The majestic Andes Mountains, the drought-free Atacama Desert, the mysterious and ancient Inca civilization, plus the invasion of Western civilization brought about by Spanish colonial rule for hundreds of years...all of this combined to form the South The unique taste of America is deserted, primitive and pure.
In the barbaric era before Spanish colonists arrived, most of the civilizations in South America were concentrated on the west side of the continent, because only here was suitable for large-scale farming operations, and only here could civilized countries relying on farming emerge.
The eastern part of South America is the Amazon jungle, the largest tropical rain forest in the world. For the backward productivity of ancient people, the endless tropical rain forest was an insurmountable chasm. No human reclamation behavior could match the vigorous vitality of nature.
The farmland cultivated by slash-and-burn cultivation often turns into a new jungle after a rainy season. The corn, pepper and other crops that people have worked so hard to sow may be covered by countless dense vines before they are harvested, and disappear without a trace. There was no trace.
Therefore, in the history of mankind in South America, whether it is the ancient Inca country or the Mayan civilization, the core areas of their civilizations were mostly close to the west, which is now Chile, Peru, Bolivia and other regions, and further north, Ecuador, Colombia and other regions at that time More influenced by the northern Indian civilization.
For thousands of years, the civilizations of this land have been inherited from each other. People have helped each other. They have a common language, a common religion, and a common clan relationship. However, Spanish colonial rule separated all of this.
When nationalism rose and the independence movement swept across South America, these descendants of the Sun God discovered that their long-standing bloodline had been severed. Countries and borders had cut off a common civilization that had existed for thousands of years, and armies and wars had completely broken them apart.
Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, the first countries in South America to get rid of Spanish colonization, did not get a happy life after independence. On the contrary, they got a war. People fought for the rich struvite and saltpeter resources in the Atacama Desert. A bloody and cruel fight.
During this war, Bolivia and Peru formed an alliance. They wanted to teach the small country of Chile a lesson and eventually dominate all the minerals in the desert.
The war began in 1866. The three countries fought in the narrow Talapac area. Since there was only a very narrow area between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, it was difficult for the army to make large roundabout maneuvers. At that time, the naval strength of the three countries was It is also very weak and unable to carry out large-scale landing operations.
The war suddenly turned into a protracted tug-of-war. Both the enemy and us built countless military fortresses in the Iquique area. The war suddenly turned into a game of siege and evacuation.
This is a battlefield that gives all Western military strategists a huge headache. People really can't think of any good way to catch them off guard.
If we open the topographic map of South America, we will find that the Andes Mountains divide the entire South America into two. The narrow coastline to the west is the main battlefield of the Three Kingdoms, while to the east of the mountains is the Amazon rainforest, with an average altitude of more than 3,600 meters. Mountains and tropical rainforests full of mire are all the most taboo death places for military strategists.
To the west of the battlefield is the Pacific Ocean, but unfortunately, none of the three countries are major maritime powers, and their limited ship tonnage simply cannot support large-scale troop mobilization.
The war suddenly turned into a protracted tug of war. In real history, the war began in 1866, and it was not until 1884 that a peace treaty was finally signed, which lasted for 18 years.
In the minds of the Chinese people, if a war lasts for 18 years, the country may have already been on the verge of collapse. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom fought for more than ten years, and the population loss in the Jiangnan region was close to hundreds of millions. So the war in South America lasted for 18 years. Will the entire country die?
But the reality is very funny. When Tang Lei and Tietutuo secretly boarded the port of Antofagasta in a small boat, they were stunned by the harmonious scene in front of them.
After more than three months of long travel, more than 10,000 veterans of the Nanyang Heavenly Kingdom finally saw the coastline of South America. However, such a large army cannot enter Chilean territory at will. It would frighten these people. Tang Lei He and Tietutuo took a boat alone from the large army and came to Antofagasta to prepare for secret talks with Major General Sirapizzo, Chen Yonglu and Weng Derong.
As for the 10,000 troops and fleet, they were anchored on St. Felix Island, waiting for later orders.
Tietoutuo and the others wore cloaks common to South American Indians, hiding their faces inside. No one paid any attention to this group of people when they walked on the street.
Antofagasta is the most important port in northern Chile. It once belonged to Bolivia and was later occupied by the Chilean army, becoming the city closest to the front line.
But Tietutuo could not smell the slightest smell of gunpowder from this city. The market was filled with potatoes, corn, peppers, and various fruits and vegetables. The citizens bargained calmly, and their faces did not look like they were in the middle of a war at all. That feeling of anxiety.
Groups of alpacas passed by, and various taverns were everywhere on both sides of the street. Drunk people were playing cards and holding cigars in their mouths.
"Damn it! Tang Lei, did you lie about the military situation? How does this smell of war? Are you trying to fool us..."
Tang Lei said speechlessly, "You don't understand. People here are like this. You will know what's going on when you see these people fighting in person... The tavern we are going to meet is in front of us. Yesterday I had already met Sirap Major General Zuo's people have taken over, let's wait here..."
Pushing open a dilapidated wooden door, the smell of bad alcohol and tobacco almost knocked them out. The dirty tavern's noisy drunkards, the indifferent waiters, and the dim light made people feel... A sense of déjà vu like being caught in a Western movie.
Tang Lei and his group walked into the house, and it suddenly became quiet. The smell of strangers made everyone in the tavern turn to look at them, their eyes full of vigilance.
"Don't pay attention to them. These long-term taverns are a bunch of losers. They don't work and rely on women to support themselves. They go to the battlefield to earn money for their lives and are timid... Watch your wallet. These are a group of professional thieves, gangsters and amateur robbers! "
Tietoutuo glanced at them contemptuously and said, "I understand, it turns out that the world is the same everywhere, scoundrels are everywhere like flies..."
Sitting at the table against the wall, Tang Lei ordered food in Spanish proficiently. When he ordered two bottles of the most expensive wine in the bar, the atmosphere suddenly changed, and the eyes of those scoundrels began to shine with greed.
