Empire Rise: Spain-Chapter 16: Inspection

It had to be admitted that, looking back at Italy’s unification history, apart from Garibaldi this unexpected factor, the rest could all be collectively called relying entirely on luck, without half a portion of strength.
The Austro-Prussian War allowed Italy to easily obtain the Venice Region and the southern part of South Tyrol. This time, the Franco-Prussian War triggered by the Spanish throne also allowed Italians to see the opportunity to recapture Rome.
At this time, entrenched in Rome was the Catholic Church’s papal court, that is, the so-called Papal States. And supporting the Papal States was the European Hegemon France, which was also the reason why Italy, having already unified, still delayed in recapturing its most core Rome region.
But after the war broke out, the French Army garrisoned in Rome had gradually begun to withdraw.
Italy was waiting for the moment when all French Army troops had completely withdrawn; the Rome papal court’s army would be unable to obstruct the pace of Italian unification, and Rome was also about to become the official capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
Just as Vittorio Emanuele II anxiously awaited the complete withdrawal of the French Army from Rome, the Spanish Government also sent a request for a diplomatic visit to the Italian Government.
This time, the Spanish delegation dispatched was extremely luxurious, led by Prime Minister Primó, accompanied by several ministers of the government, and also including several high-ranking generals from the Spanish Military.
Combining this with the recent Spanish king selection event, Vittorio Emanuele II seemed to somewhat understand the purpose of Spain’s diplomatic visit this time.
However, there was one point that Vittorio Emanuele II did not quite understand: when the Spanish Government was examining candidate contenders from other countries, they also only conducted investigations secretly.
How come when it came to Italy, it turned into dispatching a diplomatic delegation for a visit? Moreover, leading the delegation was Spain’s new Prime Minister Primó, who was a figure grasping military and political power single-handedly; calling him the most powerful person in Spain today would absolutely not be an overstatement.
Although he somewhat did not understand Primó’s intention, Spain was after all also a major power on the Mediterranean coast, so the Italian side naturally would not refuse the Spanish Government’s proactive visit.
Carlo, who was constantly paying attention to Spanish news, naturally also learned of the Spanish Government’s diplomatic visit request to Italy.
For this event that had never occurred in history, Carlo’s heart inevitably harbored a few more guesses.
If the list of Spanish throne candidates only had Amadeo’s name, they probably would not come to Italy.
After all, among the four major competitors in history, three had already withdrawn; if there were no other competitors, Amadeo should already have won.
Combining the Spanish Government’s diplomatic visit request, Carlo could basically conclude that he himself should also be on the Spanish throne candidate list, and had already reached the final round of competition with his brother Amadeo.
This also meant that the selection for the Spanish throne would be revealed with Primó’s diplomatic visit this time. If Carlo wanted to become King of Spain, he must firmly grasp all opportunities in this diplomatic visit and showcase his advantages to Primó.
The good news was that in history, the reason Amadeo became King of Spain was not because he was so excellent.
In fact, compared to the other three candidates, Amadeo could only be considered barely qualified. It was precisely because of Portugal Regent Fernando’s proactive withdrawal and the French strongly opposing Prince Leopold becoming King of Spain that allowed Amadeo to reap benefits as the third party and ultimately win.
However, compared to Carlo, Amadeo also had advantages. First, his age was six years older; at 25 years old, he appeared more mature and steady, which was still relatively important for Spain.
But Carlo was not without advantages either. Compared to Amadeo, Carlo was definitely more familiar with Spain’s current two power-holders.
Relative to Primó’s pursuit for Spain, Amadeo’s mere six-year age advantage actually did not count for much.
Moreover, for Primó, who mastered military and political power, he might not necessarily be willing to see a more mature and steady king come to compete for power.
Being young although represented immaturity and lack of steadiness, it also meant being easier to control than someone older.
At least for Primó, who was single-mindedly wanting to promote Spanish reform right now, Amadeo might not necessarily hold the advantage there.
After silently calculating in his heart his own advantages and those of his brother Amadeo respectively, Carlo began to plan how to showcase his advantages in this diplomatic visit and make Primó choose him.
The first thing to do was to recognize his own identity.
In fact, whether it was Amadeo or Carlo becoming King of Spain, in the early stage it would be impossible to grasp too much real power.
If there was support from Primó and Serrano, that would be good; these two both held military and political power in their hands, which would be no small boost for the king.
If without the support of the two, then this King of Spain could be said to be completely a commander without an army, without a single reliable subordinate under him.
In such a situation, Carlo’s initial plan after becoming King of Spain had never been to seize power, but rather on the basis of stabilizing his throne, to help Primó and Serrano carry out reform in Spain.
Spain at present although was still a second-rate country in Europe, but had already opened up too great a gap with great power level countries like Britain and France, Prussia, Russia, Austria, etc.
Even Italy, which had just unified not long ago, surpassed Spain in comprehensive strength. If Spain did not reform, and continued to drag on like this, Spain would even become a third-rate country in Europe.
And Primó and Serrano both possessed enormous prestige; having them two proactively carry out Spanish reform would be smoother than Carlo himself promoting reform, and Spaniards would also be easier to accept.
More importantly, Primó and Serrano, these two were also willing to see a monarch who supported reform appear in Spain.
Especially Primó, as the most powerful person in Spain, he was a thorough reformist.
Although in history Primó was assassinated and died before Amadeo arrived in Spain, but in his brief time as Prime Minister of Spain he promoted the promulgation of several decrees, and was also a representative figure of the Spanish reformists.
If Carlo could showcase his support for reform during Primó’s visit to Italy, he believed he would gain Primó’s favor.
As long as either Primó or Serrano supported him, Carlo did not think that in this competition among throne candidates, he would lose to his brother Amadeo.
After all, Amadeo in the three years after becoming King of Spain did not show any particularly talented side, and even lacked great ambition and aspirations.
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