Chapter 3053
Chapter 3053
Chapter 3053
Although Aragones was rather reluctant, he also had to admit that negotiating with the Haihans seemed to be the only effective way to delay the attack.
So Aragones wrote a letter to ask for help from the south, and on the other hand sent someone to Haihan to send a message, requesting a meeting of high-level officials.
Of course, this is also a kind of temptation. If Haihan refuses to meet, it will be useless to talk too much, and the conflict of interests between the two parties can only be resolved through war again.
However, Haihan's answer did not disappoint Aragones, and agreed to hold a meeting at the Chicano River at the junction of the two controlled areas.
Two days later, Aragones met Haihan's officials at the agreed place.
To his surprise, the official leading the team was not from Haihan, but had a European face.
Aragones knew that there were many naturalized personnel of non-Han descent in Haihan, but very few of them were of European origin, let alone being able to become high-ranking officials. This is definitely a rare existence.
But Aragones didn't know that when the Haihan army attacked Manila, among the Haihan generals who fought against his father was the unattractive white old man Morgan in front of him.
"For the past 100 years, San Diego Bay has always belonged to the Kingdom of Spain. For the purpose of peace, I hope that your Excellency will stop all local activities and withdraw all armed personnel as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
Although the situation is extremely unfavorable to Spain, Aragones still tried his best to show a tough attitude and explained his intentions straight to the point.
Morgan's response to this was dismissive: "Belongs to the Kingdom of Spain? The aborigines you call Indians have lived here for thousands of years. How dare you claim to be the owner of this place?"
Aragones said: "The Indians are just small tribes, not a country, and should not enjoy the same diplomatic treatment as our country."
Morgan smiled and said: "In my opinion, your settlements are just two small tribes, and they cannot represent Spain in negotiating with our country."
Aragones said sternly: "But I have the document that His Majesty the King of Spain canonize the official position!"
Morgan spread his hands and said, "What's the point of that? I don't agree, it's just a piece of waste paper!"
Aragones was about to get angry, but Morgan went on to say: "Don't waste time discussing such meaningless topics, let's get down to business! San Diego Bay, no matter who it belonged to in the past, must belong to Haihan in the future! You If you don't want to cause trouble, I can give you a few days to move and ensure that you and your men can safely evacuate this place."
Aragones understood it. The other party didn't intend to reason with him, but made it clear that he wanted to expel the Spanish immigrants who settled here first, and insisted on taking the place of San Diego Bay.
Undisguised, it is open robbery.
This method of swallowing and grabbing was originally Spain's specialty. Anyone who owns the territory, as long as it is grabbed, it belongs to Spain.
But I don't know when it started, Haihan is replacing Spain's "status in the rivers and lakes".Compared with the "predecessors" of Spain, they seem to be better at using tough force to seize territory, and even challenge Spain's authority without any scruples.
However, Spain, which claims to be the overlord of the sea and the pioneer of colonization, has been repeatedly defeated in the confrontation with Haihan in recent decades. It is difficult to have enough confidence to negotiate terms with Morgan.
"San Diego Bay is very big, and people from different countries can live together here. I think we can temporarily put aside the dispute over land ownership and continue to develop and build our own settlements."
Although Aragones was very angry, he still had to continue to make compromises on the surface.He knew very well that the purpose of his negotiation was to delay the time as much as possible, to gain a buffer period for the reinforcements, not to fight with the Haihan people.
Morgan smiled and said, "It's not impossible what you said, but it can only be realized if certain conditions are met."
Aragones heard that the other party wanted to let go, and quickly asked: "What conditions?"
Morgan said slowly in a deep voice: "It's very simple. Our country will take over your two settlements. People who want to continue to live here need to register as our nationality in the future."
Aragones said with a dark face: "Your Excellency even saved the part of fighting!"
Morgan said: "The results are the same. Isn't it a good thing to save the war and reduce unnecessary losses?"
Speaking of this, Aragones already understood that there was no possibility of peaceful coexistence with Haihan.The other party is determined to occupy this bay, and will not tolerate the continued existence of the two settlements it operates.
Negotiations eventually broke up.Aragones left angrily. Apart from confirming Haihan's war intentions, this meeting basically failed to achieve the effect of delaying time that he expected.
Although Morgan didn't directly declare war, but inside and outside the words, there was a warning meaning of "clean your neck and wait to be slaughtered".
Aragones had no way of knowing when Haihan would strike, maybe tonight, or tomorrow.The sense of crisis caused by this uncertainty made him tremble slightly when he got into the carriage.
The two colonial settlements in San Diego Bay only have more than 2000 residents, and they can make up about 400 young and strong people.However, those who have military skills and can be regarded as combatants account for about half of them.
At present, the official weapons are about 100 long and short muskets, two small-caliber guns, and nothing more.
As for maritime combat power, it can be ignored directly.The only two armed merchant ships in the area are currently going to the south to transport goods, and they cannot expect to use fishing boats to deal with the Haihan people's naval fleet.
With such a family background, can it withstand the attack of the Haihan people?
But Aragones can't give up. These two settlements are the last property of the family. If they disappear, it means that the family is bankrupt and completely sinking.
Back at the station, Aragones could only announce the bad news when he saw his subordinates who came to meet him expectantly: "The negotiation broke down, the Haihan people refused to make any concessions, and the war may break out at any time. Gentlemen, the only way we can The thing to do is to start preparing for the battle immediately, and try to hold out until the arrival of the southern reinforcements!"
"My lord, is there no possibility of a peace negotiation?" Someone still refused to give up and asked.
Aragones said solemnly: "Everyone, I have tried all the options, but the Haihan people do not accept other solutions other than surrender. So we either lose everything and become prisoners, or fight the Haihan people to the end. There is no third way!"
(End of this chapter)
Although Aragones was rather reluctant, he also had to admit that negotiating with the Haihans seemed to be the only effective way to delay the attack.
So Aragones wrote a letter to ask for help from the south, and on the other hand sent someone to Haihan to send a message, requesting a meeting of high-level officials.
Of course, this is also a kind of temptation. If Haihan refuses to meet, it will be useless to talk too much, and the conflict of interests between the two parties can only be resolved through war again.
However, Haihan's answer did not disappoint Aragones, and agreed to hold a meeting at the Chicano River at the junction of the two controlled areas.
Two days later, Aragones met Haihan's officials at the agreed place.
To his surprise, the official leading the team was not from Haihan, but had a European face.
Aragones knew that there were many naturalized personnel of non-Han descent in Haihan, but very few of them were of European origin, let alone being able to become high-ranking officials. This is definitely a rare existence.
But Aragones didn't know that when the Haihan army attacked Manila, among the Haihan generals who fought against his father was the unattractive white old man Morgan in front of him.
"For the past 100 years, San Diego Bay has always belonged to the Kingdom of Spain. For the purpose of peace, I hope that your Excellency will stop all local activities and withdraw all armed personnel as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
Although the situation is extremely unfavorable to Spain, Aragones still tried his best to show a tough attitude and explained his intentions straight to the point.
Morgan's response to this was dismissive: "Belongs to the Kingdom of Spain? The aborigines you call Indians have lived here for thousands of years. How dare you claim to be the owner of this place?"
Aragones said: "The Indians are just small tribes, not a country, and should not enjoy the same diplomatic treatment as our country."
Morgan smiled and said: "In my opinion, your settlements are just two small tribes, and they cannot represent Spain in negotiating with our country."
Aragones said sternly: "But I have the document that His Majesty the King of Spain canonize the official position!"
Morgan spread his hands and said, "What's the point of that? I don't agree, it's just a piece of waste paper!"
Aragones was about to get angry, but Morgan went on to say: "Don't waste time discussing such meaningless topics, let's get down to business! San Diego Bay, no matter who it belonged to in the past, must belong to Haihan in the future! You If you don't want to cause trouble, I can give you a few days to move and ensure that you and your men can safely evacuate this place."
Aragones understood it. The other party didn't intend to reason with him, but made it clear that he wanted to expel the Spanish immigrants who settled here first, and insisted on taking the place of San Diego Bay.
Undisguised, it is open robbery.
This method of swallowing and grabbing was originally Spain's specialty. Anyone who owns the territory, as long as it is grabbed, it belongs to Spain.
But I don't know when it started, Haihan is replacing Spain's "status in the rivers and lakes".Compared with the "predecessors" of Spain, they seem to be better at using tough force to seize territory, and even challenge Spain's authority without any scruples.
However, Spain, which claims to be the overlord of the sea and the pioneer of colonization, has been repeatedly defeated in the confrontation with Haihan in recent decades. It is difficult to have enough confidence to negotiate terms with Morgan.
"San Diego Bay is very big, and people from different countries can live together here. I think we can temporarily put aside the dispute over land ownership and continue to develop and build our own settlements."
Although Aragones was very angry, he still had to continue to make compromises on the surface.He knew very well that the purpose of his negotiation was to delay the time as much as possible, to gain a buffer period for the reinforcements, not to fight with the Haihan people.
Morgan smiled and said, "It's not impossible what you said, but it can only be realized if certain conditions are met."
Aragones heard that the other party wanted to let go, and quickly asked: "What conditions?"
Morgan said slowly in a deep voice: "It's very simple. Our country will take over your two settlements. People who want to continue to live here need to register as our nationality in the future."
Aragones said with a dark face: "Your Excellency even saved the part of fighting!"
Morgan said: "The results are the same. Isn't it a good thing to save the war and reduce unnecessary losses?"
Speaking of this, Aragones already understood that there was no possibility of peaceful coexistence with Haihan.The other party is determined to occupy this bay, and will not tolerate the continued existence of the two settlements it operates.
Negotiations eventually broke up.Aragones left angrily. Apart from confirming Haihan's war intentions, this meeting basically failed to achieve the effect of delaying time that he expected.
Although Morgan didn't directly declare war, but inside and outside the words, there was a warning meaning of "clean your neck and wait to be slaughtered".
Aragones had no way of knowing when Haihan would strike, maybe tonight, or tomorrow.The sense of crisis caused by this uncertainty made him tremble slightly when he got into the carriage.
The two colonial settlements in San Diego Bay only have more than 2000 residents, and they can make up about 400 young and strong people.However, those who have military skills and can be regarded as combatants account for about half of them.
At present, the official weapons are about 100 long and short muskets, two small-caliber guns, and nothing more.
As for maritime combat power, it can be ignored directly.The only two armed merchant ships in the area are currently going to the south to transport goods, and they cannot expect to use fishing boats to deal with the Haihan people's naval fleet.
With such a family background, can it withstand the attack of the Haihan people?
But Aragones can't give up. These two settlements are the last property of the family. If they disappear, it means that the family is bankrupt and completely sinking.
Back at the station, Aragones could only announce the bad news when he saw his subordinates who came to meet him expectantly: "The negotiation broke down, the Haihan people refused to make any concessions, and the war may break out at any time. Gentlemen, the only way we can The thing to do is to start preparing for the battle immediately, and try to hold out until the arrival of the southern reinforcements!"
"My lord, is there no possibility of a peace negotiation?" Someone still refused to give up and asked.
Aragones said solemnly: "Everyone, I have tried all the options, but the Haihan people do not accept other solutions other than surrender. So we either lose everything and become prisoners, or fight the Haihan people to the end. There is no third way!"
(End of this chapter)