Chapter 19 Preparations before departure

As if he had already understood what Carlo would say, Vittorio Emanuele II sighed, but nodded helplessly and said: "Okay, kid, I can only wish you everything. Good luck and God bless you, my son.”

"Father, I'm going to Spain. Don't you want to give me some money?" Carlo suddenly said, looking like he was asking for a debt.

"Haha, of course, kid." Carlo's interruption successfully made Vittorio Emanuele II less sad. The old king also smiled and said, "But I have to remind you. You, the king’s funds cannot be confused with the government’s finances. No matter how short of money the government is, you can only provide funds to the government through loans. Do you understand?”

This is actually a bloody lesson. It would be okay if it was an autocratic monarchy. The king who holds the power can withdraw funds from the treasury at will, and the government will only suffer.

But Spain is a constitutional monarchy. If the king's treasury is not distinguished from the government's treasury, the king will only suffer.

Moreover, it is easy to be taken advantage of, and it is easy to be blamed for misappropriating government funds, and is hated by the Spaniards.

This is why Vittorio Emanuele II reminded Carlo that the king's small treasury and the government's treasury must be clearly distinguished. Even if it is a loan, the specific interest rate and repayment period need to be written down.

Carlo nodded. He still understands this. Many of Carlo's plans require a large amount of funds, and it is impossible for his own small treasury to be mixed with the government's treasury.

After a moment of silence, Vittorio Emanuele II looked at his youngest son and said, "Although Italy is not financially wealthy, the Savoy family still has some capital.

I will give you 30 million lire, plus some servants who can take care of your daily life. Son, if you feel that the King of Spain is not the life you want, you are always welcome in Italy. "

Carlo was quite surprised by the intensity of support for Vittorio Emanuele II.

30 million lire is equivalent to 1.2 million pounds. Although it seems a small number, in the era of dreadnoughts, it was enough to build a main battleship-level dreadnought.

Even in the United Kingdom, which currently has the strongest comprehensive national strength, the weekly salary of a skilled worker is only 9 shillings and 6 pence. This is still the income of an adult male worker. If it is a woman or a child, it will be even lower. (1 pound = 20 shillings, 1 shilling = 12 pence)

1.2 million pounds is equivalent to the income of more than 50,000 British workers for a year of hard work, which is enough to prove the huge amount of money.

Even the Italian royal family has an annual income of only 300,000 to 400,000 pounds after excluding all expenses, and no more than 500,000 pounds at most.

This also means that Vittorio Emanuele II gave almost all of the royal family's income for three years to Carlo, allowing Carlo to have sufficient funds to carry out his own plans in Spain.

Although he had never experienced the father-son relationship with Vittorio Emanuele II since he was a child, Carlo was still moved by the true love of his father Vittorio Emanuele II.

This also made Carlo determined that the Italian royal family and Mussolini must not disappear together. Whether it is Vittorio Emanuele II or Crown Prince Umberto, as long as the Savoy dynasty controls Italy for one day, Carlo's Spain will never take the initiative to become an enemy of Italy.

A few days later, Carlo saw Primo again.

Although there was only less than ten days between the two meetings, the conversation between the two became more intimate and friendly.

Primo looked at the king candidate he personally selected in front of him and expressed his respect and support: "Dear His Highness Carlo, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Spain, I invite you to inherit the throne of Spain and become the king of all Spanish people."

"This is my honor, Marquis Primo." Carlo nodded with a smile on his face. Carlo was not at all embarrassed about the legitimate competition for the throne.

"I look forward to cooperating with you, Marquis Primo." Carlo continued: "As I said before, I will unconditionally support your reform and will not be a trouble in your reform."

Hearing Carlo express his support for the reform straight to the point, the mountain in Primo's heart finally fell, and his whole person became very relaxed and happy.

"It's an honor for me to serve you, Your Highness." Primo gave Carlo a standard Spanish aristocratic salute, and then said very seriously.

Primo doesn't mind serving the monarch he recognizes. Although Primo's loyalty was dedicated to the whole of Spain, Primo was also loyal to Carlo as long as Carlo was on the throne of Spain and as long as Carlo did not show a faint-hearted side.

"Now that the throne has been confirmed, I will return to Spain in the next few days. Your Highness, I hope you can come to Madrid within a month, and we will prepare a grand coronation ceremony for you." Primo's face also showed up. He smiled and said to Carlo.

"No, Marquis Primo." Carlo shook his head and rejected Primo's proposal.

Looking at Primo who was a little surprised, Carlo smiled and explained: "Give me a few days to prepare, and I will go to Spain with you."

Although the Spanish throne was more than a year ahead of schedule like the Franco-Prussian War, Carlo was still worried about any surprises.

If Primo was assassinated after returning to Spain, Carlo would still face the same situation as Amadeo when he went to Madrid.

Although the men selected by Carlo for himself, including Garibaldi's second son, Giotti, already had good abilities, it was impossible for these people to be in high positions from the beginning.

There were only two people Carlo could rely on in Spain, that is, Primo and Serrano, who held power in both the Spanish government and the army.

The most important of them was Primo. Primo was not only an important figure in the reformists, but his ability was also better than Serrano.

In Carlo's plan, Primo would continue to serve as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain until his body could no longer bear the burden or the reform of Spain was completed.

Compared with Primo, Serrano was actually more suitable as the stabilizer of the army. Serrano, who was an officer, had enough prestige in the army, and it was the best choice to let him lead the Spanish army.

In the first few years of Carlo's administration, power will still be controlled by Primo and Serrano. This period is also the time when Carlo's prime ministers slowly gain experience and cultivate reputation.

After it is confirmed that one of them can take over the positions of Primo and Serrano, Carlo will consider retiring the two pillars of Primo and Serrano.

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