João was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "That's the same as handing Lisbon over to the Spaniards! How is this any different from surrender?!"
The Marquis of Loris bowed and said, "Your Highness, the Spaniards will get nothing but a hostile, empty city.
"We will move everything in Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, with the support of the Royal Navy.
"After that, by Her Majesty's name, you will issue a royal decree: anyone who resists the Franco-Spanish Alliance shall be granted military rank; those who achieve major victories may even receive a title.
"Hereafter, supplies from Rio de Janeiro will flow uninterrupted into Iberia, providing the resistance here with provisions and funds. The occupying army will soon find itself being attacked everywhere.
"In a few years, the Spaniards, unable to bear the losses, will withdraw on their own accord.
