Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 158 Iron Mine Acquired

On January 1869, 105, the news of Urquiza's successful coup reached Rio Grande do Sul. Li Mingyuan immediately activated the response plan he had prepared in advance. On January , Rio Grande do Sul announced that Argentine troops had invaded the disputed border area without reason, and the National Defense Army would launch an operation to recover the territory. A few hours after the declaration was announced, the well-prepared soldiers of the Second Mixed Brigade, with the support of eight mm howitzers, launched an operation to capture the San Javier Iron Mine.

San Javier became a garrison area for Argentine troops because of the discovery of iron ore seven years ago. However, the local permanent population is only two thousand troops and more than one thousand mine workers, and no permanent fortifications have been built.

After the Second Mixed Brigade launched the attack, it occupied all areas of San Javier except the iron mine within one day. Except for more than 500 Argentine troops stationed outside the iron mine who were eliminated, the remaining 1,500 soldiers and more than 1,000 workers all retreated to the fortifications in the iron mine area to resist the attack of the National Defense Army soldiers.

There was an emergency fortification and two bunkers built by Argentina in the iron mine. 105 Argentine soldiers and urgently organized miners were tightly deployed at the three main entrances and exits of the mine. After two exploratory attacks failed, the commander of the Second Mixed Brigade gave up the assault and instead concentrated the eight scattered mm howitzers to specifically bombard one of the mine entrances.

The sound of artillery roared continuously. Half an hour later, the artillery unit used three base artillery shells to break through a fortress blocking the entrance. Then a battalion of assault troops immediately launched an attack from the breakthrough point, defeating the Argentine troops who tried to reorganize their positions and seizing a marching passage for follow-up troops.

The bunkers and fortifications they relied on were breached, and the Argentine troops in the iron ore mine area quickly lost the confidence to continue resisting. Under the full-scale attack of the National Defense Army soldiers and slogans of surrender, more than a thousand Argentine soldiers and miners quickly laid down their arms and surrendered. The Battle of San Javier lasted for ten hours and ended.

After completely taking over the San Javier Iron Mine, the 2nd Mixed Brigade stopped advancing and temporarily stationed at the iron mine to perform protective tasks.

After acquiring the San Javier Iron Mine, Li Mingyuan immediately sent representatives to negotiate with the Argentines, offering to exchange 300 square kilometers of land in the west of San Pedro for 200 square kilometers of land in San Javier.

The Wehrmacht joined the war at such a sudden time that the battle ended before the Argentine troops reached San Javier.

The National Defense Force seized the San Javi Iron Mine and Urquiza seized the Antillerios Province one after another. There was also external provocation from Paraguay. After much consideration, Argentine President Sarmiento and Mitre were forced to agree to the National Defense Force's land exchange conditions in order to stabilize the domestic situation in Argentina.

The exchange between the two places was carried out in secret. After receiving a response from the Argentine side, Li Mingyuan withdrew the garrison in the west bank area of ​​San Pedro on January 30 and handed it over to Ferner's troops.

The exchange agreement was able to be reached in a short period of time. In addition to the fact that Mitre and others were worried about making too many enemies, the supportive attitude of Urquiza and Ferna also played an important role.

If Chinese troops intervene in the war, the worst situation for Argentina will be the loss of part of its territory, which will not cause direct harm to their rule. However, if Ferna and especially Urquiza return to power, their opposition will be the biggest threat to Mitre and the other two.

If the two men insisted on going to war with Rio Grande do Sul, no matter what the outcome of the war was, it would create conditions for Urquiza to seize power. Therefore, faced with the two choices of fighting to the death with the Chinese over a territorial trade that seemed not to be a disadvantage on the surface and maintaining their own rule, Mitre and Sarmiento rationally chose the latter.

After the territorial exchange, Argentina immediately announced the recovery of 300 square kilometers of land in San Pedro, while San Javier was only briefly mentioned and treated vaguely.

The territorial transaction quickly disappeared from public opinion due to Argentina's deliberate downplaying, while the war with Paraguay occupied the main attention of the Argentines.

The handwritten letter sent by Istigari became a stone that stirred the political situation in Paraguay. After reading his letter, Lopez Jr. quickly took root in his heart and wanted to change the system. Istigari's letter was first circulated to several major generals in Paraguay, and then government officials and ordinary soldiers also got the news of changing the national system. The implementation of the monarchy became the hottest news on the streets of Asuncion within just one week. Ordinary people and grassroots officials were discussing the pros and cons of the implementation of the monarchy and expressing their opinions. What happened in Asuncion was obviously a propaganda campaign made by Lopez Jr. for his own kingship and reform. He first created a phenomenon in the country that the people supported the constitutional monarchy, and then used the news of the victory on the front line to pave the way for his own kingship.

While Asuncion was discussing the constitutional monarchy, groups of scattered troops were secretly gathering. Then, just when everyone was attracted by the lively situation in Asuncion, Lopez Jr. was meeting with more than 30 senior military and political officials in the Presidential Palace.

"Constitutional monarchy is the mainstream political system in all countries today. I want to change to a monarchy not for personal wealth, but for the long-term interests of Paraguay. I called all the generals together today just to hear your views on the implementation of a monarchy. You can speak your mind and I will not blame you."

They had naturally heard the discussions about the monarchy in the streets and alleys. The Paraguayan generals in office had also read Istigali's handwritten letter a few days ago. However, the previous two actions might have been tentative. Today, Lopez Jr. gathered everyone together to force them to make a clear statement.

"Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and several other countries followed the American example and implemented a republican system. As a result, warlords of all sizes were everywhere in the country, and the election of the president of the country was not based on the votes of civilians, but on which warlord had the most power and the most troops.

The South American countries have been independent for more than 40 years. During this period, except for Brazil and our country, there have been no large-scale rebellions. In Peru, Bolivia, and even Argentina, which is competing with our army for the Misiones Province, every few years there is a political earthquake, the presidents of the countries are frequently replaced, the long-term development plans of the countries cannot be continuously implemented, and the national strength has been stagnant at the past level.

So I think the republican system is not suitable for the current South American continent. I support abolishing the republican system and making the president the king. "

Napoleon III successfully ascended to the throne of French Emperor from the President of France. Now France has not experienced the disastrous defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Although it looks powerful, France is truly the largest country in Europe.

France changed from a republic to a monarchy. Under the rule of Napoleon III, France was powerful and its overall strength was comparable to that of Britain.

With a real mirror placed before the Paraguayan generals, it was not difficult for them to make a choice.

Except for Istigali who was unable to leave the front line, the generals who commanded the main forces of Paraguay were all in the hall. They all expressed their support for Lopez Jr. to be crowned the King of Paraguay.

Six government officials attended the meeting convened by Lopez Jr. as official representatives. They considered the issue more comprehensively than the generals. Paraguay has been practicing a republic since its independence. The civilians are accustomed to the republican life. Suddenly implementing a monarchy may lead to chaos in the domestic situation.

Lopez Jr. took into account the concerns of the civilian officials that changing the system would cause dissatisfaction among a group of vested interest classes. However, he did not care. As long as Paraguay could continue to win under his leadership, the army and the grassroots people would fully support him. If those old stubborn people did not know how to deal with the times, Lopez Jr. would not be soft-hearted and would decisively send troops to suppress them, distribute their land and wealth to his trusted subordinates, and create a new aristocratic group that would support him.

The meeting at the presidential palace was more of a formality. Except for two officials who raised some concerns, everyone else supported Lopez Jr.'s decision.

After the meeting, Lopez Jr. appointed several trusted officials and generals to stay in Asuncion, and he himself led more than a dozen trusted generals to secretly meet with 5,000 troops and then reinforce Istigali.

(End of this chapter)