Empire Rising: Spain

On the land of the Congo River Basin, currently the only Europeans who have set foot are the Spaniards, which is reassuring and commendable.

The Spanish Government feels pressured because, in completing the existing five-year development plan, it must also take into account the development of the colonies.

Especially the transportation department, which not only needs to be responsible for building railways within Spain but also for constructing railroads in the Congo River Basin.

The domestic railway concerns the successful completion of the five-year development plan, while the railway in the Congo River Basin pertains to the smooth development of the colony; neither can be delayed.

The Ministry of Industry is similarly tasked. Although no large-scale factories need to be built in the colonies, the extraction and transportation of minerals are still the responsibilities of the industrial department.

The agricultural department needs no further mention. The plains of the Congo River Basin boast hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of land; if all this land is fertile and suitable for farming, the agricultural sector in Spain will greatly improve.

Moreover, Africa has a large number of natives that can serve as labor. Forcing these African natives to cultivate in plantations and farms built by Spain ensures not only crop production but also reduces labor costs.

Think carefully, isn’t this another New America? Though this “America” is small, currently only Spain is dividing it up.

If this land can be fully occupied, the boost to Spain would be no less than discovering a new continent. With reforms and the discovery of the “New America,” Spain could once again become a powerful great nation, rise above the European chessboard, becoming the player rather than a piece.

Indeed, the current European Continent is like a giant chessboard. The players are the five great powers of UK, France, Germany, Austria, and Russia, even Italy has not escaped the identity of a chess piece.

The remaining secondary and small countries are all chess pieces, their interests are at the whim of the players.

The strength of Spain lies in whether Spain is a player. A sign of Spain being a player is whether Spain can take back Gibraltar, allowing other players to witness Spain’s strength.

About half a month later, news finally came from Guinea that the army had successfully landed. This greatly relieved the Spanish Government and Carlo, as it represented the success of the current plan and that the colonial development in the Congo River Basin was about to hit the right track.

Before developing the Congo River Basin colony, Carlo had already chosen the future Governor of this land.

Manuel Massias y Casado, a young officer less than 30 years old.

The reasons for choosing Manuel are many. Firstly, Manuel is a purebred Spaniard, and currently, Carlo needs to employ Spaniards to express his trust in them.

Secondly, Manuel was born into a family of officers, having joined the military at 17, his military skills are quite excellent.

His father is an ardent Conservative Party member and was once a local councilor in Madrid. Since Carlo became the King of Spain, Manuel’s father has repeatedly expressed support for the Monarchy and Carlo, entering Carlo’s focus list.

However, Manuel’s father is nearly 60 and not particularly distinguished. His highest position was a district councilor in Madrid, retiring with the rank of Army Major.

Fortunately, he was quite diligent in cultivating his son. Manuel followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the army at 17, and at the age of 29, had already surpassed his father’s highest rank, currently serving as a Spanish Army Major.

Regarding Manuel, Carlo has had the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau assess him several times. During the Cuban uprisings, Manuel made significant contributions and fought bravely.

Upon his return to Spain, he was very supportive of military reform and successfully served as one of the regimental leaders of the Southern Morocco Colony Defense Corps.

After the plan to colonize the Congo River Basin land was established, Manuel was recommended by Carlo as the head of the defense forces in the Congo River Basin.

His regiment has already set out with the transport fleet and successfully arrived at the Guinea Colony, preparing to proceed upstream on the Congo River without attracting the attention of the Portuguese.

Prime Minister Prim naturally would not oppose Carlo’s recommendation of Manuel. After all, since this land is determined to become Royal Family territory, the Government naturally doesn’t have the right to oppose it.

Prime Minister Prim has enough self-awareness and does not wish to conflict with Carlo on such matters, especially as Spain’s reforms are seemingly on the verge of success, any unexpected disruptions would render Prime Minister Prim’s years of efforts in vain.

The perspective shifts to the Spanish Guinea Colony, where Manuel leads his troops just after landing.

Although Manuel is not yet 30, his military career spans over 12 years, making him an experienced commander.

His rank of Major is not merely accumulated by credentials, but earned through participation in numerous campaigns and military merits.

A Major in Spain is not considered a high-ranking officer, but a 29-year-old Major is still quite rare.