Chapter 327: The Consequences of Refusing to Buy

Chapter 327: The Consequences of Refusing to Buy

General Franco glanced across at the enemy's position from a distance. As the commanding heights were under their control, he couldn't get a clear view of the rebels' stronghold. However, what he managed to glimpse was already disheartening.

"Whether it's a gilded shield or a brass one, we'll only know for sure once we've had a go at it," General Franco pondered. But it wasn't the time for an attack just yet. After all, everyone had marched a long way, and they all deserved a rest, didn't they?

So, Franco ordered the army to set up camp for some rest while he, accompanied by a cavalry unit, ventured out again to observe the enemy's defensive works. He only retreated when the rebels sent out their own cavalry.

Back at the camp, Franco summoned a few officers for a thorough discussion. They deliberated and finalized the plan for the next day's operation.

At the crack of dawn, the Spanish expeditionary force cautiously probed the rebel's defensive positions.

First came the artillery barrage. The expeditionary force boasted thirty rifled cannons and over twenty six-pound bronze cannons brought from Veracruz. It was a lively exchange of gunfire.

After intermittent artillery fire for two hours, the Spanish infantry began to advance in loose formation.

Their first encounter was with a minefield. Before the Spanish expedition set off, the French had pitched rocket mine-clearing devices to them. But after studying these, the Spaniards concluded that these were only effective in siege warfare, particularly against "Josephine Defense."

The Spaniards knew the rebels surely had mines; after all, in Louisiana's weapon shops, mines were a common commodity. It was so prevalent that in any weaponry store, one could easily find plenty of boar dispersers labeled "for pigs." Yet, the Spaniards believed the rebels used mines the Irish way, not the "Josephine Defense" style. How could these rebels dare to confront the Kingdom of Spain's regular army directly? Even though the Spanish army was widely admired across Europe, they couldn't defeat the French. Did they really think they could best these mudslingers?

Moreover, the French prices were too steep for what was essentially a rocket with a hose filled with explosives attached! It cost a fortune! Calculating it, a set like that could equal the worth of twenty mobilized soldiers. So, it seemed wiser to resolve the issue using a more cost-effective method, perhaps employing human resources.

Thus, the Spaniards declined the French offer. However, it turned out, when the French sell you a weapon, even if you think you won't need it, circumstances will arise that make it a necessity.

Since they lacked rocket mine-clearing devices, they resorted to manual demining. If it were the British, they'd charge forward with mercenaries, quietly removing markers from minefields beforehand or claiming they were already cleared. If it were the Prussians, they'd have mobilized infantry charging straight ahead. As for the Spaniards, departing from Veracruz, they'd taken a batch of slaves used for transporting supplies...

Thus, half a day was wasted on mine clearance. So, as darkness approached, the distance between the two sides still hadn't closed enough for them to exchange "little melons" as a token of greeting.

This time, the Spaniards learned their lesson. Before returning to camp, they planted numerous landmines in their trenches. Later that night, they heard a series of explosions coming from the trenches...

After two days of turmoil, by midday on the third day, the two sides were finally within range to greet each other with "little melons." The Mexicans were the first to

launch an attack using these, indicating that it wasn't just the Spanish who possessed melon launchers.

After a chaotic exchange of "little melons" and amidst the smoke of explosions, the Spanish soldiers leaped out of their trenches, charging towards the Mexican positions that were within arm's reach. The Mexicans immediately detonated their "for pigs" contraption set up in front of their trench, knocking down a row of Spanish soldiers, but more Spaniards managed to charge in.

"Steady!" General Franco, observing the battle through a telescope, muttered to himself, "They're charging in!"

To General Franco, these rebels were ragtag, how could they resist the royal army in close-quarters combat, which required courage and organization? If they managed to hold out, I'll eat my telescope!

However, in a blink, he saw the Spanish royal troops scrambling out of the rebel's trenches, desperately running back, while the rebels pursued, relentlessly shooting at the retreating Spanish soldiers with short guns. Nearly every time they fired, a soldier fell.

"Damn Frenchmen, trench guns! They, they sold trench guns to those rebels!" General Franco's face turned pale.

Like the rocket mine-clearing devices, the French had also pitched their "trench guns" to the Spaniards. But similarly, the Spaniards found these too expensive and believed they wouldn't have much use without trench warfare here. Now it seemed that anything the French recommended, whether necessary or not, had to be bought!

Upon witnessing this, the Spaniards realized they needed to buy whatever the French sold, even if they thought they didn't need it!