Chapter 705: Chapter 614 Sponsor
These conditions can ensure that the interests of Santo Domingo plantation owners will not suffer too much damage.
As for paying wages to the black workers, that part can temporarily be compensated by tax reductions from the Santo Domingo governnt. Once turmoil erupts in the Caribbean Sea, the price of sugarcane will inevitably skyrocket. The sugarcane plantations in Santo Domingo might even earn more than before, and that little bit of wage cost will be of no concern to anyone.
Of course, the British would not sit idly by and watch France make a fortune from Santo Domingo’s sugar. Driven by the principle of “If I can’t have it, no one will,” they would definitely try to block the shipping lanes to Port-au-Prince.
Joseph had foreseen this situation and had thus prepared an “ultimate weapon” in advance.
That night, Brisso returned to the villa of Vida de Labayetri Marquis, which was his residence in Port-au-Prince, and had an in-depth discussion with the visiting intelligence officers about the British intervention in Santo Domingo. They revised the Crown Prince’s plan.
The following morning, Brisso told Oreal about the arrangents for the army under the Abolitionist Organization, and the latter agreed without much hesitation.
As soon as Brisso left, Oreal rushed to the basent room they’d been in before and called for a eting with representatives of the Abolitionist Organization.
Under the eager gaze of over a dozen representatives, Oreal repeated the French Governnt’s decision to agree to abolition, with his words being interrupted multiple tis by excited cheers.
Then he relayed the demands of the French Governnt and finally said, “And our army will be kept intact and fulfill so obligations—assisting the governnt in addressing the Book rebellion.”
Undoubtedly, resolving issues within the existing order was the best solution. At this point, continuing the massacre of white people and trying to destroy the frawork that the Book movent had beco the enemy of the Abolitionist Organization.
Oreal looked at a mixed-race officer: “Major Jonas, we will coordinate with the Governor’s Army to drive the Book Rebel Army towards the northern side of Tortuga. So ships will be waiting there to take these rebels away.
“The specifics of the military operation will be delivered to you by soone from Marquis Labayettri. I need you to assemble the army as soon as possible. Once the abolition law passes, act imdiately.”
“Understood, Mr. Oreal.”
Three days later.
The Saint Domingo Council voted on the proposed abolition law submitted by Oreal.
Upon receiving instructions from the Crown Prince, the Governor ordered the Slave-holding Faction mbers of Congress not to oppose.
At 10 a.m., the abolition law was passed by a large majority.
The entirety of Santo Domingo was shaken.
The enslaved Africans were freed from their shackles, excitedly rushing onto the streets, screaming at the top of their lungs, weeping tears of joy.
anwhile, Major Rosmore of the Abolitionist Organization led his troops in maintaining order on the streets, with the Governor’s n responsible for appeasing the plantation owners.
An entire day passed without any violent incidents occurring.
The following day at noon, Marquis Labayettri led the Governor’s Army to begin their assault on the Book Rebel Army from the eastern side of Tortuga.
At the sa ti, Major Jonas’ 1,200 soldiers ard with British-made Brown Bess flintlock guns appeared on the southern side of Tortuga.
Tortuga, located at the northwest corner of Santo Domingo and shaped like a peninsula, is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and west. Thus, the two armies effectively blocked all escape routes for the Book Rebel Army.
Just three days later, the poorly ard rebel force of enslaved Africans was compressed into a small port near Tortuga’s northern side.
Perched on a rock at the port, Book held a broken telescope. Through it, he saw the Governor’s Army, dressed in white uniforms, already assembled several miles away.
Due to the lack of reconnaissance, the enemy’s exact troop strength was unknown, but he estimated that there were at least 1,500 n.
And he also knew that to the south, over a thousand soldiers, commanded by mixed-race officers, would soon arrive.
His 800-plus insurgent black soldiers, with only 300 guns among them, stood no chance against those forces.
He gazed at the drooping sunset and cursed all white n in a low voice before turning his head to return to the camp, ready to fully enjoy his last day of life.
Just then, his guard appeared before him with a withered old black man.
Book’s gaze instantly filled with murderous intent as he drew his sword from his waist and pressed it to the old man’s chest, hissing viciously, “Troch, you bastard who sold your soul to the white devils! I thank the ancestors for letting catch you. I will skin you and offer you as a sacrifice to the Spirit of Nature!”
Troch looked at him calmly and said, “Book, I’ve co to save you.”
“Ha, with your old bones?” Book laughed heartily. “Can you get 500 flintlock guns? If not, then shut up!”
“I know where there’s a ship.”
Suddenly, silence engulfed the surroundings. All the black soldiers stared intently at the old man.
“There’s a British gentleman who sympathizes with your plight and is ready to use his rchant ship to take you away.”
Book was stunned for a mont and then shouted hoarsely, “I don’t want a white man’s help!”
“He is not a white man.”
Night fell.
Torches still burned at Book’s camp, but all the black soldiers followed Troch to head west along the coast.
After walking for about three or four hours, Book saw a huge rchant ship anchored far away on the sea by the moonlight!
Several small boats went back and forth more than a dozen tis, finally getting Book and his soldiers all aboard the ship.
A mixed-race middle-aged man erged from the cabin and opened his arms to Book: “My hero, you should not die in Santo Domingo!”
Book couldn’t understand English. A soldier not far away hurried over to help translate.
Book and the “British rchant” embraced tightly, and Book said in a deep voice, “Thank you for your help, may the ancestors bless you.”
The other person smiled and said, “I take care of business for the Duke of Leeds, and there are plenty of weapons on this ship that I can give to you.”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
The “British rchant” then pointed northward: “There are too many enemies in Santo Domingo now, so I suggest it would be better for you to find a new base.”
Book, who had read so books, hesitated and said, “Are you talking about the Bahamas?”
“No, no, that place is not bigger than Santo Domingo, not enough for you to accomplish great deeds.” The “British rchant” shook his head, “Further north, the United States. There are large cotton plantations there, with millions of black people enslaved. If you go to rescue them, you’ll quickly have tens of thousands of soldiers!”
Book pondered for a mont and nodded vigorously: “You’re right, that’s where I should go.”
Just then, one of his officers crawled out of the cabin and whispered a few words in his ear.
Book’s eyes lit up instantly: “Thousands of flintlock guns?”
He looked at the “British rchant” again and grinned: “Are all these for ?”
He was already prepared, if the other party said “no,” he planned to kill him and his crew once they reached the United States and then arm the black population with those guns.
However, the “British rchant” also grinned and said, “If you like, take them all. The matching ammunition can also be taken.
“If possible, when you achieve great success, don’t forget the support the Duke of Leeds gave you.”
Reviews
All reviews (0)