Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 263 Aftermath (I)

The streets of Mexico City are filled with a unique atmosphere that combines the luxury and majesty of European colonists with the profound heritage of Indian culture. The two are intertwined to form a complex and fascinating scene.

On the cobblestone streets, the creaking sound of carriage wheels rolling past is interwoven with the hawking of street vendors and the ringing of church bells, like an ancient city symphony.

The center of the city is the magnificent Zocalo Square, which is the political, religious and commercial center of the city.

The square is surrounded by tall buildings, the most eye-catching of which is the Mexico Cathedral, which was built in 1573 and took more than years to complete and is still not completed.

Its twin towers soar into the sky, and its carved stone facade gleams in the winter sun.

The church bells would ring at regular intervals, low and melodious, echoing over the entire city, as if reminding people that time was passing relentlessly.

On the other side of the square is the Governor's Palace, which is also a magnificent building that makes people feel awe.

Its exterior walls are made of gray-white stone, and the windows are inlaid with exquisite iron railings, making it look solemn and elegant.

At the door of the Governor's Palace stood Spanish soldiers in gorgeous uniforms, holding sharp spears, with solemn expressions, watching the passers-by vigilantly.

The soldiers' uniforms were embroidered with gold patterns, and the bronze badges on their chests gleamed in the sun, demonstrating the majesty of the Spanish royal family.

However, at three o'clock in the afternoon on November 11, shortly after a messenger hurried into the Governor's Palace, the entire Zocalo Square suddenly became noisy.

Guards from the Governor's Palace kept running out of the gate, heading towards different directions of the city, knocking on the doors of one magnificent mansion after another.

Their footsteps were quick and heavy, as if foreshadowing the coming of a storm.

Afterwards, one after another gorgeously decorated carriages, carrying powerful figures, drove towards the Governor's Mansion from all directions.

The carriage was carved with exquisite patterns, and the tassels on the roof swayed gently in the wind.

The Creole guards rode on horses, waving whips and violently driving away vehicles and pedestrians blocking the road.

Their faces were filled with anxiety, as if every second of delay could lead to unpredictable consequences.

The officials in the carriage leaned against the soft walls with serious expressions, lost in thought.

There was a hint of shock and uneasiness in their eyes, and it was difficult for them to digest the news they had just received.

When the carriage stopped steadily in front of the gate of the Governor's Mansion, the officials who got off looked at each other and then revealed a bitter smile that was difficult to taste.

They did not exchange pleasantries, but simply nodded slightly, then quickly walked into the Governor's Mansion and, under the guidance of the clerk, came to the meeting hall.

In the meeting hall, both sides of the heavy long table were already filled with officials, and everyone had a very serious expression.

"Gentlemen, we in the Viceroyalty of New Spain are in great trouble!"

Seated at the head of the table, the Governor-General of New Spain, Count Juan Martínez Montañez of Ávila, nodded slightly to the officials who had taken their seats. He then spoke gravely, "I believe you have all received the news from Acapulco. The task force we sent out to conquer the north a few months ago suffered a severe defeat."

Count Avila paused as he spoke, as if giving those present time to digest the news.

"Yes, there's no denying that this expedition was a humiliating defeat! We lost over 1,800 soldiers and sailors, three warships, and a large amount of combat equipment and supplies. This defeat is also the worst military defeat the Spanish Kingdom has suffered in the Americas in nearly a hundred years."

"Gentlemen, can you imagine this? A powerful expeditionary fleet was actually defeated by a group of pirates. Moreover, they are ravaging the western coastal areas of Mexico and even attacking the port of Acapulco with great fanfare to show their power to our Viceroyalty of New Spain!"

His voice echoed in the meeting hall, like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart.

His tone was filled with anger and helplessness, as if he was questioning everyone present.

How could this happen to us?
The meeting hall was silent, with only the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the sound of distant bells.

"So, in this dire situation, what do we need to do to uphold the kingdom's honor, safeguard its interests, and protect the safety of the entire Viceroyalty of New Spain?" Count Ávila's gaze swept over everyone present, as if searching for an answer. The colonial officials lowered their heads and fell into a long silence.

Their faces were filled with worry and anxiety, as if they were so powerless and weak in the face of the approaching storm.

The atmosphere in the meeting hall began to become increasingly solemn, and it seemed that even the air became heavy.

This military defeat was something no one had imagined.

Although many people had anticipated before the war that this expedition might be difficult, the fighting might be brutal, and the results might be few, no one had thought that the task force would fail.

Although the Kingdom of Spain faced many challenges on the European continent and suffered serious defeats in both land battles and sea battles, the local colonial government on the American continent still had sufficient confidence and strength to crush any challenge from hostile forces.

Even if a regional power from the European continent wants to stir up trouble in the Americas, we Spaniards can defeat them (Portugal: Don’t brag, brother. The Dutch have occupied Recife for several years, and you haven’t helped me drive them out).

Not to mention a bunch of ragtag pirates!

However, the expeditionary fleet was defeated.

It was still a crushing defeat.

"Governor..." Seeing the Count of Ávila's gaze shift to him, Lieutenant General Francis de Gamboa, Vice Chairman of the Military Committee, said with a stiff upper lip, "We must regroup our forces. We must gather elite troops from key cities and fortresses in Acapulco, urgently recruit new troops to replace the lost forces, and prepare to launch a second expedition."

"How many troops can we organize for the second expedition?" asked Count Avila calmly.

"After half a year, oh no, a year of preparation, we can recruit another 1,500 soldiers."

"Are these enough troops?"

"We can also recruit some Indian auxiliary (servant) troops to participate in the second expedition." Lieutenant General Gamboa swallowed and said, "For example, the Tlaxcala people in the northeast are quite loyal and often accompany our Spanish army to fight against rebellious Indians. They have a certain combat effectiveness.

"Of course, besides them, there are other loyal Indian tribes that can also be recruited. Uh, roughly speaking, we should be able to recruit 1500-1800 people. By this calculation, we can mobilize a total of 3000-3300 people for our second expedition against the northern pirates."

"With so many troops withdrawn, how will we address the chaotic situation in the northwest?" Count Ávila asked. "And then there are the Tepehua people in the north and the Indian tribes of the Chihuahua region, including the Tarahumara. They still refuse to convert to the Lord's call and continue to attack the local Jesuit missions. If you withdraw a large number of troops deployed in these areas, can we still maintain order there?"

"Governor, we...we..." Lieutenant General Gamboa was suddenly speechless and hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to answer this question.

If a large number of troops were withdrawn to attack the pirate group a thousand miles away, the order in the entire governor's area would definitely be greatly affected, especially the northwest region which had just been pacified not long ago.

The Indians who participated in the riots there were not completely wiped out. They just hid in the Sierra Madre Mountains and lay dormant temporarily, waiting for the right opportunity to jump out again and launch a crazy attack on the Spanish settlements.

There are also the unruly Tarahumara people, who have a certain combat power through livestock trade with areas further north. They are also good at ambushes, and the fortifications they built in the mountains have effectively offset the advantages of the Spanish army with muskets and horses. They are a very difficult potential rebel.

If these areas were not guarded and suppressed by the Spanish army, the situation would definitely get out of control.

Oh, it's all that stupid Gomez's fault. He completely threw away Mexico's already limited mobile forces, so that now the viceroyalty is unable to mobilize more troops to support a major military operation.

Since the conquest of the American continent, our Kingdom of Spain has never lost so many soldiers in a single battle!
It is obvious, then, that in the short term, the Viceroyalty of New Spain will certainly not be able to launch a second expedition against the pirate group in the north.

"Since we are unable to eliminate the pirate group in the north for the time being, can we try to make initial contact with them to understand their specific goals and motives?"

Juan de Odonohu, Vice President of the Tribunal of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and Chief Justice of Mexico City, said, "Even if it is to rescue and redeem the captured soldiers, I need to contact them."

"..." Upon hearing this, the Governor, Count Ávila, looked at him deeply and did not give a positive response.

Just because of a military defeat, should we surrender to the pirates?
"Your Excellency, Governor, in order to understand the strength of the northern pirate group and prepare for a future expedition, I believe it is time to send an envoy to communicate with them."

"Even if it's just to exchange for temporary peace, or to prepare for revenge a hundred or even a thousand times in the future, we need to get in touch with them."
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(End of this chapter)