Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 141: Chapter 124: Land Lease Act (Part 3)

Perhaps this bill was submitted to parliament with the support of Prime Minister Prim? If both Prime Minister Prim and Duke Serrano support this bill, what can they do?

Duke Jacopo also persuaded some of the aristocrats at Carlo’s behest, resulting in several days of parliamentary voting and the aristocrats not reacting too strongly during this time.

After discovering that the aristocrats did not react strongly, Prime Minister Prim finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although the aristocrats certainly still had grievances, they hadn’t escalated to the point of causing upheaval.

As long as the aristocrats don’t make significant moves, once the bill is passed by parliament, they will have no choice but to grudgingly accept it.

Moreover, the bill targets not only the aristocrats but also the Church, which possesses large amounts of land.

While Prime Minister Prim pays some heed and concern to the aristocrats, he does not have the same patience for the Church.

The vast lands controlled by the Church also hinder Spain’s development, and these lands are the target the Spanish Government wishes to reclaim.

Previously, tithes were abolished, and later, legislation was introduced to limit land rent, greatly restricting the Church’s income.

Prime Minister Prim also mobilized the military, considering defensive measures against the Church. If the Church cannot withstand such losses and ultimately chooses to revolt against the government, events would unfold in the direction Prime Minister Prim most desires.

Large numbers of troops would quickly suppress the church rebellion, allowing the government a legitimate excuse to reclaim the Church’s land.

Certainly, because the interests of both the aristocrats and the Church are affected, Prime Minister Prim knows there is a small possibility they might unite to resist the government.

However, after being divided, the aristocrats find it difficult to unite against the government, as they have their own interests to consider.

During Queen Isabella’s era, the aristocrats almost completely controlled the army. The vast majority of mid-to-high level officers in the Spanish Army were aristocrats, with the royal army being a private army led by the aristocracy.

But after the revolution, the number of aristocratic leaders within the army diminished significantly. Many aristocratic officers previously joined the Carlos Faction rebellion, and they were also eliminated by the government.

And the suppression of the rebellion led to the emergence of numerous new-style aristocrats, distinct from the old-style aristocrats, and they support the government’s policies.

Additionally, the Royal Military Academy has trained many officers, greatly reducing the aristocrats’ influence over the military.

Unless the harm to aristocratic interests becomes significant, such as forced government land reclamation, the aristocrats are reluctant to openly resist the government.

After all, resisting the government is not without cost. If the armies assembled do not have the overwhelming advantage to defeat the government forces, the outcome for these rebellious Spanish aristocrats might be catastrophic.

There are quite a few smart people among the aristocrats. While acknowledging they would lose some benefits due to this bill, at least the overall outcome is favorable, allowing most of their income to be preserved.

If they take risks and initiate a rebellion against the government, and if the rebellion fails, they may even lose their noble titles.

With the aristocrats remaining silent, the Church becomes the sacrificial lamb. Faced with either selling land or reducing land income, Archbishop Pedro and the leading bishops of the Church know they must make a choice.