Chapter 73
Conquest of the Comanches (7)
October 1835.
Half of the Comanche tribe had left for the north, while the rest surrendered to the Mexican Empire.
There was no way to stop the Comanche tribe that had not surrendered from crossing north.
‘Still, more remain than I expected.’
It is greedy to expect a nomadic tribe with a warlike nature to submit after a single defeat.
They believe that we mobilized a much larger army than we actually did, and that they have no chance of winning because of our powerful weapons and tactics to counter them.
It was because of the fear that they would face a similar situation if they went to America that half of them remained.
Even though we collect information through trade activities, we cannot know the detailed circumstances of each country, so they assume that America, which seems to be of a similar size, has similar strength.
“Build a settlement on the northern border and relocate the telegraph to the north. We must prevent those who have left from returning to plunder.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Since Comancheria, the territory of the Comanches, had disappeared, the telegraph equipment and lines laid out to cover the area had become useless. But we cannot let this valuable equipment go to waste.
‘I should relocate and extend it further. To cover the entire border.’
The current 2,000 km of telegraph lines are not enough to cover the entire border. The northern border is a whopping 3,900 km long. The 2,000 km was built and brought in with my own funds, and the rest can be introduced with government money.
‘It can be used effectively for intelligence operations as well.’
By this time, the military intelligence unit's espionage operation against America would have begun months ago.
As I was thinking this, the verdict was delivered in the Chihuahua City court for the surrendered warriors.
“This court has carefully considered the serious damages caused by the Comanche warriors' continued plundering of various Mexican villages over decades, their refusal of the Mexican Empire's peaceful surrender proposal, and their violent response. Therefore, the Comanche warriors are recognized as having committed rebellion and robbery, and this court deems it necessary to impose appropriate punishment for these serious criminal acts.
Based on relevant laws and social justice, this court delivers its verdict. Therefore, the Comanche warriors are each sentenced to a total of 40 years of hard labor for the crimes of rebellion and robbery. This verdict acknowledges the legal responsibility of the Comanche tribe and aims to achieve justice for the victims.”
Such crimes deserve the death penalty, but there is no need to kill those who can be used as manpower. In a way, this could be a harsher punishment than death.
‘Considering the Mexican people they killed, there is no need to feel sympathy.’
I have no intention of showing the same consideration to the Comanche civilians as the Chumashes or other indigenous people. Didn't all those who didn't directly participate in the plunder live off its benefits?
They won't be able to live with their fellow tribesmen, nor will they be able to return to their homeland. They will be given immigrant benefits, but they will be separated by family units and sent to live in settlements and cities across the country.
“Puhiwihwaksuu… was that his name?”
“Yes.”
The man kneeling before me, bound and in chains, was once the war chief. He will be given a special task. But first, I need to investigate.
“Where did you get this French pistol?”
“I bought it from a French merchant. They… ”
He was sweating profusely, not knowing he would be facing the Crown Prince directly. He answered my question in detail, but in summary, it was this:
‘French merchants who had traded with the Comanche tribe since before France sold Louisiana began selling weapons to them recently. … People think alike.’
The relationship between our Mexican Empire and France is, to put it mildly, chilly. France had intervened even in Nueva España during the colonial period before independence. After the war with Spain after independence, relations completely soured.
We had relied on the British line to extort a large sum from Spain, which was under French influence, and to prevent French intervention. It didn't matter that Spain had attacked first.
France was trying to use the Comanche tribe to harm our Mexican Empire.
‘Well, I was trying to do something similar to America, so I won't say it's petty, but I'll have to retaliate someday.’
The fact that the Comanche tribe had left for Kansas would be a major nuisance for America. While we can't be as blatant as France, if our Mexican Empire secretly trades with them and strengthens their power, it would be even more troublesome.
“I have a message for your fellow tribesmen who have left for America, so you will have to act as a messenger.”
“… Yes, what should I tell them?”
“Strongly warn them that if they cross the border of the Mexican Empire again to plunder, the lives of the Comanche tribesmen remaining in Mexico will be in danger. It's best to persuade them well. Your life and the lives of your family depend on it.”
My words turned Puhiwihwaksuu's face pale. He trembled and answered.
“I, I will definitely warn them.”
I have no intention of actually carrying it out, but it is a warning to prevent them from returning.
“Tell them that if they don't come back to Mexico and live well there, we might be able to trade with them.”
“Yes, I understand.”
He answered, bowing low.
I immediately sent him off with a few warriors.
The placement of the other warriors and Comanche tribesmen also began, but a much stricter assimilation policy was implemented compared to other tribes.
Because the tribe was large, if they were allowed to live together, they were likely to maintain their identity and not assimilate into the Mexican Empire.
The warriors sentenced to hard labor were deployed to industrial sites across the country, and the civilian tribesmen were scattered throughout settlements and cities across the country.
‘I must make them have no chance to resent the Mexican Empire. They will find it hard to survive if they don't learn Spanish as soon as possible.’
The work to subjugate the indigenous tribes remaining in New Mexico also began. The policy was the same as in California and Texas.
“This time, I don't have to leave you behind.”
Diego's face lit up at my words.
“Yes, Your Highness. The immigration officials have gained experience and learned Your Highness's intentions, and I have detailed guidelines that I wrote myself, so it will go smoothly.”
“Good.”
It won't be possible to settle the vast northern territory quickly, but now there are no forces that can inflict significant damage on our Mexican Empire.
Finally, the entire northern territory was pacified.
***
During the past few months of fighting the Comanche tribe, the railway construction progressed further, connecting California and southern Texas. We were able to return to Mexico City quickly via the railway.
We had sent word ahead of time that we were returning with the army, but an unexpected event awaited us.
“Hooray!”
“His Highness the Crown Prince!”
As if they knew the arrival date, citizens were gathered from Mexico City Station.
“This time, he has completely pacified the vast northern territory!”
“Hooray!”
‘I've won many battles, but this is a first.’
I don't know where the information leaked from, but thanks to it, I had to ride a horse and act like a majestic Crown Prince on a procession to the palace.
Still, I wasn't unhappy to see people cheering and throwing flower petals.
There was always an award ceremony that went hand in hand with such events.
It's good for promoting achievements, and when the central army's Imperial faction officers are promoted, it ultimately strengthens the Emperor's power, so there was no reason to miss this opportunity.
All participating officers received medals, and a few individuals who had made significant contributions were promoted one rank, individuals I had suggested.
“I bestow the First Class Medal and a reward on the commander of the expeditionary force, Agustín Jerónimo de Iturbide.”
I received a hefty reward as well.
“Good work again, Jerónimo. It was an impressive tactic. I'm glad I sent you to the military academy.”
My father said that as he pinned the medal on me.
“Thank you, Father.”
Even though I used future knowledge, it is true that what I learned at the military academy was helpful.
After the award ceremony was over, I headed to the palace.
Fortunately, Cecilia had given birth safely while I was on the battlefield.
It was a son. His name was Carlos de Iturbide.
It was one of the common names in Spanish culture, used by many monarchs, including the Spanish king, and it was a name my father had insisted on before the birth.
Upon returning to the palace, I hugged Cecilia and asked her as usual.
“Is our son sleeping well?”
“Yes, dear.”
To have a son.
I had seen him a lot right after returning, but it was still amazing to see him.
I just quietly watched him, not wanting to wake him up from his hard-earned sleep, but I was happy.
***
About a week after the award ceremony was over, my father called me.
“Did you rest well?”
“Yes, I rested well.”
“I'm sorry to interrupt your rest, but France is being unreasonable again.”
It's about the debt.
Our Mexican Empire is steadily repaying the interest and principal on the debt. The remaining debt is 10 million pesos to England, 10 million pesos to France, and 4 million pesos to America, totaling 24 million pesos.
In just 13 years since independence, we have paid back a whopping 21 million pesos. Of this, 11.5 million pesos to England was shifted to Spain, and 4 million pesos to America was written off through the indigenous migration agreement, but even excluding those, we have been steadily repaying the principal.
It is an amazing feat to have paid back this much debt to the great powers of the time, who demanded interest that would make even loan sharks look cute.
“… Are they messing with the accounts again?”
England and America are just as unreasonable, but France has been crossing the line more and more since the war with Spain.
“Yes. They shaved off 20% from our accounts.”
Our accounts are accurate.
Our currency, the peso, is a silver coin with the same content as the Spanish dollar and the American dollar.
We send these silver coins by ship in large quantities to pay off our debts. Naturally, we carefully check how much we send, but the French keep claiming that they received less than what we sent, which is absurd.
England and America don't do such dirty tricks to us. They might do it to other countries, but not to us.
“It's blatant extortion.”
“Yes. That's why we built the shipyard in a hurry, isn't it?”
“Yes, that was the reason.”
The reason France can get away with such outrageous behavior is because they know that England, which is in the same position as a creditor, will not intervene in this matter.
England knows the situation but is not intervening.
“We started building warships immediately after the shipyard was completed, using the naval budget, but the amount that will be spent in the future is no joke.”
“Of course. I heard that one battleship costs about 300,000 pesos. And the steam-powered warships will cost even more.”
Just building three battleships would cost almost a million pesos.
The Veracruz shipyard has three large docks, four medium docks, and five small docks, so just filling this one shipyard would require an astronomical amount of money.
It is a sum that makes you realize the grandeur of the British Empire, which has a huge fleet. It is a daunting amount, but the construction of the fleet must be carried out quickly.
It will cost more than 20 million pesos to pay off the 10 million pesos we owe to France.
We can't just hand over that huge amount of money to France.
“Father, as I mentioned before, I will proceed with the establishment of the central bank and the issuance of naval bonds immediately.”
“Good.”
‘At this point, I have no choice but to take it back.’
I like this novel, please kepp updating the chapters
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