Chapter 105 Archduchess Sophie

Carlo was not in a hurry to find a queen through marriage, but Vittorio Emanuele II, who was far away in Rome, was impatient for Carlo's marriage.

Vittorio Emanuele II and Archduchess Adelheide had eight children in total, three of whom died.

Now that the remaining children have finally grown up, Vittorio Emanuele II is looking forward to all his children getting married as soon as possible, so that the Savoy bloodline can flourish.

Crown Prince Umberto and Duke Amadeo are already married, and it will be Carlo's turn next, who is about to turn 20.

After learning that Carlo had certain requirements for the queen, Vittorio Emanuele II asked his new wife Rosa to go to Germany, Austria and Russia in person to find a suitable marriage partner for Carlo.

Although the relationship between Italy and Austria-Hungary was not very good, Vittorio Emanuele II still chose to include Austria-Hungary as one of the countries to be investigated, hoping to find a queen for Carlo that would meet the political interests and satisfy Carlo.

Vittorio Emanuele II actually hoped that the right candidate would appear in Germany or Russia. But Queen Rosa visited Germany and Russia, and there was no suitable marriage partner in the two royal families.

There was one in the Romanov family, but the princess's appearance was a bit unacceptable, and she had a tomboyish personality, which was obviously not the type Carlo liked.

There was no choice now, and the only country left that had not been actually investigated was Austria-Hungary.

Although the relationship between Italy and Austria-Hungary was not very good, Queen Rosa was still welcomed by the Habsburg family when she arrived in Austria-Hungary.

Although Queen Rosa was a queen who married a nobleman, the European royal family had long known that the purpose of Queen Rosa's trip was not for Italy, but for the King of Spain.

In terms of emotion and reason, the Austro-Hungarian Empire would not refuse the marriage with Spain. What's more, Carlo's mother, Archduchess Adelheide, also came from the Austrian nobility, and Carlo also has half Austrian noble blood.

Unlike the German and Russian royal families, the royal family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire not only has suitable marriage partners, but also two, both of whom are daughters of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph

The eldest daughter, Archduchess Sophie Frederick Dorothea Maria Josefa, was born on March 5, 1855. She is 16 years old this year, which is just the right age for marriage.

The second daughter, Gisela Louise Marie, is one year younger than her sister Sophie. She is almost 15 years old this year, and her age is also very consistent.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire also meets Carlo's requirements. Austria's industrial strength is still very strong. The Austro-Hungarian Empire can help Spain as a whole. This is also the marriage condition that Carlo personally proposed to Vittorio Emanuele II.

Unexpectedly, after going around in circles, the final suitable candidate is still in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Vittorio Emanuele II was somewhat helpless, but for the sake of his son's lifelong event, he still asked Queen Rosa to prepare a few photos of Archduchess Sophie and Archduchess Gisela, along with a brief introduction of the two Archduchesses' identities, and sent them to the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain.

If everything goes well, the engagement can basically be completed this year, and the wedding will be held next year or the year after.

Thinking that Carlo's lifelong event can finally be solved, Vittorio Emanuele II's face, which had not smiled in the past few days, finally showed a little smile, and he seemed to relax a little.

It was several days later when the letter with the photos attached was sent to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Although Vittorio Emanuele II arranged special personnel to escort the letter, the logistics conditions in this era were not as convenient as those in later generations. It would take at least several days from Vienna to Madrid.

Carlo was also a little helpless when he received the letter. He didn't expect that he would still be urged to get married after traveling to this world. Who would dare to believe that the King of Spain was troubled by the choice of the queen?

However, this situation is also related to the strict emphasis on bloodline in Europe.

Marriage between nobles attaches great importance to bloodline and matching. Although marriage between nobles and commoners is feasible, it must be paid at a great price.

If Carlo marries a girl of lower status, the offspring born will not have the right to inherit the Spanish throne.

This alone is fatal, and Carlo's queen candidates are directly narrowed to a very small range, basically only princesses of the royal families of European countries and some daughters of archdukes.

Carlo also has to consider the help of the marriage partner to Spain, which makes this already small range narrower again, and even only a few people are left.

Considering the age and whether the personality is suitable, it is extremely difficult to find a suitable marriage.

Although a little helpless, Carlo still decided to read the letter. After all, it was sent in the name of Vittorio Emanuele II, and Carlo had already told his father about the conditions for the marriage, so it was unlikely that Vittorio Emanuele II would send the letter easily.

After opening the letter, a few photos and a piece of white paper with a brief introduction came into view.

In fact, there is no need for too much introduction, because the royal family members of various countries are not too secretive, and relevant information can be obtained with a little investigation.

The important thing is the photos. There are four photos in total, two of each heroine. In terms of appearance, both princesses are quite beautiful.

When he saw their identities, Carlo was a little confused.

Carlo still had an impression of Archduchess Gisela. This princess married Prince Leopold of Bavaria, who was a ruthless person.

Prince Leopold was awarded a Grand Iron Cross, and only five of these medals were issued during the First World War, namely Emperor Wilhelm II, Hindenburg, Ludendorff, Mackensen and Prince Leopold.

All of these five people are well-known. Except for Wilhelm II, the others have outstanding talents in military command and are also extremely outstanding military generals of the German Empire during World War I.

The love story of Franz Joseph and his wife Princess Sissi is still very famous in later generations. As a senior lover of foreign history, Carlo naturally knew about it.

The couple had only four children in total. Carlo certainly knew who the so-called Archduchess Sophie was. She was the eldest daughter of Franz Joseph.

However, Carlo vaguely remembered that the Archduchess seemed to have died of typhoid fever at the age of two. How could she still be alive and well now?

Could it be that his arrival had changed the world line? Carlo was a little confused, but thinking about his original body, which also died young, and the fate of Archduchess Sophie was somewhat similar, he suddenly became interested.

Although the marriage with the Austro-Hungarian Empire was only Carlo's backup plan, it seemed that it was the only choice at present.

The letter also mentioned the current situation of the German and Russian royal families. Unless the side branches of the Hohenzollern and Romanov families were chosen, there would be no suitable princesses to marry Carlo.

After carefully looking at a few photos, Carlo made a decision in his heart.

Compared with the 15-year-old Archduchess Gisela, Carlo would rather choose the 16-year-old Archduchess Sophie. In addition to the age factor, another point is that Archduchess Sophie is more beautiful than Archduchess Gisela.

Since the two have the same status, Carlo would naturally choose the better-looking one, at least she looks more comfortable, right?

However, the choice is the choice, and the specific arrangements have to be completed by Queen Rosa. At least one or two banquets are needed to meet and discuss the relevant marriage matters.

After writing a reply letter to Vittorio Emanuele II, Carlo also began to prepare for a visit to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Whether the marriage is suitable or not can only be seen in person, and Carlo will not make a hasty decision about his life event just because he has seen the photos.

In addition, there are other purposes for visiting the Austro-Hungarian Empire, such as seeking loans from Austrian capital and seeking industrial support from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Although the Austrian Empire was defeated in the war with Prussia, the current Austro-Hungarian Empire is still at an upper-middle level among the great powers, much stronger than Italy, which is behind the great powers.

If we have to talk about national strength, the Austro-Hungarian Empire can be ranked fifth in the world after Britain, France, Germany and Russia, and the gap between them and France, Germany and Russia is not too big.

At present, the only one that has a gap in the lead among the great powers is Britain, and Britain has achieved a gap in industrial economy with the support of a strong navy and India.

However, such a lead will not last long. With the rise of Germany and the United States, the gap between Britain and other powers will become smaller and smaller, and will eventually be wiped out because of wars one after another.

As one of the German countries, Austria's industrial level has always been first-class in Europe. Their design of cannons is not weak, and many physics and chemistry geniuses have been born.

Apart from anything else, with the support of Italy and Austria-Hungary, Carlo has more confidence to occupy the entire Congo River Basin.

The biggest competitors here are Britain and France, and the Germans are more like spoilers. Considering the gap between Britain, France and Spain, the Germans will definitely not support Britain and France, but are more likely to support Spain.

Even if Germany remains neutral, Carlo, who is supported by Austria-Hungary and Italy, does not have to worry about colonial competition with Britain and France.

Moreover, the Triple Alliance will be established in a few years, and the beginning of the Triple Alliance is the alliance between Austria-Hungary and Russia.

In this way, through the marriage with Austria-Hungary, Spain can be connected with Germany and Russia.

Although this relationship is not so strong, the Russians will definitely not support Britain, which can be fully utilized.

As long as part of the interests are given to Austria-Hungary and Germany, these two countries can basically support Spain's colonial actions in Congo.

Moreover, the division of Africa and the competition for the Congo River Basin will have to wait for several years, by which time Spain will have restored a certain strength through reforms.

To a certain extent, Carlo is really not afraid of the threat of the British. As the saying goes, the barefoot are not afraid of the shoes. Spain can afford to lose Cuba and the Philippines, but can the British afford to lose India?

It is not good for the British to waste time with Spain. Who let the British have colonies all over the world and there are troubles everywhere that need to be solved.

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