**Chapter 20**
**The Return of Spain (1)**
- September 22, 1828
Havana (La Habana), the largest port in Cuba.
A Spanish fleet entered the harbor.
“It’s a ship of the line.”
A massive hull made of thick oak, dozens of cannons positioned on the sides.
It’s undoubtedly a ship of the line.
“Yes. Two ships of the line, three frigates, three gunboats, and 30 transports.”
“Ricardo, I’ll leave the rear to you.”
“Understood. Be careful.”
“You too.”
No more words were needed.
The two men shook hands and parted ways.
Captain Ricardo Vargas and Captain Esteban Aguilar were intelligence agents sent by the Mexican Empire.
Captain Esteban was ordered to relay information as soon as he confirmed the size of the Spanish fleet. He ran to the ship he had prepared.
It was a sloop, a small vessel emphasizing speed. He urged the few sailors he had hired beforehand in the port to prepare for departure.
It was important to leave before the Spaniards noticed anything, but there was no reason to suspect a sloop, a common vessel frequently used in the Caribbean, including Cuba and Mexico. Besides, the Spanish fleet hadn’t finished docking yet.
“Well, the first part is done. Now all I have to do is my part.”
Captain Esteban only needed to report the arrival and size of the Spanish fleet, but Captain Ricardo had to gather detailed information about the Spanish army’s manpower, weaponry, and destination.
Disguised as a dockworker, Captain Ricardo joined the Spanish fleet’s supply operation, moving goods on the docks.
“Hurry up!”
The Spanish officers urged the dockworkers.
Captain Ricardo naturally moved with the cargo boxes towards the warships.
“What’s this? This isn’t enough for 30 transports.”
There were a lot of supplies prepared compared to the number of troops.
“Hey, you there! Hurry up instead of gawking around!”
“Oh, no.”
He made eye contact with the Spanish officer. Captain Ricardo moved quickly, pretending to be diligently working.
“Hmm.”
Fortunately, the Spanish officer let it slide.
After working for about eight hours.
Captain Ricardo had determined the approximate number of troops and the level of armament of the Spanish army. However, he still couldn’t figure out why there were so many supplies.
“Damn it… That’s why.”
The second Spanish fleet arrived.
***
First, Captain Esteban arrived in Mexico after ten days of sailing.
He immediately mounted a horse and rode to Mexico City without a moment’s rest.
“You’ve done well, Captain Esteban.”
“No, Your Majesty. I’ve only done my duty.”
“You’re a man with a great military spirit. The Spaniards have arrived in Cuba?”
“Yes. I confirmed that two ships of the line, three frigates, three gunboats, and 30 transports entered the harbor of Havana.”
“30 transports? Hmm…”
Agustín I, calculating the number of troops in his mind, said,
“Then, the landing force would be between 6,000 and 7,000.”
The Crown Prince, Herónimo, who was listening nearby, thought to himself.
‘In the original history, the force that attacked Mexico was about 3,500. They said it was 15 transports. So, 30 transports would mean about 7,000. It’s not strange if they sent twice the original number because of the anger over the confiscation of property. It’s actually strange they sent so few in the original history.’
“We should prepare around 12,000, just to be safe. Sending too many would be a problem for the military budget. I’d love to go to the battlefield myself, but it’s time for you to gain some military experience, Herónimo.”
Agustín I wanted his son to follow the path he had taken.
He believed there was nothing better than military achievements to enhance the authority of a ruler.
It was a father’s heart, wanting to build a solid foundation of support for his son.
Herónimo had anticipated this to some extent since entering the military academy, so he answered readily.
“Yes, Father.”
‘Military achievements aren’t everything, but it doesn’t hurt to have them. We have enough power, so I’ll go myself.’
“I’ll assign General Santa Anna to you. Listen to his advice.”
‘Santa Anna? That’s a bit of a problem.’
Santa Anna is a headache for Herónimo.
He acknowledges his abilities, but his overwhelming ambition and opportunistic nature are dangerous. He’s not someone you can easily get rid of either.
Santa Anna’s social skills are so impressive that he even exchanges personal letters with Agustín I.
‘In the original history, he stabbed me in the back long ago, but in this world, we’ve remained friendly. Is that why he’s trying to push him? To be with me? In the original history, Santa Anna became a hero by winning the Battle of Tampico. Considering his ambition, it’s dangerous to let him grow like this.’
“Father, I believe General Santa Anna is guarding Veracruz. Instead of calling him back to the center, it would be better to keep him there and select suitable candidates from the central army for support. There’s a high chance that the enemy will attack Veracruz.”
‘I know they’re coming near Tampico, but people think Veracruz is the most likely target.’
Agustín I, hearing the Crown Prince’s words, thought he was right.
He pondered over the candidates for a moment and then said,
“Then, I’ll assign Major Jorge Sánchez to you.”
“Yes, thank you, Father.”
***
Captain Ricardo cursed involuntarily when he saw the Spanish fleet arrive with reinforcements.
“Damn it.”
Even as he cursed, he calmly counted the ships.
‘Two frigates and 15 transports. Now the amount of supplies they prepared makes sense.’
It’s a strange ratio, with transports overwhelmingly outnumbering warships, but it’s possible considering that the Mexican Empire doesn’t have any decent warships.
Captain Ricardo, having confirmed the Spanish forces, was sure there would be no further reinforcements.
The number of supplies prepared was appropriate for this force at this point.
‘That means I have to decide now. Should I report this information immediately? Or should I follow the original plan, track the ships, and find out their destination before reporting?’
If I report the information right away, I won’t know the destination. Conversely, if I find out the destination, reporting the information about the troops will be delayed.
Captain Ricardo, caught in a dilemma, felt his head throbbing.
‘Sigh… I should have had another intelligence agent. I should have had a team of three, for the beginning, middle, and end.’
The newly established Mexican Empire was still inexperienced in this kind of intelligence warfare.
Captain Ricardo thought he would have to suggest improvements when he returned.
Disguised as a dockworker, Captain Ricardo had been carrying enemy cargo for a long time, but he finally made a decision.
‘I’ve decided. I’ll go quickly and report this situation. It’s evening now, so the enemy will rest for the night and set sail. I’ll set sail immediately. It’s a bit risky to set sail in the evening, but there’s no other choice.’
“Hey, where are you going, leaving the cargo in the middle of loading?”
“I have some errands to run.”
Captain Ricardo, having dealt with the Spanish officer, began preparing for the departure of the sloop he had prepared.
“Let’s go right away.”
“Captain, it’s almost night. Don’t you know it’s dangerous to set sail at night?”
“We’ve sailed at night countless times. It’s not different from setting sail. You’re all veterans, aren’t you?”
“Hmm… I know, but I don’t want to take unnecessary risks. Besides, there was no mention of leaving at night in the first place.”
“…I’ll give you 20% more than the original agreed-upon pay. Is that okay?”
“Hahaha, alright, Captain. Let’s go right away.”
The sailors I had hired beforehand were arrogant and expensive, but they were veterans. They didn’t panic even as the evening grew darker and successfully set sail.
‘Whew. I managed to set sail. 45 transports. It’s a massive scale, almost 10,000 people. I heard Spain isn’t doing so well, so they’re launching a massive expedition. It’s a completely unexpected situation. I have to deliver the information.’
Captain Ricardo couldn’t fall asleep easily due to anxiety. He finally fell asleep in the morning.
Boom!
“Huh? What was that?”
Captain Ricardo, who had been fast asleep, woke up with a start.
“Captain!! It’s a storm!!”
The sea, which had been calm until just before I fell asleep, was churning wildly. Huge waves were rocking the ship.
Boom-
Thunder and lightning were constantly flashing in the sky, and strong winds were blowing.
A disastrous scene.
‘Ah. This is bad.’
“Should I have left later?”
***
While Major Jorge Sánchez, assigned by my father, prepared the troops, I headed to Vega Defense.
‘Just in case, I need to use everything I can.’
I had prepared almost twice the number of troops, but you never know what might happen.
Didn’t the two cannons Agustín I had told me to take just in case play a decisive role during the confiscation operation?
“…Eduardo, is this all the warehouse has?”
“Yes. We’ve already delivered all the rifles, and there are only 20 cannons left that we made while preparing for mass production of cannons. We don’t sell weapons to civilians, and we only make them and deliver them when the government orders them, so there’s no reason to stockpile weapons.”
“Hmm. Are these cannons in good working order?”
“Of course. They’ve been tested dozens of times.”
12-pounder cannons using the Gribeauval system, made in France.
They were made during the Napoleonic Wars, but they’re still commonly used cannons.
Vega Defense was preparing a more improved cannon, but it was still under development, so I ordered them to mass-produce these.
I needed cannons urgently.
Battles in this era are about guns, but artillery power is also incredibly important.
‘Napoleon said, “God is on the side of the army with the strongest artillery.”’
Listen to his advice.
“I’ll take these for now. The government will figure out how to pay for them, so help me out.”
“Of course. I’ll bring them right away.”
“Prepare plenty of cannonballs too.”
“Okay.”
Eduardo immediately mobilized dozens of workers to move the cannons and cannonballs from the warehouse on the outskirts of Mexico City to where the troops were stationed.
“Your Majesty, 20 cannons. That’s quite reassuring.”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“Hahaha. You’re as bold as ever. I’ll count on you.”
Major Sánchez was very cooperative.
‘I knew they were going to attack, so it doesn’t matter, but the timing is a bit unfortunate.’
In the original history, two ships from the Spanish fleet that set sail from Havana harbor were caught in a storm and ended up in New Orleans.
‘In this world, they attacked ten months earlier, and summer is over, so I can’t expect that kind of luck.’
The army, fully prepared, set out on its expedition.
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