The mont the United States realized sothing was seriously wrong—
ca just before Russia collapsed and the Paris Treaty was signed.
At first, they simply thought—
"A cornered rat will bite the cat. xico is just making a last desperate stand."
But like clothes slowly soaking in drizzle,
their casualties kept increasing little by little.
And eventually—
field commanders realized sothing was off.
When they analyzed captured equipnt,
suspicion turned into certainty.
"Mr. President! This is a clear act of betrayal!"
"Canada is violating its agreent and selling weapons to xico! This goes beyond a simple protest!"
"…Do you have proof those weapons were produced in Canada?"
"Of course! General Winfield Scott has already sent captured weapons as evidence. They should arrive within days—we must summon the British ambassador imdiately!"
With both army and navy officers, along with the Secretary of War, raising their voices—
President Taylor could no longer ignore it.
Even without their outrage, this was clearly a violation of agreents.
But at the sa ti—
Sothing didn't add up.
Would the British Empire really—
sign an export restriction agreent…
only to secretly sell weapons behind the scenes?
And if they were going to do that—
wouldn't they at least disguise it?
Instead, so of the weapons reportedly bore clear British markings.
It made no sense.
But further investigation revealed sothing suspicious.
Large quantities of Canadian-made weapons—
had been shipped to Cuba.
Multiple departnts independently reached the sa conclusion.
Taylor imdiately convened his cabinet.
"Reports confirm xican forces are using British weapons. Our investigation suggests these are not direct sales from Canada—but are being routed through Cuba into xico."
"…So Spain is behind this?"
"Those bastards think they're still in the 16th century with the Armada."
"Mr. President, have you confird this with Britain?"
"I summoned the ambassador myself. Canada did not sell to xico—but they did sell to Cuba."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
They had been watching xico rearm—
without realizing it.
"So what do we do now?"
"We must stop British weapons from reaching xico."
"…On what grounds?"
No one had an answer.
After a mont, Secretary of War George Crawford spoke.
"Spain is selling military supplies to a nation at war with us. Can we not pressure them to stop?"
"They'll argue it's free trade. What then?"
"…Attorney General?"
"We can protest—but Spain can ignore it just as easily."
"Then what if we pressure Canada?"
"Britain would tell us to stop talking nonsense."
With the Crian War ending sooner than expected—
provoking Britain now would bring no benefit.
Zachary Taylor made a decision.
Canada would not be directly blad.
"We cannot afford to provoke Britain during this war. Still—make the request."
"They won't listen."
"Of course they won't. That's why we must focus on realistic options."
"Can we increase troop numbers and push harder?"
"It's possible."
"…But the budget—"
War Departnt vs Treasury.
As expected.
Taylor frowned.
"Is it possible or not?"
After reading the room—
Treasury Secretary William redith gave in.
"…On reconsideration, it should be possible."
"Good. Deploy the navy. Blockade all xican ports. That should at least slow Spain."
"And Spain?"
"We warn them. Firmly. If they continue aiding our enemy, they will bear the consequences."
For a soldier like Taylor—
this was the obvious response.
Selling weapons to the enemy—
was practically a declaration of hostility.
The United States acted imdiately.
More frigates and sloops were deployed.
xican ports were struck and blockaded.
Spain was warned.
But Spain—
the legendary troublemaker of an earlier era—
was not the type to back down over sothing like a blockade.
South of xico's Quintana Roo—
lay British Belize.
Untouchable by the United States.
Spain bribed officials there—
quietly unloaded weapons along the coast—
and xico simply picked them up and disappeared across the border.
Again.
And again.
Eventually—
Arica's patience snapped.
Congress passed a law:
Prohibiting the sale of military supplies to nations at war with the United States—and granting the navy authority to enforce it.
War seed imminent.
But—
They didn't act.
Spain dismissed it as empty barking.
But inside the United States—
public anger was reaching a boiling point.
Europe?
Didn't care.
Not even about the anger of a rising power.
Not even Spain.
"Oh? The second-rate power is angry? What will you do—hit us?"
From Spain's perspective—
Arica couldn't even defeat xico quickly.
Just another weak contender.
Whether that was true—
was another matter entirely.
anwhile — Britain
The strongest nation in the Aricas—
was still the United States.
Even now.
Canada had gained California and Alaska—
but it would take decades to fully capitalize on that.
Still—
industrialization was accelerating.
Immigration was flowing in.
Give it 20–30 years—
and Canada might rival the U.S.
And Arica still had one major historical event ahead.
If used properly—
They might even surpass it.
But for now—
No nation in the Aricas could defeat the United States alone.
Only the British Empire—
with full commitnt—
could win such a war.
And yet—
Apparently—
I was the only one who understood that.
"So Canada sold weapons to Spain… and Spain sold them to xico."
"Yes. They saw it as beneficial and saw no reason to refuse."
"That makes sense."
Canada profits.
Spain profits.
xico survives.
But—
Arica's goodwill drops.
And that's dangerous.
"So what do you want to do?"
"Arica has requested that Canada stop selling weapons to Spain."
I snorted.
"Tell them to stop talking nonsense."
"If they want to block those weapons—buy them all themselves."
Simple logic.
No flaw.
If they don't want Spain selling to xico—
they should deal with Spain.
Not Canada.
"…And Spain?" I asked.
"They'll likely ignore the warning."
"…Ignore it?"
Charles Wellesley looked puzzled.
Benjamin Disraeli too.
"Arica is rising—but not yet proven. Spain, despite decline, still has centuries of experience and influence. At this mont, Arica should be the one being cautious."
"I agree."
…Wow.
So this is how Europe sees it.
Then it clicked.
The war wasn't even over yet.
Arica was still struggling.
So naturally—
Europe's conclusion was:
"They're not ready yet."
Which ant—
Spain thought it could get away with this.
Dancing in front of a sleeping lion.
But the truth?
Arica wasn't holding back out of fear.
They were holding back—
because the war with xico wasn't over yet.
And nobody in Europe—
not even Spain—
realized that.
…Interesting.
If played right—
I could accelerate Canada's growth—
while redirecting Arican aggression elsewhere.
After all—
Brothers grow by fighting each other.
So if the children of Arica needed a little more "growth"—
Then I suppose…It was only right to pour a bit more oil onto the fire.
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