The Andes Dream

Johann guided his grandson into a private room, where a few typical dishes from the region had already been served. Among them was a Royale Consommé and a Wildbraten—roasted game meat. In this case, it seemed to be wild boar. Francisco examined the dish with curiosity; it looked like a pig, but with two large tusks jutting out from its mouth.

Seeing his interest, Johann chuckled."That's wild boar. I hunted it myself just for this dinner. The beast weighed two hundred kilos." He spoke with visible pride.

Francisco nodded, intrigued."So this is what a wild boar looks like… it does resemble a pig a bit, doesn't it?"

Johann raised an eyebrow."You've never seen one? Weren't you born in Spain?"

Francisco nodded again."I was, but mostly to keep my status as an Iberian in New Granada. Criollos have slightly lower standing than peninsulares. Once my mother recovered enough for the journey, we returned to New Granada."

Johann frowned."Isn't it a real pain to make things so complicated?"

Francisco sighed helplessly."I can't do anything about it. Our king is as unreasonable as ever—creating absurd laws just to keep control over the colonies."

Johann caught the tone in Francisco's voice. After glancing around to make sure no servants lingered nearby, he spoke cautiously:"You seem to hold a certain… disdain for the Spanish royal family, don't you, boy?"

Francisco didn't deny it."Honestly, Grandfather, I wanted to meet you not only because you're family, but because I need your help with something serious."

Johann felt a spark of excitement inside. His grandson was ambitious—good. He wouldn't have to force a crown onto his head after all. Still, he kept his expression calm.

"Tell me, son. I'll listen."

Francisco hesitated for a moment before speaking."I need to hire German mercenaries and send them to New Granada. I recently discovered that the royal family is already looking for ways to deal with me and my family, so I need enough troops to counter any ambition the Spanish Empire might have."

Johann frowned."Are you certain? Perhaps they're only wary of you, nothing more. From what I've heard, your other grandfather—the Duke of Lerma, isn't he?—has been making a fortune in liquor this past year. His influence keeps growing. I doubt the Spanish Empire wants trouble with the family of someone so important."

Francisco sighed."Grandfather, you might not know this, but the liquor he's selling comes from me. That's what made our family so wealthy so quickly. But as you can imagine, he began to expand and monopolize the entire industry thanks to that cheap, flavorful liquor. The people who lost money—and the officials who lost their cash cows—are now pointing their spears at my father and me. They don't dare point them at him."

Johann's frown deepened, then he exhaled."Fine… I can help you."Then he suddenly laughed, genuinely delighted."Truth be told, I was already preparing to help you take those colonies. His Majesty, the King of Prussia, won't give any open support, of course—but he's choosing to look the other way while I assist you. I already have five hundred elite soldiers, and we've been hiring mercenaries. Our forces are close to two thousand men now. And don't worry—we're planning to hire more."

Francisco almost choked on his drink."Grandfather… are you planning to help me defend my property, or to conquer America? Do you realize that more than two thousand soldiers in New Granada would be overwhelming? The Spanish troops there are a minority. Most are colonial levies—poorly trained and with almost no loyalty. If your men are even half as seasoned as the ones I saw earlier… no one in the entire Americas would dare fight us."

Johann grinned broadly."That's exactly why I want you to become the King of New Granada."He lifted a full mug of liquor and drank deeply."I owe your mother and grandmother far too much. I thought I'd never be able to repay them in this life… but what better way than helping her son—and my grandson—build his own nation?"

Francisco was left speechless."Mother would not like that…" he muttered. Still, he managed a shrug."Sorry, Grandfather. I'm not sure I want a throne. I don't believe much in monarchy."

Johann, already several cups in, slammed his mug on the table, startling Francisco.

"What do you mean, boy? Don't tell me you want to follow those idiotic French and form a republic. Have you seen the mess they're in right now? Thanks to that fool Robespierre and his so-called friends, all of Europe is uniting to crush their 'free republic.' And I'm quite sure that sooner or later someone will take his head. If that's your plan, you can forget my help."

Francisco was speechless. He hadn't even mentioned forming a republic, yet it was clear his grandfather wasn't fond of the idea. He couldn't help but ask:

"Why don't you support a republican system? I mean, as a commoner who became a general, you should understand the drawbacks of monarchy, shouldn't you? I heard that you lived well under Frederick the Great, but once he died you were suppressed by the new king because he preferred nobles over men who rose by merit."

Johann took another long drink, his expression darkening.

"And you think a republic is any different? Please… that system is worse. The leader changes even more often, and you're still at the mercy of whoever takes charge next. At least under the king I could live peacefully into old age, and the worst that happened was being sidelined. Under a republic—under that Committee of Public Safety—and if Robespierre in particular didn't like me, I'd be preparing to fight all of Europe for nothing. It's simply not worth making that many enemies."

Francisco nodded. He understood now: his grandfather's real fear wasn't the republic itself, but becoming the enemy of Europe by choosing such a system. Still, he said:

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm not sure I'll choose that system. I'm still thinking about it, but I definitely don't want another monarchy. And I'm certain the people in the colonies wouldn't accept a new king over their heads."

Johann remained silent. He didn't know much about the colonies, so he preferred not to comment. He only said:

"I don't care what you choose. I just hope you don't make yourself an enemy of Europe."

Francisco sighed.

"Don't worry. I've already secured a sort of alliance with the British. They can help transport the soldiers to New Granada without drawing the Spanish's attention."

Johann frowned deeply.

"I wouldn't trust those cunning British too much, son. They don't do anything for free. Trust them too much and you might end up sold—and they'll be counting the money."

Francisco chuckled.

"Don't worry. But… I need another favor, Grandfather. Do you think I can get an audience with the current King of Prussia?"

Johann hesitated, his brow furrowing even more.

"Do you really need to speak with him? You know my relationship with him is… not exactly good."

Francisco said solemnly, "We need weapon technology. If we want to declare independence, the Spanish Crown has too much control over it in New Granada."

Johann thought for a moment and took another drink. After a while he said, "I can arrange the meeting, but I doubt you'll get much out of it—even if you use my name. In fact, if you do use my name, I might end up worse off."

Francisco nodded, drank from his own mug, and replied, "Don't worry, Grandfather. This depends entirely on me."

Johann sighed and drank another full mug. They continued talking as they drank, while Catalina, standing beside Francisco, gently wiped his forehead and scolded him for drinking too much.

Seeing Catalina fuss over Francisco, Johann smiled, reminded of his late wife and how she used to do the same. He couldn't help but exclaim, "I'm glad you found yourself a good wife, boy. That's usually the best way to keep a family together. If not for my Elise, they both might have died in that cursed place."

Francisco, hearing his grandfather, nodded and replied—already a bit drunk, "I've heard a little about their story. Grandma saw that things in the German Empire were going from bad to worse, and before it got even worse, she decided to take my mother and leave far away. My other grandfather happened to be around and offered them work in New Granada, in a spinning workshop. Grandma sadly didn't last five years in the New World… but my mother survived and grew stronger."

Johann quietly slapped the table, stood up, and punched straight through the wall. "That bastard officer," he growled. "You know, under Friedrich the Great there was a proper pension system. My wife was supposed to receive enough money while I was fighting. But the officer in charge was greedy—embezzled the whole pay."

Francisco was taken aback, but after a moment he said, "Grandfather, money wouldn't have helped much. Maybe it was for the best that she never received a penny. If she had money, she might have hesitated and stayed here."

Remembering the state of the village when he returned—bodies half-eaten by beasts or by starving people—Johann felt a chill down his spine. "You're right," he muttered. "It would've been worse for them. That cursed famine… it was hell on earth."

Francisco nodded, having heard fragments of what happened. Then he looked at Catalina and asked, "Would you do the same, if we lived through something like that?"

Catalina smiled softly. "Of course I would. Though I'd prefer if you made sure such a situation never comes to pass again, don't you think?"

Francisco laughed faintly and took another drink.