IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 124
**Chapter 124**
**The Air of Mexico Creates Freedom (3)**
I had to admit it after testing the durability with various tools.
“It’s really sturdy.”
“Yes, durability is key for military uniforms. Of course, we paid considerable attention to the appearance as well.”
I could only nod at Ramon’s words. The uniform, which used the colors of the Mexican flag – green, white, and red – appropriately, looked quite stylish to me.
“The product is excellent, so focus on mass production. We’ll need at least hundreds of thousands, not thousands or tens of thousands.”
It was a hint that war was approaching. Ramon replied in a heavy voice.
“···Understood.”
I was focusing on war preparations, leaving all decisions regarding existing projects and various businesses to those in charge.
To be precise, I was concentrating on the development and stockpiling of military supplies, including uniforms, food, medical supplies, camping equipment, and weapons.
‘Ramon can take care of the uniforms and camping gear.’
I was visiting various companies and government agencies, but the most important was Vega Defense Industries, which produced weapons.
I visited Vega Defense Industries’ research institute almost every day.
It was to personally check all the developed weapons and military supplies.
“Ready.”
Eduardo said in a slightly tense voice.
Because today’s items were the most important.
It was important to introduce machine guns and barbed wire, but the basics were rifles and cannons.
“Is this the ER-45?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was the 1845 version of Eduardo’s rifle.
“The shape is good.”
Although they were developing a rifle that used a magazine to fire multiple shots, this ER-45 was the final improved version of the single-shot rifle that Vega Defense Industries had developed over the past 18 years.
In peacetime, we would introduce it first and gradually improve it, but war was approaching. We had to produce a tremendous number of guns, and we couldn’t take the risk of mass-producing an unstable version.
Click-
Bang!
Click-
Bang!
I smiled contentedly after shooting it directly for a while.
It was basically the same bolt-action, breech-loading rifle, but many things had been improved.
“Gas leakage has been drastically reduced.”
“Yes, based on the feedback we’ve received over the years, we’ve focused on improving stability and performance.”
I thought this was almost the best result achievable with the technology of the time. It was a masterpiece that reflected the efforts of Eduardo and the other engineers.
“I really like the fact that it only cocks when the bolt is retracted. Okay, start mass-producing this ER-45 as much as you can, starting today.”
Since the product had already been verified by military officials, I readily authorized mass production.
“Yes!”
Eduardo looked like he had overcome a major hurdle.
“Ha ha, then let’s see the cannon last.”
“Yes, let’s go to the outdoor shooting range.”
As before, there were already engineers and cannons ready to demonstrate the weapons at the outdoor shooting range.
“Let’s see it right away.”
“Yes.”
No need for many words.
It was different from before, but it wasn’t new because I had already seen the cannons mounted on the ironclad ships, even though it was made of steel.
The engineers quickly prepared to load.
“Fire!”
Boom!
Whiz-
Thud!
The flying shell hit the dirt floor hard.
“Steel is definitely more powerful.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is far superior in terms of not only destructive power but also durability, stability, and range.”
Steel is stronger than cast iron or bronze cannons and can withstand greater pressure, so it’s only natural.
Thanks to the rifling engraved on the barrel, accuracy has also improved, making it superior to all aspects of the cannons currently used by the army.
‘But the cost is a bit…’
Even though the cost of steel production has dropped by up to 80% with the Bessemer process, steel is basically made by reprocessing pig iron that has been processed once. It’s inherently expensive.
There are many places where steel is needed, such as machine guns, so we can’t produce enough to replace all the existing cannons. Even what we have now surpasses the cannons America has at this point.
“Calculate the production volume of the cannons separately and inform me later.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
March 5, 1845.
James K. Polk, President of the United States, issued a statement the day after his inauguration.
‘I wanted to do it on inauguration day, but…’
He postponed it for a day at the strong urging of his aides that it wouldn’t look good to issue a statement on inauguration day.
President Polk cleared his throat and opened his mouth with a solemn expression.
“This statement is to clearly convey the position of the US government on the recent tragic incident in which property belonging to US citizens fled to Mexico and the Mexican government accepted them, as President of the United States.
We wish to resolve this issue in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.
First, we request a formal apology from the Mexican government for this incident. This is a request based on the principle of mutual respect, and it will be an important first step in resolving misunderstandings between the two countries and rebuilding a future-oriented relationship.
Second, we request that you return the individuals involved in this incident to the United States. This is a measure that respects the agreed-upon legal principles and international law between the two countries. We believe that these principles should be the foundation of our bilateral relationship.
Third, we wish to explore specific and practical measures with Mexico to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. This is an essential measure to maintain the peace and stability shared by both countries.
We hope that these demands will not cause unnecessary tension between the two countries, but rather serve as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship and promote mutual understanding for the future. We hope to resolve this issue peacefully through continued dialogue and cooperation with Mexico.
The relationship between the two countries is based on a long history and deep friendship. We hope that this incident will not weaken our relationship, but rather serve as a catalyst for a stronger partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.
Thank you.”
While it was wrapped in diplomatic language, the statement only contained unilateral demands from the United States. It was quite rude, but his supporters were satisfied.
The Mexican Imperial Government immediately issued a counter-statement.
“Ha, this audacity.”
James Polk, who had been worried that Mexico might readily accept all the demands, chuckled upon receiving the statement issued by Mexico.
The contents were as follows:
“The Mexican Imperial Government wishes to officially respond to the recent statement of the United States Federal Government as follows.
Mexico is a country that holds the dignity of all human beings sacred. These values are deeply rooted in our Constitution and laws, which clearly state the absence of slavery and the respect for the fundamental rights of all humans throughout the Mexican Empire. Therefore, to all those who cross our borders seeking our protection, Mexico is obligated to accept them in accordance with our internal laws.
Therefore, as the US Federal Government has mentioned, the migration of individuals referred to as ‘property’ to Mexico is not at all problematic under our laws. All human beings have the right to pursue freedom, a principle that Mexico firmly supports based on internationally recognized values.
Therefore, the Mexican government clearly states that it cannot accept the apology requested by the US Federal Government, the return of the so-called ‘property’, or measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The Mexican Empire prioritizes the protection of freedom and human rights, which is at the core of our national identity and international responsibility.
Furthermore, we urge the US Federal Government to focus on strengthening border management and internal policies to address domestic issues. Issues affecting the fate of those crossing borders are fundamentally determined by each country’s internal policies, and Mexico will act in accordance with these principles.
Mexico, as a member of the international community, seeks peaceful and cooperative relations. We hope that all countries will focus on protecting and promoting the rights and well-being of their citizens, and we hope to continue dialogue with the United States in this spirit.
The Mexican Imperial Government reaffirms its commitment to pursuing a relationship with the US Federal Government based on mutual respect and understanding, through this statement conveying our clear position.”
It was also expressed in diplomatic language, but in short, it meant ‘We have no intention of accepting your demands, and if you don’t like the slave escape, you should just strengthen your border control.’
“Heh heh…”
President James K. Polk did not respond with a counter-statement. Mexico’s strong response was like adding fuel to the fire, and American public opinion was burning like crazy, but he couldn’t take action right away.
Taking action now could lead to war. But war requires preparation.
Instead, he openly revealed his long-held belief. He openly said the phrase that best exemplified his belief as an expansionist.
“Don’t you think it’s time to realize our manifest destiny?”
***
“No, how can the price of agricultural products keep falling even though demand has increased so much?”
Over a million immigrants, a huge birth rate, and citizens who are living much better than before.
There were many factors that could increase the demand for food, and it actually increased tremendously.
The problem was that supply increased even more. The introduction of efficient tools and machinery, and the tremendous improvement in agricultural productivity due to dams and irrigation facilities. Production alone had more than doubled, and the country’s farmland itself had almost doubled compared to before independence due to the land reclamation policy.
Even the nationwide railway network had led to the equalization of agricultural product prices.
While all prices were rising, agricultural product prices were not only not rising, but were gradually falling. Landowners naturally complained, but they couldn’t utter the crazy idea of turning back the situation where most of the population was eating better than before.
“Still, the government has been buying up huge amounts of grain lately. Thanks to that, prices are being maintained to some extent, so that’s a relief.”
Another landowner said that, but the dissatisfied landowner didn’t even like that.
“No, that’s true. Where are they using all that grain? They passed this bizarre law called the Grain Stockpiling Act without any proper explanation.”
Thanks to the amendment to the Constitution, which increased the total number of seats, the Landowner Party and the Republican Party had also increased their number of members for the first time in a long time, but ultimately, the Emperor Party had a majority.
They passed something called the Grain Stockpiling Act without any discussion, and they were buying up huge amounts of grain.
“Well, considering recent events, isn’t it because of the United States?”
“That’s right. Whatever they use it for, it’s good for us, so let’s not pick a fight.”
Even though it was a bill that was clearly beneficial to the landowners, when they complained, the other landowners disagreed.
“Ahem. It’s not that I want to pick a fight, I’m just curious.”
Everyone was sensitive because it was about their livelihood.
But at that time, they didn’t know.
That the worst plague would soon come from across the sea.