Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 71: Chapter 70: Preparations to Partition Africa

Since factories like steel mills are basically a surefire lucrative venture, there’s nothing more to say, of course, than to build steel mills vigorously.

Constantly expanding the scale of steel mills also helps improve Spain’s overall industrial level, which is beneficial for the Royal Family and the government.

Moreover, it can provide more jobs for the Spaniards and accelerate the pace of Spain’s economic development, which is simply a win-win-win.

Without any hesitation, Carlo immediately instructed Steward Loren, “The focus next will be on the expansion of banks and steel mills, other industries can be postponed for a while.”

There’s no choice; in order for Spain to catch up with the train of the Second Industrial Revolution, a large number of talents from other countries must be recruited.

To recruit enough talents from other countries, money is primarily necessary.

Money moves people’s hearts. Regardless of the grand achievements that researchers have made, they are ordinary people and have a certain demand for material things.

Even if their demand for material things is not significant, they will have families, and their families will also have related needs.

So the simplest way to recruit a talent is to let him and his family have enough money, providing them with upper-class material and lifestyle in the country.

Allowing a scientist, who was originally impoverished or nearly ruined, to instantly enjoy the life of the nation’s upper echelon, with unlimited money and endless material enjoyment, will definitely tempt this scientist.

Although throwing money seems like a somewhat crude method, at a time when most European commoners live in destitution or even hellish conditions, throwing money really is the most effective way.

Of course, regardless of the era, the lives of the bottom-tier citizens are destined not to be too good.

It’s merely that more advanced technology raises the baseline to some extent, but in any country, there will always be the lowest tier of society.

As long as there is a destitute group, there will certainly be people who bow for money. What Carlo has to do now is attract these people with money, and then cultivate more talents for Spain on the basis of these talents.

“How much funds can be transferred from the bank at most?” Carlo contemplated for a while before asking aloud.

“The construction of our branch requires at least 5 million Pesseta, and there needs to be sufficient cash left for the existing bank. Currently, about 25 million Pesseta can be transferred, and there shouldn’t be any problem with the usage period within a year.” Steward Loren thought for a while and gave a relatively impartial response.

The current Royal Bank has a big problem, which is that most of its deposits come from nobles.

However, this is also good news because these nobles are making large deposits mainly in consideration of Carlo’s influence, making it unlikely that they would band together to run on the bank.

This also allows the Royal Bank to have enough funds to transfer, and with other Royal Family enterprises backing it up, it can calmly respond to small scale run events.

“Invest all these 25 million Pesseta into steel, chemical industry, machinery, steam turbines, and military industry, as these are our main targets in the near term.

Investing in these existing Spanish factories can also be considered, after all, relying solely on our efforts is impossible to push Spain’s industrial development forward.” Carlo instructed.

These industries are relatively lacking in Spain, given Spain’s future development needs, these industries will be in a surefire profitable state in the foreseeable future.

The Royal Bank currently has a bit capital and naturally will not miss the opportunity to invest in these industries.

After all, Spain is in a state of revival in these areas, and once the investment succeeds, the future harvest could be Spain’s industrial goliath.

Besides wanting to earn income from investing in these industries, and developing Spain’s industry, Carlo also wants to attract the working class, this already rising class force.

Capitalists can incite workers to march to threaten the government, so why can’t the Royal Family?

Once Carlo controls tens of thousands or even tens of thousands of workers through numerous industries, he only needs to compare the treatment of workers in Royal Family industries with those in other capitalist industries, and these workers will naturally understand who to follow for a better life.

With the worker power in his hands, Carlo naturally doesn’t need to worry about the threat of the next government. No matter who succeeds Prim as the next Spanish Prime Minister, they must consider Carlo’s influence in the government and among the people.

This is also the benefit brought to Carlo by the lingering glow of monarchy in this era. The stage Carlo first arrived in Spain was his lowest in influence and most likely to be isolated.

Once Carlo gets through this trough, holding stable royal power, no one can underestimate the influence of royal power.

After instructing domestic industry construction matters, Carlo thought for a moment, then continued, “Prepare an extra fund of 2 million Pesseta, I might need it in the coming days.”

Hearing Carlo’s instructions, Steward Loren nodded quickly without asking any reasons.

As a competent and loyal servant, it’s best to comply with his master’s instructions and not ask too much.

If it’s what he should know, the master will certainly tell him. If it’s not what he should know, how can asking rashly leave a good impression?

Steward Loren understands this very well, so he resolutely doesn’t ask what he shouldn’t.

Carlo is quite satisfied with Steward Loren’s attitude. The purpose of this fund isn’t really a big secret, Carlo said with a smile: “For Spain to achieve revival, relying solely on the mainland is still too difficult.

Currently, Africa hasn’t been completely divided by the great powers, we can still find lands belonging to us outside the colonial sites of great powers.

The purpose of this fund is to hire foreign explorers to find more lands for Spain. Only with enough lands can Spain achieve revival relying on its own strength, rather than through exploiting domestic populace.

While preparing funds, you can also help me see which explorers from domestic and abroad can be contacted. At least in the initial stage of action, I hope our expedition team’s movements can be temporarily kept secret.”

In terms of sovereignty over colonies, great powers generally advocate that whoever occupies it first owns it. After all, the relations between great powers are chaotic and complicated, and in certain circumstances it’s impossible to rely directly on military to seize colonies.

As long as Spain can preemptively establish footholds in some important colonies and plant Spain’s flag, even if there’s a colonial conflict in the future, Spain holds the moral high ground.

Moreover, it’s only 1870, Africa hasn’t been thoroughly divided by great powers. Even countries like Portugal and Belgium can get a slice of the pie in Africa’s division, why wouldn’t a stronger Spain be able?