Chapter 159 The Nobles' Concerns

Was the first five-year plan under Prime Minister Primo successful?

This is a question that does not need to be thought about at all. Of course, it was highly successful.

Judging from the achievements of the five-year plan, Spain has changed from an agricultural country to an agricultural industrial country.

What does it mean? Although agriculture is still the pillar industry of Spain, the industry has also reached a considerable scale.

At present, the number of workers in Spain adds up to hundreds of thousands, and it is still growing. The increase in the number of workers has also effectively increased the per capita annual income in Spain, and the compensation that people can get for their work has increased, which is why people are satisfied with the Primo government.

Behind the increase of nearly 2 billion pesetas in the size of the Spanish economy, the per capita annual income in Spain has also increased from 87 pesetas in 1869 to about 115 pesetas at the end of 1873, which is what ordinary Spaniards can see.

It is precisely because of these contributions that Prime Minister Primo will be re-elected as long as he continues to run for election, and no one can stop it.

However, the political situation in Spain has changed too much compared to five years ago.

When the first cabinet government election after the revolution took place, the candidate for the King of Spain had not yet been determined. At that time, Primo relied on his high reputation in the revolutionary army and political arena to successfully squeeze out Serrano and become the prime minister of the first cabinet government.

But the current second cabinet government election is more complicated than the first cabinet government.

Carlo has integrated the royalist party composed of aristocratic and conservative forces, and the throne has become quite stable.

In this case, even if Carlo cannot interfere with Prime Minister Primo's continued re-election, he can reasonably demand more power.

Whether a power competition or even conflict will break out between the gradually mature Carlo and Prime Minister Primo is also the most concerned issue for members of parliament.

But no matter what the members think, the atmosphere between Prime Minister Primo and Carlo at this time seems to be very harmonious.

After Prime Minister Primo made a brief summary report, it was the turn of the ministers of each department to make detailed departmental annual reports.

Because of Prime Minister Primo's summary report as a vaccination, the members of parliament were a little surprised about the performance of each department in the five-year plan, but it was not so incredible.

The reason why Spain did not develop well before was not because of the country's lack of potential and foundation, but because Queen Isabel of Spain and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom Government did not pay enough attention to it.

The Spanish upper class only cared about enjoying themselves, and officials naturally would not pay too much attention to the development of economy and industry, which also created a vicious circle.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Primo, the Spanish government expressed great attention to the development of economy and industry. Coupled with the previous promulgation of the official performance appraisal bill, officials at all levels really began to pay attention to the development of industry and economy.

After all, the development of industry and economic growth are related to their own political achievements, and their political achievements are related to their own future.

Under the interlocking, it is natural that Spain's industry and economy have developed well.

As long as the cabinet government does a good job of controlling the highest level and ensures that Spain's development is practical and effective, rather than a performance project that is hastily started for the sake of merit, it will be fine.

The government's annual work report meeting is over, but for the Spanish political arena, the real excitement has just begun.

As time enters 1874, Spain will also usher in a very important year.

Although the cabinet election was held in February, Spain in January already had a hot atmosphere for the cabinet election.

Although the cabinet government election has nothing to do with most civilians, the newspaper media will not miss this hottest news. Starting from January 1, the new year's day, the streets and alleys of Madrid are full of newspaper boys selling newspapers, shouting hot news in the newspapers, attracting people to stop and watch.

Although the cabinet election has attracted a lot of attention from the public, everyone knows that as long as Prime Minister Primo is determined to run for the election, the position of the cabinet prime minister has nothing to do with others.

January 12, 1874, in the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Although Carlo did not take any action, it does not mean that the royalist forces and nobles who support Carlo have no ideas.

Since the Spanish Revolution, Prime Minister Primo has controlled power for five years. As the largest power class in Spain, it is impossible to say that there is no opposition at all.

It was only because Carlo had always supported Prime Minister Primo's reforms, and because the Spanish royal power was unstable at the time, whether the nobles could exist was a question, that Spain had been peaceful until now.

But it is different now. Carlo's royal power is already quite stable, and it can even threaten Prime Minister Primo's power. Under such circumstances, the nobles naturally want to use Carlo to achieve their own goals, at least they have to let the nobles have the power they deserve, right?

Today's Madrid Palace is very lively. These nobles seemed to have discussed it and came to visit Carlo together.

These nobles who asked for an audience were generally great nobles above the duke, and Carlo naturally could not refuse to meet them.

"Your Majesty!" A group of grand dukes and dukes arrived at the banquet room of the royal palace with great momentum, and saluted Carlo very respectfully.

Carlo nodded calmly, looking at these nobles who were either familiar or unfamiliar, without any expression and without saying a word.

"Your Majesty." Finally, one of the nobles couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up and said, "Next month is the election of the cabinet government. Is Prime Minister Primo sure to run for the election?"

Carlo looked at the nobleman who spoke out, his expression as cold as ever: "What? Do you have any objections to Prime Minister Primo's candidacy?"

Anyone who pays attention to the Spanish political situation knows that Prime Minister Primo's attitude has been very clear during the government's annual work report meeting, that is, he will run for the seat of the next cabinet prime minister.

The nobles arriving hand in hand were obviously not asking Prime Minister Primo whether he would run for office, but had other ideas.

The noble who was asked quickly shook his head. He did not dare to admit such a question: "I am just curious about Prime Minister Primo's attitude. After all, there is less than a month until the next cabinet government election."

Carlo looked at these nobles, wondering what they were thinking. But Spain's development cannot be separated from a stable environment. At least for now, the Spanish government still needs Prime Minister Primo.

"Don't you know the summary report of the first five-year plan? The second five-year plan serves as a link between the past and the future and is very important to Spain.

Prime Minister Primo, who proposed the first five-year plan, is the most suitable candidate to launch the second five-year plan. For Spain now, Prime Minister Primo is the most qualified candidate to serve as prime minister, no one. "Carlo glanced at the circle of nobles, and then said to himself: "

Anyone who delays Spain's development will be Spain's sinner. At this moment, Prime Minister Primo and I have the same goal, which is to work hard for Spain's revival. "

Some among the nobles were unclear, but some also understood the hidden meaning in Carlo's words.

Looking at Canovas who nodded secretly, Carlo showed a rare smile and said: "Minister Canovas, your work in the agricultural department has been very effective during this period.

I will recommend you to Prime Minister Primo to serve as Minister of Industry in the new cabinet government to make greater contributions to the development of Spain. "

Hearing Carlo's sudden words, Canovas stepped forward quickly, gave Carlo a noble salute very respectfully, and said with excitement: "Thank you, Your Majesty, Canovas will continue to serve you, the royal family, and Spain." work hard for the future.”

Canovas was not well-known at this time, but he was a big name in history. Canovas' full name is Antonio Canovas del Castillo, a famous Spanish politician and writer. As a conservative, Canovas opposed the constitutional monarchy and believed that the king was not a government tool established based on the country's legal consciousness, but the country's orthodox ruler, the great and supreme monarch of Spain.

It is precisely because of this view that Canovas was not reused in history during the Provisional Government, the reign of Amadeo, and the Republic.

It was not until the restoration of Alfonso XII that Canovas became the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain and served as Prime Minister of six cabinet governments, with a total term of more than 12 years.

Such a figure is definitely not a mediocre person, and his support for the supremacy of royal power also allowed him to be reused by Alfonso XII.

But in this world, Alfonso XII obviously has no chance. It is even said that the Bourbon family has no chance in Spain unless the Savoy family produces several faint kings one after another.

Canovas's answer contained a strong sense of the supremacy of royal power. The king comes first, the royal family comes last, and the country comes last.

Carlo also understood why Canovas was so reused during the reign of Alfonso XII. Let me ask you, a young king in his teens, when most of the forces in the country support the republic, can he still receive such praise of the supremacy of royal power? Who wouldn't be elated and reuse the ministers who praise him?

Although Carlo was quite satisfied with Canovas's attitude of loyalty, he would not show it on the surface. Looking at Canovas who was very respectful, Carlo continued: "As for your position as Minister of Agriculture, let Hoviliar take over.

I support Prime Minister Primo’s continued candidacy for the next term of Prime Minister. As ministers with important positions in the cabinet government, you and Jovillar should also support Prime Minister Primo’s policies and work hard together for the great rejuvenation of Spain. .

Okay, that’s all. As for the others, you are not members of the House of Representatives, and this cabinet election does not have much to do with you, so just go your separate ways. "

Carlo has no intention of asking for more power just yet. Since Spain is still on the fast track of rapid development, the most important thing is naturally to promote the further development of Spain.

Only when the country becomes stronger can Carlo's throne be more secure and the power in his hands become greater.

This also means that Carlo will not only not prevent Prime Minister Primo from running for election, but will also strongly support Prime Minister Primo's re-election.

Whether these nobles can understand this and what Carlo meant depends on their understanding.

Many nobles came with great momentum and left with questions in their minds.

Although they wanted to push for more, it was clear that Carlo was not interested in what they were proposing. Now that Carlo had ordered everyone to disperse, the nobles did not dare to stay in the palace anymore and could only bid farewell one by one.

However, the nobles gathered together in twos and threes, and there were still many questions in their communication, such as Carlo's attitude.

Logically speaking, Carlo's throne was already stable at this time, so how could he let Primo continue to control the position of prime minister?

Although the prime minister of the cabinet is second to none, if it is in Primo's hands, it is not certain who is below whom.

The nobles do not believe that Carlo is willing to continue to stay under Primo's authority and be an empty-headed king with little real power.

"Minister Canovas, what do you think His Majesty means?" A marquis next to Canovas asked the question he had been holding back for a long time.

Canovas smiled and answered his friend: "Isn't His Majesty's meaning very clear?"

"But, does His Majesty really want to let Primo continue to be prime minister? If Primo continues to propose reforms against us in the next five-year plan, do we have to retreat again and again?" The marquis continued to ask.

The reason why these nobles gathered together to ask to see Carlo was, of course, that they were worried that Prime Minister Primo would continue to make things difficult for the nobles after his re-election.

Previously, many nobles lost a lot of land because of Primo's reforms. Including the policy of reducing land rent, the nobles' income has been reduced by at least one-fifth.

If Primo continues to be re-elected, he will have more power. If he continues to target the wallets of the nobles, even the nobles with rich backgrounds can't stand such a disaster.

"If Prime Minister Primo's reforms are reasonable, then for the development of Spain, we should naturally make some sacrifices.

But if Prime Minister Primo's reforms are just to target the nobles, don't we still have the two sectors of industry and agriculture in our hands?

If we really want to fight, how to reform industry and agriculture is still up to us, right?" Canovas said with a smile.

Carlo did not do nothing either. The Minister of Industry promised to Canovas and the Minister of Agriculture of Jovillar are the best examples.

Industry and agriculture are the most important sectors for Spain under the economy and national defense. Spain is originally an agricultural country, so the importance of the agricultural sector is self-evident.

As one of the main industries for Spain's future development, the position of Minister of Industry is destined to gain great credit in the future.

Canovas certainly understood Carlo's purpose of making him the Minister of Industry. Occupying this department with considerable power can first check and balance Prime Minister Primo to a certain extent, and secondly, it can divide the great credit of the second five-year plan and prepare for the future promotion.

Yes, Canovas is the successor of the zodiac sign after the end of Prime Minister Primo's term in Carlo's plan.

There is nothing he can do about it, after all, there are too few political talents that Carlo can use. Canovas's qualifications are barely enough, and his loyalty is higher than that of Prime Minister Primo and Archduke Serrano.

"My old friend, although His Majesty the King said so, isn't the power to appoint cabinet ministers in the hands of Prime Minister Primo?

Minister of Industry is an important position. Will Prime Minister Primo agree to His Majesty the King's proposal?" The marquis still had many questions. After all, the industrial sector is quite important in the five-year plan, and it can even be said to be the key development sector in Spain, and there is no other.

The Minister of Industry can definitely get the most credit among the cabinet ministers. Will Prime Minister Primo give such a position to Carlo for nothing?

"Of course our Prime Minister will agree." Canovas smiled and nodded, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes: "Of course, I hope he won't agree."

Looking at the dazed guy in front of him, Canovas smiled and followed the crowd to the outside of the palace.

The election of the cabinet government has not yet begun, and Prime Minister Primo still controls great power.

Prime Minister Primo is of course aware of the fact that many nobles went to the palace to meet Carlo. Although he didn't know what the nobles talked about with Carlo, the nobles' purpose was not difficult to guess.

Compared with Primo, who carried out reforms and infringed on the interests of the nobles, the nobles must hope that a more conservative guy who would not take action against the nobles would take office as the prime minister of the new cabinet government.

At this time, the only one who could threaten Prime Minister Primo's re-election was King Carlo of Spain, which was the reason why the nobles asked to see Carlo.

However, Prime Minister Primo finally shook his head. Through this period of contact, he thought he knew Carlo quite well.

No matter how he thought about it, Carlo would not come forward to prevent his re-election. What's more, the power of the King of Spain is really not qualified to prevent Prime Minister Primo from being re-elected, unless Carlo dissolves the parliament despite opposition.

But this is even more impossible. The situation in Spain has stabilized, and dissolving the parliament at this time is undoubtedly throwing a boulder into the calm lake.

It is not even good for Carlo himself. A king who dissolves the parliament without any reason, isn't this a manifestation of autocracy?

The last Queen Isabel who engaged in monarchy has been scolded by the Spanish. If Carlo has autocratic tendencies again, even if he has won the favor of the Spanish before, he may not be able to arouse the anger of the Spanish again.

Shaking his head secretly, Prime Minister Primo began to concentrate on reading the development reports submitted by the regional governments to the cabinet government one after another, and conceived the second five-year development plan in his mind.

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