Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 39: Chapter 38: When Disaster Strikes, Everyone Flees Their Own Way

As the Carlo Faction rebels suffered the baptism of artillery fire, on Prim’s side, the sweep of the Basque rebel army in the La Rioja Region was already underway.

As one of the administrative divisions of Spain, the population of the La Rioja Region ranks the lowest in all of Spain.

However, La Rioja is still quite famous throughout Spain, because this area is rich in wine, being a renowned wine-producing region in Spain.

Carlo’s wine enterprise currently has five large grape production gardens, two of which are located in La Rioja, showing how renowned the region is in wine production.

Thanks to the sparse population, it is quite easy to clear out the Basque rebel army in La Rioja.

The population gathering points in the entire La Rioja Region are only a few, making the movements of the Basque rebel army rather conspicuous in this area.

It took only a few days to clean up the Basque rebel army in the La Rioja Region, leaving very few left.

At this point, Prim also received a report from the troops in Zaragoza.

Upon hearing the news that the branch troops encountered the Catalonia rebels in Zaragoza, Prim does not plan to change his combat strategy and orders the army to continue northward to Basque and Navarre.

The garrison in Zaragoza has about ten thousand men, coupled with advanced artillery as firepower support, which is sufficient to block the Carlo Faction rebels.

And Prim’s task is to quickly eliminate the rebels in Basque and Navarre, then directly bypass from north of Zaragoza to Catalonia.

Once the Catalonia rebellion is quelled, the Carlo Faction rebels stationed in Zaragoza will naturally pose no threat.

A few kilometers northwest of Logrono, the capital of the La Rioja Region, is the southern major town of the Basque Country, Victoria-Gasteiz.

This is not only the home base of the Basques but also where the main force of the Basque rebel army is located.

Prim takes the offensive on Victoria-Gasteiz very seriously, specially ordering the army to rest in Logrono for a day before heading north to Basque in full force.

At this time, inside Victoria-Gasteiz city, the Basque rebel army was already in a panic.

What all the rebel leaders did not expect was that the government army would head north to Basque without hesitation, instead of first settling Catalonia.

The Basque people’s idea was to threaten the government during the fierce battle between the Carlo Faction rebels and the government army, aiming to win autonomy and more local power for Basque.

But now the government army is clearly advancing towards Basque, which is entirely beyond the Basque people’s expectations.

“Anrique, is this what you call our chance to strive for Basque autonomy?” The main leader of the Basque rebel army, Mathis Anhatel, was currently furious, glaring at the Basque Country’s senator Anrique.

“This is not my fault, Mathis.” Senator Anrique said with a slight shrug, helplessly adding: “Who would have thought Prim would come directly for us?

Logically speaking, shouldn’t he approach the more numerous Catalonia army first?”

Mathis Anhatel, although understanding all this is due to Prim’s unconventional behavior, was still deeply troubled by the losses suffered by the Basque army.

One must know that the Basques are so few.

Every loss of a Basque soldier is a heavy blow to the Basque population of only a few hundred thousand.

“Are there any good ways to end this war? Damn it, when did the government army become so strong? When did they buy so many cannons?” At this moment, Mathis Anhatel was full of questions, completely unable to understand why the Spanish army became so powerful in such a short time.

“There are two ways to end this war.” Senator Anrique thought for a moment and then slowly spoke: “The first way is to surrender directly to Prim.”

“What? Surrender?” Mathis Anhatel looked incredulously at Anrique, asking: “Do you think Prim will let us off? He’s long wanted to eliminate us and the Catalans, he definitely will not miss this opportunity, absolutely not.”

“Then what else can we do, General?” Anrique replied calmly.

“Tell me about your other plan.” Mathis Anhatel remained silent for a moment, ultimately succumbing to the silence.

The strength gap between the Basque rebel army and the Spanish government army was like a chasm, defeating the Spanish government army alone was completely impossible, with no hope at all.

“The other way is to wait for the Catalans to bypass from Valencia to Madrid.” Anrique said: “As long as Madrid can be breached, the Spanish army we face would have no reason to be feared.

But bypassing from Valencia to Madrid is fraught with difficulties, I don’t think the current Catalonia army can do it unless God is willing to help them.”

“Where is the Catalonia army now? Are they still in Zaragoza?” Mathis Anhatel had no trust in his partners; they being stopped by a small division of government forces in Zaragoza was a huge joke!

“It seems to be the case, General.” Anrique shrugged, saying helplessly.

“Damn it, this group of Catalans never intended to cooperate with us. Or their strength simply cannot threaten the government army.

God bless, let this group of damn Catalans go to hell, they deceived the Basques, they are using us!” The seemingly reliable Catalans were not reliable at all, Carlos VII’s wise and mighty seems more like a self-entertainment.

“General, I suggest waiting another three days. If the Catalans can’t break through Zaragoza within three days, we will have no choice but to surrender to Prim.” Senator Anrique voiced his suggestion.

“It seems we can only do that now. Senator Anrique, the news from the Catalonia side depends on you, please inform me promptly if there are any changes.” Mathis Anhatel nodded, forced to make a helpless choice.

“As you command, General.” Senator Anrique nodded, showing a stance of dedicating himself to the Basque people.

A little later, within the Spanish army.

“Marshal, while on patrol outside, the cavalry caught this fellow who claims to be subordinate to Anrique, the senator of the Basque Country, and has something to say to you.

I have checked, this fellow besides carrying a letter carries no concealed weapons.” The cavalry division commander under Prim brought a civilian-dressed Basque person to Prim’s presence.