How to fundamentally ensure peace in the La Plata River Basin!
Although Zuo Zongtang did not say it so directly, Count Joseph Parahos, as a veteran diplomat, only understood the meaning of his words in an instant.
What peace is he referring to?
It is not peace at all, but a potential trigger for war.
There are four countries in the La Plata River Basin, the two big countries of Brazil and Argentina and the two small countries of Paraguay and Uruguay. On the surface, all the problems here are between the four countries, but in fact they are between the two big countries of Brazil and Argentina.
Question. As for Paraguay and Uruguay, Paraguay was still able to bounce back in the past, but now? It’s over. And Uruguay has always been supported by Brazil.
International politics has been like this for hundreds of years. It is essentially a political game played by major powers.
"We have all seen the damage that the Paraguayan war has caused to the people. Five years of war destroyed Paraguay's economy and claimed the lives of two-thirds of the country's people. The entire country has been reduced to rubble, leaving only a group of people.
Orphans and widowers, the war also claimed the lives of nearly 100,000 Brazilian soldiers. We believe that for the future of the La Plata River Basin and for the friendship between South China and Brazil, we must fundamentally solve this problem.
, fundamentally prevent the entire continent from sinking into a smoky melee, what do you think? Your Excellency, Count."
After saying these compassionate words, Zuo Zongtang picked up the cigar again, took a puff, and waited for the other party's answer.
"Um……"
Count Joseph Parahos groaned calmly.
What is for peace?
What is meant to avoid war?
They are all excuses!
What price did the other party offer?
Putting all the issues between Brazil and South China means directly excluding Paraguay and Uruguay. How to exclude them?
No need to ask!
Of course it was directly annexed!
In the past, there was no annexation war between countries in South America, but South China has set a precedent - annexing Argentina!
Now it's your turn!
Smoking a cigar, Zuo Zongtang thought silently:
"Can you still bear it in the face of such a bait?"
The thought of dragging Brazil into the water brought him a sense of inner relief, and he was convinced that a treaty could be reached.
In fact, from the beginning of the negotiations, both sides knew that the other side hoped to solve the problem through negotiations. The Brazilians had already exhausted their wealth in the Paraguay War, while South China hoped to digest the land it had occupied as soon as possible.
According to the commander-in-chief, let alone Argentina, Chile has not yet digested it!
If you eat any more, you will be exhausted!
However, it is always very pleasant to think about the future expansion of territory. So it is very pleasant because: in these negotiations, Nanhua will get what Nanhua needs. Not only in the present, but also in the future.
!
"There is a tradition in Europe. Britain and France, and of course Russia and Austria-Hungary, will demarcate their own spheres of influence through negotiations for the sake of long-term peace."
Count Joseph Parahos continued to test.
"It is true. War after war has caused us to shed all our blood. Now this moment has come. Now we have to determine our own interests. According to our wishes,"
He emphasized the word "our side" when he said it.
"The problems between us may arise because of Paraguay or Uruguay. We are bound to have some misunderstandings because of them in the future. We want to hear how Brazil plans to fundamentally avoid misunderstandings from happening again,"
Zuo Zongtang paused slightly, followed by a long pause. Now it is Brazil's turn.
However, Count Joseph Parahos was a little surprised. In fact, when he came over, Brazil's upper limit was to carve up Paraguay between the two countries, and the bottom line was to force Paraguay to cede territory in the disputed areas in accordance with the treaty.
But now Nanhua has directly made a new condition - to remove the two small countries of Paraguay and Uruguay and the buffer between them.
This is simply...unexpected!
But I have to say, it’s quite tempting!
Divide Paraguay and Uruguay together!
This is definitely a good thing for Brazil! In fact, Brazil invaded Uruguay almost half a century ago. But in the end, their invasion was thwarted due to the resistance of the Uruguayans and the assistance of the Argentines to Uruguay.
The conditions offered by Nanhua are simply an itch for the Brazilians, who have been coveted by Uruguay for a long time.
Besides, there is an extra Paraguay. Although it is only shared, but you can eat one more bite of meat, who would refuse it?
After a moment of silence, Count Joseph Parahos strengthened his tone meaningfully.
"Their existence is to serve as a buffer between the two countries. Any independent action by any party against them will be opposed by the other party."
The reason why they were defeated in Uruguay was ultimately due to Argentina's opposition. This has also been the pattern in the La Plata River Basin, with each party opposing the other party's changes to the situation.
"That's in the past!"
Zuo Tangtang continued:
"We don't think there is a need for a buffer now. We think we can resolve our differences through negotiations with Brazil. Therefore, no matter what action Brazil takes in Uruguay, we support it..."
"Uruguay?"
Count Joseph Parahos unexpectedly interrupted Zuo Zongtang's words, his tone seemed a bit urgent.
“What about Paraguay?”
"That's our problem!"
Zuo Zongtang's answer made Joseph Parahos raise his eyebrows slightly in understanding, as if he wanted to ask, don't you just watch the news? In order to defeat that madman in Paraguay, Brazil spent hundreds of millions in military expenditures.
, and nearly 100,000 people died. Even if the vast majority of those people were black, people still died!
Are you so ignorant of the truth?
"You should know that Brazil spent 614 million rials on Paraguay, shouldered an additional foreign debt of more than 56 million pounds, and killed nearly 100,000 soldiers! We paid such a heavy price, how can Paraguay become a
What’s your problem?”
Fighting... is really expensive!
In fact, there is no need to change it into silver dollars. Throughout the Americas, everyone uses silver pesos from Spain. In Brazil, it became "rial", in South China it became "yuan", and in the United States, it was also "yuan".
”.
614 million rials, equivalent to more than 400 million taels of silver!
Coupled with the loss of 100,000 people and paying such a heavy price, the Brazilians will definitely not sit back and watch South China monopolize Paraguay.
Even if it needs to be divided, it must be divided together, and everyone should do it together.
"Your Excellency, although Paraguay is our problem, we do not object to your negotiation with the Paraguayan government to demand compensation and require it to cede no more territory than agreed in the "Three Powers Treaty"!"
Zuo Zhongtang took out his conditions with a smile,
"What?"
Count Joseph Parahos looked at Zuo Zongtang with doubts.
Aren't they going to annex Paraguay?
What does this mean?
"Please believe in our sincerity for peaceful coexistence with Brazil. We support your request for Paraguay and at the same time respect your right to free movement in Uruguay. Of course, in return you should support our free movement in Paraguay."
right."
puppet!
All they want is to build a puppet regime in Paraguay that listens to them, just like Brazil is doing there now.
The so-called free movement is actually a disguised form of occupation.
Holding a cigar between his fingertips, Zuo Zongtang said,
"If we can sign this historic treaty, both South China and Brazil will benefit. This region will definitely maintain long-term peace in the future, and our cooperation in the future will definitely bring benefits to our people. What do you think?
"
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
A book club group has been established: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
This chapter has been completed!