexico.

But the Comanche tribe of New Mexico is no easy task. This nomadic tribe, following the buffalo herds across the vast plains, is estimated to have a population of 40,000.”

The crown prince said that and then hung up. It was to give him time to absorb the information.

The lawmakers were surprised when I brought up the Native American tribes story, as they expected to talk about another invention or land development, but they looked surprised when they heard the scale of the issue.

The crown prince took a sip of water and continued speaking.

“Their strength is at least 10,000 cavalrymen, half of whom are armed with firearms. As some of you may know, there have been frequent raids by the Comanche tribe in recent times on villages in Texas and the central and northern parts of the Mexican Empire.

They are committing atrocities such as kidnapping people, not only because they lack our food, livestock, and guns.

If we leave them alone, their raids will become more frequent and daring, and their forces will grow until they are facing cavalrymen numbering over 10,000.

What I am suggesting here is that we should nip this in the bud and eliminate the aftereffects before their power grows stronger.”

The crown prince finished his speech after saying this. The imperialists applauded competitively, but some of the landowners and republicans applauded while others did not.

Chairman Raphael said.

“Your Majesty, may I ask you a few questions?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Is there a reason why it must be done now? As Your Majesty knows, the government budget is tight due to the numerous civil engineering projects that have been undertaken recently.”

Although it was a question with an obvious opposing nuance, the Crown Prince answered immediately as if he had expected it.

“I’m not saying we’ll go to war right away. It’s going to be a large-scale battle, so we’ll need to prepare for several months. And from an economic standpoint, if they don’t give up their territory, we’ll have to fight them someday. So it would be most economical to fight them before they grow any stronger.”

Chairman Raphael also expected to be refuted, and immediately asked the next question.

“Thank you for your answer, Your Majesty. However, if we strengthen the local armies without sending a large army from the central government, wouldn’t we be able to naturally stop the looting and push them back?”

It was a question with a potential twist. Many of the landowners nodded their heads.

“The Comanche are a tribe that excels at guerrilla tactics. Given the nature of the local army, which must defend each town and city, it is not easy to concentrate troops in one place. If we do, the defense network will be weakened, and the looting will only increase, but we will not be able to drive out the Comanche. They will never fight a large force.”

“If we invest enough in local forces, wouldn’t it be possible to maintain defensive capabilities while also being able to attack?”

“It would not be a bad idea to invest heavily in local forces to add power on par with the central army, but there is already a central army that can act as a strike force, so there is no need to do something like that. As the chairman has already pointed out, we also have to consider budgetary issues.”

Chairman Raphael’s plan to strengthen the local army was completely shattered.

Senator Robert, the leader of the Imperial faction, raised his hand, and Chairman Raphael allowed him to speak.

“I agree with the opinion that if we are not going to give up our territories as His Highness the Crown Prince said, we will have to face this force at some point, and it would be best to fight it now. This is in the national interest of the Mexican Empire, and if we cannot offer an alternative, we should stop opposing it for the sake of opposing it and hold a vote.”

“That’s right!”

“I agree!”

The imperialist legislators responded in this way, creating an atmosphere in which anyone who did not offer an alternative and instead stalled for time was opposing for the sake of opposing, that is, was acting only out of concern for political gain or loss.

Of course, there was no alternative.

There is a huge armed group that does not listen to government control in a land that is considered Mexican territory under international law.

Since they have already committed the crime of pillaging the towns of the Mexican Empire, there is no other answer than to suppress them by mobilizing the military.

While the landowners and Republicans were silently watching, the leader of the Republicans, Rep. Pedro, stepped forward and began to gather Republican opinions in favor.

“I think it would be in the national interest to pass this bill. What do you think, comrades?”

“···I think so too. The central army will become stronger.”

“That’s true. But the plan to strengthen the local army has been refuted, so there’s no answer. We can’t just leave the Comanche tribe alone.”

“Okay. Let’s agree on this.”

As the atmosphere flowed like that, the attitude of the landlords also began to change. If things continue like this, the bill will pass with more than 2/3 of the members voting in favor, so if they continue to oppose it without any justification, won’t it only harm the landlords?

Land, land, land-

“The motion to declare war on the Comanche tribe was carried unanimously.”

Chairman Raphael had no choice but to say so.

***

After taking care of business at the parliament, I returned to my rooms in the palace.

‘Things turned out easier than expected thanks to Congressman Pedro’s intervention.’

If there was anyone who did not agree with this agenda and opposed it to the end, I planned to somehow get rid of it, but fortunately, there was no such person.

As I was thinking that, I felt a warm sensation on my neck.

“You worked hard today too, honey.”

“Yeah, Cecilia had a hard time too.”

Cecilia originally enjoyed reading books, but as a daughter of a wealthy family, she was learning the culture needed to manage her future husband’s fortune.

She helps me manage my assets which are spread across numerous locations.

“I have good news today.”

She spoke with an excited expression and placed my hand on her stomach.

‘Hmm? No way?’

“Are you pregnant?”

“yes!”

We’ve been married for quite some time now, but I was worried because there was no news of pregnancy.

The pressure you must have felt as the Crown Princess must have been intense, but now there is finally some good news.

I thought as I stroked Cecilia’s belly.

I will create a Mexican empire where this child can live safely.