Chapter 17
Military Academy (6)
"It's Spain for sure."
"What is?"
"Our empire's first opponent in war. I'm wondering where it will be, now that I'm about to be commissioned."
Lorenzo and I were eating leisurely in the dining hall.
'It's understandable that a cadet about to graduate from the military academy would be curious.'
"Hmm. That's right. Those Spaniards still haven't recognized our independence."
In the original history, they recognized our independence and established diplomatic relations only in 1836, 14 years after independence. In this world, we confiscated the property of the Spaniards, so it might take even longer.
"Yeah. England and France have already recognized us as a country, so we don't need Spain's recognition, but if they regain political stability, they'll definitely try something."
The first war.
In the original history, there was an event that wasn't quite a war, but rather described as the 'Battle of Tampico' (Batalla de Tampico).
It was an event where the Spaniards, showing how much they disrespected Mexico, attacked this giant country with only about 3,500 soldiers, only to be defeated by General Santa Anna.
'It's true that they had a calculation that the Spanish loyalists who opposed Mexican independence would cooperate if the Spanish army came in, but even so, they should be able to fight to some extent to get support.'
In reality, there were quite a few people who were dissatisfied with independence, even though they couldn't speak up yet.
Most of them were Peninsulars or Criollos nostalgic for the Spanish monarchy, but there were also some among the Native American tribes, including the 'Tlaxcaltecs'.
The Tlaxcaltecs were a tribe that was regularly attacked by the Aztec Empire before the Spaniards destroyed the Aztec Empire, suffering the pain of being offered as human sacrifices and being eaten by the Aztecs.
'This is the famous Flower War.'
Naturally, the Tlaxcaltecs' hatred for the Aztec Empire reached its peak, and then Cortés appeared.
The Tlaxcaltecs made a huge contribution to Cortés's destruction of the Aztec Empire and were recognized for their contributions, enjoying considerable autonomy under colonial rule.
In the original history, they remained loyal to Spain and opposed Mexican independence until the end, but they succumbed to pressure from the Mexican federation and joined Mexico as the state of Tlaxcala.
'If we let the Spanish expeditionary force reach the Tlaxcaltecs' territory, terrible things could happen.'
The Spanish expeditionary force brought thousands more guns than soldiers, with the intention of arming the Spanish loyalists within Mexico.
If the Tlaxcaltecs started to arm themselves with those guns, it could develop into a civil war where Mexicans kill each other.
'Fortunately, the Tlaxcaltecs' territory is inland, not far from Mexico City, but it's best to try to win decisively in the provinces, in a short-term battle, if possible.'
In this world, there was also the confiscation of Peninsular property, so we need to prepare for a stronger attack from Spain than in the original history.
"If they come in, where will they enter? Veracruz?"
Lorenzo asked.
Like Lorenzo, other people in this era were also predicting a Spanish attack, and the most likely destination was Veracruz.
It's the most developed port city in Mexico and also the center of trade.
I know that the Spaniards will break expectations and attack Tampico, but Lorenzo doesn't.
It wouldn't be bad to tell him naturally, since the topic has come up.
"Veracruz is the most likely, but it's also heavily defended, so there's a good chance they'll target a smaller port like Tampico?"
"Oh, that's possible."
"Right? But that aside, no matter which way they attack, they'll stop by Cuba first to resupply."
In the original history, General Isidro Barradas of Spain also docked in Havana, the capital and largest port of Cuba, to resupply before attacking the port of Tampico.
"It's a perfect midpoint for resupply. Then, if we plant informants in Cuba, we might be able to know the time of the invasion."
"Oh, you're right. You always get it."
"We've been together for four years. We're on the same wavelength now. Should we get up?"
The last meal at the military academy was over.
***
February 1828.
Today, I finish my four years at the military academy, with graduation taking place. My classmates will be commissioned, but I'm going out into society.
Agustín I had told me when he sent me to the military academy that I didn't have to live as a soldier forever. He meant that I could work in society and only put on a uniform in special situations, like a war.
'I was forced to come, but it wasn't that bad.'
I gained a lot from attending the military academy.
I met Eduardo and created a defense company, built relationships with various people in the Mexican military, including classmates, seniors and juniors, and military academy instructors. Most of the businesses I planned, even though I didn't directly participate, went well. Oh, and I was also the first to spread modern soccer to the Mexican Empire.
As I looked at the parade ground where the graduation ceremony would take place, I was lost in thought when the chairman of the military academy, the instructors, high-ranking officers, and finally Agustín I entered the graduation ceremony hall.
The graduation ceremony of the 3rd class of the Mexican Empire Military Academy began, with the families of the graduating cadets watching from the back.
Brigadier General García Conde, the chairman of the school and Eduardo's uncle, went up to the podium.
"I now declare open the graduation ceremony of the 3rd class of the military academy. I would like to thank the families of the cadets who have attended, the distinguished guests, and especially His Majesty the Emperor. First, the cadets will enter with the military band playing."
As the military band played, we were preparing to march from the corner to the center of the graduation ceremony hall, dressed in our ceremonial uniforms.
The instructor shouted the command.
"Forward march!"
"Forward march!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!!
The attendees applauded as we marched in formation.
Lorenzo, the representative of the graduating class, saluted Brigadier General García Conde on behalf of the class, and the graduation ceremony proceeded.
"My dear cadets, today is the day you will put the knowledge and skills you have learned here into practice. You will now become officers of the Mexican Empire.…"
After the chairman's address, the award ceremony began. My father personally awarded the prizes.
My father also gave the graduation speech, focusing on the responsibilities and morals of a soldier, and loyalty to the empire.
After that, events like the oath of allegiance took place, and finally, Agustín I awarded the diplomas to the graduating cadets.
"Congratulations. You've grown into a fine man."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
All the events ended with the awarding of diplomas.
'It's so much more annoying than a regular university graduation ceremony.'
"My son, you've become so handsome."
My mother, who had come to the graduation ceremony with my younger siblings, hugged me and said.
'She's always the same.'
"Mother, you saw me the last time I went out."
My younger sisters, Sabina Iturbide and Juana Iturbide, also came to the graduation ceremony.
"Brother, hello."
My sisters, who seemed awkward to see their brother after so long, just said hello and left.
This is the first time I've seen my sisters since I was possessed.
'Judging by their reaction, it seems like they weren't close to this body either… I'm sure they both became nuns in the original history.'
Not only these two, but nine of Agustín I's 10 children, excluding one who died in infancy, had reached adulthood, and seven of them remained unmarried until their deaths.
It's an abnormally high rate of unmarried people.
'There are three nuns among my sisters. If it's all their own will, it's fine, but…'
Considering the social atmosphere at that time, where you had to be married and have children to be considered normal, Agustín I's downfall probably had a negative impact on his children.
'I should pay more attention to my family from now on.'
***
On the same day I graduated from the military academy, the two people I paid for college also graduated.
Sergio Ortega, the son of Andrés Ortega, and Diego Luis, the son of Victor Luis.
I invited them to the palace.
It was to have dinner together and talk about the future.
"Sergio, Diego, it's been four years. How was your college experience?"
"Yes, Your Highness, thanks to your grace, I was able to complete my studies successfully. Thank you, Your Highness."
"Same here. Thank you, Your Highness."
'They're the same age as me, but it's hard to be as informal with them as with my classmates from the military academy.'
We talked about the things we experienced while attending school for four years.
When I mentioned that I had created a rifling machine and was creating a mechanical harvester, Sergio was very interested.
As time passed and everyone was almost finished eating, I brought up the main topic.
"Sergio, now that you've graduated from college, what are your plans for the future? Just in case, I paid for your college tuition, but you don't owe me anything. Same goes for Diego. Your fathers helped me first, and I'm fulfilling that favor by granting your request."
I would like to be able to employ them since we're connected, but I intended to respect their wishes.
Sergio pondered my question for a moment and answered.
"If Your Highness allows, I would like to use my abilities in Your Highness's business. It's not because I feel like I owe you, but because Your Highness's is practically the only company in this country where I can use proper engineering technology."
"Okay. Where would you like to go? The steel company? The mining company? Or there's also the defense company."
"I heard that both the mechanical harvester you're developing and the rifling machine you developed before use imported steel. I've always thought that Mexico's development in the future depends on its own steelmaking capabilities, and after hearing Your Highness's story today, I'm convinced. I'd like to use my abilities to improve steelmaking capabilities at the steel company."
'Oh. He's a patriot.'
It's a very satisfying answer. I don't need to decline.
"Okay. I'll leave it to you."
I shook hands with Sergio, and I asked Diego the same question, who had been watching our conversation from the side.
"What about you, Diego? What do you want to do in the future?"
He answered without hesitation, as if he had already thought about it.
"If Your Highness allows, I would like to serve you directly by your side."
"By my side? You want to be my assistant?"
"Yes, that's right."
'Hmm… He majored in humanities, so it's impossible to make him develop technology. Even if I make him manage, his age and position are awkward. If I send him to the company, I can only send him as a middle manager. If that's the case, it's not bad to keep him by my side and use him as an assistant. Is that what Diego is thinking too?'
"Okay. I'll leave it to you."
"I'll do my best."
I shook hands with Diego too.
"Oh, Your Highness. There's something I'd like to say… Could you please speak more casually?"
"Is it uncomfortable?"
"Yes."
"I would also like you to speak casually."
"Hmm… Okay. Diego, you start working at the palace tomorrow. We'll have a lot to do from now on."
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