Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 154: Situation in the Philippines

They spent two days in Manila while the fleet refueled at the port.

Coal barges moved slowly across the harbor, carrying fuel toward the anchored warships. Sailors worked along the decks while supply boats came and went between the piers and the fleet.

During that time, Villeneuve used the opportunity to learn more about the colony.

Most of the information came from the colonial administrators who worked under Governor-General Bernard.

One afternoon he sat inside a meeting room of the Palacio del Gobernador with several officials from the colonial council.

Maps of the Philippine archipelago were spread across the large wooden table.

Villeneuve studied them carefully.

"So the transition from Spanish rule was peaceful?" he asked.

One of the administrators nodded.

"For the most part, yes."

He pointed toward the northern islands on the map.

"The Emperor ordered sweeping reforms the moment Spain ceded the territory. Many of the Spanish systems were removed almost immediately."

Villeneuve listened quietly.

"Schools were one of the first priorities," the official continued.

"Primary schools have already been built across most towns in Luzon. Instruction is conducted in French."

Beauvilliers raised an eyebrow.

"You teach the locals your language?"

"Yes," the administrator replied.

"It follows the same structure used in mainland France. Elementary schools, secondary education, and eventually colleges."

Villeneuve leaned back slightly.

"And the purpose?"

The administrator answered without hesitation.

"The Emperor wants the population to become productive assets of the Empire."

He tapped the map.

"If they can read, write, and understand modern technical knowledge, they can work in factories, shipyards, railways, and administration."

Beauvilliers gave a small nod.

"That would certainly strengthen the colony."

"Exactly."

Another official spoke.

"Health programs are also underway. Hospitals are being constructed in several major towns. Sanitation systems are being introduced in the larger cities."

Villeneuve glanced toward the window where the harbor could still be seen in the distance.

"And the clergy?"

The administrator gave a faint smile.

"The Spanish priests once held significant power over the population."

"And now?"

"Their influence has been reduced."

He folded his hands on the table.

"The churches still operate, but they no longer control land or civil administration."

Beauvilliers nodded slowly.

"That must have caused resistance."

"It did," the official admitted.

"But most of the population accepted the reforms once they saw the improvements in roads, ports, and public services."

Villeneuve studied the map again.

"For the most part," he repeated.

The administrator hesitated briefly.

"Yes... for the most part."

His finger moved south across the map.

"To Mindanao."

Villeneuve followed the motion.

The large island at the southern end of the archipelago was marked with several shaded regions.

"What is happening there?"

The administrator spoke calmly.

"The situation there is different."

"Different how?"

"The southern territories were never fully controlled by Spain."

He pointed toward several coastal regions.

"Several local city-states exist there. Maguindanao among them."

Beauvilliers frowned slightly.

"They refused French authority?"

"Yes."

Villeneuve looked up.

"And the situation now?"

"There is an armed conflict underway."

Another officer added,

"French forces have been conducting operations there for several months."

Villeneuve remained silent.

"The local rulers refused to recognize the authority of the Empire," the officer continued. "They control fortified towns along the rivers and coastal regions."

"And the fighting?"

"Ongoing."

The officer pointed to several positions on the map.

"But the situation is already turning in our favor."

Villeneuve raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"The French expeditionary forces have already surrounded several of the major settlements."

"Well that’s good to hear? If only we could show them our new warships, it would end the conflict," Villeneuve chuckled.

"No, there’s no need for that. Our troops here in the Philippines are enough to deal with them," Bernard assured.

"That’s good to hear. After all, I don’t think the Emperor would permit it. The fleet is bound for China. Any other situations that I don’t know about?"

Bernard rested both hands on the edge of the table and looked down at the map.

"For the most part, the situation is stable."

Villeneuve waited.

Bernard continued.

"There are still occasional bandit groups in some of the outer provinces. Remnants of former militias or local warbands that operated under the Spanish."

"One of them stood near the edge of the map and pointed toward the central islands."

"Visayas."

Villeneuve glanced at the marked region.

"Piracy?"

"Occasionally," the officer replied. "Mostly small raiding vessels attacking coastal towns or merchant traffic."

Bernard nodded once.

"The navy patrols those waters regularly now. The problem is already diminishing."

Beauvilliers leaned forward slightly.

"And the population?"

Bernard answered calmly.

"The majority are farmers and fishermen. Once roads, markets, and schools began appearing, many of them accepted the new administration quickly."

He tapped the northern region of Luzon.

"The northern provinces are already quiet."

Villeneuve studied the map.

"So the main resistance is confined to Mindanao."

"Yes."

Bernard folded his arms.

"But that will not last forever."

Villeneuve looked up.

"You are confident."

Bernard allowed a faint smile.

"The French army does not conduct sieges halfway."

He pointed again toward the southern island.

"Once those city-states exhaust their supplies, they will surrender."

Beauvilliers glanced toward Villeneuve.

"And once they do?"

Bernard answered simply.

"Then the entire archipelago will finally be under Imperial administration."

Villeneuve nodded slowly.

"Which would make the Philippines a secure base in Asia."

"Exactly."

Bernard straightened slightly.

"And that is precisely what the Emperor intends."

"Well, this is good to know. The Emperor would be pleased with the work you have done here."

"Of course, for the glory of the Empire and to the Emperor himself. Long live the Emperor."

Bernard inclined his head slightly.

"For the glory of the Empire."

Villeneuve rose slowly from his chair and glanced once more at the map spread across the table.

"So Manila will stand as the Empire’s gateway to Asia."

"That is the plan," Bernard replied.

Outside the palace windows, the harbor remained active.

Coal smoke drifted above the anchored fleet while cranes moved cargo along the docks. Sailors worked along the decks of the warships as the last supplies were loaded aboard.

Beauvilliers looked toward the bay.

"In a few days, the fleet sails again."

Villeneuve nodded.

"Yes."