Major Parker’s eyes widened instantly: "How is this possible? The Portuguese Army is moving so fast?!"

The fleet commander waved his hand: "Of course it’s not the Portuguese. Do you know why the fleet’s main force was sent to Maracaibo?"

"Because it’s closer to Bogota?"

"Yes, very close, but that’s just a feint to attract the Spaniards’ attention." Colonel Beresford said with a smug tone, "If nothing unexpected happens, there will be a large-scale uprising in Caracas in the next few days."

"And the main force of the Spanish Royal Army is now gathered in Maracaibo and Altagracia, with no one able to prevent the rebels from taking Caracas. After controlling the city, they will attack the port fortress from inland."

Major Parker asked: "So, the Caracas uprising has something to do with us?"

"That’s right, it was planned by the office of the Quartermaster General. The confidentiality level of this matter is very high, and I was only notified last week."

The office of the Quartermaster General is currently the nucleus of the British Army’s intelligence system.

Parker’s face showed joy: "Oh, God, I thought I would face a tough battle, but now it seems more like going on vacation to Venezuela."

"A vacation that earns you merit for promotion."

Three days later, Beresford’s squadron arrived at Caracas and anchored on the sea 15 nautical miles off the port. This distance ensured that the Spanish garrison in the port wouldn’t be alarmed.

Major Parker inspected the combat readiness of four Portuguese infantry battalions responsible for the beachhead assault on several transport ships—Britain only committed three companies to this battle, fewer than 300 soldiers—and then went to the deck of the "Admiral Fredris," gazing at the calm sea, filled with anticipation.

It’s known that the main force of the Portuguese Army had just entered the Cassiqueiare Canal, and even if they didn’t encounter Spanish resistance, it would take at least over 20 days to reach the Orinoco River basin.

From then on, they would begin their true offensive against New Granada.

And if he could unexpectedly occupy Caracas here, it would advance the frontline by three to four hundred miles—the Portuguese Navy’s transport ships had already departed from Saint Louis Port, carrying over ten thousand Royal Army soldiers. They would use Caracas as a base to launch an attack on Bogota.

Caracas is located in the north-central part of Venezuela, much closer than departing from Manaus in Brazil.

By then, the greatest military achievement in the South American battlefield would fall into his hands, at least enough for him to be promoted to colonel. If the campaign went smoothly, a direct promotion to quasi-general wouldn’t be impossible.

Yes, the Portuguese chose two advancement routes.

Over 50,000 main forces took the "Manaus-Cassiqueiare Canal-Orinoco River" route that Spain’s Minister of War had initially mentioned.

Additionally, 10,000 were split off to raid Caracas.

The latter plan was even more aggressive than the advance plan suggested by Joseph and noticed by Bolívar.

It can be said, without Joseph’s previous warning, the Spaniards likely wouldn’t be able to defend both directions—where their Royal Army’s main force was still on high alert far away in Maracaibo.

Of course, now the Spaniards are full of confidence in the battle situation. Because more than half a month ago, Madrid sent a full set of operational plans along with the "New Granada Decree" personally signed by His Majesty the King.

Beresford’s fleet drifted on the sea for a day and a half, yet still hadn’t seen a messenger ship from Caracas.

In the combat meeting room on the "Admiral Fredris," Beresford frowned at several officers and said: "It seems the uprising in Caracas has likely failed. Now we must execute the backup plan."

Parker’s expression became serious.

The so-called backup plan was for him to lead 2500 soldiers to forcibly capture Caracas Harbor.

In fact, he previously thought this battle wouldn’t be difficult—the port was only guarded by over 300 Spanish soldiers, and there was almost no battleship support. Plus, there would likely have been riots in the city, making it impossible to withstand his grand army.

But ever since he learned there was an insider assisting him in easily capturing the fortress, he had developed a repugnance for a forced assault.

However, orders still had to be executed.

"These foolish Creoles." He murmured, then raised his head to Beresford and said, "I will initiate a forced attack on the harbor anytime, Commander."

The next morning.

Led by three fourth-level battleships of the British Caribbean Fleet, more than ten warships suddenly entered the shallow waters of the harbor and launched a fierce bombardment on the fortresses on both sides of the port.

The Spaniards seemed stunned, taking a full 20-plus minutes to begin sporadic retaliation.

During this time, more than 500 of Parker’s marines had landed on the western beachhead, followed by a swarm of small boats carrying soldiers from the transport ships.

Parker observed the firepower density on the fortress with a telescope and could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

As expected, the Spanish troops were likely busy dealing with the remaining rebels in the city and neglected port defense.

When the first soldiers to land formed a skirmish line charge formation, he ordered a forced assault without hesitation.

Hundreds of Portuguese soldiers ran towards the not-so-high fortress under the British soldiers’ "urge."

When they were only sixty or seventy meters from the fortress, the originally silent gun positions suddenly simultaneously erupted with muffled explosions.

A dozen 18-pound to 32-pound shells howled over the Portuguese, tearing through large swathes of blood mist and plunging into the distant sea.

The landing soldiers seemed to lose their ability to think due to the unexpected fierce bombardment, standing dumbfounded and staring at the fortress with wide eyes.

It wasn’t until the second round of shells flew toward them that they finally remembered they should run.

In an instant, the entire beachhead was crowded with British and Portuguese soldiers; some had just come ashore and hadn’t formed ranks, while others screamed, swimming toward small boats that had already departed, a chaotic scene like an anthill flooded with water.

Yet the Spaniards showed no intention of stopping their shelling.

Even warships providing cover fire on the sea were hit by several shells.

Several marine officers finally found the commander’s flag and urgently sent someone to ask if the attack should continue.

However, under that flag, there was only a heap of flesh—Major Parker’s deputy commander in charge on the front line had been hit by a 32-pound shell during the third round of bombardment.