Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: A Father’s Wealth as Solid as a Mountain

If you want to control your own destiny, you can only keep climbing up, becoming a country’s ruler, trust, and the object of obedience by the people.

And in a country like Italy, there’s only one way, which is to become the King of Italy.

But clearly, for Carlo, who has two older brothers, becoming the King of Italy is practically impossible.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s no chance at all. From the historical trajectory, Spain is on the verge of a revolution, and the Savoy Dynasty is about to acquire the crown of Spain.

Even though this crown stayed on the head of the Savoy Dynasty for only three years, it’s Carlo’s closest chance to the crown.

If he can outcompete his brother Prince Amadeo, Carlo might have the chance to acquire the Spanish crown and become the King of Spain.

But in the end, this is just a plan, and realizing it is fraught with difficulties.

No matter what, in order to prepare for the plan ahead of time, it’s necessary to stockpile a certain amount of talent and wealth.

Ultimately, without starting capital, all plans are merely empty talk.

Speaking of wealth, the lands and castles under Carlo’s name are worth at least two to three million lira (1 pound is about 25 lira, roughly 7.33 grams of gold), which is quite valuable in an era where currency hasn’t depreciated.

Unfortunately, most of the lands and castles cannot be sold because they come from the Royal Family.

The only property Carlo can truly control is the annual royal annuity, which averages about 260,000 lira per year.

However, because Carlo is not yet an adult, this fund has been preserved by his father, Vittorio Emanuele II, who estimates that he has saved nearly three million lira.

Carlo’s target is the 260,000 lira annuity. If he could gain the right to freely dispose of his own property, this fund would be enough for Carlo to accomplish many things.

The good news is, judging from his father Vittorio Emanuele II’s concern for him, Carlo should easily obtain the disposal rights of his property.

After all, Carlo’s mother Grand Duchess Adelaide passed away more than ten years ago, and there are no obstacles left preventing Carlo from obtaining his own property disposal rights.

Although Carlo is not yet an adult, this might just allow Carlo to gain a relatively reliable subordinate from Vittorio Emanuele II.

Since Carlo’s property ultimately belongs to Carlo personally, Vittorio Emanuele II may keep it until Carlo reaches adulthood, but he cannot manage it for Carlo forever.

Now, Carlo must have more capable assistants to manage his property properly, such as roles like the royal steward.

In European courts, a royal steward is extremely important. The steward is not only the most efficient and loyal assistant of a noble, but also shares life and death with the entire noble family.

Furthermore, often, the steward’s position tends to become a peculiar hereditary system. For instance, Belis Burn, the steward of Vittorio Emanuele II, whose father was the steward of King Carlo Emanuele III of Sardinia, and his son might likely become Crown Prince Umberto’s steward, highly trusted by the Italian Royal Family, truly a trustworthy subordinate.

If a sufficiently loyal and competent steward can help Carlo manage his property, it’s believed that Vittorio Emanuele II would be at ease to let Carlo have his property disposal rights.

And where does this loyal and competent steward come? Of course, chosen by Vittorio Emanuele II among his trusted subordinates.

A few days later, in the Office of the King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II gazed in surprise at his son Carlo, curiously asking, “Little Carlo, may I know your purpose for exercising your property disposal rights?”

It’s not that Vittorio Emanuele II couldn’t part with the more than two million lira, but it’s such a huge amount that he didn’t want to see his child deteriorate because of money.

“Invest in some enterprises,” Carlo replied earnestly, detailing: “This way, when Brother Umberto and Brother Amadeo get married, I’ll have money to give them gifts.”

Upon hearing Carlo’s reply, Vittorio Emanuele II affectionately patted Carlo’s head, laughing and crying, saying, “Your money is already enough to give them gifts, Carlo.

More than two million lira can build a battleship; you surely don’t think to gift them a fleet, do you, child?”

Carlo shook his head, seemingly quite serious: “That’s not my money, father. I want to use money truly earned to give them gifts, so I can feel joy.”

“Alright then, child, you have convinced me,” Vittorio Emanuele II smiled and nodded, helplessly saying, “What reason do I have to refuse? This must be the best reason in the world.”

“However, Carlo, I must remind you. Before you reach adulthood, you need a capable and loyal steward to help you manage the property.

Of course, how you spend it is up to you, but you at least need someone to make sense of what this 2 million lira of property is, don’t you?” Vittorio Emanuele II continued to remind.

The value of Italian lira and French francs don’t differ much, so more than 2 million francs in this era is undoubtedly a massive figure.

Even converting to currently the most valuable precious metal gold equals over 700 kilograms, nearing a ton in weight.

That’s why Vittorio Emanuele II mentioned Carlo must have a loyal and competent steward to manage the property because this amount of money is simply too large.

Carlo is naturally happy about this; after all, the talents in the Italian Royal Family are relatively abundant.

Though the Kingdom of Italy was established recently, the predecessor of the Kingdom of Italy was the Sardinian Kingdom. Although Sardinian Kingdom didn’t have much presence in Europe, there were still quite a few loyal and competent talents.

Seeing Carlo not resisting him assigning a loyal person to help manage his property, Vittorio Emanuele II also felt relieved.

To show his paternal side, Vittorio Emanuele II immediately added, “To support you, Carlo, I’ll round it up to a full 3 million lira, which you can come to me and collect anytime.”