Rise of Empires: Spain.

Chapter 159: The Nobles' Concerns
Was the first five-year plan under Prime Minister Primo a success?

This is a complete no-brainer and of course highly successful.

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

What does this mean? Although agriculture is still the mainstay of Spain, the industry has also grown to a considerable scale.

At present, the total number of workers in Spain is as high as hundreds of thousands, and it is still growing. The increase in the number of workers has also effectively increased the average annual income of Spain, and the remuneration that people can get for their work has increased, which is why people are satisfied with Primo's government.

在西班牙经济体量增加接近20亿比塞塔的背后，西班牙的人均年收入也从1869年的87比塞塔增长到1873年年底的115比塞塔左右，这才是普通西班牙人能够看到的地方。

It is precisely because of these contributions that as long as Prime Minister Primo continues to run for election, his re-election is a matter of course and no one can stop him.

However, the political situation in Spain has changed a lot compared to five years ago.

When the first cabinet government election was held after the revolution, the candidate for the King of Spain had not yet been determined. 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 election for the second cabinet government is more complicated than that for the first cabinet government.

Carlo had integrated the royalist party, which was composed of aristocratic and conservative forces, and the throne became quite stable.

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

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

But no matter what the parliamentarians thought, the atmosphere between Prime Minister Primo and Carlo seemed very harmonious at this time.

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

With Prime Minister Primo's summary report as a precaution, the MPs were somewhat surprised at the performance of various departments in the five-year plan, but not too unbelievable.

The reason why Spain did not develop well before was not because the country lacked potential and foundation, but because Queen Isabel of Spain and the Prime Minister of the Royal Government did not pay enough attention.

The Spanish upper class was only concerned with pursuing pleasure, so officials naturally would not pay too much attention to economic and industrial development, which created a vicious cycle.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Primo, the Spanish government has shown great importance to the development of economy and industry. Coupled with the promulgation of the previous performance appraisal bill for officials, officials at all levels have really begun to pay attention to the development of industry and economy.

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

With all these factors interconnected, it is natural that Spain's industry and economy have developed well.

As long as the cabinet government can control the highest level and ensure that Spain's development is practical and effective, rather than a hastily built political achievement project for the sake of credit, that will be enough.

The government's annual work report meeting has ended, but for Spanish politics, the real excitement has just begun.

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

Although the cabinet election will be held in February, there was already a heated atmosphere of cabinet election in Spain in January.

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

Although the cabinet election has attracted a lot of public attention, anyone with a discerning eye knows that as long as Prime Minister Primo decides to run for election, the position of prime minister will have nothing to do with anyone else.

January 1874, 1, inside the Royal Palace of Madrid.

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

Prime Minister Primo has held power for five years since the Spanish Revolution. As the most powerful class in Spain, it is impossible for the nobility to have no opposition.

It is only because Carlo has always supported Prime Minister Primo's reforms, and because the Spanish monarchy was unstable at the time and the existence of the nobility was a question, that Spain has remained peaceful until now.

But now it was different. Carlo's royal power was already quite stable, and could even threaten Prime Minister Primo's power. Under such circumstances, the nobles naturally wanted to use Carlo to achieve their own goals. At least they had to let the nobles have the power they deserved, right?

The Royal Palace of Madrid was very busy today. As if they had discussed it beforehand, these nobles came together to ask for an audience with Carlo.

These nobles who sought to see him were generally great nobles above the rank of duke, so Carlo naturally could not refuse to meet them.

"Your Majesty!" A group of grand dukes and dukes arrived at the banquet hall of the royal palace in a grand manner, 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 could no longer hold back and stood up and said, "The cabinet election will be held next month. Has Prime Minister Primo confirmed his candidacy?"

Carlo looked at the noble who spoke, his expression as cold as ever: "Why? Do you have any objection to Prime Minister Primo's candidacy?"

Anyone who has been paying attention to the political situation in Spain knows that Prime Minister Primo’s attitude at the government’s annual work report meeting has been very clear, that is, to run for the seat of prime minister in the next cabinet.

The nobles' joint arrival was obviously not to ask Prime Minister Primo whether he would run for election, but they had other ideas.

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

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

"Aren't you aware of the summary report of the first five-year plan? The second five-year plan plays a connecting role and is very important to Spain.

Prime Minister Primo, who proposed the first five-year plan, is the most suitable person to launch the second five-year plan. For Spain today, Prime Minister Primo is the most qualified candidate to be the prime minister, no doubt about it. "Carlo glanced at the nobles, and then said to himself: "

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

Some of the nobles were confused, but some had already understood the hidden meaning in Carlo's words.

Looking at Canovas who nodded secretly, Carlo smiled rarely and said, “Minister Canovas, your work in the agricultural sector during this period has been very effective.

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 hurried forward, respectfully gave Carlo a noble salute, and said excitedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Canovas will continue to work hard for you, the royal family, and the future of Spain."

Canovas was not famous at this time, but he is also famous in history. Canovas' full name is Antonio Canovas del Castillo, a famous Spanish politician and writer. As a conservative, Canovas opposed constitutional monarchy and believed that the king was not a government tool established according to the legal consciousness of the country, but the orthodox ruler of the country and 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, Amadeo's reign and the Republic.

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

Such a person is definitely not a mediocre person, and his support for the supremacy of royal power also made him highly valued by Alfonso XII.

However, in this world, Alfonso XII obviously has no chance. It can even be said that the Bourbon family has no chance in Spain unless the House of Savoy produces several incompetent rulers in succession.

Canovas' answer is full of the idea of ​​the supremacy of the king: the king comes first, the royal family comes second, and the country comes last.

Carlo also understood why Canovas was so highly valued during the reign of Alfonso XII. If a young king in his teens was praised for his supremacy when most of the forces in the country supported the republic, who would not be overjoyed and use a minister who praised him highly?
Although Carlo was quite satisfied with Canovas's 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, it will be taken over by Jovillar.

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

Well, that's all I have to say. As for the others, you are not members of the House of Representatives, and this cabinet election has nothing to do with you, so just go your separate ways. "

Carlo does not intend to ask for more power now. Since Spain is still on the fast track of rapid development, the most important thing is naturally to promote Spain's further development.

Only when the country becomes stronger can Carlo sit more securely on the throne and gain greater power.

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 the hidden meaning of Carlo's words depends on their understanding.

Many nobles came with great momentum and left with full of questions in their heads.

Although they wanted to fight for more, it was obvious that Carlo was not interested in the topics they were going to propose. Since Carlo had already ordered everyone to disperse, the nobles did not dare to stay in the palace any longer and could only bid farewell one by one.

However, when the nobles gathered in groups of three or four, there were still many questions about the communication between them, such as Carlo's attitude.

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

Although the Prime Minister of the Cabinet is second only to the Prime Minister, it is not certain who is below whom in Primo's hands.

The nobles did not believe that Carlo was willing to continue to stay under Primo's authority and be a king in name only with little real power.

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

Canovas, with a smile on his face, answered his friend: "Isn't the King's meaning very clear?"

"But, does His Majesty really want to allow Primo to continue to serve as 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, due to Primo's reforms, many nobles had lost a large amount of land, including the policy of reducing land rent, which reduced the nobles' income by at least one-fifth.

If Primo is re-elected, he will have more power. If he continues to target the nobles' wallets, even the nobles with rich backgrounds will not be able to withstand such disasters.

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

But if Prime Minister Primo's reforms were only aimed at the nobility, wouldn't we still have both the industrial and agricultural sectors in our hands?

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

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

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

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

Canovas certainly understood Carlo's purpose in appointing him as Minister of Industry. Occupying this department with considerable power would, firstly, allow him to check and balance Prime Minister Primo to a certain extent, and secondly, share the huge credit of the second five-year plan and prepare for his future promotion.

Yes, Canovas is the candidate in Carlo's plan to take over as Prime Minister after Prime Minister Primo's term ends.

There was nothing that could be done about it, after all, Carlo had too few political talents to use. Canovas's qualifications were barely enough, and his loyalty was higher than that of Prime Minister Primo and Grand Duke Serrano.

"My old friend, even though His Majesty the King said so, isn't the power to appoint cabinet ministers in the hands of Prime Minister Primo?
The position of Minister of Industry is an important one. Will Prime Minister Primo agree to the King's proposal? "The Marquis still had many questions. After all, the industrial sector was very important in the Five-Year Plan. It could even be said that it was the key development sector in Spain, without a doubt.

The Minister of Industry can definitely get the most credit among all the cabinet ministers. Will Prime Minister Primo give such a position to Carlo for nothing?
"Of course our Prime Minister will agree." Canovas nodded with a smile, his eyes showing a hint of deep meaning: "Of course, I hope he won't agree."

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

The election for the cabinet government has not yet begun, and Prime Minister Primo still holds enormous power.

Prime Minister Primo was of course aware of the fact that many nobles went to the palace to meet Carlo. Although he did not know what the nobles discussed with Carlo, it was not difficult to guess the nobles' purpose.

Compared to Primo, who carried out reforms that infringed on the interests of the nobles, the nobles certainly hoped that a more conservative guy who would not take action against the nobles would become the prime minister of the new cabinet government.

At this time, the only one who could pose a threat to Prime Minister Primo's re-election was King Carlo of Spain, which was why the nobles wanted 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. Moreover, the power of the King of Spain was really not qualified to prevent Prime Minister Primo from being re-elected, unless Carlo dissolved 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 like throwing a huge rock into the calm lake.

It is not even good for Carlo himself. Isn't it a manifestation of despotism for a king to dissolve parliament without any reason?
The last queen, Isabel, who was a monarchist, was already cursed by the Spanish. If Carlo showed autocratic tendencies again, even if he had won the Spanish people's favor before, he might still arouse their anger 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, and conceived the second five-year development plan in his mind.

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(End of this chapter)