Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 35: Chapter 34: The Spanish Military Academy Begins Classes

Just as Carlo was still engrossed in the great expansion of his royal enterprises, Prime Minister Prim hurried in with what might be bad news for Carlo: the Basque separatists and the Carlos Faction had collaborated.

It was inevitable for these separatists to join forces with the Carlos Faction, as their individual strengths were negligible compared to Spain and could not pose a threat to the Spanish Government.

However, if the Catalonia and Basque separatists were to join forces with the Carlos Faction to launch a rebellion, it would still cause a considerable stir in the northern regions of Spain.

These rebels were scattered throughout Catalonia, Basque, and Navarre regions, and the adjacent regions of Aragon and La Rioja would also be affected.

Yet, this was also good news for Carlo. The most troublesome rebels of Spain had gathered together, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to capture them all in one fell swoop?

“How is the government’s preparation? Can our army handle the combined forces of the Basques and the Carlos Faction?” Carlo turned his gaze to Prim, asking the question he was most concerned about.

“The Spanish army will crush all enemies of Spain, be they the Carlos Faction or the Basques.” Prim answered calmly.

“Very well, Prime Minister. I will be waiting in the Royal Palace for your good news; hopefully, our victory will not be far off.” Carlo nodded in satisfaction at Prim’s calm response.

As Carlo’s Captain of the Palace Guard, Giotto was naturally also aware of the rebellion in northern Spain.

After a long association, Giotto had long decided to pledge unwavering loyalty to Carlo and naturally wanted to help resolve the Spanish rebellion for him.

“Your Majesty, the Red Army currently has a force of over ten thousand men and can be quickly mobilized. If needed, I believe my father would also be willing to lead the army to assist Your Majesty in completely resolving this northern Spanish rebellion,” Giotto proactively proposed to Carlo.

“The situation in Spain is not yet that dire.” Carlo understood Giotto’s loyalty but judged that the Spanish internal strife had not reached a point requiring outside intervention.

“Alright, Your Majesty.” Hearing that Carlo was unwilling to request help from the Red Army for the time being, Giotto could only nod with resignation.

“However, you have reminded me, Giotto.” Carlo smiled and said, “Since the Carlos Faction has decided to revolt against my rule, I certainly cannot stand idly by.

It’s time for all Spaniards to understand, as well as the Carlos Faction, that the Bourbon Dynasty is gone, and now it is the era of Savoy.

I, Carlo of the Savoy Dynasty, am the true ruler of Spain, the legitimate King of Spain.”

“Giotto, I need you to do something for me, something that perhaps only you can accomplish.” Carlo smiled, as if he had thought of something noteworthy.

“At your service, Your Majesty.” Giotto stepped forward, listening to Carlo’s plan.

A few days later, a rumor emerged in Madrid, stating that their King Carlo would deliver a speech at a square in the Madrid City Center.

While the contents of the speech were not specified, based on recent events in Spain, it was likely intended to stabilize both the military’s and the public’s confidence.

This rumor quickly drew the attention of a large number of Madrid’s citizens, including workers benefiting from the labor law and farmers benefiting from agricultural tax reductions.

Indeed, thanks to the Agricultural Tax Reduction Act and the Labor Law, Carlo enjoyed considerable popularity and support in Madrid.

The day of Carlo’s speech quickly arrived, and the square in the Madrid City Center was teeming with people, with at least tens of thousands gathered around.

Around the platform, however, there were not many people within a range of several dozen meters. To ensure Carlo’s safety, only those who had been screened could enter this area, largely ensuring that no hostile assassins could infiltrate.

By noon, Carlo’s carriage approached slowly, driving directly toward the platform along a pre-arranged path.

Adorned with a crown and wearing a royal custom robe, Carlo descended from the carriage with the support of the guards and walked straight to the platform.

The platform had long been equipped with sound amplification equipment, ensuring that Carlo’s speech could be heard by the majority within the square.

As for those too far away or hard of hearing, there was no remedy. Perhaps they could learn of Carlo’s speech content from the upcoming newspaper reports or through the accounts of those nearby.

“My people, I am your King Carlo.

I am honored to be the King of this great nation of Spain, to witness the resurgence of this great country together with all of you.

Some might ask, what makes me qualified to bring about the resurgence of Spain?

Spain once stood at the pinnacle of the world, and Spaniards were once the greatest people in the world. Reaching those past glories again is indeed tremendously difficult, and the path to resurgence is bound to be fraught with challenges.

But I want to say, I have confidence—confidence that I will witness all this with every Spaniard. What makes Spain great is not that it once stood atop the world.

It is that even after enduring extended hardships and through the valleys, Spaniards still believe that Spain is the greatest nation, still harboring hope for Spain’s resurgence.

The Agricultural Tax Reduction Act and the Labor Law are just the beginning. I will enact more laws to advance Spain’s progress, to protect the interests of all Spaniards from infringement, and to achieve industrialization and strength in Spain.

We have already dealt with the capitalists who exploit workers and are now battling the enemies who seek to fragment this nation.

My people, trust me, I will lead Spain to strength, I will ensure that the interests of all Spaniards are safeguarded, I will oppose all who stand in Spain’s way, I take pride in the great Spain and its people, and I will establish a prosperous era for all Spaniards to enjoy.

The glory of the past may no longer exist, but the future still belongs to Spain, belongs to all Spaniards.

Let us all shout the slogan ’Make Spain Great Again,’ and once again achieve the great resurgence of Spain!”

“Make Spain Great Again!”

Genuine and heartfelt speeches are often the most moving. For Carlo, what he said was precisely what he wanted to accomplish, and it was exactly what Spaniards wanted to hear.

It was for this reason that the Spaniards in the crowd below immediately echoed Carlo’s slogan: “Make Spain Great Again!” “Long live Spain!” causing the scene to become vibrant and lively.

Bang! Bang bang!

Suddenly, several gunshots rang out, abruptly interrupting the crowd’s cheers.

People looked up in surprise, seeing a burst of white smoke from the area closest to the platform.

On the platform, several guards had already rushed towards Carlo, forming a barrier in front of him.

The guards below the platform also responded swiftly, quickly identifying the shooter from the smoke zone and apprehending them.

“An assassin!”

“His Majesty is injured!”

“Protect His Majesty!”

The frantic voices of the guards mingled with the shouts of the crowd below, creating chaos as if the situation was about to spiral out of control.

Under the protection of the guards, Carlo stood up again, raising his right hand and calling out emphatically to everyone’s astonishment: “Nothing can knock me down, long live Spain!”

This time, the scene fell into complete chaos.

The people below watched as the assassin was subdued, feeling somewhat relieved within. Seeing Carlo, seemingly shot, stand up again to encourage the crowd, their emotions could no longer be restrained.

“Long live Spain! Long live King Carlo!”

“Long live Spain! Long live King Carlo!”

Hearing the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd below, Carlo appeared as though he couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed into the arms of the guards.

The guards immediately carried Carlo onto a carriage, heading to the nearest hospital in Madrid.