Chapter 2996
Although it will take some time to wait for military medals and official commendation orders from the Ministry of National Defense, as the commander of the theater, Xiao Liang certainly has the right to give additional rewards, such as front-line promotions, to those who have made meritorious service in his direct troops.
"After this operation is over, Banji Battalion will definitely need to be reorganized. I think it is very suitable for Zheng Agui to be the platoon leader... Yu Tiezhu, what do you say?" Xiao Liang made up his mind, but this matter still needs to be Let the teacher, Yu Tiezhu, take care of it.
Of course Yu Tiezhu understood it and immediately responded: "Zheng Agui deserves a reward for his merits. I think he should be arranged to go to the military academy in Cavite for a period of time to learn command skills."
Xiao Liang nodded, reached out and patted the stunned Zheng Agui on the shoulder and said: "Work hard and serve the country!"
The two senior officials decided on a bright future for Zheng Agui with just a few words. After reacting, Zheng Agui only had time to salute Xiao Liang's back, feeling extremely excited.
Based on Zheng Agui's accumulated military exploits during this operation, there is a high chance that he will be promoted after the war. However, the influence of the promotion method that follows the process is certainly not as influential as the current treatment of being directly named and rewarded by the big boss.
And the opportunity to go to the Cavite base for further training is not easily available to a noncommissioned officer of his level. As far as he knew, in the past, the officers in the Bangui Battalion who could be arranged to go to the military academy were at least at the lieutenant level, which meant that they had to reach the company commander level to have such an opportunity. And even if he was promoted to the platoon leader, his military rank would follow. Being promoted is just to become a second lieutenant. Being able to go to further training can be regarded as an exceptional treatment.
After Xiao Liang and Yu Tiezhu left, Xiao Zhengyang, who was received together, said "congratulations" to Zheng Agui.
Zheng Agui knew that this opportunity depended on Xiao Zhengyang's support, so he quickly and sincerely thanked him.
Xiao Zhengyang smiled and said: "After the matter here is settled, I may also go to the Cavite base to study for a period of time. Maybe we will meet there."
Zheng Agui responded knowingly: "If we can really meet in Cavite, then I will ask Brother Xiao to show my favor and let me be the host to thank Brother Xiao!"
After meeting with the meritorious personnel, Xiao Liang, Yu Tiezhu and Jiao Fei went to the place where Bidar was imprisoned and met with the down-and-out Governor of Cebu.
Although Vidal appeared calm and well-dressed, it was easy to see from the bloodshot eyes that the Spanish senior official's mood was not as calm as it seemed.
Xiao Liang said straight to the point: "Mr. Vidal, as the victor, I ask you to hand over to our country all the information held by the former Governor-General of Cebu, including household registration, land, finance, military, etc., and sign a surrender letter on behalf of the Kingdom of Spain. . In exchange, you get a boat to take your family out of Cebu.”
After hearing the translation, Vidal shook his head slightly and said: "I'm sorry, I don't think your country has won the war with our country. In fact, this is just an overseas colony thousands of miles away from our country, and your victory is limited to this place. , even if I sign the surrender here, without the approval of the great King of Spain, such a surrender will not be effective.”
Vidal's answer obviously wanted to put aside the relationship between the Kingdom of Spain and the local defeat, but how could such tough words convince Xiao Liang.
"I think you are telling the opposite of the truth. You are the governor of Cebu appointed by the King of Spain. Your rule in this area represents the interests of the Kingdom of Spain. Even if your king does not agree with anything signed by you, he will only You can hold your nose and admit it." Xiao Liang bluntly pointed out the untruth in Vidal's words, and continued with a hint of mockery: "The Philippine Islands are not the first ones that were lost during the reign of Felipe IV. There is one more place and one less place. Do you think he can really take care of it? ”
Felipe IV, who succeeded to the throne in 1621, has been in a state of war since he took the throne. In order to win the Thirty Years' War, he continued to expand his armaments. However, during this period, Spain's economy suffered a severe recession, and the Dutch and Portuguese took advantage of this. Rapid rise in the period.
Starting from 1623, Spain had more and more competitors in the Americas. Brazil, St. Kitts, Jamaica and other places that were originally monopolized by Spain fell to the Netherlands, Britain, France and other countries respectively.
In the 1730s, Portugal's independence movement also began to gain momentum. During this period, Haihan, its ally in the east, supplied the Portuguese with a large amount of weapons and ammunition, and launched a series of military campaigns against Spain in the South China Sea. This action severely affected Spain's overseas trade in the East.
When Spain lost Luzon, Portugal, a former vassal state, also took the initiative to break away from Spanish rule.
By 1648, with the signing of the Peace of Westphalia, the Habsburg dynasty led by Spain was defeated in the Thirty Years' War.
Spain's vitality was severely damaged, but its bad luck did not end there. In the Far East, Spain's status in the world is no longer guaranteed. Haihan, Portugal and the Netherlands are working together to almost completely drive Spain out of the South China Sea.
In the Americas, the competition for colonies among various maritime powers became increasingly fierce. The Spaniards were surprised to find that their old rivals, the Haihan people, had also appeared on the west coast of North America.
In Europe, although the Thirty Years War has come to an end, Spain and neighboring France have been at war, and their decline has gradually been revealed at this time. I am afraid that defeat is only a matter of time.
The once prosperous Spanish Empire was in decline. This is an indisputable fact. For the anxious King Felipe IV of Spain, there are countless headaches at this time. The Cebu colony on the other side of the world suffered a defeat and lost its territory to the Haihan people. Such a "little thing" would probably hardly attract the king's attention.
Of course, even if Felipe IV was dissatisfied and angry with the failure of the Cebu colonial authorities, so what? It is impossible to mobilize an army from home and go tens of thousands of miles away to seek revenge against a powerful country. If he really does that, I'm afraid his European opponents will be happy.
So as Xiao Liang said, apart from pinching his nose and admitting defeat, the King of Spain will probably not make any more reaction.
Although Vidal is a prisoner, he can't help but feel angry at such humiliation: "Your words are too rude!"
Xiao Liang lowered his face and said: "If you don't follow the etiquette, then the governor will probably be locked in a dark and smelly water prison at this time, instead of sitting here intact and negotiating with us! Let me make a suggestion, you first What should be considered is how to leave Cebu alive, not how to save Spain’s face! ”
(End of chapter)