It was getting dark, and Asunción was shrouded in haze under the mist.
The rapid sound of horse hoofbeats sounded from far to near, and finally stopped in front of the presidential palace.
"Urgent battle report from the front, inform the president immediately!"
The cavalry quickly dismounted and took out Istigali's personal letter.
The soldiers on duty received the letter and quickly walked into the presidential palace.
The living area behind the presidential palace is brightly lit, and little Lopez is sitting at his desk reading the government affairs reports submitted by the officials below.
Hearing the sound of rapid footsteps outside, little Lopez put down the report in his hand, stood up and walked towards the hall outside.
In the early hours of the morning, if you entered the president's residence without being informed by the guards, you must have something important to report.
There is peace in Paraguay, and the place where big things happen must be the Misiones area where the war is going on.
Little Lopez guessed at the contents of the emergency report as he walked. When he reached the hall, the guards had just arrived.
"President, a personal letter from Colonel Istigali to you."
Little Lopez took the letter, opened it and browsed it quickly. After a few minutes, a smile appeared on his tense face.
The weapons and ammunition traded from Rio Grande do Sul were quickly consumed in Misiones, but the results achieved were very limited. Several poor and backward towns, and more than 100 square kilometers of land far away from the Paraná River, the Paraguayans could not access.
Effective benefits can be obtained from these places.
As the war dragged on, the domestic people's enthusiasm for participating in the war waned, and the pressure on little Lopez became increasing.
The Misiones conflict was not a Paraguayan war. The Paraguayan war was fought locally. Lopez Jr. took advantage of Paraguay's closed land environment to discredit the image of the Brazilian army, describing them as murderous demons and intimidating Paraguayans. If they do not resist,
After the Brazilian army occupies the entire territory, all Paraguayans will become their spoils of war. The elderly and children will be mercilessly slaughtered, women will be reduced to slaves, and young and strong men will be concentrated in the mines to engage in heavy mining work.
The army pressed on the border, and the main Paraguayan forces retreated into the country. The panicked and ownerless Paraguayan civilians believed what Lopez said and tried their best to resist the Brazilian army.
After the Paraguay War was victorious, ordinary people worshiped Lopez Jr., and at the same time, their attention turned to issues related to themselves, such as food and life.
Misiones is far outside the country's borders. Lopez Jr.'s declaration of a just war to regain the territory can arouse the temporary enthusiasm of the people, but after the enthusiasm passes, they are more concerned about the trivial matters around them.
After all, the loud slogans are empty. Lopez Jr.'s initial strategy of diverting domestic conflicts and stabilizing his rule has created an embarrassing situation. He cannot win but loses, and consumes materials and weapons in vain.
Little Lopez continued the war despite the pressure. At this time, Istigali's timely letter gave him the victory he needed.
Morandi is located in the upper reaches of the area controlled by Argentina. Taking a boat down the river from Morandi, the coastal areas are undefeated and the attacking fleet can reach directly to the city of Posadas.
Occupying Morandi is equivalent to tying a rein on the heads of the Argentine troops in southern Misiones. The Argentine troops always need to be prepared for the attack of the Paraguayan army.
Little Lopez paced back and forth in the hall, thinking about how to reply to Istigali.
Paraguay's domestic army has just restored its strength to 25,000 men, of whom more than 10,000 are new recruits.
Taking into account domestic defense and logistical pressures, Lopez Jr. could only provide a maximum of 3,000 troops to support the front line, leaving a gap of 2,000 troops from the minimum 5,000 troops required by Istigali.
Three thousand reinforcements, five thousand frontline troops, a total of eight thousand people are not too many, but facing the remaining Argentine army in the south, Istigali's troops have a considerable advantage.
Making a decision in his heart, Lopez immediately issued the order,
First, the frontline troops will be rewarded for their military exploits and promoted to the rank of Major General Istigali. All frontline soldiers will receive an additional two months of military pay. The military pay reward will be settled and distributed as land after the war.
Secondly, a force of 3,000 veterans, led by trusted generals, was mobilized to support Istigar.
Lopez Jr. mobilized his troops and wanted to continue to expand the results, but the atmosphere in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, was dull and gloomy.
"Morandi was lost, and only one or two hundred of the defenders escaped, leaving the southern part of Misiones with insufficient troops.
Everyone, tell me, what should we do?"
Argentine President Sarmiento said solemnly.
Participants included officials from the presidential office and representatives of various local forces. Only a few people knew the contents of the meeting before attending the meeting.
"Paraguay's forceful attack on the city will surely cause heavy casualties to the troops. We can order the frontline troops to concentrate their forces to launch a counterattack and recapture Morandi before the Paraguayans gain a stable foothold."
A general from the presidential camp spoke first.
"No, if the Paraguayans occupy Morandi, they will immediately strengthen the city defense. If our army launches a desperate attack at this time, it will fall into the trap set by the Paraguayans. They can use the strong city and the fortifications around Morandi step by step.
Consume the strength of the attacking force until it is exhausted."
Another middle-aged general with a beard objected.
"The Paraguayans can capture Morandi, why can't our army!
President, order the frontline troops to immediately launch a counterattack. If it is delayed too late, the Paraguayans will gain a foothold in Morandi, and it will be more difficult to recover at that time!"
The general who spoke first insisted on his opinion, ignored the others, and directly suggested to Sarmiento.
"Hmph! It's not that I look down on the frontline troops. If they had the courage of Paraguayans who are not afraid of death, how could Morandi lose?"
“Federal soldiers bled and died on the front line, Ferner, where are your troops from the Province of Corrientes!
You are timid and afraid of getting into trouble. I think you are frightened by the Paraguayans and want to run away when you hear the name of a Paraguayan!"
Fellner's unauthorized return to the country during the Paraguayan War was a scandal he deliberately concealed. It was exposed in public by an officer who was more than ten years younger than him. His forbearing character could not help but explode immediately.
"Asshole, do you still have senior officers in your eyes? Don't think that you can talk nonsense if you have someone to support you. The army is a place where strength speaks for itself, not a stage for you to perform hard!"
Fellner has been in the army for many years. Even when he became angry, he never forgot to elevate his position and teach the other party a lesson as an elder in the army.
Seeing the two sides shift from battlefield arguments to internal conflicts, Sarmiento slammed the table angrily: "Ferner, this is the presidential palace, not your army. And you, Grace, General Fellner is the elder in the army.
, don’t be too presumptuous!”
Each playing fifty boards seemed fair, but in fact it was biased in favor of Grace. Sarmiento strongly prevented the dispute at the meeting and turned his attention to former President Mitre.
"President, Moranda has fallen, the situation in Misiones has worsened, the country's territory is facing infringement, and Argentina's domestic affairs still need your decision-making!"
It had only been two months since Mitre gave up the presidency. With his strong support, Sarmiento defeated his rivals and ascended to the presidency. Therefore, Sarmiento's attitude was very respectful.
"After the conflict broke out, Rio Grande do Sul continued to send additional troops to San Pedro. Their intention was obvious. They wanted to take advantage of the fighting between the two parties, so the frontline troops could not move lightly."
Although Mitre is no longer president, the prestige he has accumulated over two consecutive terms still overwhelms everyone present. Mitre made his attitude clear when he spoke, and no one expressed objections.
"With the loss of Morandi, southern Misiones is threatened by the Paraguayans, but this is not the most important thing. What is important is that if we acquiesce to Paraguay's occupation of the country, it will leave an image of weakness and bullying for Paraguay and the Chinese. Then we will intensify our proposals.
More excessive demands.
The Paraguayan War has been going on for three years, and I am familiar with Lopez's character. He is a war madman who compares favorably with Napoleon. He wants to build Paraguay into France and become the hegemon of South America.
Lopez Jr. paid a heavy price in the Paraguay War, but the victory of the war confirmed his correctness in launching a war to acquire land. The attack on Misiones was a premeditated test. He wanted to test the strength of the Argentine troops and then make plans based on the results.
Relevant war plans.”
The analysis summarized by Mitre is not only in line with Lopez Jr.'s ideas, Li Mingyuan also has a similar purpose. The difference is that Li Mingyuan is accustomed to taking it step by step. He is not as brave and fearless as Lopez Jr., who dares to risk the country as a bet.
"Little Lopez is too greedy and we must not let him achieve his goal. It doesn't matter whether Morandi loses or not, but we have to make Paraguayans pay a sufficient price to let little Lopez understand that with Paraguay's population of 200,000 to 300,000,
Can’t beat Argentina!”
Miter's last words determined the outcome of the meeting. The frontline troops remained stationary and sent additional troops from Buenos Aires to prevent the Paraguayan army from continuing to advance.
