Although Chile is a small South American country, they have the heart to become a big country, and they are willing to fight for this goal, and Chile's rich copper and saltpeter mines provide them with huge financial resources, which makes Chile have the capital to become a South American power. Of course, the powerful foreign aid of the Chinese Empire is also indispensable. Without the help of the Chinese Empire, it would not have been easy for Chile to become a South American power. At least, not at this stage.

"Your Excellency, 75 million gold pesos, that's too much, isn't it? Even if we put all our financial revenue into it, it won't be enough! Finance Minister Alvano frowned. This amount of money is completely beyond the capacity of Chile.

"The problem of money is not difficult to solve, but my concern is that even if we buy these arms, will we be able to achieve our goal?" Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said. Although this is a huge amount of money, it is not impossible for the Chinese Empire to afford it if it can promise to pay it in installments. If you can defeat a strong enemy with the help of this batch of munitions and win a foreign war, then it will be worth it. Otherwise, Chile will fall into the abyss.

Manuel. Monte. President Torres nodded, and he was equally concerned about this. But is there any other option for Chile?

"Both, Chile's wealth has aroused the covetousness of other countries, Peru and Bolivia in the north, who have an opinion about our sovereignty in the Atacama Desert. In particular, large quantities of guano and saltpeter mines have been discovered in the northern and central Atacama Desert, and Chile cannot afford to sit idly by. Once Peru and Bolivia have taken advantage of the resources there and received large sums of money. They will certainly vigorously develop armaments. Peru and Bolivia both have populations of 2.5 million, each with 1 million more than Chile. If they solve the funding puzzle again. They will become stronger. When the time comes, Chile wants to confront them. It's impossible! "Manuel. Monte. The expression on President Torres' face was solemn. Today, Chile is one of the richest countries in South America due to its rich mineral resources. But the guano and saltpeter mines of the Atacama Desert could also enrich Peru and Bolivia, which would make them a serious threat to Chile. In addition, Manuel. Monte. President Torres also wants to take the Atacama Desert back in one fell swoop and make it Chilean territory.

Located on the border between Bolivia, Chile and Peru, the Atacama Desert was never explicitly demarcated during Spanish colonial rule. After the independence of the Three Kingdoms. Bolivia occupies the Antofagasta region in the central Atacama Desert, Peru occupies the Tarapacá region in the northern part of the desert, and Chile occupies the southern part of the desert. All three countries claim sovereignty over desert areas. The discovery of rich guano and saltpeter deposits in the central and northern Atacama Desert has sharpened the dispute between the three countries. As a high-quality organic fertilizer, the former is Bolivia's most important export commodity and source of foreign exchange, while the latter is an important raw material used by European and American arsenals to make gunpowder, which has extremely high strategic value.

"Your Excellency, in that case, I am in favour of purchasing arms from the Chinese Empire. And hired instructors from the Chinese Empire to train the army. For the sake of Chile's strength, we must have the Atacama Desert in our hands! Foreign Secretary Shimon Perez looked firm.

"Your Excellency, I have no problem either. But do we need to borrow money from the Chinese Empire? Foreign Secretary Alvano asked. Chile simply can't come up with that much money. The only way to buy the arms is to take out a loan or take other means.

"On the question of money, let Mascajano ask the Chinese. Hopefully be able to accept our installment payment, or allow us to pay with resources! That's the case. There won't be any problems! "Manuel. Monte. President Torres said. Chile was rich in resources, if the Chinese Empire agreed to have the resources to repay the money. That won't have much impact on Chile. It's a big deal to mine more resources, defeat Peru and Bolivia, and grab the Atacama Desert, that's the most important thing.

"Well, that's a good idea. If we can get the support of the Chinese Empire, then we will win! Foreign Secretary Shimon Peres' eyes lit up. He seems to have seen Chile defeat its neighbor to the north, seize the Atacama Desert, and then use its resources to become the hegemon of South America.

On the morning of November 17, 1856, Mascaiano, who had received a telegram from China, asked Fang Minghong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Empire, to consult on Chile's purchase of weapons from the Chinese Empire.

"Lord Fang, Chile has agreed to purchase those weapons that your country has proposed before. However, in terms of payment methods, Chile hopes to be understood by the Chinese Empire. Chile is a small country, and 30 million Chinese dollars is a huge amount of money for us, and we hope to be able to pay this amount in installments, and it is paid with Chile's mineral resources. Mascaiano pleaded.

"Pay in installments, repay with money and resources? That's one way to do it. I agree in principle, but I will have to report to His Excellency the Foreign Secretary. Fang Minghong nodded. Mineral resources are also money! The Empire's industry is now developing at a high rate, and it is at a time when these resources need to be used in large quantities. Chileans don't have the money to pay their bills, and it's the same with mineral resources.

"Thank you for your understanding, Chile will not forget your kindness!" Mascayano's face was happy, he knew that Fang Minghong nodded, and this matter was basically done. The main military force is about to begin to take off.

"Your Excellency Special Envoy, the empire is very optimistic about Chile and hopes to maintain good relations with Chile and give Chile some convenience, which is also as it should be!" Fang Minghong said with a smile.

"Lord Fang, what about Chile's hope to hire some instructors from the Chinese Empire?" Mascaiano continued. It's not enough to have weapons, you also need people to train. The military theories of South American countries are almost still a few decades ago, and there is a world of difference between them and the Chinese Empire, which won the world war. If it can be supported by the Chinese Empire, then the Chilean army will undoubtedly be invincible.

"On this, it is necessary to coordinate with the General Staff. However, I will discuss it with the General Staff, there should be no problem! Fang Minghong nodded.

"Thank you so much, Your Excellency!" Mascayano had a happy look on his face.

After seeing off Mascajano, Fang Minghong went to the office of Foreign Minister Wei Yuan and reported to him on the results of his talks with the Chilean envoy.

"Repaid with mineral resources? That's fine. Send instructors, and there will be no problems. Wei Yuan pondered for a while and then said.

"Master Wei, I will focus on the development of relations with Chile. Although Chile is a small country, it has good economic conditions and abundant resources. With our support, Chile will certainly have a future and even develop into a hegemon in South America. South America is too far away from the empire itself, and if the empire wants to occupy South America, some of the gains outweigh the losses. Therefore, supporting a spokesperson is undoubtedly the best way, just like the empire supported the Spaniards in the first place! Fang Minghong continued.

Wei Yuan nodded: "Lord Fang, this mention is not bad, let's go to the palace immediately to meet His Majesty, and tell His Majesty this idea!" ”

The two immediately rushed to the palace and reported the incident to the Emperor Long Yufei. Long Yufei is also interested in supporting Chile as the face of the empire in South America. In South America in Long Yufei's memory, in addition to football and samba, there are only their mineral resources.

"Although Chile is a small country, it is also convenient for the empire to control. If the empire supports Chile, it is very likely that they will become the hegemon of South America. The empire can use Chile to stabilize South America! Long Yufei nodded.

"Someone, go and bring the Prime Minister and the Chief of the General Staff!" Long Yufei commanded.

Soon, Prime Minister Lin Zihao and Chief of General Staff General Liu Zhongming rushed to the palace, and Fang Minghong recounted the support for the construction of South America.

"Your Majesty, all the countries in South America are relatively poor, and if the empire wants to invade South America, it really doesn't have much interest. Supporting a spokesperson is the best way. Since Chile was the first country to come to us, we are fortunate to support them! Prime Minister Lin Zihao said. With the current strength of the empire, no matter which country they support, they have the potential to become the hegemon of South America. Since Chile was the first South American country to seek refuge in the empire, they were undoubtedly the first to take refuge in the water.

"Hmmm! The General Staff has drawn up a plan for military support for Chile, which will have the most powerful army in South America over the next three years. Long Yufei said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Chief of the General Staff, General Liu Zhongming, nodded. The Chilean army and navy combined are only 60,000 men, which is simply incomparable for an empire with millions of troops. Just send some instructors over, and you will be able to train those troops well.

"Let's talk to the Chileans and see if they want to be the face of the empire in South America!" Long Yufei said.

"Your Majesty, as long as the Chileans don't have their heads caught in the door, they won't refuse the friendship of the Empire!" Foreign Minister Wei Yuan said with a smile.

In fact, when Imperial Foreign Minister Wei Yuan personally received Mascaiano and made this request to him, Mascaiano was completely a feeling of being hit by a pie.

Two days later, after consulting the country's opinions, Chile signed a secret treaty with the Chinese Empire, becoming the Empire's spokesman in South America. (To be continued......)

ps: The first update arrives, ask for subscriptions, ask for monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you to the book friends who love to eat egg tarts, cats, gamefox, listen to Tian's talk, huanyu, and Duoduo Xiaobao's monthly pass!