Chapter 66: Tension in The Empire

The next days passed in a blur. Francisco began to piece together that charcoal, iron, and heat were bound by a relationship that produced steel, but the exact chemistry eluded him. With little time and many commitments, he set the problem aside for now — at least Ogundele and Kokou knew the craft well enough to make usable metal if weapons were needed.

Tension returned to the colony, heavier this time. The Haitian rebellion had sent shockwaves through Spain, forcing the crown to tighten reforms and clamp down on anything it saw as a threat. Royalists pressed to bring the cement factory under direct crown control. Thanks to the Gómez family’s connections and the crown’s ignorance of the factory’s true value, the viceroy had so far resisted, but people were already feeling the effects of the tightening policies.

In early December, just before Christmas, news of uprisings reached Antioquía.

Francisco was helping Catalina practice German when a servant entered with a solemn face.”Young master, the señor wishes to see you,” he said.

Francisco frowned and went to his father’s office.

Carlos stood behind his desk with a grave expression. “Something big happened in France two months ago.”

Francisco’s face went cold. “What happened?”

Carlos answered slowly, voice strained. “King Louis XVI accepted the new constitution the revolutionaries forced on him.”

Francisco’s eyes widened. “That will frighten the Spanish crown — it might even push them to war. After all, Louis is a cousin of Carlos IV.”

Carlos rubbed his forehead. “For now, Spain is claiming neutrality, but they are closing the borders. Travel from Cuba to Spain — and onward to Hanover — will become difficult.”

“Close the ports?” Francisco echoed, startled.

Carlos nodded. “The revolution scares them. They fear liberal ideas spreading through the empire, so they’ll pressure the colonies. That won’t be good for our allies.”

Francisco realized the stakes. Though his household hadn’t joined liberal circles, they would still need to limit contact.

“And there’s more,” Carlos continued. “Haiti has revolted as well. The French debate how many troops to send. You must be careful on your route to Europe — you could encounter ships or blockades.”

Francisco’s expression hardened. “This is getting dangerous. A rebellion could ignite at any time. Our family is known as crown supporters — we must prepare. Hire more armed servants. Keep guards with you constantly. Even if the festival bought us goodwill, it won’t erase the damage people blame on the crown. Vet every servant; we can’t let radicals inside our house.”

Carlos hesitated. “Why don’t you postpone Hanover? Wait a year until things calm.”

Francisco’s jaw tightened. “I wish I could. But I don’t see this calming down. Tensions will only build. It’s better to go now, gain knowledge, and return faster. I also plan to ask my maternal grandfather for help recruiting German soldiers.”

Carlos stared. “You want to bring an army to New Granada?”

Francisco nodded. “I’m worried the crown will try to seize the factory or interfere with the immigrants I’m spending to attract. Retired Prussian soldiers are hardened and might be stronger than the Spanish troops here. If we have a force, the viceroy will think twice before moving against us.”

Carlos studied him carefully. “Weren’t you trying to keep a low profile? Why act so openly now?”

“Because I’m tired of living with the fear that the crown will take the cement factory,” Francisco said. “The French Revolution has accelerated everything. If independence movements flare faster than we expect, we could be attacked — by liberals for supporting the crown, or by the crown for suspected disloyalty. I’d prefer to stay hidden, but Joaquin made it clear at the festival that enemies already eye our profit. These two industries are too valuable. If we don’t defend them, someone else will take them. Better to be proactive.”

Carlos’s face fell. “If you raise an army, my father will cut ties with us immediately.”

“I know,” Francisco answered. “But I can’t rely on the crown anymore. They’re becoming aggressive. If radical actions happen in France, the Spanish response will be harsher and may reach here.”

Carlos swallowed. “Do you think they’d go so far as to kill a king?”

Francisco hesitated, recalling visions he hadn’t shared with anyone but Catalina. He kept it practical. “It’s possible they will imprison him, or worse. The point is that his fate rests with the revolutionaries. If something happens to Carlos IV’s cousin, Carlos IV will react fiercely — not only against France, but against perceived internal threats like us.”

Carlos thought for a long moment and finally asked, “How do we arm ourselves, then?”

Francisco was ready. “Ogundele knows how to make steel. Kokou has already learned much of the craft. There’s also a slave family of blacksmiths that the traders owe us. It will take time to gather men and tools, but in less than a year we could build an armory in the mountains and produce weapons.”

Carlos exhaled slowly. “So you’ve been preparing.”

Francisco nodded. “Talk to the traders and the contacts I named. Start quietly. If we move fast enough, we can protect what we built.”

Carlos met his son’s gaze, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “Do we really need to live with such fear? Maybe this rebellion won’t touch us. Maybe you’re scaring yourself for nothing.”

Francisco replied evenly, “We can’t take that risk. Arming ourselves now is an advantage. The crown can’t act with its full strength — not while it’s guarding the mainland. Even if rebellion sparks, Spain won’t have enough power to strike hard here.”

Carlos frowned thoughtfully. “You mean… this might be the best moment to push for independence?”

Francisco nodded. “Exactly. The situation grows more favorable by the day. If I can gain Prussia’s and Britain’s support, we might follow the northern colonies’ path.”

Carlos raised an eyebrow. “You think those pirates would help us?”

Francisco gave a thin smile. “Yes and no. Spain helped the northern independence once — the British might return the favor, if only out of spite toward the crown. They won’t send soldiers, but money? Perhaps. As for Prussia, they might help if we open trade.”

Carlos considered this. “And what about the northern colonies themselves?”

“You can try,” Francisco said, thoughtful. “But they’ve just declared independence — they’re poorer than we are. At least we have gold.”

Carlos sighed. “And the families here? Even if many resent the crown, I don’t know how many would actually support an independence movement.”

“It’s too soon to tell,” Francisco admitted. “We’re not planning to declare independence yet. But we must have soldiers. If the time comes, we’ll pressure them to join us.”

Carlos leaned back, weary. “Somehow, everything feels like it’s about to fall apart.”

Francisco shrugged. “That’s the power of a revolution in France. I doubt we’re the only ones feeling it. Brazil might be next.”

Carlos nodded slowly. “Maybe.”

The room fell silent. Outside, the faint hum of cicadas filled the night air. Francisco turned toward the window, the sky glowing dimly over the mountains.Tomorrow, he would speak to the traders. If soldiers came first, the promises would mean nothing.

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