Chapter 24: Suppressing the Cuban Rebellion

As soon as the two decrees of free literacy education and agricultural tax reduction policy were promulgated, the Spaniards were surprised to find that the king above their heads did not seem so annoying.

At least during the reign of Queen Isabel, the government would not take the initiative to propose tax reductions on agriculture, let alone establish free literacy education.

But for Carlo at this time, the troubles had just been solved.

As early as the Spanish Revolution, the Cuban colony took the opportunity to launch an independence war, occupied many cities, held the so-called constitutional convention and elected a president.

This was unacceptable to Spain, because Cuba was the most valuable of all Spanish colonies and one of the few colonies that could bring positive income.

If the Cuban colony was lost, not only would the Spanish government's annual fiscal revenue be greatly reduced, but it would also be a blow to the reputation of Carlo, the new king and the new cabinet.

The current Spanish royal government is gradually getting on the right track, and it is time to deal with the restless Cuban colony and create more income for the Spanish government.

There were not many Cuban rebels at this time, and they did not have any advanced weapons and equipment. For the Spanish government, apart from the need to fight long distances across the Atlantic, there were no major problems to overcome.

Thus, the first large-scale war since Carlo became king was officially launched.

Army Minister Serrano led 5,500 soldiers to Cuba to quell the rebellion, and strived to eliminate the Cuban rebels to the maximum extent.

This relatively small-scale quelling war was also an opportunity for Carlo. Carman Esposito and Andrew Rosso would also join this quelling war as low-level officers.

Carlo's expectation for them was to establish certain merits in this quelling of the rebellion, which would also facilitate Carlo's promotion and appointment of them in the future.

The more capable Jyoti was left by Carlo in Madrid to command a 500-man palace guard. There was no way, Carlo's safety was more in need of protection, and he must have a trustworthy subordinate to be responsible for the safety of the palace.

Carlo still trusted Serrano's military ability. More importantly, Serrano had served as the Governor of Cuba from 1859 to 1862, and he had a good understanding of the situation in Cuba.

Letting him go to Cuba to quell the rebellion was the most appropriate choice, and it was also the most promising choice to solve the Cuban problem in a short period of time, and to prevent Cuba from rebellion in the short term in the future.

As for the long-term future, it was not within Carlo's consideration.

Because for Carlo, these Spanish colonies scattered around the world were a burden to Spain.

Cuba was a full Atlantic Ocean away from Spain, but only separated from the United States by the Florida Strait.

The United States, which won the Civil War, already had the potential to become a world hegemon, and its comprehensive national strength was constantly improving.

For Spain, the most valuable colony was at the mouth of the Americans, which meant that Spain was doomed to fail to defend Cuba.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to actively give up Cuba at a suitable time in exchange for other colonies that were not so valuable but could be firmly held in hand.

The same is true for the Philippines. In Carlo's future plan for Spain, both Cuba and the Philippines needed to be abandoned, and the basic base of Spanish colonies was in Africa.

However, it is precisely because Cuba is one of the few colonies that can bring positive returns to Spain that it is difficult to get the people to agree to lose Cuba.

At least until Carlo has enough reputation to bear such a loss, or before a good opportunity, Spain will not carry out colonial exchange.

On September 22, 1869, Carlo bid farewell to Serrano, who was on the expedition to Cuba, in Madrid, and personally promised all Spanish soldiers that he would hold a celebration banquet for them when they returned to Madrid in triumph, and grant land and titles to those who made great contributions.

Military merits are still very attractive to soldiers, and this is also one of the most effective opportunities for the lower-class people to climb up.

Including Serrano himself and Primo, they are both representative figures of military merits. Although Spanish soldiers do not have the ambition to become dukes and marquises, it is still no problem to strive for some land and financial rewards as much as possible.

Carlo, who had just returned to the palace after seeing off Serrano, soon received a report from the guards that Prime Minister Primo wanted to see him.

Since Carlo fulfilled his promise and firmly supported the reform, Primo's attitude towards Carlo has become very respectful, and he is willing to cultivate a commendable monarch-minister relationship with Carlo.

This is also good news for Carlo. Just like now, Primo will consult Carlo's opinions in many cases, and is willing to leave some things to Carlo to decide.

Although Primo is not like Garibaldi who has no ambition for power and status, he is not a dictatorial person.

Carlo is also happy with this kind of cooperative relationship. Following Primo to mix some reputation for reform, and then slowly cultivate his own confidants in the government and the army, and prepare to take over the country after Primo, this is also Carlo's plan.

"Your Majesty, this is a plan for industrial construction, please approve it." As soon as Primo saw Carlo, he handed over a long-prepared industrial plan and said straight to the point.

"Are we going to start industrial construction now? Prime Minister Primo, if I remember correctly, it seems that our government does not have so much money to build industry." Carlo was a little surprised at the speed of Primo's reform.

The reforms in education and agriculture have only been carried out for less than a month, so why should we start industrial construction immediately?

For Spain, which is currently in urgent need of funds, it is not a good thing to launch so many projects at once. Carlo can understand Primo's eagerness for success, but if the Spanish government faces a bankruptcy crisis simply by pursuing speed, it will be a loss.

"The first batch of industrial construction is expected to require 55 million pesetas. I plan to issue industrial bonds of about 25 million pesetas in batches, and the remaining 30 million pesetas can be obtained by borrowing from foreign capital.

As long as we can promote industrial construction, our economic situation in the next few years will improve, and Spain's bad situation can also be comprehensively improved." Primo explained.

Queen Isabel's government only cares about its own enjoyment and ignores national development, which has caused Spain's construction in all aspects to stagnate for a long time, and even regressed.

The only good news is that the previous government, which ignored development, did not borrow heavily from abroad. The current Spanish government can still obtain some project start-up funds through borrowing.

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