Empire Rise: Spain-Chapter 2: Fatherly Love Like Mountains Of Wealth

To grasp one’s own destiny in one’s own hands, one can only keep climbing upward, becoming the ruler of the country and an object of trust and obedience from the public.
In a country like Italy, there is only one way: to become the King of Italy.
But obviously, for Carlo, who has two older brothers above him, becoming the King of Italy is basically impossible.
However, this does not mean there is absolutely no chance. Because according to the course of history, Spain is about to erupt in revolution, and the House of Savoy of Italy is about to obtain the crown of Spain.
Although this crown only stayed on the head of the House of Savoy for three years, this is Carlo’s closest opportunity to the crown.
As long as he outcompetes his older brother Prince Amadeo, Carlo has hope of obtaining the crown of Spain and becoming the king of the Kingdom of Spain.
But this is ultimately just a plan, and realizing it is fraught with difficulties.
Nevertheless, to prepare in advance for the plan, it is still very necessary to reserve a certain number of talents and wealth.
After all, to put it bluntly, without startup funds, all plans are just empty talk.
If talking about property, the land and castle under Carlo’s name are at least worth two or three million lira（1 pound sterling is approximately 25 lira, about 33 grams of gold）, which is quite valuable in this era when currency has not depreciated.
But regrettably, most of that land and castle cannot be sold, because this property comes from the royal family.
The property that Carlo can truly dispose of independently is only the royal member annuity he obtains each year, averaging about 260,000 lira in funds per year.
However, because Carlo is not yet of age, this money has been kept by his father Vittorio Emanuele II, estimated to have accumulated nearly three million lira.
Carlo’s goal is precisely this 6 million lira annuity. If he can obtain the right to freely dispose of his own property, this sum of money is enough for Carlo to accomplish many things.
The good news is that, judging from the degree of care his father Vittorio Emanuele II has for him, Carlo should easily obtain the right to dispose of his own property.
After all, Carlo’s mother Archduchess Adelaide passed away more than ten years ago, and there are no longer any obstacles for Carlo to obtain the right to dispose of his own property.
Although Carlo is not yet of age, this also happens to allow Carlo to obtain this relatively reliable subordinate from Vittorio Emanuele II.
After all, Carlo’s property ultimately belongs to Carlo personally. Vittorio Emanuele II might be able to keep it for Carlo until adulthood, but he cannot keep it for Carlo forever.
And the current Carlo, to properly handle and manage his own property, must have more capable assistants, such as a court steward.
In the courts of Europe, the royal butler is quite important. The butler is not only a noble’s most capable and loyal assistant, but also shares the fate of the entire noble family.
Moreover, in most cases, positions like butler often turn into a kind of hereditary system. For example, Vittorio Emanuele II’s butler Belis Burn—his father was the butler of King Carlo Emanuele III of Sardinia, and his son is very likely to become Crown Prince Umberto’s butler. The Italian royal family trusts them greatly; this is truly a trustworthy subordinate.
If there is a sufficiently loyal and capable butler to help Carlo manage his property, Vittorio Emanuele II will feel assured letting Carlo have the right to dispose of his own property.
And where does this sufficiently loyal and capable butler come from? Of course, he is selected by Vittorio Emanuele II from among his trusted subordinates.
A few days later, in the Italian king’s office, Vittorio Emanuele II looked at his son Carlo with a face full of surprise and curiously asked: “Little Carlo, can I know the purpose for which you wish to exercise your right to dispose of your property?”
It is not that Vittorio Emanuele II is reluctant to part with this property of over two million lira; it’s just that this is after all a huge sum of property, and Vittorio Emanuele II does not want to see his child corrupted by money.
“Invest in some enterprises.” Carlo answered in a straightforward manner, explaining in detail: “This way, when Brother Umberto and Brother Amadeo get married, I will have money to give them gifts.”
Hearing Carlo’s answer, Vittorio Emanuele II affectionately touched Carlo’s head, saying with a mix of amusement and exasperation: “Your money is already enough to give them gifts, Carlo.
Over two million lira could build a warship. You surely don’t plan to give them a fleet, child.”
Carlo shook his head, appearing quite serious: “That is not my money, Father. I want to give them gifts with money I truly earn myself; that way I can feel the joy.”
“Alright, child, you have convinced me.” Vittorio Emanuele II smiled and nodded, saying helplessly: “What reason do I have to refuse? This must be the best reason in the world.”
“However, Carlo, I still have to remind you. Before you come of age, you need a capable and loyal butler to help you manage your property.
Of course, how exactly to spend it is still up to you, but at least you need someone who can figure out what this property of over two million lira consists of, right?” Vittorio Emanuele II continued to remind.
Italy’s lira and the French franc are of similar value; over two million francs is absolutely not a small sum in this era.
Even converted to the most valuable precious metal gold, it is over 700 kilograms, nearly a ton in weight.
This is also why Vittorio Emanuele II mentioned that Carlo must have a sufficiently loyal and capable butler to help manage the property—because this sum of money is really too large.
Of course, Carlo is happy with this, after all, the Italian royal family’s talent reserves are still relatively abundant.
Although the Kingdom of Italy was established not long ago, its predecessor was the Kingdom of Sardinia. Although the Kingdom of Sardinia has little presence in Europe as a whole, there are still quite a few talents who are loyal to the royal family and have certain abilities.
Seeing that Carlo does not reject him dispatching a loyal person to help him manage his property, Vittorio Emanuele II also breathed a sigh of relief.
To show his paternal love, Vittorio Emanuele II immediately added: “To show my support for you, Carlo, I’ll make it a round number for you—exactly three million lira. You can come to me to collect it anytime.”
New book setting sail, seeking recommendation tickets, seeking collections, seeking follow reads, seeking investments!