Prince Pedro had just returned to Beunos Aires. He had supervised the defeat of the Platine army and now it was time to look at internal matters. The security of Argentine and South America, had to be ensured. The King was sick of the constant rebellions, the yearly uprsings.. Stability was all that Portugal needed now. Peace and stability. However the Prince was well aware that this world was not made for peace.. If Portugal was to survive this troublesome times, a strong military would be needed. A military which could defend the realm against any possbile aggressor. The Portuges army allready was one of the best in the world. Well equipped and well trained, only few enemys could dare to face Portugals might. Both the navy and the army were could easily compare with those of the greatest powers.
Additionaly the experienced 'African Officers' were certainly some of the best leaders an army could wish for. Strenghtened in years of conflict, these men possessed a number of most needed abilitys. Most important was, that they could lead their men everywhere and they would follow. The African Officers were well respected by their soldiers. Especially great heros as Francisco de Sousa inspired their men to do great deeds. What was of similar importance is the ability to make own decisions, when the official orders were not fitting. In the jungles of Africa, a plan often failed after the first miles. You had to improvise if you wanted to survive. On the battlefield, you had to adapt to the given situation with great speed.
But Pedro knew about one thing, and he was aware that Portugal could only surive if it used its main ressourse: People. Millions of young and able men lived inside the Portugese realm. They only needed some training, a gun and most importantly: They must be willing to die for their motherland. You couldn't drag some young boy in India out of his village, give him a weapon and send him to the front. He would turn around at the first opportunity. The people needed to indentify with Portugal. They should love their nation! And it was Prince Pedrons final objective to represent Portugal in its colonies, to teach the peope that in the end they were Portugal. Through their respective governors and agents they were bonded with the King himself, and they would follow him through good times and through bad times. This was Prince Pedros dream.