Count Aranda displayed a relaxed expression: "Your Majesty, if New Granada is attacked, it would indeed be very dangerous.

"But since we have made arrangements in advance, the situation is entirely different."

His finger glided over the green triangle on the map representing the rainforest: "Setting off from Manaus, the Portuguese need to follow the Negro River all the way westwards, with only the small town of San Carlos offering a limited supply en route.

"Afterwards, they will enter the Orinoco River from the Cassiqueiare Canal, then proceed northwards..."

He lowered his head to calculate, adding: "Over 350 kilometers, only then can they reach the territory of New Granada."

It was only two years ago that Spain began to comprehensively promote metric units, that is the French standard measurement, so there was still some unfamiliarity with the actual distance of a "kilometer."

Charles IV looked at him: "So?"

Count Aranda took a deep breath: "This means the Portuguese supply route stretches 1,100 kilometers, and almost entirely through dense forest.

"They must establish numerous supply stations along the way to ensure the supply of frontline materials. This will require dispersing a large number of troops to guard and maintain these supply stations.

"Meanwhile, their boats shipping logistical supplies along the river would be vulnerable to attacks—we can easily block their transport ships by placing a few cannons on the riverbanks in advance.

"In this scenario, out of the 60,000 Portuguese Army, at most only 10,000 can actually enter New Granada to fight.

"We don’t even need to confront these 10,000 troops directly. We just need to keep attacking their supply lines, and after three or four months at most, they will have to make a hasty retreat."

Indeed, in South America, the enemy’s bayonets and cannons are not the most terrifying; the harsh natural environment is the real nightmare.

It is simply impossible to invade through vast rainforests via land routes.

Let alone traveling hundreds of kilometers; just passing through a 50-kilometer patch of rainforest, mosquitoes, spiders, and poisonous snakes could take out a third of your soldiers.

Luckily, the Amazon River’s vast tributaries are densely packed here, which can allow passage via waterways.

But the narrow river paths make it impossible for the attacking side to conceal, while the defending side can initiate effective attacks anytime and anywhere.

Count Aranda continued: "As for the rebellion, Governor Bourbon has already gathered 3,700 soldiers, along with more Caboclo militia, ensuring that the rebels will not affect the fight against Portugal."

His arrangements gradually relaxed the brows of the Spanish monarch and ministers. Since the Regent of France had already anticipated the Portuguese would launch a surprise attack, the defense would become very easy.

In the hall, only Joseph remained with a serious expression.

Yes, if it was as easy as Count Aranda said, he would not have specially come to Madrid.

"Count," he looked at the Spanish Minister of War, "Have you considered that the enemy might launch an attack from another route."

"Another route?" Count Aranda glanced at the map, pondering, "You mean the Portuguese might set out from Porto Velho, ascend the Putumayo River, passing through Orito and Mocoa to reach the southern Andes Mountains...

"With all due respect, Porto Velho is very impoverished, almost unable to supply the needs of tens of thousands of troops. Moreover, traveling westwards along the Putumayo River is extremely difficult; setting off now, they might only enter Colombia by early next year."

The New Granada colony consisted of Colombia on the west side and Venezuela on the east side. The route he mentioned earlier was to first head north into Venezuela, and then advance westward along the towns.

Count Florida Blanca immediately said: "Even if the possibility is small, we should arrange defenses."

The Regent of France is someone who swept through Europe with his army, and any suggestion he offers should be taken with absolute seriousness.

However, Joseph shook his head: "You are right, traversing the Putumayo River is not feasible. In fact, the Portuguese Army could enter Venezuela within half a month, with the logistics supply line being less than 200 kilometers."

Count Aranda immediately widened his eyes: "How is that possible? Unless the Portuguese could fly..."

Joseph sighed inwardly: Of course, it’s possible; historically, a fierce figure named Bolivar managed to do it.

He got to the map, pointing to the north of Brazil, east of West Granada: "If the Portuguese use Guyana as their forward base, there will be no obstacles in the Llanos Plain."

A few Spanish dignitaries were dumbstruck at his words.

Although South America is littered with tropical rainforests everywhere, the coastal northern part has a large plain, which is the foundation for the prosperity of New Granada, known as the Llanos Plain.

Setting off from Guyana, it’s less than 300 kilometers to reach the eastern major town of Venezuela, Angostura. The most troublesome thing is, it’s far from the capital of New Granada, Bogota, with the colonial government’s control over it being quite weak.

"Please wait a moment." Count Aranda was the first to calm down. "Your Highness, but Guyana completely lacks the conditions for being a forward base; it is so impoverished it’s like being forgotten by Jesus."

The Guyana colony originally belonged to the Netherlands, and historically, France once briefly ruled it. After the Netherlands exited the Anglo-Dutch Alliance, the British Caribbean Fleet occupied the place.

However, this place is unbearably humid and hot, plagued with yellow fever and malaria, and the local Kalina people and Akawayo people are very aggressive. So the Netherlands lost it, and lost it for good.

But currently, it reveals immense strategic value.

Joseph moved his finger towards the west, pointing to the river mouth of the Orinoco River: "You are right, but the Portuguese only need to establish a large supply station at Essequibo, and their fleet, maybe even British transport ships, can continuously ship supplies here from Saint Louis, Trinidad, and other places."

Cold sweat popped out on Count Aranda’s forehead again.

He and a group of Spanish officers fell into a cognitive blind spot, assuming that war deep in the interior of New Granada must involve inland supplies, forgetting that the strong British and Portuguese naval forces in the Caribbean are best suited for material transportation.

Meanwhile, Campos raised a new doubt: "Your Highness, even if the Portuguese army sets out from Angostura, they will eventually be stopped by the Andes Mountains. We have ample time to organize an expeditionary force to South America to defeat them."

The Andes Mountains are a north-south extending mountain chain separating western Colombia from the South American continent. Bogota and some of the wealthy cities in New Granada are all to the west of the mountains.

Joseph took a breath.

Historically, the colonial government of Bogota also thought the same, only to be overwhelmed by fewer than 3,000 soldiers led by Bolivar.

He patiently explained: "The Andes Mountains, while imposing, have passable passes in the northern, central, and southern sections, and several valleys originating in the Andes cut through the ridges; these are all potential pathways."