Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2464 Trial and Provocation

On December 1702, 12, with the last gunshot, there was no more sound in the Governor's Mansion, which had resisted for a long time.

A certain infantry battalion commander of the "San Marco Division" waved his hand, and a platoon of infantry slowly stepped forward with their guns in hand, searching and advancing.At first their movements were slow, the riflemen advanced alternately, and a light artillery that was temporarily strengthened also slowly advanced, ready to destroy the Spanish soldiers who might jump out at any time.

But soon, as several corpses were picked up one by one, the soldiers gradually sped up their movements and rushed into the governor's mansion.Behind them, more soldiers rushed into the governor's mansion with bayonet-mounted rifles.Here, the last resistance of the Spaniards has failed, most of the hundreds of defenders were killed and a small number were captured. The highest symbol of power in Naples has fallen into the hands of the Northern Italian Federation.

To be honest, no one expected that the Spaniards' resistance in Naples would be so fierce.Compared with the easy outing battles in Sardinia and Sicily, it was much more difficult for the Northern Italian coalition forces to attack Naples.They mobilized a total of four troops, the "Florence Division", "Split Division", "St. Mark's Division", and "Rovini Division", with a total of 3 horses. They stormed for more than two months before occupying the entire territory of Naples. .And the Governor’s Palace in Naples was the last stronghold conquered by the northern Italians, which can be described as difficult—according to the East Coast consultant who accompanied the army to watch the battle: "This is the most ambitious war I have ever seen the Spaniards fight!"

But even with "the most ambitious resistance," Naples eventually fell.Although the Italians suffered a lot of casualties, a victory is a victory. People will only praise the heroic deeds of the Northern Italian coalition forces, and will not bother too much about the stubborn resistance of the Spanish lone army.Now, Sardinia, Sicily, and the entire southern part of the peninsula have been brought under the rule of the Northern Italian Federation. The country's land area and population have surged, and the momentum of its rise is almost unstoppable.

After occupying Naples, the Northern Italian coalition forces were very annoyed because they had suffered more than [-] casualties, so they decided not to forgive the captured Spanish officials. It is really hard to say how many people have made the decision—not to mention that these people have been crushing the people of Naples for many years, squeezing them to the extreme, and the public grievances have long been unimaginably high, so the coalition forces plan to execute these people after a public trial, as an example to others .

Representatives from the Milan Parliament were a little worried about this, fearing that this move would irritate King Philip V of Spain, leaving him nowhere to retreat, and ordered the troops stationed in southern France to move eastward and attack the federal mainland.But the East Coast consultant did not support the views of the parliamentary representative, which immediately made that guy shut up.However, this does not mean that he has given up. In fact, he intends to write to the Milan Parliament immediately, requesting them to order to stop the rash actions of the Naples Legion (that is, the above-mentioned four divisions) and bring unnecessary trouble to the country.

However, he did not realize what kind of organization the Milan Council was.No guns, no one, no land - well, now there are federal territories, but too few - few ministries, underdeveloped bureaucracy to make national policy and laws, doesn't sound like one at all The government is almost the same as the parliament during the American Revolutionary War in later generations, it is just a deliberative and voting body for the princes from all walks of life.

Although such an institution has been continuously strengthening its power and finances—at present, it only has diplomatic power and customs revenue—it is actually quite embarrassing how binding it is on the various princes.Let's just talk about the Naples Legion in front of you. Except for one "Florentine Division", the four divisions are all controlled by the Venetians.They are the dominant force in the Northern Italian Army. In addition to these three divisions, they also directly control the "Zakynthos Division" and "Po River Division", indirectly influence and control the "Alpine Division", and also control the "Sakynthos Division". The "Dinia Infantry Regiment" has taken control, and it is the largest mountain in the army, and it is undoubtedly the leading force.In contrast, the Duchy of Tuscany, which controls the "Florentine Master" and "Pizza Master", is much worse. Compared with No. 2, No. 1 is not worth mentioning.

Therefore, in terms of army affairs, the Venetians have an absolute say.They have a close relationship with the people on the east coast, and there are many economic and military cooperation between the two countries. Although it is not good enough to wear a pair of trousers, as far as the Venetian army is concerned, they attach great importance to the opinions of the consultants on the east coast.People on the east coast want these Spanish officials to die, so the Venetians must not let them go.Not only do they have to die, they even have to be humiliated before they die!

On December 12th, in just three days, the military court formed by the coalition forces completed the trial: a total of 5 Spanish officials were sentenced to death and all property was confiscated.In the afternoon of that day, these high-ranking and invincible colonial officials were loaded into a prison van, and under the escort of hundreds of officers and soldiers of the "Rovinj Division", they faced rotten tomatoes, rotten eggs, and gravel thrown by the citizens of Naples. All the way to the execution ground.There, the high gallows awaited them, but that was not the end.In fact, after their death, they will be hung there for a long time, as a warning to any reactionaries who have a heart for Spain.

And just three days later, on December 12, the ironclad battleship "Bianliang" of the East Coast Navy also arrived off the coast of Barcelona.They set off from the port of Ajaccio in the Republic of Genoa*, crossed the sea and arrived in the coastal waters of Spain, and then released the small boat to measure the geological and hydrological conditions near the port in a grand manner.The Spaniards sent a small warship over to inquire, but the East Coasters ignored them and went about their business.Even, the "Bianliang" turned its bow, intending to ram the Spanish galley with a small tonnage, and the unfriendly gesture was quite obvious.

The Port of Barcelona is clearly at a loss.They hastily withdrew the battleship, firstly to avoid conflicts, and secondly to discuss countermeasures urgently.The iron-clad warships of the people on the east coast are no match for anyone. The few small warships moored in the port are useless at all, and most of the coastal defense batteries are not opponents.If people rush in regardless, the Port of Barcelona may be in big trouble.

On December 12, the ship appeared again near the port of Valencia, a large city on the eastern coast of Spain. On the pretext of searching for pirates who had attacked merchant ships on the east coast, the ship lingered outside the port and intercepted and searched several ships entering and leaving the port. The ships brought great damage to the normal trade order in Valencia.

On December 12th, this powerful warship left the port of Valencia-the local people really breathed a sigh of relief-and slowly moved south along the coastline, while drawing maps and recording hydrographic data, while searching for "suspicious ships" , The whole Spaniard is called a dick.On this day they sank two small Spanish fishing boats without apology.

On December 12, the Spaniard relayed what happened in Naples back to Madrid with great efficiency within two weeks.King Philip V was furious and immediately called a council of nobles.At the meeting, a minister read out the "crime" written by the Italians, which mentioned the Spanish Habsburg royal family and the Bourbon royal family in many places. The frivolous, offensive and even disrespectful words made a group of Spanish nobles feel ashamed Light.

Philip V solemnly mentioned the dispatch of more than 3 Spanish soldiers who were resting and replenishing in southern France to attack the Northern Italian Federation.Although nobles are instinctively unwilling to do this, after being despised and slapped in the face again and again, they are not easy to refuse.What is the most important thing about nobility?Honor and face!Ignoring Madrid's repeated warnings, the northern Italians first annexed Milan and Parma, then attacked Sicily and Naples, and now publicly humiliated and mocked Spanish rule. It was simply unbearable!

The nobles felt that they couldn't bear it anymore. Philip V, who had just sat on the throne for less than a year and whose prestige was not very high, felt that he had to make a move.Otherwise, who will respect him in the future?Will you still listen to him?He will be the subject of eternal cancellation and ridicule by the Italians.

On December 12, Philip V, with the support of many nobles, issued an edict at the Madrid court, officially declaring war on the Northern Italian Federation in response to their serious provocations.At the same time, he sent a team of special envoys to the free city of Strasbourg as quickly as possible-Louis XIV is stationed here-to request Paris to coordinate with the Principality of Savoy and let them send troops to attack the North. Italian Federation.Savoy had just suffered a big loss there, paid the indemnity to cede the land, and lost his face. At this time, he might not have the idea of ​​revenge, which gave the Spaniards an opportunity to take advantage of it.

3.3 Spanish army officers and soldiers, plus more than [-] soldiers of the Principality of Savoy, and possibly some southern French garrisons, are enough to launch a large-scale campaign in northern Italy.Although the command of the army may eventually fall to the French (if they enter the war), Philip V does not care about the process as long as it can wash away the shame.

On December 12, after letting the soldiers spend Christmas, the Spanish army left Toulouse in the south of France and marched on Marseilles.There they will receive their last supplies before entering the territory of the Principality of Savoy.And it just so happened that on the same day, the soldiers of the 26st Battalion of Marines on the East Coast in Port Ceuta also started to mobilize. All officers and soldiers were canceled their vacations and all stayed in the barracks, ready to call at any time.

The navy is urgently concocting a "pirate robbery" incident, and a businessman from a neutral country (from the Principality of Courland) stood up and accused the pirates of fleeing into Gibraltar on the other side of the strait.In order to maintain trade order, the East Coast Navy must enter Gibraltar to search, whether the Spaniards are willing or not.

(End of this chapter)