Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1624 - 1155: Forsaken by All, the “Barebones” Commander Columbus
"Vaffanculo! Damn fool! I am the Expedition Commander, I am your boss! And you're negotiating with me?!... I have full authority to requisition excess sails and supplies from your two ships!..."
"No. The Almighty witnesses! You do not have such authority."
"Merda! I do! It's the authority given to me by the Queen!"
"Ha ha! I think you can't represent the Queen. Only the esteemed royal steward Gutierrez has the authority to represent the Queen's judgment! And you, are nothing but a failed, unlucky Naval Commander who only manages thirty people and gets chased by the Natives..."
"Minchia! Big Pinzon, you're courting death! I'll hang you from the mast!..."
"Aha! Come on, draw your sword! I want to see just how many people on the flagship will support a greedy, failed, unlucky pauper like you!..."
"Ah! Damn it!!..."
The sea wind roared, and piercing taunts echoed around the deck, the sound of swords being drawn resonating throughout the ship. On the flagship Santa Maria, the scene was now a glittering clash of swords.
Three Castilian Captains, accompanied by more than twenty trusted subordinates, all drew their weapons. They split into two roughly equal groups, with blade points facing each other, entrenched in a standoff on the deck. A brutal internal fight seemed ready to ignite at any moment!
In this era of maritime adventure and death, on this lawless and amoral sea, the struggle between captains and sailors is so direct and brutal! To wield power, a captain must kill to establish authority, bring wealth to the sailors, and distribute within acceptable limits. But once he fails in a fight, exposes weakness, internal power grabs and challenges, brutal infighting and purges begin brewing among the crew, potentially erupting immediately!
As a commoner captain lacking prestige, Columbus found this even more so. This time, in order to escape the pursuing Taino Militia, he abandoned the looted flagship wealth, lost the essential supplies for navigation, and threw away the morale of the sailors. And on the second day after the failed fight, it was precisely when his influence on the flagship sailors was weakest...
So, the Pinzon brothers showed no mercy! They immediately chose this moment to board the ship, to challenge and even seize the authority of the Fleet Commander, strengthening the power in their hands!
"Aha! Ten sailors drawing their swords... Columbus, no one would have thought that at this time, there are still ten people willing to fight for you!..."
Captain Big Pinzon glanced around the deck, counted the numbers on both sides, and revealed a knowing smile.
The sailors on the flagship Santa Maria had just experienced a painful defeat. The ship lost potentially distributable wealth, faced the dilemma of damaged vessels, morale had long plummeted to an irreplaceable low... At this moment, only one-third of the crew were willing to draw weapons and stand by Columbus!
"Minchia! I am your Commander, I discovered the new route to the East! I'll make every one of you rich, trust me!... Now, we must overpower the Pinzon brothers, requisition their sails and supplies!..."
Seeing the reaction of the flagship's personnel, Columbus felt a tremor in his heart. He quickly lowered his commanding demeanor and loudly appealed, generously promising the neutral sailors.
"Come over to my side! Qia Chu, you are my dear Second Boatswain! What are you hesitating for? I have not treated you unfairly these days..."
"Aha! Qia Chu! What are you still waiting for? We had already agreed at the Natives' village!... Come! Bring people over, follow me!"
Big Pinzon gripped his scimitar, grinned widely, and looked at Second Boatswain Qia Chu. Hesitating and not immediately siding with Columbus already said it all!
"Garcia fell at the Natives' village, the Pinta now has no Boatswain... The Almighty witnesses! Qia Chu, as long as you come over, you will be the Boatswain on my ship!"
"Holy Mother! Following Columbus, that stingy unlucky man, what future is there? He wouldn't spare a copper coin, wanting to hold every single one tightly! Would he be willing to give you even a fraction of the spoils of war?... As long as you bring people over, I will give your men three-tenths of the Pinta's future spoils of war!..."
"Aha! Qia Chu, don't hesitate! Columbus may be close to you now, but he won't truly consider you a confidant! He bears grudges, and you've once led sailors to rebel against him! Don't forget Boatswain Barto's fate!..."
Upon hearing this, Qia Chu's expression changed, his hand holding the scimitar trembling slightly. Boatswain Barto was always close to him, they together organized the flagship's sailors, forcing Columbus to return to port. But Barto's final fate was to be thrown into the sea by Columbus, who controlled the flagship, to feed the fish!...
"Joder! Big Pinzon, you're right! I'll bring people to follow you!..."
"Minchia! Qia Chu, you actually betrayed me?!"
"Bah! Columbus, you don't trust me, and I don't trust you! You killed Barto, you're not fit to be our leader!..."
Qia Chu bared his teeth fiercely, "Bah" at Columbus. Then, he raised the sailor's curved knife, skillfully twirled it, and looked at the trusted ones around him, especially the key craftsmen on the flagship.
"Goldsmith Carlo, Carpenter Antonio, Fine Carpenter Lope!... We and Barto organized the sailors together, we've taught Columbus a lesson! This Holy Maria ship can't stay any longer, let's all go to the Pinta!"
"Alright! Qia Chu, I'm coming with you!..."
"Yes! Listening to you!..."
"The Pinzon brothers are reliable! Their ship is fast too!..."
"Merda! What are you doing? Come back, come back quickly!..."
Under Columbus' angry and somewhat terrified gaze, a full eight sailors and shipwrights on the flagship chose to join the Pinzon brothers' ship. The two opposing teams immediately revealed their strength disparity. And the dignity of the Expedition Commander was thoroughly trampled underfoot by the Pinzon brothers as the sailors continued to "spit" on the deck!
"Haha! Praise the Almighty! Since you've chosen to join my ship, from today on, you're my Pinzon family and kin!..."
Big Pinzon laughed triumphantly, affectionately patting Qia Chu's shoulder. Then, he glanced sideways, staring at Columbus' almost explosive expression, and playfully curled his lips.
"Vicente, it's your turn..."
"Praise the Almighty! Thank you, honorable Commander Columbus, thank you for your generous support!..."
Little Pinzon smiled politely, giving Columbus a barely perceptible bow. Then, he deeply bowed, using an aristocratic tone, respectfully inviting two representatives of the Castilian Royal Family.
"Honorable Royal Steward, Honorable Scribe! Can I have the honor of inviting you both to board my Nina? May the Holy Mother protect! The current Nina should be more suitable as the flagship than the damaged Holy Maria..."
"May the Holy Mother protect!..."
Seeing that the situation was settled on the Holy Maria, Royal Steward Gutierrez nodded slightly, displaying a gentle smile. He glanced apologetically at the Second Captain De La Cosa and then looked at Scribe Rodrigo. Finally, he slightly bowed to Columbus and calmly said.
"Honorable Admiral Columbus, before the fleet's departure, the Queen granted me authority to act at my discretion... Given the current situation, the Holy Maria will not be suitable as the fleet's flagship… To avoid affecting Holy Maria's repairs and not adding burdens to the ship, the scribe and I will move to the Nina..."
"Damn!… Honorable Royal Steward! I was appointed by the Queen as the Expedition Commander, you can't leave my ship, you can't go!..."
"Of course, the Almighty be witness! Honorable Columbus, you are undoubtedly appointed by the Queen as the Fleet Commander..."
Royal Steward Gutierrez maintained his smile and demeanor consistent with ceremony. He bowed to Columbus once more, calmly replying.
"But, sorry. I will continue the work and tasks granted by the Queen on the Nina... I believe, you are a responsible Fleet Commander who can support the responsibility of aiding other ships. And the two Pinzon Captains are also excellent Kingdom Captains who will assist in repairing the Holy Maria... Isn't that right? Honorable Martin Alonso Pinzon and Honorable Vicente Yanez Pinzon?"
"Yes, I have no objections to this! Honorable Royal Steward, I will hand over extra spinnakers and supplies to Commander Columbus... Please board the ship!"
Little Pinzon Captain smiled slightly, elegantly extending his arm, warmly guiding the two royal representatives. The scribes from both flagships, also carrying the ship's documents, left the flagship along with the royal representatives. Before turning away, Little Pinzon looked once more at Columbus, whose face had darkened and teeth were clenched, and formally bowed, speaking with a cheerful tone.
"Sincerely, thank you, Commander Columbus! You are the Queen's appointed Fleet Commander. The remaining 22 people on the Holy Maria are all yours now!"
