Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 130 Actual Controlled Territory Area
After years of fighting, war supplies were quickly consumed. Not only could the Brazilian Empire not bear the war losses, but the Chinese Independence Army, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay also had to put all their national strength into maintaining a large force in preparation for war.

Since the Paraguayan War, the Brazilian Empire has experienced various wars, among which the Paraguayan War lasted for three years and had the greatest impact on the overall strength of the Brazilian Empire. A large amount of supplies were consumed on the Paraguayan battlefield far away from the border. The participation of the Chinese Independence Army in the Paraguayan War and the annihilation of the main force of the Brazilian army was a heavy blow to Brazil's national defense, causing the Brazilian Empire to lose its offensive capability in a short period of time. The alliance between Peru and the Chinese Independence Army against Brazil and the subsequent occupation of a large amount of land in the Brazilian Empire was the final blow, forcing the Brazilians to actively seek negotiations.

Objectively speaking, Brazil, which suffered heavy losses, is still stronger than the Four Alliance in terms of overall strength. However, after the reforms of Pedro II, the Brazilian state system is different from that of Peru, Bolivia and other countries. Brazil, which strives to emulate European countries such as Britain and France, is called an empire, but in reality it is a federal state where bureaucrats and aristocrats hold power. Pedro II holds certain power, but for major decisions concerning national interests, he still needs the consent of the nobles and bureaucrats below.

The difference is that the anti-Brazilian alliance, whether it is the three Peruvian countries or the Chinese Independence Army, is a strongman system with highly concentrated power. Li Mingyuan can decide the direction of the Chinese Independence Army's actions with a single word. South American presidents such as Lopez Jr. and Frias can also use the troops in their hands to force the country to implement their will. Therefore, the relatively weak anti-Brazilian side can force Brazil to seek peace and stop the war.

The war was temporarily suspended and the five-party peace talks were imminent. Li Mingyuan convened a meeting of major generals in Joinvia, near the front line.

"Brazil has taken the initiative to seek peace. Reaching a peace agreement will be beneficial to the Chinese Independence Army's repair and development. Liu Pu, this negotiation is of great significance. I hope you will be in charge of it personally."

Li Mingyuan said to Liu Pu who was sitting below him.

"I obey your orders." Liu Pu stood up and accepted the order, saying, "What is the bottom line for the peace talks with Brazil?"

"General Luo, where is our front line of control?"

Li Mingyuan did not answer Liu Pu's question, but asked Luo Linshan.

"Your Highness, please read this. After the entire state of Santa Catarina fell into our hands, the main force was divided into three groups and advanced from Joinville, Lajes, and Chapeco. So far, our troops have all crossed the Iguazú River Basin, and the precursor control line is maintained at Guaraprava and Curitiba."

Luo Linshan stood up and pointed at the map spread out on the table with a wooden stick.

Following Luo Linshan's introduction, Li Mingyuan glanced at several control points such as Guaraprava and Joinvia. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "How many Brazilian troops are there in the area north of Guaraprava to the border with Argentina?"

"The northern part of Guaraprava is in the flood zone of the Iguazu River. Traffic is blocked and roads are blocked. No Brazilian troops have been found stationed there for the time being."

"Very good, Luo Linshan, immediately dispatch a regiment to occupy the area,"

Li Mingyuan had just issued the order, but felt it was not appropriate, so he revised it to "Add another battalion of troops. As long as we don't encounter a large-scale Brazilian garrison, the troops will continue to advance northward and occupy as much land as possible."

"Prince, we have already ceased hostilities with Brazil. If we rashly invade the front area, it may cause conflict."

Luo Linshan considered.

"Lin Shan, you are worrying too much. There are no Brazilian troops stationed there. If our army occupies the place, it will belong to us. The Brazilians have no reason to blame us."

Li Mingyuan patted Luo Linshan on the shoulder and explained, "After the peace agreement is reached, the British will not allow another large-scale war in South America. We must take this opportunity to expand the control of the Chinese Independence Army as much as possible. Otherwise, with only a small corner of the country, our army will have limited scope for continued expansion."

As the situation changed, Li Mingyuan's goal plan was constantly adjusted. Before participating in the four-way anti-Brazilian war, controlling the state of Rio Grande do Sul was the best option that the Chinese Independence Army could achieve. After the war, negotiations were about to begin. Looking at the newly occupied land on the map, Li Mingyuan's ambition was aroused. So far, the Chinese Independence Army actually controls Rio Grande do Sul (28.1 square kilometers), Santa Catarina (9.5 square kilometers) and part of Paraná (about 6 square kilometers), with a total controlled area of ​​43.6 square kilometers, which is larger than the area of ​​the Japanese archipelago.

Because the European immigration wave had not yet arrived, and the local residents of Rio Grande do Sul were expelled by the Chinese Independence Army, the total population of the 43.6 square kilometers was only 22. However, with the influx of a large number of Chinese immigrants, it was not difficult for the Chinese Independence Army to develop the areas controlled by them.

The size of the initial base area affects the future development potential of the Chinese Independence Army, and part of the current 43.6 square kilometers of controlled area will definitely be returned to Brazil. Therefore, the more land occupied, the greater the bargaining space with Brazil. Therefore, Li Mingyuan ordered the troops to occupy as much land as possible. The purpose is simple and clear, which is to force Brazil to give up more land interests in the negotiations. As for the transportation difficulties in the occupied area, it is not within the scope of consideration. The Iguazu River Basin is close to the Paraná River and has strategic interests for Brazil, which has lost the two southern states. The Brazilians will definitely want this area in the negotiations, so it is the right time to send troops to occupy it before the Brazilians react.

After Li Mingyuan explained, Luo Linshan followed the order and told his adjutant to dispatch troops, and then the meeting continued. After Luo Linshan was dealt with, Li Mingyuan began to answer Liu Pu's questions.

"There is no need to discuss Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, they must belong to us. If the area from Invia to Curitiba belongs to the core area of ​​Paraná state, Brazilians will not give it up, and this area can be returned to them.

The northern part of Santa Catarina State is small, and the Iguazu River Basin is located in the upper reaches of the northern part of Santa Catarina. Controlling this area can increase the depth of our defense and protect the security of the northern border. We will try our best to seize the area south of the Iguazu River Basin close to Santa Catarina State. As for the area north of the Iguazu River Basin and the Guaraprava area, we can seize part of it. If we can't seize it, it won't be a big problem. "

Giving up part of the occupied land was the price that had to be paid for reaching peace talks. Li Mingyuan and Liu Pu could understand the significance of doing so, but the generals of the Chinese Independence Army who personally participated in the war found it difficult to understand.

Chen Guozhu was the first to raise an objection. "Sir, our army has nearly 100,000 elite soldiers. It is not a problem to defend the current occupied areas. I don't think it is necessary to give up the occupied land in front in exchange for the recognition of the Brazilians."

Summoning the main generals of the army to a meeting, Li Mingyuan expected that someone would raise different opinions, so he did not get angry and said, "The Chinese Independence Army has been fighting for nearly a year, and more than 100,000 brothers have suffered nearly 20,000 casualties. The current total number of Chinese is only 130,000, and only 40,000 can be called regular troops. It is a huge pressure for more than 100,000 people to support 40,000 main forces. If it were not for the gold support obtained in Peru, such a large army would not be able to support itself without the enemy. Maintaining 40,000 field troops has reached its limit, and the gold obtained has been consumed rapidly in multiple purchases of supplies."

Li Mingyuan looked solemnly at the Chinese generals sitting below him, and said seriously, "The Chinese Independence Army is not only an army, but also an armed force that is about to establish a country. Under the current situation, neither the number of troops nor the economic logistics allow us to continue the war. Therefore, in order to reach a peace talk, it is inevitable to give up some of our interests appropriately. You should seriously consider it."

A group of soldiers who were originally at the grassroots level might not understand the big picture if you talk about it, but Li Mingyuan insisted on instilling in them the sense of the overall situation step by step. The military is a continuation of politics. As a senior general and a capable military commander, a keen political mindset is an indispensable ability.

Military generals who lack a sense of the overall situation are the shortcoming that restricts the continued development of the Chinese Independence Army. Li Mingyuan does not expect his generals to make huge changes in a short period of time. He can only work from the outside and use the advanced Western military systems and weapons to improve the overall combat quality of the Chinese Independence Army.

After arranging the next tasks for his generals, Li Mingyuan left Liu Pu to discuss the specific matters of the peace talks with him alone.

"The Brazilians were forced to seek peace talks. They must not want to suffer a big loss. Before the negotiations, we secretly held talks with representatives of Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay to reach a consensus on peace talks with Brazil in advance. This way, we will be more prepared when facing the Brazilians during the negotiations."

"In the southern part of South America, Brazil is the most powerful, followed by Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina and other countries. After the Paraguayan War, the alliance between Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay was abolished. Argentina and Uruguay are happy to see us weaken Brazil's strength. Moreover, this peace talk has nothing to do with Argentina and Uruguay, so they have little influence on the talks.

Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and the Chinese Independence Army have the same interests. In this war, all four parties have benefited from Brazil, but have also completely offended Brazil. Before the situation changes dramatically, the four forces cannot reach a reconciliation with Brazil alone. Therefore, it is beneficial for all parties to use this opportunity to deepen relations with Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay and reach a military alliance against Brazil. "

"The end of the anti-Brazilian war does not mean the arrival of true peace. Before a large number of Chinese immigrants arrive in the areas controlled by our army, it is very necessary to maintain the anti-Brazilian alliance. However, the British who are leading the peace talks will not allow us to form a military alliance against Brazil, so this matter must be done privately. We must reach a non-public military alliance agreement with the three Peruvian countries to avoid British interference."

Li Mingyuan said.

"The Crown Prince once said that the British are concerned about economic interests in South America. Now our army controls two states with an area of ​​more than 40 square kilometers. We can invite the British to exploit the mineral resources in the controlled areas in exchange for their support." Liu Pu said.

"Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina are the bases of our army and cannot be controlled by the British. It is not feasible to exchange mineral resources for British support. However, after the peace talks are signed, a lot of infrastructure construction will be needed in the controlled areas. We can sign a commodity trading agreement with the British, take the initiative to show goodwill to them, and eliminate their concerns about the expansion of the Chinese Independence Army."

What countries care about only are practical interests. A series of war actions by the Chinese Independence Army in South America changed the regional balance in South America. Brazil, which was supported by the British, was defeated by the Chinese Independence Army, and the British failed to achieve their goal of controlling commercial interests in the Paraná River basin.

Brazil was defeated, and it was not in Britain's interest to send British troops to interfere in the situation in South America. Therefore, if the British want to continue to realize their own commercial interests, they will definitely use this peace talk to demand free navigation in the Paraná River Basin. After experiencing the test of war, Li Mingyuan is sure that Paraguayan President Lopez Jr. will recognize the situation and agree to the British demands.

As long as the British goals are achieved and all parties promise not to wage war again, a new balance will be formed in southern South America, and the British will obtain the commercial benefits they want.

(End of this chapter)