Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 477 Riding a Tiger and Being Difficult to Dismount
After the banquet, Peixoto simply washed up and went to the Presidential Palace. The war on the front line was urgent. After finishing the tasks assigned by the president, he had to return to Paraná State to coordinate and command. Therefore, his schedule in Rio de Janeiro was full and tight.

"The attitude of the Han State has been clearly ascertained. Their demands are as follows: 1 Within three months, all Republic troops will withdraw from Paraguay, give up the occupied Paraguayan territory, and the territories of the two countries will be restored to their pre-war status.

2. Compensation of 1000 million Paraguayan silver dollars.

3. Restore the Lopez family’s rule over Paraguay and give up the sovereignty claim over the disputed territories in Paraguay…”

Brazilian President Fonseca briefly recounted Han's peace terms and asked, "What do you think?"

"We can negotiate the conditions of withdrawing the army from Paraguay and restoring the rule of the Lopez family, but we cannot accept the condition of withdrawing the Republican army from Paraguay and restoring the territorial borders before the war."

Peixoto frowned and said, "Our army has made concessions and withdrawn from Asuncion, Villarrica, Antequera, and other places. We will redivide the territory with the new Paraguayan government, with the Iguazú Este Curruguati Paraños line as the national border. The area east of the line belongs to the Republic, and the area west of the line is returned to Paraguay. Will the Han country accept such conditions?"

"There is no possibility of acceptance."

Brazil's Foreign Minister Juan Antonio Hernandez replied.

“What if the Republic only claims territorial sovereignty over Mato Grosso do Sul and the disputed areas with Paraguay in the northwest?”

"The Han side is firm in its attitude and leaves no room for easing the tension."

"The Orientals are determined to fight us in Paraguay." Brazilian President Fonseca sighed and ordered: "There is no need to waste time on the Orientals.
We still need to be prepared for a long-term battle with the Orientals in Paraguay, Marshal Peixoto, how is the war going on the front line?"

"Not very optimistic. On the northern front, the Han army advanced along the Paraguay River to the Humeta Fortress. On the southern front, the Han army split into two routes. One route attacked the Villarrica railway fulcrum, and the other route turned to Iguazu along the Parana River."

Peixoto analyzed: "The total number of Han troops in Paraguay is about 8 to 10, and our army is about 14. In terms of the number of troops, our army has a certain advantage, but in terms of the density of front-line troops, because our troops are scattered throughout Paraguay, the density of front-line troops is lower than that of the Han army.

In the Han country, troops stockpiled in Posadas, Formosa and other places are being mobilized to the Paraguayan front. As time goes by, the density of the Han army's frontline forces will continue to increase. At the same time, the Han army also has advantages in the quantity and quality of weapons and equipment such as rifles and artillery. Especially the new artillery equipped by the Han army. According to the feedback from the front-line troops, the new steel artillery is powerful and has a long range. The moisture resistance of the artillery shells is higher than that of traditional black powder, which is a huge threat to our army's defense. "

“Can we transfer troops from Paraná State or the country to reinforce the front line?”

"The Han State has stockpiled 30,000 to 40,000 troops in the border area of ​​Paraná State. If the war becomes intense, the Han State may ignore the British threats and expand the war to the mainland of the Republic."

Peixoto explained: "After two withdrawals, the number of troops in various inland areas of the mainland has reached a dangerous level. The remaining garrisons are scattered around. We need to keep an eye on the royalists to prevent them from inciting rebellion. Secondly, the forced requisition of manpower and materials has encountered certain resistance. Sufficient troops are needed for deterrence and suppression. Without troops to maintain order, the requisition work is difficult to carry out.

Even if we mobilize troops from all over the inland, or mobilize young people of military age to join the army again, there is not enough weapons and ammunition to arm the troops. The current weapons and ammunition reserves are only enough to arm
17 troops, most of the remaining newly recruited troops are still armed with old-fashioned muzzle-loading rifles sealed in the warehouse. "

"Speaker Moray, how is the progress of purchasing weapons and equipment from the Americans?"

With the advent of the era of hot weapons, the consumption rate of weapons and ammunition has greatly accelerated. The weapons, equipment and ammunition produced by military-industrial enterprises in the Republic of Brazil can only meet the needs of a part of the troops. More than two-thirds of the weapons and ammunition need to be purchased from other countries. Therefore, in addition to the United Kingdom, the Republic of Brazil is also trying to purchase weapons and equipment from other countries.

“The Americans are willing to trade arms with the Republic, but they want the right to explore for copper resources in Mato Grosso do Sul.”

“Americans are demanding more and more.”

Brazilian President Fonseca felt powerless. Once these self-proclaimed civilized countries saw a profitable opportunity, they rushed over like hyenas smelling rotten meat, revealing their true colors.

“Tell those Americans that the Republic is not the only option for the United States. The French Republic, the German Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are all willing to cooperate with the Republic in arms trade, and there are no political conditions attached to cooperation with them.”

"Mr. President, the Americans promised that if the exploration rights for copper resources in Mato Grosso do Sul were given to the United States, they would provide the Republic with a low-interest loan and a certain discount on the price of weapons and equipment. At the same time, they would also persuade members of the House of Representatives in the White House to provide greater support for the Republic's war in Paraguay."

Parliament Speaker Molai added.

"How strong is the American support? Can the Atlantic Fleet go to the La Plata coast and cooperate with the Republic to implement a water blockade of Han? Or can they directly send land forces to join the war against Han?"

Fonseca demanded.

"The Americans haven't made a clear statement." "Then ask clearly!"

The United States is high-profile in South American affairs, but its approach is flexible and it never easily gives practical support before gaining sufficient benefits.

"Okay, Mr. President."

"If we continue to engage with the Americans, we can give them the right to explore for copper resources in Mato Grosso do Sul, and the price of weapons purchases will be 20% lower than the quoted price."

Fonseca thought for a moment and decided.

“Speaker Molai, in terms of weapons, it is recommended that priority be given to the procurement of rifles and light artillery.

Due to the rainy season, the land logistics supply route from Mato Grosso do Sul to the Paraguay River was interrupted, and heavy artillery could not be transported to the Asuncion front for the time being. "

Peixoto reminded.

“When will the land transport supply routes be restored?”

"Mato Grosso do Sul was recovered not long ago, and the roads are severely damaged. Coupled with the impact of the rainy season, if the subsequent rain slows down and everything goes well, the logistics and material transportation along some routes can be restored in about half a month. If we are unlucky, it may take a month or even longer."

Seeing Fonseca’s serious expression, Peixoto added: “

The frontline troops are shrinking and gathering. The troops in Paraguay will be mainly concentrated in the Humeta Fortress, Asuncion Villarrica, Antequera Port, and Iguazú Port. After the troops are mobilized, the pressure on logistics supply will be relieved to a certain extent, and the use of defense support at various key points can offset some of the artillery advantages of the Han army. "

"Chairman Moray, adjust the weapons procurement categories according to the Marshal's advice."

Having set the tone for arms purchases, Fonseca glanced at Foreign Minister Hernandez.

"What's going on in Bolivia?"

"Bolivia replied that in order to avoid misunderstandings with the Han country, they will withdraw the troops that have advanced to Tarija and hope that the Republic will understand."

"What a bunch of idiots, shortsighted fellows!"

Fonseca was angered by his teammates' actions and said angrily: "It's ok that the Bolivians can't beat the Chileans, but now the Han country hasn't made any move yet, and they are retreating on their own. Those uncivilized African natives are braver than them!"

After verbally attacking Bolivia, Fonseca continued to ask, "What about Chile? Why didn't they send troops as agreed?"

"Chile has stockpiled 3 troops in the Andean border area, but the army and navy factions disagree and both sides are still waiting and arguing."

"This opportunity was wasted by these idiots! They will regret it!"

Fonseca said bitterly: "The main force of the Han army is concentrated in the area around Paraguay. The western Patagonia is empty of troops. In addition, the western Patagonia and the Pacific coast are separated from the central area of ​​the Han Dynasty by the Andes Mountains, making it difficult to transport troops and supplies. Chile has advantages in the army and navy. If they don't seize such a good opportunity, they will regret it later!"

The advantages described by President Fonseca objectively exist, but his real purpose is to let Chile share the firepower of the Han army. The more noise Chile makes in western Patagonia, the better, and it is best to attract the main force of the Han army's navy to relieve the pressure on Brazil. Unfortunately, the Chileans are also watching with the same idea. The differences between the army and navy are just an excuse to deal with the Republic of Brazil.

Chile and Bolivia are unreliable, so Fonseca can only place his hopes on the intervention of the great powers, especially Britain and the United States.

"Minister Hernandez, further explore the attitudes and bottom lines of various countries towards the Paraguayan War, strive to gain support from various countries, and resolve the Paraguayan War peacefully through political means."

"Okay, Mr. President, I will visit the British Minister tomorrow."

"Hurry up and do it. The longer you delay, the more likely it is that something unexpected will happen on the front line."

(End of this chapter)