Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2467 Gibraltar Crisis ([-])

January 1703 was definitely an eventful year, and the entire European continent was shrouded in flames of war.

In Northeast Europe, Russian Tsar Peter I, led tens of thousands of main forces, swept along the Neva River, continuously defeated the scattered Swedish troops left behind, and penetrated deep into the hinterland of Ingria.Before that, after suffering heavy casualties, his army had captured Fort Notre and removed the biggest obstacle that the Swedes had nailed near the exit of Lake Lagado.

The continuous collapse of the flanking battlefield caused great anxiety in Sweden, so that King Charles XII had to adjust his focus and set out to reach the fierce Russian offensive.Before that, he actually didn't pay attention to the group of barbaric and ignorant serfs, but after tasting the bitter fruit, he had to admit that the Russians were indeed more worthy of attention.

In the direction of southeastern Europe, the jihad launched by Effendi finally stopped outside the twin cities of Budapest.The Austrians quickly mobilized tens of thousands of elite troops from the western front and threw themselves into the battle to stop the Turks.

At this time, riots broke out one after another in Turkey, which was already a mess, as a response to Vizier Effendi's perverse actions.One of the largest outbreaks occurred in Georgia. The local Christian lords rebelled openly and raised their flags to rebel. The Turkish garrison could not suppress it and retreated steadily.For this reason, Helabry, stationed in the eastern part of the Anatolian Plateau, has already set off with a large army to suppress the rebellion.

The Ottoman Sultan also gave orders to the Crimean Tatars and Oirat Mongols to send troops across the Caucasus Mountains to Georgia.The Tatars responded quickly and mobilized [-] elite cavalry, although this matter was of no benefit to them.The Oirat Mongols also responded, and even dispatched most of the country's soldiers and horses, but their purpose is a bit intriguing, maybe they are going to grab the territory.

In Central and Eastern Europe, although the Swedes defeated the Elector August of Saxony several times and forced him to resign as the Polish king.But this guy is also a piece of hob meat. Seeing that the Russians have made significant progress, he ate back what he said, raised troops in the country, and at the same time contacted a large number of Polish nobles who still supported him, and made a mess with the Swedes .

In northwestern Europe, the British, Dutch, and Austrian forces are still engaged in a tug-of-war with the French army in the southern Netherlands. Neither side can make a breakthrough, but neither can retreat. They can only continue to consume massive supplies, money, and human lives.

In the Rhine Valley, Louis XIV made major advances.His troops invaded the hinterland of Germany and began to advance towards Austria. At present, the number of troops has continued to increase to more than [-], and the central breakthrough is very obvious.The Austrians fought on three fronts (Southern Netherlands, Hungary, and South Germany), and their troops were insufficient. Although they had just defeated the troops of the Principality of Bavaria, their strategic situation was very passive, and Emperor Leopold was already thinking about running away.

Southern Europe should have been relatively peaceful, a paradise in the midst of war, but the intrigues of the people on the east coast have greatly changed the local situation.The Northern Italian Federation brazenly launched a war of aggression against Sicily, Sardinia, and Naples, which caused panic throughout the peninsula. The princes in the central region were afraid of being annexed, and asked Pope Innocent XII for advice, intending to unite to deal with it. Fierce northern Italians.

The blitz launched by the East Coasters in Gibraltar should have been more unexpected, because there was no warning beforehand.From the incident concocted by the navy to the diplomatic dispute, and then to the lightning landing attack, it took less than a month before and after, and it was done neatly and in one go, which made everyone dumbfounded and terrified.

It has been a week since the landing incident, and the Madrid court seems to be paralyzed, and there is still no countermeasure.According to sporadic news, King Philip V of Spain is hesitant to decide, while the princes and ministers are mostly inclined to focus on diplomatic negotiations.Although the Spaniards are proud and stubborn, they have dealt with the East Bank for many years and know the strength of the East Bank, so they have long been unable to muster the courage to fight.What's more, now that they are deeply involved in the war, money is being spent like water, and their main source of funds (the New World) is always facing the attack of the army on the east coast.At this time, it is not very wise to turn against the East Bank and resort to force.

Of course, some violent nobles pointed out angrily that the people on the east coast have now attacked their homeland without declaring war. This is a greater shame than occupying certain lands in the New World colonies.If the Spanish government still cannot make a strong response to this, it will only help the aggressive ambitions of the people on the east coast and make them more unscrupulous.As they say, step back step by step, when will we go back?Back to other people to occupy Madrid?

What they said was not unreasonable.A country can retreat and make concessions, but there must be a bottom line. Once the enemy advances an inch and crosses this bottom line, then they must give up their illusions and fight back with all their strength.It's a pity that the Spanish government is rather special. The country's biggest source of income is under the threat of the enemy's soldiers. The king has just ascended the throne, and the domestic nobles have just had a fight, so it is difficult to form a unified opinion.Therefore, after discussing and discussing, no decision has been made.

On January 1, the commissioner representing Sheng Dehong negotiated with the Spanish envoy in the East Bank control area.Judging from the negotiation situation, the Spaniards still have no plans for war.Yes, their mouths are fierce and they yell loudly, but the level of sternness can be seen even by ordinary soldiers, let alone those experienced diplomats.

Before the East Coast commissioner came, he had been instructed to wrestle with the Spaniards as much as possible, delaying time, and buying time for the follow-up reinforcements who were still floating at sea.Therefore, after seeing through the nature of the Spaniards' sternness, the commissioner began to "perform".First of all, he insisted that the East Coast Navy's occupation of Gibraltar was only to "hunt for pirates" and had no other meaning.Once the task is completed, they will withdraw their troops, hand over the occupied area to the Spanish government intact, and even make some appropriate compensation.

Secondly, the East Coast Navy has no intention of continuing to expand the occupied area.The land of Spain belongs to Philip V and the Spanish people, and the people on the east coast will not occupy it for no reason.

Finally, they will maintain close contact with the Spanish government, engage in active dialogue, eliminate misunderstandings, and resolutely prevent the situation from expanding and getting out of control, causing unnecessary losses to the people of the two countries.

After hearing such shameless words, the Spanish aristocrats who came to negotiate changed their previous angry style and remained silent for a long time before saying that they would report back and then reply.Naturally, the East Coast Commissioner has nothing to do, and it will be a day if it can be delayed.After five or six days, Gibraltar's fortifications will change drastically.

At the same time, some of the garrison regiments of Danji and Ceuta counties, which had just been formed not long ago, totaled more than a thousand people, and also arrived on a merchant ship carrying fresh water to Gibraltar.Although these people have a complex composition and limited combat power (in the view of the East Coast Army), they are stronger than the Spanish second-line garrison after all, and they are also a force that cannot be ignored, and they can provide a lot of help to the navy.

On January 1, the Spanish negotiating representative came to Gibraltar again.What is speechless is that this time he also brought a group of heavily tied prisoners.According to reports, this is a pirate captured by the Spanish government after being wanted nationwide. They have admitted to committing the crime of robbing merchant ships on the east coast and are willing to accept all punishments.

At this time, the people on the east coast were also a little confused.The so-called pirate robbery incident was concocted by the navy at all. It was a fake. The Spaniards actually arrested some people and kept saying that these people were pirates who committed crimes. is speechless.

But everyone has practiced for many years, and their skins have long since become thicker than usual.After pretentious interrogation, the East Coast Navy clearly announced that there were many doubts about the pirates captured by the Spaniards and further investigation was needed.The investigation time, of course, can be long or short, it completely depends on the mood of the people on the east coast, and it may not be necessarily a few years of investigation.

The Spanish negotiating representatives naturally objected, but it was of no use.In front of the determined East Coast people, his words were so feeble, and in the end he could only return depressed and report to Philip V-this East Coast people are completely shameless!

On January 1, the soldiers of the Marine Battalion reported that the Spanish army on the opposite side had undergone a change of defense.The ragged, beggar-like soldiers withdrew and were replaced by soldiers with decent equipment and morale, and the number of them increased greatly.They suspect that the Spanish army is likely to launch an offensive in the near future.

Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Yafu attached great importance to this, and he asked to transfer a group of Moroccans from the other side of the strait to help dig trenches and build fortifications.At the same time, the battleship "Bianliang" was also ordered to sail near the coast to scout possible movements of the enemy.

On February 2, an infantry battalion of the Army's 4th Mixed Regiment landed in Gibraltar.Although the navy has always looked down on the army, these "professionals" are more trustworthy in the face of military pressure.

On February 2, more than a thousand Portuguese "mercenaries" (actually the regular troops of the Kingdom of Portugal, who took off their uniforms) arrived in Gibraltar and joined the army on the east coast.So far, more than 5 people from the east coast have gathered here, and their strength has greatly increased.If the Spaniards want to bite down here, they may have to hurt their muscles and bones.

On February 2, the Spanish negotiating representative returned again, accompanied by a French nobleman who was said to be the special envoy of Louis XIV.They explicitly asked the people on the east bank to withdraw from Gibraltar immediately, but the special commissioner sternly refused, saying that they would continue to search for pirates until all criminals were brought to justice.

On February 2, the armored battleship "Bianliang" reported that a large number of small Spanish boats had appeared in the shallow waters of the offshore area, suspected to be transporting supplies.That night, the latent spies placed in Spain by the people on the east coast risked their lives to send information that a large number of Spanish troops were coming from Andalusia.

What are the Spaniards trying to do?Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Yafu, who got the information, was a little puzzled. Could it be that he really dared to hit us?

(End of this chapter)