Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2468 Gibraltar Crisis ([-])

On February 1703, 2, on a sunny day in the Iberian Peninsula, the court count of Gimenez once again came to the small town of Gibraltar controlled by the people on the east coast.

Before coming, he met a special envoy sent by the Privy Council of the Kingdom.The special envoy looked sad, but he still told Jimenez firmly, "What the people on the east bank want is to delay the issue, and they have no sincerity in negotiating."Moreover, he said that the French also believed that "the people on the east coast have no intention of withdrawing their troops at all", and that the Kingdom of Spain must be "courageous" at this critical moment.

Jimenez agrees with their views on the people on the east coast. In fact, after several confrontations, he has seen clearly the plans of the people on the east coast. They don't want to leave the bay at all, and they may even continue to attack the city and expand the control area.However, he did not quite agree with the view that the French instigated the Spanish army to go to war on the east coast, thinking that this might lead to a full-scale war and bring disaster to the Kingdom of Spain.Apart from anything else, do you still want the Potosi Silver Mine?Do you still want the Mexican gold mine?Do you want Cuba, which is rich in sugar and tobacco?These are very real issues that cannot be ignored.

But it doesn't matter what he thinks, because the higher-ups have already decided that they must express something about the unfriendly behavior of the people on the east coast.This has nothing to do with other things. The glory of Spain and the face of the king must be maintained. People on the east coast cannot bully a great and glorious empire unscrupulously.

But at least the upper echelon still had a sliver of reason. The special envoy of the Privy Council told Earl Jimenez that, first, an ultimatum should be issued to the people on the east coast. If the people on the east coast are willing to leave, everyone will be happy. If not, then follow the resolution To do this, send troops to seize the small towns controlled by the east bank; second, it is strictly forbidden to declare war on the East China Republic, and try to treat this matter as a general armed conflict and handle it in a low-key manner to avoid the situation from expanding.

Count Jimenez understood the good intentions of his superiors very well, because he knew that once war was declared, the gold, silver, gemstones, minerals, and high-value tropical products in the New World would be completely interrupted, and the finances of the Kingdom of Spain would collapse immediately.Even if the royal family cut their spending, the nobles and the church tightened their belts (will they?) and generously donated their personal wealth, this could only delay, not prevent the eventual collapse, because Spain created wealth (food, industrial products, etc. ) capacity is too weak, the vast majority of goods are dependent on imports, and the balance of payments is seriously unbalanced.

Therefore, in the face of provocations from other countries, the Kingdom of Spain can be fearless, and the worst is to go to war. If you spend more money, you will spend more money, and you will not kneel down and beg for mercy.But the country on the east coast is really disgusting. Their homeland is close to the Spanish overseas colonies, and their navy is also very powerful.This is no longer a question of spending more money and less money, but whether there is money to spend.Think about it, the Spanish navy has just been hit, and it is temporarily unable to fight the enemy. The navy on the east coast is very powerful—especially the majestic ironclad warships—once they block the Spanish coastline, stop any merchant ships from neutral countries Come to trade - there is no doubt that the Dutch dare not do this for the time being, but the people on the east coast definitely dare - with the weak production capacity of the Kingdom of Spain, it would be a ghost if there was no huge inflation.

Furthermore, even if they do not block Spain's overseas routes or the blockade is unsuccessful, just winning the Spanish overseas colonies is enough to make the Spanish government have no money to purchase foreign goods, and it will also cause the entire country's economy to collapse.After all, relying solely on land trade with France, Savoy, Portugal and other countries is really a drop in the bucket, and nothing works.

Therefore, even if you have already fought face-to-face with the East Coast Army, you can't declare war anyway!If war is not declared, there is still a chance to turn things around. If war is declared, things will not be so easy to calm down.Count Jimenez understands this very well, which is why he believes that the upper echelons of Madrid still have reason.

So, he came to the east bank control area with a heavy heart, and solemnly asked the people on the east bank to evacuate, otherwise, the Kingdom of Spain would take tough action.There is no doubt that the request of the count of the court of Jimenez was rejected by the commissioner on the east coast.

"As far as I know, your country has no cash, and it has long relied on French and German bankers to support it. But now that the European continent is full of wars and the Great Northern War is intensifying, this will inevitably affect Hamburg, Lübeck, Berlin and other places. Livonian financial markets are also shuddering at the prospect. In fact, Baltic bankers are trying to withdraw capital recently. Does your country feel that borrowing costs are higher? ?” The commissioner sat behind his desk leisurely, looked at his negotiating opponent, and said, “Ah, I seem to have forgotten that your country’s financing cost is already the highest in history, and it seems nothing more. But I have to A few good warnings, my dear count. With reliable news from the most informed sources in the financial world, the Baltic International Bank has been formally established, the German bankers are looking forward to it, and it seems that the Kingdom of Spain can no longer expect any money from Hamburg, Lübeck, or Financial aid from Riga. In addition, considering our naval power deployed in the Caribbean Sea, if we want to, we can certainly cause unprecedented financial collapse in your country. Crisis, I think His Majesty Philip V doesn't want to see these things happen either?"

The commissioner's words really hit Spain's culprit, and Count Jimenez didn't know what to say.Spain does not have enough industrial production capacity, and even basic things like gunpowder have to be imported from outside to make up for the gap.Agriculture is also in decline due to the absence of national investment. Drought has always plagued the country's main agricultural production areas, so that it has to buy food from the outside world.In fact, although the words of the East Coast Commissioner are not pleasant, they are not exaggerated at all. Spain has a serious foreign trade deficit. If there is no direct inflow of external funds (such as loans, investments, etc.), the country is likely to fall into huge turmoil. middle.After all, you can’t make up for the trade deficit of more than 1000 billion U.S. dollars by sending a huge number of livestock to work and remittances to big families in the Middle East like a big country in South Asia in later generations.Spaniards go abroad to work in exchange for much-needed foreign exchange, are you kidding me?

"My view is not that pessimistic, sir." Although Earl Jimenez admitted these facts, he did not intend to bow his head in front of the people on the east coast. He only heard him say: "The Kingdom of France has generously given us sufficient assistance, Our alliance is not just in name. If you think that we are not ready for war and do not want to fight, you are wrong. In fact, in order to defend the country, King Philip V has made up his mind to use all necessary means."

"You don't need to tell me this. I just want to emphasize that your country must unconditionally respect our right to suppress pirates in the Gulf of Gibraltar. For this reason, we can guarantee that Gibraltar will not be used for strategic purposes. It will It is peaceful and harmless. Your Excellency, I hope that reason will prevail in your country's decision-making body, which is good for everyone." The commissioner said directly, not caring about Earl Jimenez's livid face .

"I have read some academic works in your country, and the description of capitalism is particularly excellent. In my opinion, your country's capital is developed enough to affect the economic, financial and even political decisions of many countries. I think now It is said that capitalism has developed to the extreme, and it is probably imperialism. What is the difference between what you are doing now and an expanding empire? The Roman Empire will eventually perish!" After taking a deep breath, Jimenez The earl said: "Your country wants our country to respect your rights in the Bay of Gibraltar? How absurd! I hope your country respects the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Spain and withdraws its troops immediately, otherwise our country will take tough measures to expel them."

"Dear Earl, don't let your violent emotions dominate your rationality." The commissioner stood up and said slowly: "If you can exert a beneficial influence on His Majesty Philip V so that he will not be overly enthusiastic about Gibraltar, it will be of great help to you." The country as a whole will be of great benefit. Otherwise, why bother that many great men may tragically go to the gallows in the future for the sake of today's impulses?"

As if he could no longer bear the shamelessness of the people on the east coast, Count Jimenez immediately got up, skipped even a polite farewell, and left the venue directly, returning to the Spanish-controlled area.After he left, the commissioner from the east bank also changed his previous arrogant attitude, and ordered to his entourage solemnly: "Pay close attention to the development of the situation, and send the minutes of today's meeting to Danji. Recess?"

"Commissioner, the Northern Italian Federation is in a state of war, and the Congress has not adjourned." The attache replied.

"Well, that's good. What about the Kingdom of Portugal? I remember that there are many people in their country who do not approve of war with the Spaniards?"

"Commissioner, as far as I know, that is a thing of the past. Under the influence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lisbon has just undergone a huge personnel change, and there are no obstacles now."

"Very good." The commissioner said excitedly: "Cutting a copy of the record to Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Yafu, he has the right to know. Forget it, I will go to him personally. Some things are more reliable to say in person. Now it has arrived. It's a critical moment."

After all, he picked up a document and excitedly went to the barracks, ready to talk to Zhou Yafu, a war madman.He had already read the so-called ultimatum sent by the Spaniards. There was no declaration of war at all.They won't send many people!Their resolve is very weak!

(End of this chapter)