“I’m sure it’ll be Spain.”
“What will?”
“Our first enemy in a war, I mean.
We’re about to graduate, so I’ve been wondering who we’ll end up fighting first.”
Lorenzo and I were eating quietly in the dining hall.
‘It’s a natural question for a cadet who’s about to graduate.’
“Yeah, that makes sense.
Those damn Spaniards still haven’t even recognized our independence.”
In the original history, Spain did not recognize Mexican independence and establish diplomatic relations until 1836—fourteen years after independence.
In this world, considering that we had confiscated Spanish property, recognition might take even longer.
“True.
Now that Britain and France recognize us as a nation, we don’t desperately need Spain’s recognition.
But once Spain regains political stability, they’re bound to try something.”
Our first war, huh?
Historically, it had not developed into a full-scale war.
Instead, it became an event remembered as the Battle of Tampico.
Spain underestimated Mexico and attempted an invasion with only around 3,500 soldiers.
Santa Anna defeated them.
‘The Spaniards were counting on royalists inside Mexico joining them after they landed.
Even so, if they expected significant local support, they should have brought a stronger force.’
There were indeed still people in Mexico who opposed independence, even if most no longer said so openly.
Many were peninsulares and criollos nostalgic for Spanish rule, but even some indigenous communities—such as the Tlaxcalans—had complicated reasons for looking favorably on Spain.
Before the Spanish arrived, the Tlaxcalans had repeatedly fought the Aztec Empire and suffered terribly from raids and ritual sacrifice.
‘The so-called Flower Wars.’
Their hatred of the Aztecs had naturally become intense.
Then Cortés arrived.
The Tlaxcalans played an important role in the fall of the Aztec Empire and, in return, received a degree of autonomy during the colonial period.
In the original history, some Spanish loyalists resisted Mexican independence until the end before eventually yielding to pressure from the Mexican federation.
‘If Spanish soldiers ever reach Tlaxcalan territory, things could become ugly.’
The Spanish expedition historically carried thousands of extra rifles—far more than its own troops required—with the intention of arming loyalists inside Mexico.
If pro-Spanish factions obtained those weapons, Mexico could face civil conflict in addition to invasion.
‘Fortunately, Tlaxcala is inland and not particularly far from Mexico City.
Still, it would be better to destroy the invasion force before it can move inland.’
Because we had confiscated the property of peninsulares in this timeline, we had to prepare for the possibility that Spain would attack with far greater force than it had historically.
“If they invade, where do you think they’ll land?” Lorenzo asked.
“Veracruz?”
Like him, many people believed a Spanish attack was inevitable, and Veracruz seemed the obvious target.
It was Mexico’s most developed port and the center of international trade.
I knew that, historically, the Spanish had attacked near Tampico rather than Veracruz.
Lorenzo didn’t.
Since the subject had come up, there was no harm in planting the possibility in his mind.
“Veracruz is the obvious target.
But that’s exactly why its defenses are strong.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they chose a smaller port instead—somewhere like Tampico.”
“Ah.
That actually makes sense.”
“Exactly.
But wherever they attack, they’ll probably stop in Cuba first to resupply.”
Historically, the Spanish commander Isidro Barradas had anchored at Havana, Cuba’s capital and largest port, before launching his attack toward Tampico.
“Cuba is the perfect staging point,” Lorenzo said.
“If we placed spies there, we could find out when the invasion was coming.”
“See?
This is why we’re always thinking along the same lines.”
“After four years together, I know how your mind works.
Anyway, shall we go?”
Our final meal at the military academy was over.
***
February 1828.
Today, with the graduation ceremony, my four years at the military academy finally came to an end.
My classmates would receive commissions as officers.
I would return to civilian life.
When Agustín I forced me into the academy, he had made it clear that I wasn’t required to remain a career soldier.
The purpose was to ensure that I understood military affairs and could put on a uniform when extraordinary circumstances—such as war—required it.
‘Even though I was forced to come here, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected.’
I met Eduardo and founded a defense company with him.
I built relationships with a large number of people in the Mexican Army—classmates, senior cadets, instructors, and officers.
Projects I had not been personally managing also progressed well.
And, as a bonus, I had introduced modern football to the Mexican Empire before anyone else.
As I looked over the field where the graduation ceremony would take place, memories washed over me.
The academy director entered first, followed by instructors, senior officers, and finally Agustín I.
With the cadets’ families watching from behind the ceremonial area, the graduation ceremony for the third class of the Mexican Empire’s military academy began.
The academy director, Brigadier General García Conde—Eduardo’s maternal uncle—stepped onto the podium.
“With this, we officially begin the graduation ceremony for the third class of the Military Academy.
I thank the families of our cadets, our distinguished guests, and especially His Majesty the Emperor for attending.
“First, the graduates will enter accompanied by the military band.”
As the band began playing, we prepared to march toward the center of the grounds in full dress uniform.
The instructor gave the command.
“FORWARD!”
“FORWARD!”
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP!
Applause surrounded us as we marched in formation.
Lorenzo, chosen as the representative of our class, saluted General García Conde.
The ceremony continued.
“Cadets, the time has come to put the knowledge and skills you acquired here into practice.
From this day forward, you will serve as officers of the Mexican Empire…”
After the director’s speech came the presentation of awards.
Father personally handed them out.
He also delivered the graduation address, speaking about the responsibilities and morality expected of soldiers and the importance of loyalty to the Empire.
Next came the oath of allegiance.
Finally, Agustín I presented each graduate with his diploma.
“Congratulations.
You’ve become a fine man.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With the diplomas distributed, the ceremony finally ended.
‘This is much more exhausting than an ordinary university graduation.’
“My son!
You look so dignified!”
Mother, who had arrived with my younger siblings, immediately wrapped me in an emotional embrace.
‘Always affectionate.’
“Mother, we were together not that long ago.”
My sisters, Sabina Iturbide and Juana Iturbide, had also attended.
“Hello, Brother.”
They seemed awkward, as though neither knew exactly what to say after seeing me again.
Since arriving in this body, I had been so busy traveling from one place to another that this was practically the first time I had properly interacted with my sisters.
‘It doesn’t seem like the original Jerónimo was particularly close to them either… Historically, both eventually became nuns.’
Agustín I had ten children.
Nine survived into adulthood, yet seven never married.
That was an astonishingly high rate of lifelong celibacy.
‘Three of my sisters became nuns.
If that was genuinely their own choice, there’s nothing wrong with it, but…’
In this era, marriage and children were considered the normal path for adults.
The collapse of Agustín I’s regime in the original history had probably damaged his children’s lives as well.
‘I need to pay more attention to my family from now on.’
***
The day I graduated from the military academy, two other young men whose education I had financed also completed university: Sergio Ortega, son of Andrés Ortega, and Diego Luis, son of Víctor Luis.
I invited them to the palace for dinner so we could discuss their futures.
“Sergio, Diego.
It’s been four years.
How was university?”
“Thanks to Your Highness’s generosity, I was able to complete my studies without difficulty.
Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
‘They’re the same age as me, but it’s much harder for them to speak casually with me than it is for my academy classmates.’
We talked about our experiences over the previous four years.
When I mentioned the rifling machine I had developed and the mechanical reaper I was currently working on, Sergio became particularly interested.
As dinner neared its end, I finally brought up the real reason I had invited them.
“Sergio, now that you’ve graduated, what do you plan to do?
“And just so there’s no misunderstanding, neither of you owes me anything because I paid for your education.
Your fathers helped me greatly in the past.
Supporting your studies was simply my way of repaying that favor.”
I would be happy if they chose to work with me, but I was prepared to respect whatever decision they made.
Sergio thought for a moment before answering.
“If Your Highness permits it, I would like to put my skills to use in one of your companies.
“It isn’t because I feel indebted to you.
Rather, there are very few companies in this country using advanced technology on the scale yours are.”
“Excellent.
Which field interests you?
Steel?
Mining?
Defense?”
“I heard that both the mechanical reaper you’re developing and the rifling machine require imported steel.
“I’ve always believed that if the Mexican Empire is going to prosper, we must develop our own steel-production capability.
After hearing your plans today, I’m more convinced than ever.
“I would like to work for the steel company and improve our domestic capabilities in that field.”
‘Now that’s patriotic.
I like that answer.’
I was delighted by his determination.
There was no reason to refuse.
“All right.
I’m counting on you.”
I shook Sergio’s hand, then turned toward Diego, who had been quietly watching our conversation.
“And you, Diego?
What do you want to do?”
Diego seemed to have thought about it beforehand.
He answered without hesitation.
“If Your Highness allows it, I would like to remain by your side and work directly for you.”
“By my side?
You want to become my assistant?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
‘Hmm… With his humanities education, putting him on a technical-development project wouldn’t make much sense.
As for corporate management, his age and lack of experience would probably limit him to some kind of middle-management role.
‘If that’s the alternative, working as my assistant isn’t a bad choice.
‘Maybe he reached the same conclusion himself.’
“All right.
I’m counting on you too.”
“I’ll give it everything I have, Your Highness.”
I shook Diego’s hand as well.
“Ah, Your Highness, there’s one more thing I wanted to ask…”
“What is it?”
“Could you perhaps speak to me a little more casually?”
“Does the formal tone make you uncomfortable?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I’d prefer it if you spoke more naturally with me too.”
“Ah… All right.”
“Good.
Diego, you’ll begin working at the palace tomorrow.
“There’s going to be a lot to do from now on.”
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