Chapter 130: Area under actual control

Fighting in successive years, war life supplies are rapidly consumed, not only the Brazilian empire cannot afford the war losses, but also the Chinese Independent Army, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay have all the national strength to maintain a large force to prepare for war.
Since the beginning of the Paraguayan War, the Brazilian Empire has experienced various wars. The Paraguayan War lasted three years. The overall weakening of the Brazilian Empire ’s power was the most severe. A large amount of materials were consumed in the Paraguayan battlefield far from the border. It was a heavy blow to Brazil's national defense, which caused the Brazilian empire to lose its offensive ability in a short period of time, while Peru and the Chinese Independent Army allied against Brazil and occupied a large amount of land in the Brazilian empire. This was the final blow, forcing the Brazilians to actively seek negotiations.
Objectively speaking, the loss of Brazil ’s overall strength is still above the Quartet ’s alliance, but the Brazilian system after Pedro II ’s reform is different from Peru and Bolivia. The Empire, a federal state in which bureaucrats and nobles have power, Pedro II holds certain powers, but in major decisions concerning national interests, the consent of the nobles and bureaucrats still needed.
The difference is that the anti-Brazilian side, whether it is the three Peruvian countries or the Chinese Independent Army, is a strong man with a strong concentration of power. Li Mingyuan can decide the direction of the Chinese Independent Army's action in a single sentence. The presidents of South America, such as Lopez and Frias, are also the same. The army at hand can be used to force the country to execute their will, so the relatively weak anti-Brazilian side can force Brazil to fight for peace.
The war was temporarily suspended and the five-party peace talks were imminent. Li Mingyuan convened a major general meeting near the front line of Joinvia.
"Brazil proactively seeks peace, and reaching a peace agreement is conducive to the development of the Chinese independent army. Liu Pu, this negotiation is of great significance. I hope that you will be personally responsible.
Li Mingyuan said to Liu Pu sitting in his seat.
"Let's take the lead." Liu Pu got up and accepted the order, and said, "What is the bottom line for the peace talks in Brazil?"
"General Luo, where is the control line ahead of our army?"
Li Mingyuan did not answer Liu Pu's question, but instead asked Luo Linshan.
"Look at me, after the entire territory of Santa Catarina fell into the hands of our army, the main force was divided into three parts and advanced from Joinvia, Lariz, and Shapeco. As of now, our army has They all crossed the Iguazu basin, and the precursory control lines remained on the front lines of Guaraprava and Curitiba. "
Luo Linshan stood up and pointed a wooden stick at the map on the table.
Following the introduction of Mount Rollin, Li Mingyuan glanced from several control bases in Guaraprava and Joinvia. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "How much is Brazil in the area from Guaraprava to the border with Argentina? garrison?"
"The northern part of Guaraprawa is in the flood-prone area of ​​the Iguazu River. Local traffic is blocked and roads are closed. Brazilian troops have not been found for the time being."
"Very good, Mount Rollin, immediately dispatch a regiment to occupy the area,"
Li Mingyuan just issued an order and felt it was not enough. He modified it and said, "Add another battalion, as long as it does not meet the large-scale Brazilian garrison, the troops have been advancing northward to occupy the land as much as possible."
"Shizi, we and Brazil have ceased the war, and rashly invading the area ahead may cause conflict."
Rollin Hill pondered.
"Linshan, you worry too much, there is no Brazilian army stationed, our army has occupied us, and the Brazilians have no reason to blame us."
Li Mingyuan patted Luo Linshan's shoulder and explained, "After the peace talks agreement is reached, the British will not allow another large-scale war in South America. Taking this opportunity, we must expand the control of the Chinese Independent Army as much as possible. Otherwise, our army will continue to expand only on a short ground. "
The situation has changed, and Li Mingyuan's goal planning has also been adjusted. Before participating in the Quartet's anti-Brazilian war, controlling the state of Rio Grande do Sul is the best option that the Chinese independent army can achieve. After the war, negotiations are about to begin, watching the map. On the newly occupied land above, Li Mingyuan's ambition or ambition was inspired. So far, the Chinese Independent Army has actually controlled the state of Rio Grande do Sul (281,000 square kilometers) and Santa Catarina (95,000 square kilometers) in Parana. One (about 60,000 square kilometers), with a total area under control of 436,000 square kilometers, more than the area of ​​the Japanese islands.
Because the European immigration wave has not yet arrived, and the local residents of Rio Grande do Sul have been expelled by the Chinese Independent Army, the total population of 436,000 square kilometers is only 220,000. However, with the large number of Chinese immigrants joining, the areas controlled by the Chinese Independent Army have developed. It's not difficult.
Initially, the size of the land area affected the future development potential of the Chinese Independent Army, and the current control area of ​​436,000 square kilometers will definitely give some back to Brazil, so the more land it occupies, the greater the space for bargaining with Brazil, so Li Mingyuan ordered the troops to occupy as much land as possible with a simple and clear purpose, that is, to force Brazil to surrender more land interests in the negotiations. As for the difficulty of transportation in the occupied area, the Iguazu Basin is close to the Parana River. It is of strategic interest to Brazil, which has lost the two southern states. The Brazilians will definitely want this area in the negotiations, so it is the right time to send troops to occupy the area before the Brazilians have responded.
After Li Mingyuan explained, Luo Linshan executed the order, instructed the deputy nearby to dispatch troops, and the meeting continued.
After fixing Luo Linshan, Li Mingyuan began to answer Liu Pu's question.
"The states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina do not need to talk more, they must belong to us. If the area in front of Curitiba belongs to the core of Paraná, the Brazilians will not give up, this area can be returned to they.
The northern part of Santa Catarina is small. The Iguazu Basin is located upstream of the northern part of Santa Latarina. Controlling this area can increase the defense depth of our army and protect the security of the northern border. The state of Tarina has won as much as we can. As far as the northern part of the Iguazu Basin and the Guaraprava region can obtain some areas, it is not a big problem. "
Introducing part of the occupation of the land is the price that must be paid to reach the peace talks. Li Mingyuan and Liu Pu can understand the significance of this, but the Chinese Independent Army generals who participated in the war in person were somewhat difficult to understand.
Chen Guozhu was the first to object to "Shizi, our army has nearly 100,000 soldiers, and it is not a problem to defend the currently occupied area. It is not necessary to give up occupying the land ahead in exchange for Brazilian recognition."
The army generals were convened for a meeting. Li Mingyuan expected that some people would raise different opinions, so he was not angry. He said, "The Chinese independent army has been fighting for almost a year, and more than 100,000 brothers have suffered casualties of nearly 20,000. At present, the total number of Chinese is only 130,000. There are no more than 40,000 people who can be called a regular army. More than 100,000 people support the 40,000 main forces. If there is no gold support in Peru, and troops of this size do not need the enemy to fight, we will not be able to support them. The Wanye Army has reached its limit, and the gold obtained has been consumed quickly in many purchases. "
Li Mingyuan solemnly looked at the Chinese general who sat down first, solemnly saying, "The Chinese Independent Army is not only an army, but also an armed force of the country to be established. In the current situation, neither the number of troops nor economic logistics is allowed. We continue the war, so in order to reach peace talks, it is inevitable to appropriately give up some of your interests, and you should seriously consider it. "
I told a group of soldiers who were not at the bottom that they might not understand the truth, but Li Mingyuan insisted on instilling in them a view of the overall situation. The military is a continuation of politics. As a high-level general and sole military commander, a keen political concept is indispensable. Lack of capacity.
A military general who lacks a big picture is a shortcoming that restricts the continued development of the Chinese Independent Army. Li Mingyuan does not expect his generals to make drastic changes in a short period of time. He can only work from the outside to improve the Chinese Independent Army by using advanced Western military systems and weapons. Comprehensive combat qualities.
Arranged the next task of his generals, Li Mingyuan left Liu Pu and discussed the specific matters with him alone.
"The Brazilians are compelled to negotiate with each other. They must not suffer a big loss. Before the negotiations, they secretly talked with the representatives of Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay to reach a consensus on the peace talks in Brazil in advance. How prepared. "
"Southern South America, Brazil is the strongest, and the rest of Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, and other countries have the second most powerful power. After the Paraguayan war, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay allied together. The peace talks have nothing to do with Argentina and Uruguay. They have little influence on the peace talks.
Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and the Chinese Independent Army have the same interests. The Quartet all benefited from Brazil in this war and completely offended Brazil. The Quartet's forces could not reach reconciliation with Brazil alone before the situation changed drastically. At this opportunity, it is beneficial to all parties to deepen relations with Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay and reach an agreement on a military alliance with Brazil. "
"The end of the anti-Brazilian war does not mean true peace. Before a large number of Chinese immigrants arrive in our army-controlled areas, it is necessary to maintain the anti-Brazilian alliance, but the British-led peace talks will not allow us to establish a military alliance against Brazil. We must do things privately and reach an undisclosed military alliance agreement with the three Peruvian countries to avoid British intervention. "
Li Mingyuan said.
"Shizi once said ~ EbookFREE.me ~ The British people pay attention to economic interests in South America. Now our army controls the land of the two states with an area of ​​more than 400,000 square kilometers. We can invite the British to mine the mineral resources in the controlled area. In exchange for their support. "Liu Pudao.
"The states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, as the foundation of our army, cannot be controlled by the British. It is not feasible to exchange mineral resources for British support. However, after the peace talks were signed, the control area needed a lot of infrastructure. We It is possible to sign a commodity trading agreement with the British and take the initiative to show them their goodness and allay their concerns about the expansion of the Chinese Independent Army. "
The only concerns between nations are practical interests. A series of war operations of the Chinese Independent Army in South America changed the regional balance of South American states. The British support of Brazil was defeated by the Chinese Independent Army. The British controlled the commercial interests of the Parana River Basin. The purpose was not achieved.
It was not in the British interest that Brazil was defeated and it was not in the British interest to dispatch British troops to interfere in the situation in South America. Therefore, if the British want to continue to realize their commercial interests, they will definitely use this peace talks to request free navigation rights in the Parana River Basin. Paraguayan President Lopez Jr will definitely recognize the situation and promise the British.
As long as the British's goals are achieved and the parties guarantee that no more war will be waged, a new equilibrium situation will form in southern South America, and the British will obtain the commercial benefits they want.