In response to the demands of the Republic of Chile, both Peru and Bolivia have stated that there is no room for negotiation on the issue of the Atacama Desert. The existing zone of the Atacama Desert is the best demarcation line between the three countries, and if the Republic of Chile must go to war, they will accompany it to the end. Both Peru and Bolivia have already made guano and saltpeter in the Atacama Desert their only hope for the prosperity of their countries, so how can Chileans, who are already very wealthy, get another piece of the pie here?

Peru and Bolivia would refuse, which was not expected by the Chilean Government. In other words, if other countries asked to share Chile's copper resources, Chile would definitely not agree. Therefore, Chile did not expect to share the resources of the Atacama Desert through diplomatic means in the first place. Their goal is to take the entire Atacama Desert into their pockets. And this, it seems, there is no other way than to pass guò military means. So, the Chilean government's goals are very clear.

Chile's preparations for war are still proceeding in an orderly manner. The main fleet of the Chilean Navy began to take on its back, preparing for an offensive against the Peruvian Navy. The Chilean Army also moved north. With the help of China, the Chilean Army has undergone a comprehensive reform, and the 50,000 Army has been organized into seven infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and two artillery battalions. Now, in addition to the 2nd Infantry Brigade remaining as a reserve in the capital Santiago, the other six infantry brigades and one cavalry brigade, as well as the artillery battalions of both countries, have all been assembled on the northern border. It can be said that Chile is already desperate for this battle. If it fails, Chile will collapse.

Of course, Chile has made so many preparations just to make sure that this time it can win and not lose. In addition to the 50,000 regular troops, Chile imported additional weapons to the Chinese Empire capable of equipping 50,000 army forces. In the event of a defeat by the army on the front line, Chile will immediately call up reservists to join the army in order to turn the tide of the war, or to ensure the security of the homeland. It can be said that Chile is already well prepared this time.

Similarly, Peru and Bolivia began preparations for war. A large number of troops marched to the Atacama Desert region to prepare for an attack by the Chilean Army. However, the armies of Peru and Bolivia are extremely poorly equipped. The Peruvian Army is armed with old-fashioned muskets and other weapons, but they are all breech-loading guns, and in the face of the new rifles and machine guns equipped with the Chilean Army, it is simply a dead end. The Bolivian Army's equipment is even more bizarre, in addition to a small number of muskets, there are also a large number of cold weapons. In particular, those Indian soldiers who wore sandals and carried bows and crossbows were still in the era of cold weapons. Will such an army be able to withstand the Chilean Army's attack?

On February 12, 1858, the southern hemisphere had entered a hot summer. This is especially true in countries such as Peru, Bolivia and Chile, where the weather is hotter due to their lower latitudes. In particular, the place where the battle was fought this time was the Atacama Desert, and the climate was even hotter. Under the construction of the officer corps from the Chinese Empire, the Chilean government postponed plans to march on the ground. Preparations were made for another offensive in mid-to-late March. In this way, the climate is a little cooler. This, in turn, gives Peru and Bolivia more time to prepare.

On February 13, Peruvian President Ramón Murphy President José of Castile and Bolivia. Maria. Linares. Lisarazu held a secret meeting in La Paz, a city in northwestern Bolivia. However, the atmosphere of this meeting was very solemn. When Chile was determined to go to war, Peru and Bolivia mobilized all their forces to scout the combat strength of the Chilean army and navy. In the end, they came to a conclusion that surprised both countries. The Chilean Army and Navy have completely opened up the gap with them in silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, according to the latest information we have received, the Chilean army and navy have ordered a large number of warships and new weapons and equipment from the Chinese. The Chilean Navy began training in China at the end of 1856, and with the help of the Chinese, they quickly mastered the combat methods of these new warships. The Chilean Army, on the other hand, has also been trained by the officer corps from China. It can be said that the Chilean army and navy have undergone radical changes. If we look at the Chileans with the old eyes, we have no chance of winning this battle at all! "The one who spoke was a white man in his thirties, who was Peruvian Army Secretary Pedro. As soon as the intelligence services received information about the Chilean Army and Navy, he immediately analyzed it. However, the best outcome turned out to be very frustrating for him. Even if the combined forces of Peru and Bolivia have absolute superiority in numbers, they will definitely lose the outcome of the war!

"How so? How can the Chinese help the Chileans? Bolivian President José. Maria was clearly struck. Although Bolivia is too far away from the Chinese Empire, the Chinese Empire is now in the world, and what country can really ignore China's influence? A small country like Bolivia is nothing in front of the Chinese Empire.

"The Chileans have obviously hugged the Chinese on their laps, so they have no fear." Peruvian President Ramón. Castile's face also became very ugly. Now they know why Chile would not care about the union of Peru and Bolivia.

"Your Excellency the two presidents, the Chinese should not directly intervene in the affairs of South America. Their center of gravity is in Asia, and now they are competing with the Germans for world supremacy. The Chinese will not directly invade South America at this time. That's why they support the Chileans. If we can defeat the Chileans, maybe the Chinese will change their ways! Pedro said.

"Ramon. President Castile, why don't we negotiate with the Chileans again and try to settle the dispute peacefully! Bolivian President José. Maria really didn't have any confidence in beating Chile.

Peruvian President Ramón. Castile thought about it for a moment, but nodded. Although it is inevitable that a share of the profits will be given to the Chileans. But if war can be avoided, it will be worth it.

Subsequently, Peru and Bolivia urgently contacted their ambassadors to Chile to negotiate with the Chilean government in the hope that war could be averted.

On February 18, 1858, Chilean Foreign Minister Perez met with the ambassadors of Peru and Bolivia to Chile.

"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, now that more and more troops have gathered on the border of our three countries, this has seriously affected the peace in this region, and we hope that everyone can return to the negotiating table to settle disputes, instead of using the means of war!" This was stated by the Ambassador of Peru.

"The Republic of Bolivia is not afraid of war, however, we do not want it!" This was also stated by the Ambassador of Bolivia.

"Your Excellency, Ambassadors, Chile also does not want a war. However, Chile had to go to war for the sake of our own interests! "Perez is very tough.

"Chile will not agree if Peru and Bolivia insist on spending the benefits of the Atacama Desert in accordance with the current occupation zone." Perez said.

"Then, Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chilean government hopes that our three countries will be able to share the benefits of the Atacama Desert. For example, we will form a company to develop the resources of the Atacama Desert and share the profits equally among the three of us! Perez said. This is the second package of the Chilean Government's programme. It would be nice to be able to share a third of the benefits of the Atacama Desert without relying on war.

After all, after a war, the Chilean government will also consume a lot of resources and sacrifice a lot of soldiers. At the same time, there are some risks. If Peru and Bolivia can compromise, it would be the best. But will Peru and Bolivia agree? This is obviously impossible.

When the ambassadors of Peru and Bolivia sent the Chilean government's request back home, both Peru and Bolivia sternly refused. What are you kidding, they finally got such a large fortune, and if they had to give a share to the Chileans, the wealth would have shrunk greatly.

After secret negotiations between Peru and Bolivia, the two countries agreed to Chile's offer to form a company to develop the Atacama Desert, but agreed to give Chile only 10 percent of the benefits. However, Chile would obviously not agree that they would only get 10 per cent. Chile occupy a third of the Atacama Desert, but they are unlucky, as their occupation is devoid of guano and saltpeter. However, they arrogantly demanded a share of one-third of the benefits of guano and saltpeter throughout the desert.

Peru and Bolivia's negotiations with Chile ended in failure. And Chile's preparations for war were completed. At the same time, with the arrival of March, the weather is not so hot anymore. The conditions are also ripe for a war in Chile.

Chile followed the example of the Chinese Empire in establishing a General Staff, which commanded Chile's army and navy in wartime. The first Chief of the General Staff was General Gamondia of the Chilean Army. Of course, because the Chilean General Staff had just been created, in order to support Chile's military operations, the Chinese Empire specially sent a group of staff officers to assist the Chilean General Staff in commanding this battle.

Moreover, this time the battle plan was also drawn up with the assistance of Chinese staff officers. The Chief of the General Staff of Chile, General Gamondia, only needs to implement it step by step according to the plan that has been made.

On March 15, 1858, the Chief of the General Staff of Chile, Admiral Gamondía, presented a letter to President Manuel Gámóndia. Monte. Torres and senior government officials reported on the battle plan. The smoke of South America has begun to appear. R1152