I Became The Crown Prince Of The Mexican Empire (Novel) Chapter 67

**Chapter 67**

**Conquering the Comanches (1)**

We successfully incorporated the Chumash tribe and other Native American tribes of California into our Mexican Empire as subjects.

We also settled the rebellion in Texas and incorporated the Native American tribes there, so there's only one place left.

The Comanche tribe of New Mexico (Nuevo México). Once we settle them, we can finally stabilize the vast northern territory of our Mexican Empire.

Even if I don't handle all this personally, our Mexican Empire's national power could handle it on its own.

We'll win in the end, but we'll suffer more casualties than expected in the process.

"They're not someone we can defeat in one go. Like the United States in the original timeline, we'll suffer tremendous losses. The resentment built up in the process will affect civilians who didn't participate in the battle."

Bloodshed is unavoidable. But I don't want to make them all die.

In the Mexican history books I read in my previous life, there's a section about the Comanche tribe, which details the damage they inflicted on the Mexican Empire.

"They say that in the 1830s and 1840s, they raided dozens of times, killing 2,600 Mexicans and stealing over 100,000 livestock."

It's a completely different situation from the Chumash tribe.

If they were like the Chumash tribe, feeling like they were "taking revenge on those oppressors and regaining their freedom," the Comanche tribe was more like a nomadic group that had begun a full-fledged economy of plunder.

"It won't be as easy to solve as the Chumash tribe. They've likely already mastered guerrilla tactics."

The Comanche tribe is not an easy opponent.

They're much stronger than the Spanish, at least. Their population is estimated to be around 30,000 to 40,000 at this time, but they have at least 10,000 cavalry and control a vast territory known as "Comancheria."

"They're a fighting force that even the US Army has records of defeating."

It won't be one or two battles, but dozens, hundreds of battles. But I can't leave them alone.

"I need to take them out before they grow stronger and reach their 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 Comancheria during this period to be a kind of nomadic kingdom.

I went to see Agustin I.

"Father, I've settled the Indian problem in California and Texas, so I'm moving on to the next stage."

"You're talking about the Comanche tribe."

Mexico was already aware of their existence and strength, as many villages in the north had been raided.

"Yes, we need a solid force to capture them."

"Hmm... That's the problem. The army is entirely my domain, but I need the approval of Congress to declare war. If I mobilize an army on the level of war without their consent, there will definitely be backlash."

I need an army on the level of war. Even in the original timeline, it was called the "Comanche-Mexican War (1821-1845)."

It wasn't a war for the fate of the nation, but it lasted for 24 years. It ended because the United States took their territory, not because they won. There's also a "Texas-Comanche War (1820-1875)" as a spin-off.

"Those are records that show the power of the Comanche tribe at that time."

The Comanche tribe maintained its power even amidst full-blown conflicts with the United States and Mexico, and it wasn't until they received a serious punch from the US Army, which had bulked up considerably in 1875, that they declined.

If we're going to fight, we can't go in with a half-hearted force. We need to mobilize a true war-level force.

"I can deal with the Congress issue by making a deal with the republicans, but..."

Solving everything related to war through deals could provoke a strong backlash.

"Father, I'll go to Congress and persuade them."

Members of Congress also have national pride and patriotism for the Mexican Empire.

Even though they're within the Mexican Empire's territory, they know the danger posed by the Comanche tribe, which is no different from an external enemy, so some of them will agree without considering political gains.

"If that doesn't work, I can use the deal option."

"Alright. I'll make arrangements soon, so prepare your speech."

"Yes, Father."

Agustin I issued a summons to Congress.

***

All the members of Congress were present. It was a summons, but no one was late for Congress because they knew the Crown Prince would be giving a speech.

Murmurs-

They didn't announce what he would be speaking about, so everyone was busy chattering about their own speculations.

"Did he invent something new?"

"Why would he announce it in Congress? I think he's going to propose a new plan related to territorial development."

As the Crown Prince stepped onto the podium, Rafael, the chairman, brought everyone's attention to him by banging his gavel.

Thump-thump-thump-

With everyone's eyes focused on him, the Crown Prince began to speak.

"Honorable members of Congress, today I want to talk about the Comanche tribe, a large Indian tribe within our Empire's territory.

After I stabilized California and Texas, the only place our Empire's control doesn't reach is the central part of the northern territory, New Mexico.

But the Comanche tribe of New Mexico is not an easy opponent. This nomadic tribe, which lives on the vast plains, following buffalo herds, is estimated to have a population of 40,000."

The Crown Prince stopped there, giving them time to absorb the information.

The members of Congress expected him to talk about another invention or territorial development, so they were surprised when he brought up the Native American tribe, but they were shocked when they heard the size.

The Crown Prince took a sip of water and continued.

"Their force is at least 10,000 cavalry, half of whom are armed with firearms. As some of you know, villages in the north-central part of Texas and the Mexican Empire have been frequently raided by the Comanche tribe recently.

They're committing atrocities, stealing our food, livestock, and guns, and even kidnapping people.

If we leave them alone, the raids will become more frequent and bolder, and their power will grow, and we'll have to face over 10,000 armed cavalrymen.

What I want to propose here is that we nip this in the bud before they become even stronger, and eliminate any future trouble."

The Crown Prince said that and finished his speech. The Imperial Party members applauded enthusiastically, but the Landowner Party and the Republicans had some who applauded and some who didn't.

Rafael, the chairman, said.

"Your Majesty, may I ask a few questions?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"Is there a reason why we need to take care of this right now? As Your Majesty knows, the government budget is not generous these days due to the numerous civil engineering projects that have been carried out recently."

It was a question with a clear tone of opposition, but the Crown Prince answered immediately, as if he had expected it.

"I'm not saying we're going to march out right away. Since it's going to be a large-scale battle, we need to prepare for a few months. And from an economic perspective, if we're not going to give up our territory, we'll have to fight them eventually. In that case, it's most economical to fight them before they become stronger."

Rafael, anticipating a rebuttal, immediately asked another question.

"Thank you for your answer, Your Majesty. But couldn't we strengthen the local army, which would naturally prevent raids and push them back, without sending a large army from the center?"

It was a question with ulterior motives. Many Landowner Party members nodded.

"The Comanche tribe is a tribe skilled in guerrilla tactics. Due to the nature of the local army, which has to defend each village and city, it's not easy to concentrate troops in one place. If we do that, our defenses will weaken, and we'll only suffer more losses from raids, and we won't be able to drive back the Comanche tribe. They won't fight a large force."

"If we invest heavily in the local army, wouldn't we be able to maintain our defenses and even attack?"

"It wouldn't be impossible to invest heavily in the local army and add a force on par with the central army, but there's no need to do that when there's already a central army that can act as a strike force. As the chairman pointed out, we need to consider the budget issue as well."

Rafael's ulterior motive of strengthening the local army was crushed.

Roberto, the leader of the Imperial Party, raised his hand, and Rafael, the chairman, granted him the floor.

"I agree with Your Highness' statement that if we're not going to give up our territory, we'll have to clash with them eventually, and it's best to fight now. This is for the benefit of the Mexican Empire, and if no alternative can be presented, we should stop opposing for the sake of opposing and hold a vote."

"That's right!"

"I agree!"

The Imperial Party members responded enthusiastically, creating an atmosphere that those who didn't present alternatives and stalled were opposing for the sake of opposing, meaning they were only concerned with political gains.

Of course, there was no alternative.

It's like having a large armed group within the Mexican Empire's territory, which is considered part of the Mexican Empire according to international law, that doesn't listen to the government.

They've already committed crimes by raiding Mexican villages, so there's no answer other than mobilizing the army to suppress them.

As the Landowner Party and Republican members of Congress were silent and watching, Pedro, the leader of the republicans, stepped forward and began to gather the republicans' opinions in favor of the proposal.

"It seems like it's in the national interest to pass this, what do you comrades think?"

"···I think so too. But the central army will become stronger."

"That's true. But the proposal to strengthen the local army has been refuted, so there's no answer. We can't just leave those Comanches alone."

"Yes. Let's agree to this."

As the atmosphere shifted, the Landowner Party's attitude began to change. If this continues, over two-thirds of the members will vote in favor, and the vote will pass. If they continue to oppose without any justification, won't the Landowner Party be the only ones who lose?

Thump-thump-thump-

"The proposal regarding the war with the Comanche tribe has been passed unanimously."

Rafael, the chairman, had no choice but to say that.

***

I finished the business in Congress and returned to my room in the palace.

"It went smoother than I expected thanks to Pedro."

If there were anyone who disagreed and continued to oppose, I was going to get rid of them somehow, but thankfully, there wasn't anyone like that.

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

"You've worked hard today, honey."

"Yes, Cecilia, you've worked hard too."

Cecilia had always loved reading, but as a lady from a wealthy family, she was learning the etiquette to manage her future husband's wealth.

She's helping me manage my assets, which are scattered in countless places.

"I have good news today."

She said with a happy expression and placed my hand on her belly.

"Hmm? You're not...?"

"I'm pregnant!"

It had been quite a while since we got married, but there was no news of a pregnancy, so I was worried.

She must have been under a lot of pressure as the Crown Princess, but finally, good news arrived.

I stroked Cecilia's belly and thought.

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

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