Chapter 3053
Although Aragones was quite reluctant, he had to admit that negotiating with the Haihan people seemed to be the only effective delaying strategy at present.
So Aragones wrote a letter to the south asking for help, and on the other hand sent someone to send a message to Haihan, requesting a meeting with high-level officials.
Of course, this is also a test. If Haihan refuses to meet, it will be to the point where it is useless to talk more, and the only way to resolve the conflict of interests between the two sides is through war again.
However, Heihan's reply did not disappoint Aragones, and he agreed to hold a meeting at the Chicano River at the junction of the areas controlled by both parties.
Two days later, Aragones met with Haihan officials at the agreed upon location.
What surprised him was that the official leading the team was not from Haihan, but had a European face.
Aragones knew that there were many naturalized non-Chinese people in Haihan, but there were very few Europeans among them, let alone those who could become high-ranking officials. This was definitely a rarity.
But Aragones didn't know that when the Haihan army attacked Manila, among the Haihan generals who fought with his father, there was the old white 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 you will stop all local activities as soon as possible and evacuate all armed personnel to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
Although the situation was extremely unfavorable to Spain, Aragones still tried his best to show a tough attitude and explained his intention straight to the point.
Morgan's response was dismissive: "Belongs to the Kingdom of Spain? The indigenous people you call Indians have lived here for thousands of years. How can you have the nerve to claim to be the owner of this place?"
Aragones said: "The Indians are just small tribes, not countries, and they should not enjoy equal diplomatic treatment as our country."
Morgan smiled and said: "In my opinion, your settlements are just two small tribes and cannot represent Spain in negotiating with my country."
Aragones said seriously: "But I have the document conferring official positions by His Majesty the King of Spain!"
Morgan spread his hands and said: "What's the point? I don't agree, it's just a piece of waste paper!"
Aragones was about to get angry, but Morgan had already continued: "Don't waste time discussing such meaningless topics, let's get down to business! This place in 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 evacuate this place safely.”
Aragones finally understood that the other party did not intend to reason with him, but made it clear that he would expel the Spanish immigrants who settled here first and take over San Diego Bay.
If it is not covered up, it is an open robbery.
This practice of grabbing things raw is originally Spain's specialty. Anyone whose territory is snatched will belong to Spain.
But I don't know since when, Haihan is replacing Spain's "status in the world." Compared with Spain, their "predecessor", they seem to be better at using strong force to seize territory, and even challenge Spain's authority without scruples.
Spain, which claims to be the maritime overlord and colonial pioneer, has been repeatedly defeated in its confrontation with Haihan in recent decades. It has lost its overseas colonies again and again, with no victory at all. This also makes Aragones very difficult. It's hard to have enough confidence to negotiate terms with Morgan. "San Diego Bay is very large and can accommodate people from different countries living together here. I think we can put aside the dispute over land ownership for the time being and continue to develop and build our own settlements."
Although Aragones was very angry, he still had to continue to make concessions on the surface. He knew very well that the purpose of his negotiations was to delay as much time as possible and gain a buffer period for reinforcements, not to start a verbal war with the Haihan people.
Morgan smiled and said: "What you said is not impossible, but certain conditions must be met to achieve it."
Aragones heard that the other party was about to relent, and quickly asked: "What are the conditions?"
Morgan said slowly and 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 skipped the battle!"
Morgan said: "The results are the same. Isn't it a good thing to save the battle and reduce unnecessary losses?"
Having said that, Aragones has understood that there is no possibility of peaceful coexistence with Haihan. The other side is determined to occupy the bay and will not allow the two settlements it operates to continue to exist.
The negotiations eventually broke down. Aragones left angrily. Apart from confirming Haihan's war intentions, this meeting basically achieved nothing, and it failed to achieve the delaying effect he expected.
Although Morgan did not directly declare war, his words and expressions all revealed a warning of "wash your neck and wait to be slaughtered."
Aragones had no way of telling when Haihan would take action. It might be tonight, or it might be 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 2,000 residents, and a full population of about 400 young people can be gathered. However, only about half of them have military skills and can be regarded as combatants.
The weapons currently owned by the government include more than a hundred long and short muskets and two small-caliber cannons, and that's it.
As for maritime combat power, it can be simply ignored. The only two armed merchant ships in the local area are currently going to the south to transport goods. We can't expect to use fishing boats to deal with the Haihan navy fleet.
With such a family background, can they withstand the attack of the Haihan people?
But Aragones could not give up. These two settlements were the family's last assets. If they were gone, it would mean the family's bankruptcy and complete ruin.
Returning to the station and seeing his subordinates greeting him with expectant faces, Aragones could only announce the bad news: "The negotiations have broken down, the Haihan people are unwilling to make any concessions, and war may break out at any time. Gentlemen, the only thing we can do is What we need to do is to prepare for war immediately and try to hold on until reinforcements from the south arrive!”
"My lord, is there no possibility of negotiating peace?" Someone still refused to give up and asked.
Aragones solemnly said: "Everyone, I have tried all options, but the Haihan people do not accept other solutions other than surrender. So we either lose everything and become prisoners, or we fight to the end with the Haihan people. There is no third way!”
(End of chapter)