When disaster strikes, each flies their own way

While the Carlist rebels were being battered by artillery fire, Primo's side had already begun sweeping up the Basque rebels in the La Rioja region.

As one of Spain's administrative divisions, La Rioja ranked dead last in population across the entire country.

However, La Rioja was still quite famous throughout Spain, as this region was a prolific wine-producing area and a renowned Spanish wine region.

Carlo's wine enterprises currently had five large grape-producing estates, two of which were located in La Rioja, enough to show just how famous this region was for wine.

Thanks to its sparse population, it was very easy to clear out the Basque rebels in La Rioja.

The entire La Rioja region had only a few population centers, making the Basque rebels' movements in this area quite conspicuous.

In just a few days, the Basque rebels in La Rioja had been nearly wiped out.

At this point, Primo also received a report from the Zaragoza army.

Hearing that a detached unit had encountered Catalan rebels in Zaragoza, Primo did not intend to change his battle plan and ordered the army to continue north toward the Basque Country and Navarre.

The Zaragoza garrison had about ten thousand troops, plus advanced artillery for fire support, enough to hold off the Carlist rebels.

Primo's task was to quickly eliminate the rebels in the Basque Country and Navarre, then circle around from northern Zaragoza straight into Catalonia.

Once the rebellion in Catalonia was pacified, the Carlist rebels stuck in Zaragoza would naturally pose no threat.

Several dozen kilometers northwest of Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, lay Vitoria-Gasteiz, the southern stronghold of the Basque region.

This was not only the Basque people's stronghold but also where the main force of the Basque rebels was stationed.

Primo took the attack on Vitoria-Gasteiz very seriously, specifically ordering the army to rest for a day in Logroño before marching north into the Basque Country in full force.

Inside Vitoria-Gasteiz at that time, the Basque rebels were already panicked.

What none of the rebel high command had expected was that the government army would unhesitatingly march north into the Basque Country instead of first pacifying Catalonia.

The Basques' plan was to threaten the government while the Carlist rebels and the government army were locked in fierce fighting, securing autonomy and more local powers for the Basque Country.

But now the government army was clearly advancing toward the Basque Country, which was completely unexpected for the Basques.

"Enrique, is this what you meant by us seizing the chance to win Basque autonomy?" Matías Anhaator, the main leader of the Basque rebels, was now furious, his eyes fixed on Enrique, the Basque region's senator.

"This isn't my fault either, Matías." Senator Enrique spread his hands, speaking with slight helplessness: "Who could have guessed Primo would come straight for us? Logically, shouldn't he have gone after the Catalan army, which has more troops?"

Although Matías Anhaator understood that all this was because Primo didn't play by the rules, the losses to the Basque army still pained him deeply.

After all, there were only so many Basques.

Every Basque soldier lost was a heavy blow to a people whose total population was only a few hundred thousand.

"Is there any good way to end this war now? Damn it, when did the government army become so powerful? When did they buy so much artillery?" At this moment, Matías Anhaator's head was full of question marks, completely unable to figure out why the Spanish Army had become so strong in such a short time.

"There are two ways to end this war." Senator Enrique thought for a moment before slowly speaking: "The first is to surrender directly to Primo."

"What? Surrender?" Matías Anhaator looked at Enrique in disbelief and asked: "Do you think Primo will let us off? He's wanted to eliminate us and the Catalans for a long time. He won't miss this chance, absolutely not."

"Then what else can we do, General?" Enrique asked calmly in return.

"Tell me your other plan." Matías Anhaator fell silent for a moment, ultimately having no choice but to stay quiet.

The gap in strength between the Basque rebels and the Spanish government army was like a chasm; defeating the Spanish government army alone was completely impossible, without a shred of hope.

"Another way is to wait for the Catalans to circle around from Valencia to Madrid." Enrique said: "As long as Madrid can be taken, this Spanish army we're facing won't be anything to fear. But circling from Valencia to Madrid is fraught with difficulties. I don't think the current Catalan army can manage it, unless God is willing to help them."

"Where is the Catalan army now? Are they still in Zaragoza?" Matías Anhaator had no trust in his allies; being held up in Zaragoza by a small detachment of the government army was a huge joke!

"It seems so, General." Enrique shrugged and said helplessly.

"Damn it, these Catalans never intended to cooperate with us. Or rather, their strength simply can't threaten the government army. God save us, let these damned Catalans go to hell. They've deceived the Basques, they're using us!" The seemingly reliable Catalans were actually not reliable at all; Carlos VII's supposed brilliance looked more like self-amusement.

"General, I suggest we wait another three days. If the Catalans still can't break through Zaragoza in three days, we'll have no choice but to surrender to Primo." Senator Enrique put forward his proposal.

"It seems that's all we can do for now. Senator Enrique, I'll rely on you for news from the Catalan side. If anything changes, please inform me in time." Matías Anhaator nodded, left with no other choice.

"As you command, General." Senator Enrique nodded, putting on an air of dedicating himself to the Basque cause.

Later that evening, within the Spanish army camp.

"Marshal, while on patrol, the cavalry caught this fellow. He claims to be a subordinate of Senator Enrique from the Basque region and says he has something to tell you. I've already checked him; aside from carrying a letter, he's hiding no weapons." Primo's subordinate, the Cavalry Division Commander, brought forward a Basque man dressed as a civilian and walked up to Primo.

Second chapter, requesting support!