Empire Rising: Spain - Chapter 119 - 107: Military Academy Graduates

Chapter 119: Chapter 107: Military Academy Graduates

During these days in Vienna, the news of Carlo’s engagement to the Archduchess Sophie has spread throughout Europe.

The marriage between the King of Spain and the Princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is absolutely a powerful alliance, potentially altering the dynamics of the Mediterranean situation.

For this reason, the countries paying attention to this marriage are more than just a few, even King Louis I of Portugal personally sent a congratulatory telegram.

Speaking of Louis I, he is actually Carlo’s brother-in-law. Carlo’s sister, Maria Pia, is his Queen, and the two have two children, and their married life was fairly loving in the past.

However, as Maria Pia discovered King Luis’s innumerable lovers, their marital relationship worsened.

Who is to blame for this? If anyone is to blame, it would be King Louis I’s brother, Pedro V, who passed away at the age of 24 without leaving any heirs, which resulted in Luis receiving the Portuguese throne, something he had never anticipated.

Since he was never groomed as a successor to the throne, Luis’s indulgence went unchecked. By the time he became King, he was already an adult, making it even less likely anyone would control him.

Speaking of Louis I, he is quite popular in Portugal. He implemented the policies set by his brother, such as abolishing slavery and eliminating the death penalty for civil offenses.

However, when it comes to political acumen, Louis I’s political skills are lacking. In Portugal, a constitutional monarchy, his powers were significantly constrained, and in the ten years since he ascended the throne, Portugal’s situation has not greatly improved.

The reason why King Luis was so proactive in congratulating Carlo and Spain was certainly not due to his familial relationship with Carlo.

In fact, the royal families of European countries are more or less related, but such familial relationships don’t matter much when national interests are at stake.

The real reason for Louis I’s proactive congratulation was the significant power gap between Spain and Portugal.

A power gap wouldn’t be a problem if Portugal’s only neighbor wasn’t Spain.

As the only two countries on the Iberian Peninsula, conflicts between Portugal and Spain occur frequently.

Portugal is often the party that gets bullied, which is why King Louis I is so proactive.

Previously, with the support of the British, the Portuguese did not worry about Spain making any moves. But now, with Spain friendly with Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they might not fear a Portugal supported by the British.

Carlo understood Louis I’s point of view. Spain does not plan to provoke the British anytime soon.

The British would not agree to Spain dominating the Iberian Peninsula unless Spain had power enough to counter the British.

Upon returning to Madrid, Carlo had Steward Loren begin preparations for the wedding to be held a year later.

Apart from the Royal Family making preparations, the Spanish Government also placed great importance on the wedding a year later and expressed their willingness to fund a grand wedding for Carlo with two million pesetas.

Carlo also understood the government’s intentions. It appeared they invested two million pesetas, but the government could gain much more from the collaboration with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

With the Austro-Hungarian Empire casually supporting some industrial technology for Spain, the yields for Spain would far exceed two million pesetas.

With the backing of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Spain wouldn’t need to worry in some diplomatic arenas, or fear the influence of other great powers, and that’s what’s most important.

When the Spanish public learned that the future Queen of Spain was the Archduchess Sophie of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the sentiment was supportive and optimistic.

With policies like agricultural tax reductions and the abolition of tithes, Carlo already had a favorable impression among the Spanish public.

And as the eldest daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Spaniards saw them as a well-matched pair.

Some small private newspapers, in an attempt to attract attention, even published various colorful love stories between Carlo and the Archduchess Sophie.

Stories of love at first sight, mutual affection, etc., attracted many Spaniards to buy newspapers. This shows the current support for Carlo among Spaniards, who are generally quite favorable.

Although these small newspapers seem to be using Carlo to generate hype, since they haven’t harmed the Royal Family’s prestige much, Carlo decided not to manage it.

Of course, if there are any willful fabrications of false news aiming to affect the Royal Family’s reputation or damage their public image, they must be resolutely thwarted and punished.

Spain’s control over newspapers is still generally strict. Although it’s more relaxed compared to Queen Isabella’s reign, Prime Minister Prim, upon Carlo’s suggestion, established a related news review department specifically for auditing newspapers issued by various press outlets.

As long as the content of the newspapers is government-approved, using Carlo for a bit of publicity pose no real issue.

In any case, whether it’s a major or minor newspaper, none dare to smear the Royal Family. Such reports can to some extent increase the public’s goodwill towards Carlo.

Of course, it also avoids the result of stories becoming more exaggerated through word of mouth. Carlo deeply understands how exaggerated the spread of rumors can be. If there weren’t these newspapers providing a story that doesn’t harm the Royal Family, who knows, after being passed on by the people, into which version the love story between Carlo and Grand Duchess Sophie might evolve?

As time reached the end of April 1871, Carlo also awaited a very important day, which was the first graduation ceremony since the expansion of the Madrid Royal Military Academy.

The reforms of the Royal Military Academy had been underway for nearly two years, and students who were at the academy before the reforms finally awaited their graduation day.

As military cadets who faced the reform of the military academy while in school, they were both lucky and unlucky.

Fortunately, after the reforms, the Royal Military Academy would gain more attention from Carlo and the government. And as the first batch of graduates trained by the reformed Royal Military Academy, in the future, they were destined to be heavily utilized in the military.

But unfortunately, because of the reforms to the Royal Military Academy, all their previous study time at the academy was reset to zero.

Regardless of the cohort, all became new students after the reforms. They graduated after nearly two years of military schooling, becoming low-ranking officers with the rank of Lieutenant.

The first batch of graduates from the Madrid Royal Military Academy reached over 400, which was good news for Carlo.

The issue of a shortage of Spanish officers could finally be alleviated, and there’s even hope that a few among these 400 could grow into high-ranking generals.

As the honorary dean of the Royal Military Academy, Carlo certainly couldn’t miss the graduation ceremony of the academy’s first students.

Theoretically, these graduates were also his protégés. Carlo certainly wouldn’t miss the opportunity to win them over, and he wanted them to understand to whom they should pledge their allegiance.

Moreover, most of these graduates were Spaniards; their promotion in the army would not face any obstacles. Only when this group of Spaniards becomes the mid-to-high echelon of the army can Carlo’s influence truly penetrate the military.

Once Carlo’s influence truly penetrates the military and controls at least more than half of it, Carlo’s power will gradually expand, eventually transitioning with the power of Prime Minister Prim, completing the leadership transition of the Spanish Government.

On April 28, 1871, in the suburbs of Madrid, within the Royal Military Academy.

Basking in the warm sunlight, Carlo successfully arrived at the Royal Military Academy and walked towards the auditorium within the academy.

Here gathered over 400 military cadets about to graduate, and their graduation ceremony was held today.

Having seemingly already heard the news of His Majesty the King’s arrival, most graduates eagerly awaited, stood up, and watched the entrance of the hall.

Suddenly, several soldiers of the Royal Guard opened the hall doors and stood guard at the entrance.

All teachers and students inside the hall immediately knew the King had arrived, and everyone stood up, welcoming their King with applause and cheers.

Hearing the cheers of these graduates, Carlo’s mood became more delightful. These over 400 individuals were not merely simple military graduates; they were also Carlo’s future assistance in controlling the military.

Amidst the eager gazes of many military graduates, Carlo, smiling, walked up to the podium at the center of the hall and began his impassioned speech:

“Distinguished graduates of the Royal Military Academy, esteemed teachers of the academy, good afternoon, everyone! I am delighted to meet you all. The Royal Family will never forget your efforts over the past few years.

Everyone present is Spain’s elite, likewise the hope of Spain’s future. I hope you continue to work hard after graduation, become outstanding Spanish soldiers, and become heroes trusted by all the Spanish people.

The Spain of the past was glorious and great; the Spain of today has already fallen off the pedestal. We lost the Latin American Colony, we lost Gibraltar, what else can we lose?

Students, I hope that after you enter the military, you can remember your mission and every Spaniard’s mission, which is to make Spain great again!

Spain is vast, but we can no longer afford to lose anything. We must do everything we can to protect our land and every Spaniard.

To restore Spain’s glory, it’s every Spaniard’s unshirkable duty! When all of us are striving for Spain’s greatness, Spain’s strength becomes unstoppable by anyone.

Please, let us shout together with our loudest voice: ’Make Spain great again! Long live Spain!’”

“Make Spain great again!”

“Long live Spain!”