The Spanish fleet had successfully executed tactical maneuvers, evading the American naval blockade, and arrived at the port of Santiago. The long-absent Spanish fleet had reappeared, breaking through the American navy's blockade with a resounding success, proving their mettle as an established maritime power. Now, all eyes were on the outcome of the impending naval battle.
Once the Spanish fleet was defeated, the armed forces stationed in Haiti, who had been idling for a while, would mobilize. They would join forces with the U.S. Army to launch an attack on Cuba. The entire United States citizenry eagerly awaited news of victory from their naval fleet, except for William Sheffield.
"Padra, Aunt!" Sheffield stood before the woman, feeling somewhat reserved. However, he didn't appear as lost as a child caught doing something wrong, but a hint of awkwardness lingered. Padra had always been by Annabelle's side and rarely left Arlington. So, he wondered why she had left Oak Manor this time.
"Why so nervous? I've watched you grow up, even bathed you when you were little. You've probably forgotten all about it," Padra said, covering her mouth as she laughed softly, reminiscing about Sheffield's childhood.
"That's precisely why I'm reserved," Sheffield sighed inwardly. He couldn't possibly say he remembered everything.
"Madam sent me to assist you with the Mexican debt issue," Padra said, adjusting her posture as she sat down directly. "Don't look at me like that. You are the heir to the United Company, and some actions are naturally reported. So, I'm here to help you. Don't hold any grievances."
"Well, there's certainly no need for that. We're all family," Sheffield replied without a hint of concealment. He explained in detail how to handle this matter, how to win over the Germans as allies, and how to avoid detection by Morgan. He even prepared to leverage his contacts in northern Mexico to persuade the Mexican government.
Padra nodded repeatedly, appreciating Sheffield's thorough considerations. However, after hearing about utilizing personal connections, she shook her head and said, "Actually, it doesn't need to be so complicated. You can simply go and meet Diaz in person."
"Diaz? The President of Mexico?" Sheffield was taken aback, stuttering, "The United Company has a close relationship with this person?"
"It's not exactly close, but there has been interaction. When he initiated the military coup, he came to Texas to recruit soldiers and purchase arms. He took the initiative, not the United Company offering assistance. But who would have thought he would succeed!" Padra reminisced about the situation at the time and sighed, "Some people are indeed remarkable. Among ordinary folks, there are geniuses, and it seems God favors them. You wouldn't know about this because you weren't born yet. When you were born, he was already the President of Mexico."
Padra informed Sheffield about this potential connection, but she also made it clear that Diaz was not someone a company could control. So, the United Company had never used this connection or asked Diaz for favors. However, since Sheffield had now identified this opportunity, she shared the previous interactions with him.
The political situation in Mexico was indeed chaotic, with frequent changes in government, but not in the presidency. Padra informed Sheffield of this fact. Conservative and liberal factions took turns in power, but Diaz, except for a brief hiatus, kept coming back. He intentionally stirred up turmoil, sowing discord among the factions, causing constant conflicts. Factional struggles not only weakened their respective strengths but also diverted attention from Diaz. Each faction wanted to rely on Diaz for their interests, and Diaz benefited from the chaos.
Sheffield widened his eyes, recalling a similar figure from his memory, Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty. Diaz's political moves were indeed shrewd, but for the country, it meant maintaining the status quo. Any aspirations of elevating the nation to new heights were far-fetched.
As with previous leaders in Mexico, such as the Huerta faction, the Madero faction, and the Porfirio Diaz faction, Diaz's manipulation had caused constant strife among them. Factional struggles not only weakened their power but also diverted attention from Diaz. Each faction sought to align with Diaz for their interests, and Diaz capitalized on the chaos to consolidate his position.
With Padra's reminder, Sheffield felt more confident about the Mexican debt issue. The connection on the Mexican side was a seemingly inactive yet powerful president. With German capital involved internationally, the United Company headquartered in Texas, and the formidable Standard Oil with its roots in the United States, outmaneuvering Morgan seemed almost certain.
"Aunt Padra, are you planning to go to Mexico yourself?" Sheffield no longer regarded this matter lightly, asking in a relaxed tone.
"No, I need to return to look after Madam. The United Company is now in your hands. Madam only assists and doesn't interfere, and I won't either," Padra replied with a cheerful smile. "I'm just here to increase the chances of your mission's success. Tomorrow, I'll be back at Arlington. All you need to do now is inform the negotiating team, which is already on the way."
Naturally, Sheffield would inform them. It would be foolish not to utilize this connection. He immediately prepared to contact the United negotiating team, which had already set out.
The covert struggle between Standard Oil, Sheffield United Company, Thyssen United Company, and the Morgan father and son was still brewing. Negotiations regarding Mexican bonds had not yet begun. In the unpredictable Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Navy fleet was gathering. Despite the setback experienced by the once-dominant Spanish navy during the blockade operation, the nascent U.S. Navy remained undeterred.
The navy best represented industrial capabilities—strength was strength, and weakness was weakness. If there was too great a disparity in hard power, no matter how experienced, traditional, or full of naval heritage one was, it would be of no use.
Although the Spanish fleet had managed to break the blockade imposed by the American navy, they, too, had chosen to resist from the confines of their fortifications. There was no intention of engaging in open sea combat.
The United States Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Admiral Thompson, continued to enforce the blockade on the Spanish fleet that had entered the Santiago military port. Another fleet from the East Coast had joined the blockade as well. In terms of warship tonnage and the number of cannons, the U.S. Navy held an absolute advantage, effectively trapping the Spanish fleet in the harbor.
At this time, Theodore Roosevelt, armed and ready, was preparing to depart from New Orleans. This surprised William Sheffield, who had been preoccupied with his own affairs. Sheffield had no knowledge of naval warfare and was only vaguely aware of the Spanish-American War. The actual process of the war was unfamiliar to him.
"The Spanish fleet is blockaded in the harbor, and control of the seas is virtually ours. It's safe to set sail now!" Theodore Roosevelt, now back in military attire, bid farewell before his departure. He imparted some basic knowledge about naval supremacy to his host, Sheffield, and assured him that it was safe to deploy now.
"In that case, I wish Mr. Roosevelt every success!" Although Sheffield had received a crash course, he didn't feel embarrassed. This news had a positive impact on his plans.
While he may not have understood naval matters, Sheffield was proficient in land-based affairs. Seeing Roosevelt's private armed forces preparing to set sail, he felt even more confident about his own situation.
"Jessup, send a message to Prince's Port in Haiti. John and Brown can begin their operations," Sheffield ordered confidently, showing no hesitation about putting his newly acquired knowledge into practice. The teachings of Sun Tzu's Art of War were proving valuable at this crucial moment.
With this invisible telegram, Prince's Port, which had been awaiting orders, erupted like a spark falling into a barrel of oil. More than twelve thousand armed personnel, nearly half the size of the U.S. expeditionary force currently assembling, sprang into action.
In the harbor, fully armed troops boarded the ships that had been waiting for some time. The leaders of various major companies were also systematically guiding their respective private militias. Although they appeared to be a motley crew, it was reminiscent of how they had been organized during the Civil War thirty years earlier. However, during subsequent conflicts, these diverse groups had proved themselves against General Yang Ge's forces.
Now that the Spanish fleet at sea had been neutralized, it signified a safe environment. Amid the continuous sounding of whistles, led by two armored cruisers, this massive force, numbering nearly thirty thousand strong, departed Prince's Port. They were determined to demonstrate the value of their extended stay in Prince's Port through their actions.
"Now, at least half of Cuba's land is under the control of Cuban rebels, and finding a suitable landing site won't be a problem. However, considering all factors, the most suitable location for our landing is Guantanamo Bay in the southeast of Cuba," John Connor pointed out from the armored cruiser Prince's Port, riding the swells. "The advantage is that Santiago, where the Spanish fleet is located, is not far from Guantanamo Bay. We have two powerful warships of our own, and once our identity is confirmed, we can rely on the U.S. fleet for support. The downside is that there may be a certain level of danger."
Nevertheless, this level of danger was negligible. The entire Spanish fleet was trapped in the harbor and could not break free from the encirclement of the U.S. Navy. The two armored cruisers in their possession were already significant firepower. The flags on these two cruisers had been changed to the stars and stripes.
Although many people secretly wanted to hoist the Confederate flag, it was best not to make such jokes during wartime. On their way to Cuba, they had already encountered the U.S. Navy blockade fleet, and they had safely conveyed their intentions.
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