C4 - Confiscation (3)
Agustín I's movements were much faster than I expected.
'He's going to give a speech the very next day.'
Soldiers went around the entire city of Mexico City from 5:00 PM, announcing the speech. I also went out into the streets with my bodyguards to gauge public sentiment.
"There will be a speech by His Majesty the Emperor at the Constitution Square at 7:00 PM!"
The citizens were curious about the sudden announcement of the speech.
"A speech? What's going on?"
"Let's go. We can't miss a speech by His Majesty himself."
"Yeah. I was a little worried because the government has been fighting all the time since independence, so I'll go see."
Agustín I still had the support of the people, but they were anxious about the government.
These citizens were mostly Criollos, who formed the upper and middle classes of Mexican society, and they knew a little about the situation of the government.
At the giant square in Mexico City, called Zócalo or Constitution Square, soldiers were busily moving around, building a platform for the speech.
I was watching them when I noticed a group of Criollos in a corner of the square talking and making disgusted faces as they looked at the platform.
'It's the members of the legislature. Let's see what they're saying.'
"I wonder what the emperor is trying to say by doing this…"
"Shouldn't we stop this?"
"What pretext could we use to stop the emperor from giving a speech?"
"He moved the soldiers without the legislature's permission. What if we point that out?"
"Even so, I ordered that commander to return to his original duties earlier, but he just laughed and said, 'Pay me first and then tell me what to do.'"
"Impudent!"
"I guess he's Agustín I's puppet."
The republican members of the legislature were gathered together, worrying about Agustín I's speech, but they didn't seem to have any way to interfere.
'Yeah. What can you do?'
As evening approached, the citizens began to gather.
'I thought only the Criollo class would come, but it's more diverse than I thought.'
At that time, an unspoken caste system existed in Latin America, including Mexico.
At the top were the Peninsulars, nobles from the Iberian Peninsula.
The second class was the Criollos, descendants of Peninsulars but born in the colony.
The third class was the Mestizos, mixed race of whites and Native Americans.
The fourth class was the Mulattoes, mixed race of whites and blacks.
The fifth class was the Native Americans.
The sixth class was African slave blacks.
And finally, the Zambos, mixed race of Native Americans and black slaves.
This caste system is a hidden bomb-like problem in Mexico, hindering social integration and causing conflict.
'It's a problem that needs to be solved over time.'
The skin colors of the citizens gathered in the square were diverse. It's true that the majority were Criollos, but there were also quite a few Mestizos and Mulattoes.
There were also some who looked like Native Americans, which is different from the United States, where they chased away all the Native Americans. New Spain had lived with Native Americans for a long time.
'It's more appropriate to say exploitation than coexistence, but at least they didn't wipe them out.'
The rulers of New Spain recognized the privileges of some Native American elites in order to effectively control them.
'They must be the noble class among the Native Americans.'
***
I moved towards the platform and stood next to my mother, who had arrived with my father.
Agustín I patted my shoulder and went up to the platform. He was wearing a clean military uniform, not fancy clothes and a crown.
It's an outfit that gives the impression of a capable commander rather than an authoritative emperor, as if he considered the preferences of the citizens rather than his own.
'Not bad.'
An immense crowd gathered in the Zócalo Square, known as the second largest square in the world, and as the sun began to set, the speech began.
"Esteemed citizens of Mexico. I, Emperor Agustín Iturbide, stand before you with great change and hope. Our homeland, Mexico, has escaped the clutches of Spain thanks to your blood and sweat, faith and courage. We have achieved a valuable victory after a long struggle."
Agustín I paused for a beat and continued his speech. The citizens were nodding their heads.
"However, our independence is not yet complete. Our country's finances are facing difficult times due to centuries of exploitation and the independence war that has continued for the past few years. As our independence became increasingly apparent, the Peninsulars, who monopolized high-ranking positions, fled with the wealth they had accumulated in this land."
The speech, which began with a celebration of independence, turned to the reality of the difficulties, and the citizens were bewildered, waiting for the next words.
'He's building a pretext by blaming the Spaniards and Peninsulars for the current situation.'
Agustín I's speech continued.
"To meet this challenge, I have a proposal for you. It is to use the property of the Peninsulars left in our Mexico for Mexico. They have exploited us for centuries, collecting huge taxes from us and even seizing our farms and land. But now we are independent, and we no longer have to endure their exploitation."
It was a proposal to take away the property of the Peninsulars and use it for Mexico.
"Sounds good? Those few guys had a lot of land and property in Mexico."
"It's good, but I hope they're not going to take away my grandfather's property."
Most citizens, who viewed the Peninsulars with disdain, reacted positively, but some expressed concerns. As if he had anticipated these concerns, Agustín I continued his speech.
"Of course, this proposal does not affect the 'Mexicans' of Spanish origin who have settled and live in Mexico. Only the property of those who oppose our Mexico's independence will be targeted. This is a measure for true independence from Spain, and the property of our citizens and citizens of other countries except Spain will be protected. Spain is currently in the midst of civil war turmoil and will not be able to intervene in our decision. I want to seize this opportunity and lay the foundation for true independence."
The Criollos, who were worried that they might be taking away the property of their fathers, grandfathers, or ancestors, and the intellectuals who were worried that it might be too drastic a measure and concerned about the eyes of other countries, seemed relieved.
"Through this measure, we will achieve true independence and build a stronger and more developed nation. For true independence!!"
The cheerleaders planted throughout the crowd began to cheer.
"Woohoo!!!"
"For true independence!!"
"Independence forever!! Long live His Majesty Agustín I!!"
The cheers started by the cheerleaders spread instantly to the tens of thousands of people gathered in the square.
"Independence forever!! Long live His Majesty Agustín I!!"
"Independence forever!! Long live His Majesty Agustín I!!"
"For true independence!!"
I approached Agustín I, who had finished his speech and was coming down from the platform, and said,
"Your Majesty, you need to pressure the legislature now."
"Now? I don't think we need to rush. The members of the legislature will have no choice but to accept my proposal."
"If you announce the confiscation of property, some people will try to get rid of it first."
"I've already ordered them to prepare a list of property."
"It doesn't matter for land, buildings, or farms, but if you wait for the legislature's approval leisurely, it will be too late for the valuables inside. We need cash that we can use right now."
The income from their land, buildings, and farms will secure a huge amount of finances for the government in the long term, but that will take at least a few months. The government needs money that they can use right now.
The Peninsulars probably took the most valuable things with them when they left or were expelled, but considering their wealth, they wouldn't have been able to take everything.
There would still be a lot of things in their buildings and warehouses, from grain to countless other things, and things like food, weapons, art, carriages, and wagons need to be recovered first.
'The top priority is the farms in the Puebla region.'
Puebla can be said to be one of the best lands in Mexico, famous for its good farming.
Naturally, many Peninsulars coveted the land in that region, and in fact, many of them took it by any means necessary. But the moment this speech spreads, the agents, local notables, local army commanders, looters, and even the workers who worked there, hired by the Peninsulars to manage the farms, will start to get greedy.
'It's ownerless property anyway, so if the government recovers it, who's going to catch them if they run away with it? They'll think that.'
In real history, the immense wealth of the Peninsulars who left Mexico was not systematically confiscated by the government. Most of it went to individuals for their own selfish gain, with local authorities, army leaders, local communities, or individuals unofficially confiscating or occupying land and property.
'I can't let that happen. That property must be used for Mexico.'
Agustín I, after listening to me and thinking for a moment, went back up to the platform.
"As emperor, I demand an immediate response from the legislature to this proposal, which embodies the people's aspirations. This is for true independence. There's no reason to waste time with pointless political struggles! I urge all members of the legislature to attend the legislature immediately!!"
"Woohoo!!!"
Agustín I began to walk from the Constitution Square to the legislature building, and the group of members of the legislature who were making disgusted faces in a corner also began to move urgently.
Most of the citizens left the square, but some followed the emperor and the members of the legislature to the legislature building, shouting.
"Independence forever!! Long live His Majesty Agustín I!!"
***
There was a chaotic atmosphere in the legislature building. Outside, the citizens could be heard shouting for the legislature to pass His Majesty the Emperor's proposal immediately.
Rafael Manhino, the leader of the republican members of the legislature, was sweating.
'Damn it. A public speech. Isn't this a strategy we should be using? How come they used it first. This isn't like Agustín I. What happened?'
Rafael Manhino was confident that he could overthrow Agustín I, the hero of independence and emperor.
The current situation of the Mexican government was a mess, and signs that the government was not functioning properly were being detected everywhere.
If they continued to stall, the people's discontent would erupt. Then, he planned to blame it all on the emperor's dictatorship and incompetence.
If the emperor stepped down, they would hold a presidential election like in the United States, and he thought that he would be the one to take that position.
The legislature was mostly made up of conservatives who supported the monarchy, but it was clear that the republicans had an advantage due to the nature of the legislature.
The stronger republicanism became, the greater the members' power became, so who would dislike that? Neutral members of the legislature, who hadn't initially taken sides, were gradually switching to the republican side, and even the conservative members were silent.
He thought he would become president if things continued like this, but this was a nasty scheme.
'If this is how it's going to be, I'll stall as much as possible.'
The moment the speaker thought that, Agustín I entered the legislature. He looked around the faces of the members of the legislature with a relaxed air in the tense atmosphere and said,
"I think you've all witnessed the people's reaction to my proposal. I could move my army the moment the people's support is confirmed! But I've come here to respect the legislature, so approve my proposal immediately!"
Rafael Manhino immediately took issue with his words.
"Your Majesty! Our Mexico currently has no laws, let alone a constitution. To start such a major national project in this situation is unreasonable! And right now, there is no definition of the powers of the legislature and the emperor in Mexico. You have to agree with the legislature even to move the army!"
"Yes, you're right. That's why nothing has been going right so far. But isn't this time different?"
"Different?"
"I'm naturally in favor of my proposal, and since the people want it, the legislature should naturally agree, shouldn't they? Are you saying that the legislature is going to oppose the people's fervent desire to achieve true independence?"
"It's not opposition. It's just that we want to examine it a little more thoroughly."
"Don't stall. Examine it now. If you have any questions about this proposal, ask them now."
Agustín I brought forward the crown prince, who was observing the meeting from behind him.
"This is the plan proposed by the crown prince, so he will answer your questions."
Rafael Manhino smiled triumphantly.
"If that's the case, then I'll examine it right now."
'I wondered where this plan came from out of nowhere, but it was the young crown prince. I admit that he's creative for his age, but I'll make him regret stepping into the legislature so recklessly.'
Rafael Manhino began to bombard him with questions.
Without even imagining what kind of being the crown prince was.
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