Chapter 221 The Terms Of Surrender



Godoy and Saint-Cyr were on their horses, trotting along the streets that were almost unrecognizable. The Portuguese troops could only look up to them with a mix of fear, resentment, and defeat etched across their faces.

General Lafões stood among his officers, his gaze fixed on the approaching figures of the French and Spanish commanders. His shoulders were heavy with the weight of his decision, the choice to surrender in order to spare the lives of his remaining troops. It was a bitter pill to swallow, a concession that went against every fiber of his being as a military leader.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

As Godoy and Saint-Cyr drew nearer, their expressions unreadable behind their stern façades, General Lafões felt a surge of bitterness rise within him. These were the men who had brought his city to its knees, who had shattered the pride of his soldiers and the hopes of his people. He clenched his fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white, but he knew that resistance now would only lead to more needless bloodshed.

The Portuguese troops watched in silence as the enemy commanders reined in their horses before them.

General Lafões stepped forward, his gaze locking with Saint-Cyr.

"Let us introduce ourselves, I am General Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr of the French Army. The man next to me is Manuel Godoy, The First Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Spain. We are here to negotiate the terms of surrender. Is there somewhere else we can discuss these matters privately?"

Lafões inclined his head in agreement, his jaw tightening as he fought to maintain his composure. "Follow me," he said, gesturing toward a partially standing structure that had once been a grand residence.

Lafões led the way to what had once been a study, its bookshelves now empty and its furniture overturned.

Godoy's eyes swept over the room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "A fitting backdrop for surrender negotiations, wouldn't you agree?"

Lafões bristled at the man's words, but he suppressed his anger. "Let us get to the point. What terms do you propose?"

Saint-Cyr's gaze remained fixed on Lafões.

"Your troops will lay down their arms immediately. The city will be occupied by our forces, and your people will acknowledge our authority. Of course, that is just the preliminary stage. We have prepared a list of demands that the Kingdom of Portugal must accept unconditionally. The first demand is that the Kingdom of Portugal must sever its ties with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Second, you must close all your ports to the British. Third, you must pay France an indemnity of 20 million francs. Fourth, you must cede Olivença to the Kingdom of Spain and pay an indemnity. Last but not least, you must join a defensive alliance with the Republic of France, where the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Russian Empire are member-states."

The demands are as follows:

The Kingdom of Portugal must sever its ties with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

All ports must be closed to British ships.

An indemnity of 20 million francs must be paid to France.

The city of Olivença is to be ceded to the Kingdom of Spain, along with a substantial indemnity.

Portugal must join a defensive alliance with the Republic of France, where the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Russian Empire are member-states.

The consequences of rejecting these demands are dire, Your Majesty. General Saint-Cyr and Manuel Godoy have given us a mere three days to respond. If we do not comply within this time frame, they have threatened to continue their march towards Lisbon and subject our beloved capital to a devastating artillery strike similar to the one that befell Elvas.

May wisdom guide your deliberations.

With the utmost respect,

General Lafões]

As Queen Dona Maria I read the words before her, she crumpled the letters.

"The French and the Spanish defeated our forces in a mere day? I can't believe this letter. I think they surrendered instantly when they saw their great numbers. No, I will not accept these humiliating terms. How dare my General tell me to surrender."

"Should I prepare the city for a defense, Your Majesty?" One of her courtiers asked.

"Yes."