Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 435 Paraguay in Crisis

The dark cloud of war was about to loom over Paraguay. Even Mrs. Lynch, who had nothing to do with the war, could not sleep all night because she was worried about her proud lover.

Elisa Lynch and Lopez Jr. had six children.
The eldest son, Juan Francisco López Lynch, was killed by Brazilian soldiers while trying to protect his father during the Paraguayan War.

The second son, Colina Lopez Lynch, and the youngest son, Miguel Lopez Lynch, died of illness before they reached adulthood due to their weak constitutions.

There were three surviving children. The third son, Federico López Lynch (born in 1860), was a playboy. Relying on his prominent family background, he was domineering in the Asuncion area and was not liked by his father, López Jr.

The fourth son, Carlos Lopez Lynch (born in 1861), was an obedient and well-behaved child. He followed his father's advice and joined the army to serve. However, he was just a big boy who had just got married. If his father had an accident in the war, how could he suppress those arrogant generals and officials without his father standing in front of him to protect him?

Neither of the two sons grew up to support the power of the Lopez family, and the younger daughter, Leopoldo Lopez Lynch (born in 1862), had the temperament of a spoiled princess. Elisa Lynch could not imagine how they could survive in Paraguay without the protection of their lovers.

Filled with worries about her lover and fears about her unpredictable future, Elisa Lynch tossed and turned in bed for a long time. Finally, she decided to do her best as a wife (although Lopez Jr. had never held a formal wedding with her), to persuade Lopez Jr. to give up the decision to lead the troops himself.

With the help of her maid, Elisa Lynch put on her clothes and jewelry, walked through the long corridor, and came to the central hall. She saw little Lopez sitting at one side of the hall, handling government affairs with his head down.

"My dear, stop dealing with those boring government affairs. I have an important matter to discuss with you."

"I will follow the Guards to the front in two days. There are many things to deal with in the government and the army. I will discuss solving your problem after I finish today's work."

Lopez Jr. was cruel and harsh to his officers and officials, but when he was with his lover and children, he was patient and tolerant, like an ordinary husband and father.

"No, Francisco, this is what I want to tell you. Please, Francisco, for the sake of me and the children, please stay in Asuncion and ignore the damn rebellion on the front line!"

Mrs. Lynch was very excited. She grabbed Little Lopez's right hand and pleaded earnestly, "My dear, your health has not been very good in the past two years. Now it is raining heavily outside. If your condition worsens while you are leading the army to fight, what should I and our children do?

Please, please don't go to the front line. The Kingdom of Paraguay has so many brave and skilled generals. With them commanding the soldiers in Mato Grosso State, can't they solve the Indian rebellion problem as well? "

"It's different, Elisa. If Harold Peterson (Lieutenant General of the 2nd Division of the Paraguayan Army) could solve the Indian rebellion in time, I would not have decided to go to the front in person."

Little Lopez stood up and walked around the ornately decorated white jade table, walked to Mrs. Lynch, and comforted her, "My body has almost recovered, and I will take Dr. Doug with me on this trip, so there will be no problems on the road."

Little Lopez saw the deep worry in Mrs. Lynch's eyes. After patiently comforting her several times, he continued, "The Indian rebellion is just a small problem. When I and the Kingdom's Guards arrive in Mato Grosso do Sul, I believe the rebellion will be resolved soon. You and the children don't need to worry about my safety. Stay safely in the palace. When I come back, Elisa, I promise you that I will hold a formal wedding for you."

"Francisco, are you telling the truth?"

Mrs. Lynch couldn't believe it for a moment when she suddenly heard the news that she had dreamed of hearing.

"Yes, Elisa, I promise you that after I come back from the front, before the end of this year at the latest, I will hold a grand wedding for you. I will make you the queen of all Paraguayans and the happiest woman in Paraguay."

Little Lopez made a solemn promise: "Our children, Carlos will be made the crown prince of the Kingdom of Paraguay, and Federico and Leopoldo will also become the prince and princess of the Kingdom of Paraguay."

Unexpected surprise was in her eyes. The initial anxiety caused by worrying about her lover's safety was soon filled with happiness after hearing Lopez Jr.'s promise.

There was a mixture of surprise and happiness. In addition, after seeing how energetic and able little Lopez was just now, Mrs. Lynch's worries about his physical condition were reduced a lot.

"Dear, you must take good care of yourself. If, I mean in a very low probability, you feel unwell, you must return to Asuncion immediately!"

"Don't worry, I promise you that if there is any problem with my health, I will return to Asuncion immediately."

After making repeated assurances and sending away the nagging lover, little Lopez's strong body seemed to have suffered a heavy blow from the disease, and in the next moment, his condition suddenly became serious.

The ruddy face turned pale, and if you look closely, you can see a hint of swelling. The straight back has to bend slightly downward because of the pain in the body.

His hands, with bulging veins, were placed on the table, but he still couldn't stop twitching and shaking.

The guard who served Lopez Jr. in his daily life noticed his abnormality, quickly took out the medicine prepared by Dr. Doug, and helped Lopez Jr. drink it.

After drinking the medicine, he sat in a chair and rested for more than twenty minutes. When the sweat on his head evaporated, Lopez's pale face slowly returned to normal.

Little Lopez has grown old. Born in 1827, he just celebrated his 62nd birthday this year. The jet-black hair on his temples has turned gray, and the half white appearance that originally remained on his face has also shown characteristics that are more like those of the yellow race due to the years.

Time has decayed Lopez's body, but it has not been able to extinguish his fanatical and stubborn spirit! Dragging his body that had just recovered, Lopez walked to a huge human portrait on the wall with a baton.

The person in the portrait is Napoleon, the French Emperor. Lopez Jr. admired Napoleon very much and always regarded him as his idol. Therefore, when he visited Europe as a Paraguayan state representative in his early years, he spent a large sum of money to buy this portrait, then brought it back to Paraguay and hung it in the place where he often lived.

From the outbreak of the Paraguayan War to the time when he was trapped in the Humaita Fortress, the portrait of Emperor Napoleon accompanied Lopez Jr. through the most difficult period. Recalling the arduous defense of the Humaita Fortress, when many officers, generals and even Lopez Jr. himself fell into despair, it was the portrait of Napoleon that gave Lopez Jr. the faith to persevere and encouraged him to persist, and finally waited for the Chinese workers' uprising army led by Li Mingyuan to intervene in the battle! Won the victory!

At the end of May 1889, in the late autumn when floods and heavy rains were frequent,

Lopez Jr. can look back with satisfaction on the long journey of the past 62 years.

He led the weak Paraguay to defeat the attacks of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
He crushed the challenge that Britain had made to his country's independence and cracked down on and arrested many traitors who secretly intended to overthrow his regime.
There is also a surprising amount of unfinished business left, and the vast and fertile land is eager for people to cultivate it.
However, the ignorant and foolish Paraguayan people were unable to comprehend their own great ideas and raise their own thinking to the level predetermined by the mysterious fate.

Little Lopez has always had lofty career ideals;
Even if he uses intimidation, suppression by force, violent detention and other means to drive the people, it is for the sake of the country's strength and rise.

Regardless of the real facts and the truth, Lopez Jr. believed so and never doubted it. The serious illness could not defeat Lopez Jr., who had lofty ideals. He could not allow himself to fall. He had to lead the army and people of Paraguay to quell the hateful Indian rebellion, defeat external enemies, and win the final victory for the Kingdom of Paraguay! Clear the obstacles for the next generation of the Lopez family and leave a strong empire for Carlos! Just like his father had paved the way for him to take control of Paraguay.

In order to quell the Indian rebellion, Lopez Jr. made intensive arrangements. On the second morning, Colonel Mariano Alonso, commander of the 1st Regiment of the Paraguayan Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Mandeili, commander of the cavalry battalion, Major Calires, commander of the artillery battalion, Major Belgrod, commander of the engineering battalion, as well as the remaining troops of the Paraguayan Guard responsible for guarding the security of the city of Asuncion, major officers of the 1st Brigade of the Paraguayan Army, and government officials gathered in the central hall of the palace.

"Tomorrow morning, the 1st Guards Regiment, the Cavalry Battalion, the Engineer Battalion and other units will set out to the front line to quell the rebellion. Carlos will take over the command of the remaining troops of the Guards and the 1st Brigade of the Army.

Count José de Cord, General Enrique, after I leave Asuncion, I hope you will assist Carlos in handling rear-line affairs and the security and defense of Asuncion."

Prime Minister Lopez Jr. named Lieutenant General Enrique, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Paraguay and Commander of the Guard.

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

The two men stood up straight and answered loudly.

“The arrest and interrogation of traitors in the city will continue after I leave Asuncion!

Carlos, I leave this matter to you! After the meeting, Colonel Mariano Alonso will hand over the relevant work to you according to my instructions. "

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions."

Carlos, the illegitimate son of Lopez Jr., was brought to the central hall for the first time and was given the power to manage the Asuncion garrison and deal with traitors.
His father's preference for him was undoubtedly to train him as the heir to the kingdom. Therefore, even though he had received his mother's promise last night that his father would make him the heir, Carlos Lopez still couldn't help but feel excited when he heard the news that he had power.

The Lopez family is not an orthodox European royal family and does not attach too much importance to the tradition of succession. Before his father, Lopez Jr., took over his grandfather's power, he did not rely on his status as the eldest son, but on the attention of Lopez Sr. and the power in his hands. As long as he had power in his hands, even if his brother had an advantage in the order of succession, it would be impossible to shake his position.

Lopez Jr. brought Carlos to the central hall in person and gave his son the power to manage the affairs of Asuncion. He was also paving the way for his son and hinting to everyone that Carlos should be the heir.

His son's appointment was approved smoothly, and no officials or officers present raised any objections. Then Lopez Jr. began to deploy the subsequent arrangements.

"The rebellion and rampant treason within the kingdom are inseparable from the infiltration and agitation of the Han Kingdom! The surveillance of the Han Kingdom's embassy must be further strengthened. We must not allow any turmoil in the rear caused by the Han Kingdom's interference after I leave!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. The Imperial Guards will once again dispatch a company of troops to monitor and investigate the Han Embassy!"

The commander of the Guards stated.

"The damned Easterners of the Han Kingdom are the ones who caused the turmoil in the kingdom. Many foolish and ignorant citizens, after listening to the instigation of the Han people, came up with the shameful act of plotting to betray the country! For these idiots! Death and the grave are their most appropriate destinations!"

Lopez Jr. was so stubborn that he blamed the failure of the Paraguayan government on the Han Dynasty.
After making a speech accusing the Han Dynasty, he deliberately showed his leniency and mercy: "Stupid traitors do not deserve forgiveness, but those women and children who are implicated by their stupid actions, if it is found that the women and children have not participated in the shameful plans of their husbands and fathers, their guilt will be reduced and they will be released after being detained for a period of time."

"Those poor women and children will surely thank your Majesty for his kindness and tolerance."

When Little Lopez's performance was over, the officials and officers in the hall cooperated in a timely manner.

"They are also Paraguayan citizens and as their monarch, it is my duty to guide them on the right path."

Lopez Jr. positioned himself as the leader and controller of the Paraguayan subjects. With just a few simple words, he determined the future fate of thousands or even tens of thousands of women and children.

After finishing the topic of how to deal with the rebels, Lopez Jr. turned his attention to the rebellion in Toso Grosso do Sul.

"The number of Indian rebels in Mato Grosso del Sur and the western Chaco Plains has exceeded 8000. General Harold Peterson and his Second Division of more than 5000 soldiers have suffered serious casualties due to factors such as heavy rains, broken dikes, diseases, and combat losses. According to the latest intelligence sent back by Lieutenant General Harold Peterson, the number of soldiers in the Second Division who are still capable of fighting has dropped to . In addition, heavy rains and floods caused by broken dikes have blocked the supply and communication channels between the Second Division and the Third Division stationed in Puerto Casado. In addition to the difficulties of dispersed and insufficient forces, the Third Division also faces the problem of running out of ammunition supplies.

In view of the current situation in Mato Grosso do Sul, I decided to mobilize the main force of the navy to form a transport and supply fleet, first connecting the waterways along Concepcion and Puerto Casado, and then changing to land routes to enter Mato Grosso do Sul, to join the Second Division and replenish their ammunition and supplies. "

"Your Majesty, due to the heavy rain, the waters of the Paraguay River are rough and the currents are turbulent. The transport fleet is likely to encounter accidents due to the bad weather while sailing on the water."

Major General Don Jose Falcon, commander of the Paraguayan naval fleet and the person who is actually responsible for the protection of the water routes in the Paraguay River Basin, gave a reminder.

“More than 80% of the kingdom’s important mineral resources are located in the newly recovered states of Mato Grosso do Sul and southern Goiás. Although the natural weather is bad, if the situation in Mato Grosso do Sul continues to be turbulent or spreads to southern Goiás, the losses suffered by the kingdom’s government will multiply. The situation in Mato Grosso do Sul must be effectively contained within two months!

The supply of ammunition and supplies to the front-line troops must also be restored as soon as possible.

A little bad weather is not a big problem! According to the plan, assemble the transport fleet and set off immediately tomorrow!"

Lopez Jr. explained the urgency of suppressing the Indian rebellion and immediately issued a mandatory departure order to the naval transport fleet.

(End of this chapter)