Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Lauren Roat

Vittorio Emanuele II’s actions were indeed swift.

On the very day Carlo received the annual grant of three million Lira, Vittorio Emanuele II also presented him with a carefully selected candidate for the position of steward.

However, the decision rested with Carlo. After all, a steward is the most trustworthy subordinate of any noble, and Carlo had 100% of the choice.

Borrowing a meeting room of the Royal Palace, Carlo had a meeting with the subordinate recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II.

As Carlo was not very old, the candidate recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II was also quite young, appearing to be just in his early twenties.

Nonetheless, based on the information provided by Vittorio Emanuele II, this Loren fellow was no ordinary person.

Firstly, in terms of education, not only was he a legitimate graduate from a prestigious university, but he also studied abroad in England and France for several years.

However, due to being nurtured and sponsored by the Royal Family from a young age, his loyalty was guaranteed.

Moreover, Loren himself was already managing part of the Italian Royal Family’s assets, and his abilities in finance and economics were beyond doubt.

Simply put, Loren was a talent who had been tested both in knowledge and ability, and his loyalty was also assured.

Carlo’s first impression of Loren was positive.

Raised in a monarchy, Loren had a favorable view of the monarchy. Everything he had came from the support of the Italian Royal Family, so his loyalty to the entire Italian Royal Family was beyond question.

“Loren?” Carlo spoke first.

“Yes, Your Highness. I am Loren, honored to be at your service.” Loren nodded very respectfully, setting his posture very low.

“Excellent.” Carlo nodded in satisfaction, quite approving of Loren’s demeanor and conduct.

After all, if his own steward did not recognize the noble’s superior status, who would?

“Were you previously working for my father?” Carlo inquired.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Loren nodded, answering very respectfully, “Previously, I managed the plantations in the Philippines and purchased several newspapers in the Turin area.”

Carlo was quite pleased. Although the plantations Loren managed were mainly agricultural, this management experience could be extended to future rubber plantations.

There’s no need to elaborate on how lucrative rubber plantations can be, and with this experience, Carlo could easily become a giant in the rubber industry while planning for the future.

The experience of acquiring newspapers added more merit to Loren. In Carlo’s eyes, the influence of newspapers was extremely important.

If a person or a country could harness the power of public opinion, they could easily manipulate perceptions, turning right into wrong, and wrong into right.

This was crucial for maintaining the monarchy in Italy or Spain, at least influencing the choices of the populace, to prevent the monarchy from withdrawing too early from the stages of Italy and Spain.

Regardless of the times, people often have a blind herd mentality.

No matter if a system is good or bad, as long as enough people say it’s bad, then it is perceived as bad.

If the power of public opinion is harnessed well, it will become one of Carlo’s most important weapons in the future, second only to the military, and can have unexpected effects.

In Carlo’s future plans, whether he becomes the King of Spain or continues as a noble in Italy, his aim is to do some tangible good for the people from his noble status.

And newspaper-led public opinion would be Carlo’s key propaganda tool. After all, the purpose of doing good deeds is to show the people that not all nobles are oppressive rulers, and not all monarchies have flaws.

“What are your thoughts on newspapers?” Although Carlo was already quite satisfied, the evaluation of Loren was not entirely over.

If Loren could align somewhat with Carlo’s future developments, perhaps their collaboration would be even more perfect.

Hearing Carlo’s questioning, Loren did not rush to answer but after a moment of careful thought, he said: “As of now, newspapers are just a way for the people to receive information from the outside world.

But for the future, the role of newspapers is quite significant, even capable of influencing the newspaper-reading audience.

Although the role of a single newspaper is not significant, if we can control dozens or even hundreds of newspapers, and then publish a particular news item simultaneously in all these newspapers, that piece of news will be instantly believed by tens of thousands or even millions of people, regardless of its truth.

I believe, based on the potential and role of newspaper development, it is necessary for you to purchase several newspapers as your tools of public opinion to influence the people.”

Carlo nodded in approval of Loren’s views.

Although the development of newspapers had yet to form a massive influence of public opinion, the role of such media institutions was undeniable.

Loren’s foresight in seeing this point early proved he had a commendable strategic vision for development.

Such talent as a manager of Carlo’s assets surely meant a much higher probability of asset growth than reduction.

“You have successfully impressed me, Loren.” At the end of the conversation, Carlo smiled and nodded at the anxious Loren, saying: “From now on, you will be my royal steward.”

Stewards in Western courts were not like eunuchs in Eastern courts; they had substantial authority and were not subject to anyone’s discrimination.

Loren was also not opposed to becoming Carlo’s steward because, under Vittorio Emanuele II, he was just a reasonably capable talent.

But if he swore loyalty to Carlo, Loren would become a confidant and key subordinate of Carlo, with an importance that was entirely disproportionate.

Moreover, Carlo was also the Duke of Chablais in Italy, and becoming the Duke’s steward was by no means a disgraceful matter.

“Duke, since I was an orphan from a young age, I only have my given name, Loren, without a surname of my own.

May I request you bestow upon me a unique surname? Loren is willing to dedicate his life to serving you, Duke.” At the end of the conversation, Loren suddenly spoke up and requested Carlo to grant him a surname.

Such things had happened before; if a commoner suddenly gained the monarch’s trust and was significantly utilized, granting him a surname to assimilate into the noble class would not be surprising.

Loren’s request for a surname was essentially to express his loyalty to Carlo. After receiving a surname given by Carlo, Loren would be completely marked as Carlo’s.

Should Loren betray Carlo in the future, he would lose fame across the nobility of Europe, and naturally, his future prospects would wither.

Carlo naturally understood this point. Looking at the determined Loren, Carlo smiled and said: “Alright then, Steward Loren. I think the surname ’Roat’ is fitting; Loren Roat will surely become a legend worth writing about in Italian history.”

Loren nodded, obediently accepting this surname.

The name ’Roat’ resembles ’loyalty’ in English. The meaning behind the name given by Carlo was self-evident, and Loren also wished to express his loyalty in this way, thereby gaining Carlo’s trust and significant role to showcase his ability.