Empire Rise: Spain-Chapter 6: Unexpected Windfall

Garibaldi’s greatness is beyond doubt.
The famous French literary giant Victor Hugo once said: “I don’t want to offend anyone, but I must tell the truth. Among all the generals who fought for France, only Garibaldi is invincible.”
After the Franco-Prussian War, the Prussian general Verdy also admitted: “If all of France’s armies were commanded by Garibaldi, then in the war of 1870, the captured military flags probably wouldn’t have been just one.”
It is such a general who involuntarily elicits sighs and admiration from his enemies, yet for various reasons, he did not enter the upper echelons of the Italian Government, but instead lived in seclusion on Caprera Island.
The good news is that due to Garibaldi’s high prestige in the hearts of the Italian public and Garibaldi’s contributions to Italy’s unification, Garibaldi is able to live leisurely in Italy without worrying about being arrested by the government.
For such a figure admired by thousands, Carlo naturally wants to meet him.
An uninvited visit would only cause trouble, and besides, Carlo is still young at this time, so there is no rush.
However, this does not mean that Carlo has no way to contact Garibaldi at this time.
In fact, Garibaldi’s retired life is colorful, and he even published a novel《 Thousand-Man Army》, recounting how he broke through the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies with only a thousand-man army.
Thanks to Garibaldi’s prestige, the first printing of this book earned him royalties as high as 21,000 lire, or about 840 pounds sterling.
Since Garibaldi has such an interest, Carlo certainly doesn’t mind inviting Garibaldi to serialize some stories in the Italian 24-Hour Sun Newspaper.
If they are some of Garibaldi’s battle exploits in the army, most Italian public members would probably like them.
Carlo’s Italian 24-Hour Sun Newspaper can also achieve rapid expansion thanks to Garibaldi’s prestige, and Carlo can use this opportunity to get to know Garibaldi.
However, all this depends on whether Garibaldi himself is willing. If Garibaldi is unwilling to publish articles in the Italian Sun Newspaper, Carlo has no way at all.
Because in Italy, Garibaldi’s own prestige even surpasses the royal family, and the Italian public will not allow any slander against Garibaldi.
In 1879, a journalist named Giovanni wrote two stories that personally attacked Garibaldi, and not long after, the journalist was assassinated.
If it weren’t for Garibaldi personally initiating a fundraiser and donating a pension to Giovanni’s widow, Giovanni’s family would probably continue to live under the condemnation of the Italian public.
This also indirectly proves Garibaldi’s greatness. For Italy and the Italian people, Garibaldi has no shortcomings.
In order to make a good first impression on Garibaldi, Carlo revised the letter he was going to send to Garibaldi several times and also asked Loren to check if there was anything inappropriate.
A few days later, on a small island named Caprera in the northeast of Sardinia, Garibaldi’s peaceful life was broken.
After Garibaldi announced that he would not receive any guests, the island became like Garibaldi’s territory, with very few outsiders coming and going.
Coupled with the many soldiers on the island specifically “protecting” Garibaldi, it further prevented visits from outsiders.
At this time, Garibaldi, who should have been living a leisurely fishing life, frowned and looked at a letter with the royal family emblem on the table, frowning deeply.
“What happened, Father?” Garibaldi’s second son Giuseppe looked at his frowning father and asked in surprise.
Since retiring to Caprera Island, it was the first time Giuseppe had seen his father frown, and it was in response to a letter.
If he didn’t trust his father Garibaldi’s character, Giuseppe might even think whether his father had a pregnant mistress outside demanding property.
“It’s nothing, Giuseppe. Just a letter, a letter from the royal family.” Garibaldi looked at the letter on the table, pondering while subconsciously answering his son’s question.
“A letter from the royal family?” Giuseppe’s surprise grew stronger, and he couldn’t help but say: “Did the royal family write to you? Has something happened again?”
“It’s not at that point yet, Giuseppe.” Garibaldi smiled and shook his head, saying in a self-deprecating manner: “Even if something happens, they absolutely won’t come to me, unless Vittorio’s crown on his head is in jeopardy again.”
“Then what is this?” Curiosity still lingered in Giuseppe’s eyes as his gaze shifted to the envelope on the table.
“It’s a letter from His Highness Carlo.” Garibaldi still had a faint smile on his face and said: “Speaking of which, I had seen that little guy before. Has his health improved?”
“It’s him!” Giuseppe nodded, saying somewhat happily: “Among the royal family guys, I like His Highness Carlo the most, it’s a pity that His Highness is not the Kingdom’s Crown Prince.”
“Some words can be said here, but it’s best to keep your mouth shut outside.” Garibaldi glanced at his somewhat excited son and reminded him:
“If you don’t want to live in seclusion on Caprera with me for the rest of your life, you’d better show some respect to those royal family guys.”
“I know, Father. Did His Highness Carlo write for something?” Giuseppe was still full of curiosity about Carlo’s letter and asked questions one after another.
Garibaldi nodded and said with a wry smile: “This is probably the first time someone from the royal family has praised me to this extent!
Little Carlo hopes that I will publish articles under his Sun Newspaper, preferably telling some stories of the Redshirts.”
Giuseppe’s excited words brought Garibaldi and Carlo closer, and Garibaldi’s address for Carlo changed from His Highness to Little Carlo.
At this time, Carlo still didn’t know that the Garibaldi he had been thinking about had actually met the original owner of this body before, and Garibaldi had a very good impression of Carlo.
But thinking about it, it’s normal. Carlo（ original self） was sickly since childhood, his father was busy with political affairs, his mother died early, and his personality naturally became one of being timid and amiable.
Having seen too much of the arrogance and debauchery among nobles, it’s not surprising that Garibaldi has a certain good impression of Little Carlo.
“Is the Italian Sun Newspaper His Highness Carlo’s?” Giuseppe’s excitement was even more evident, and he said somewhat eagerly: “Father, didn’t you say before that you wanted to write your stories for more Italians to see? Isn’t this a good opportunity?”
Looking at his somewhat cheering son, Garibaldi shook his head helplessly and said: “Although I can write these stories, whether they can be seen by more Italians is not up to me.
If my stories affect His Highness Carlo’s Italian Sun Newspaper, it would be more loss than gain.
However, it’s hard to refuse His Highness Carlo’s invitation. Alright, I’ll write a few stories that aren’t too annoying first and see the reaction of those old guys in Florence.”
Although it is said that the idea of Italian unification was created by Mazzini, no one can deny that Garibaldi’s pure and deep love for Italy also influenced vast numbers of Italians.
Although Garibaldi made outstanding contributions to Italy’s unification, he had been too close to republicanism before, so stories adapted from real events might be popular among Italians, but not necessarily among the Italian Government and royal family.
Precisely because of this, Garibaldi does not want to affect others because of himself, especially Carlo, whom he has a certain fondness for.
New book sets sail, begging for all kinds of votes, follow reads, and investments! Kneeling to beg!