Empire Rising: Spain

It was Carlo who ensured that their income didn’t suffer too much loss. How could they not be grateful to Carlo?

After allowing everyone to cheer for a while and vent the emotions of the dry months, Sheriff Blake then motioned for them to quiet down and began to resolve the conflict.

”Since the water resource issue has been resolved, this gathering for a fight is not a big deal.

Since you are two groups fighting, just take care of the injured on your side. Fortunately, your injuries are not severe, so I can still protect you.

If anyone dies from the fight, I won’t be able to protect you then.

Alright, let’s disperse. Everyone here is a neighbor from the same town, there’s no need for such a big fight.

If you really have grievances, why not join the army and vent it elsewhere? It’s nothing to boast about when you punch your compatriots. We should punch the enemies of the country; that’s how we repay His Majesty’s kindness.

It’s just that I’m old now, otherwise, I would also join the army. I heard that the army income is higher than that of patrol officers. If any of you have young men at home wanting to join the army, don’t stop them,” Sheriff Blake first outlined the responsibilities for the two fighting groups, then smiled to mediate the conflict between them.

In reality, there wasn’t much conflict. Since there was no benefit conflict, the two groups naturally shook hands and made peace.

With a few words from Sheriff Blake, the anger between the two fighting groups turned into gratitude towards Carlo and even some yearning to join the army.

On one hand, they indeed wanted to join the army to repay Carlo’s kindness. On the other hand, the welfare benefits of the Spanish Army were indeed high.

Carlo, deeply understanding the principle of power originating from the barrel of a gun, ever since becoming King of Spain, has repeatedly increased the income and various welfare benefits of the Spanish Army.

Why did Prime Minister Prim’s revolution succeed? Besides Queen Isabella and her government being too corrupt and chaotic, the vast wealth extracted from colonies and the homeland of Spain flowed into the pockets of nobles and clergy, having nothing to do with the commoners.

High and mid-level positions in the army were tightly controlled by nobles, who withheld soldiers’ income in various ways.

Under such circumstances, the army veering towards the Revolutionary Army was too normal. This was also why Queen Isabella’s government quickly collapsed and was eventually expelled from Spain by Prime Minister Prim.

This serves as an experience and lesson, making Carlo understand how important it is to ensure soldiers’ income.

The Guard Army, of course, needs no further mention. As the royal family’s direct army, the welfare benefits of the Guard Army have always been the highest among all Spanish troops, and their loyalty is extremely high.

It’s no exaggeration to say that they would unhesitatingly carry out all of Carlo’s orders, even if it involves executing some suicidal mission, they would not have the slightest hesitation.

After spending so many years of effort, Carlo has long made the Guard Army a force completely loyal to the royal family, a force Carlo can completely rely on.

Although Carlo’s direct army is only the Guard Army, the military school has trained a large number of officers over the years, giving Carlo considerable influence over the Royal Army of Spain.

The continuous increase in soldiers’ income is due to one part from the rise in the average income of Spaniards, and another part from Carlo’s multiple requests to the government and parliament for increased soldiers’ wages.

This point has long been publicly advertised through newspaper media across the nation, and soldiers of the Royal Army are well aware.

Although Carlo has yet to hold control over the military, with his influence in the army, directly issuing orders to the Royal Army under special circumstances is also feasible.

Because of the high income and high welfare benefits of the Spanish Army, most Spaniards are not resistant to enlisting, and even hope to enter the army to gain more opportunities to serve the country.

Upon hearing Sheriff Blake’s request not to stop their sons from joining the army, a group of farmers chuckled and responded, ”How could we, Sheriff Blake? If the kid is willing to join the army, we’d be overjoyed.”

Seeing that everyone’s mood had been lifted, Sheriff Blake nodded with satisfaction and finally said, ”Alright, you guys, line up to collect water.

Once we officially open the sluice tomorrow, you won’t have to line up for water anymore. Remember what I said, I don’t want to see fighting happening again.

After all, I need achievements too, don’t I?”

Amid the laughter of the crowd, Sheriff Blake left on horseback with another officer, and the crowd orderly lined up to fetch water as per his instructions.

”Anthony, what do you think about letting little Anthony join the army in a few years?” Anthony’s wife Sandy clearly heard what Sheriff Blake just said and was obviously willing to let her son join the army.

”No, Sandy.” Anthony shook his head, then said, ”I hope more that he can enter military school to become a glorious officer.

How could we not want to do everything we can to repay His Majesty’s kindness when he values us so much?

I may not have the chance to enter the army, but little Anthony does. If he can get into military school, he can avoid our generational life as farmers by becoming an officer in the future.

I heard that graduates from military school start as captains and manage dozens of people. Little Anthony inherited my intelligence, I’m sure he’ll be able to enter military school and become a great officer in the future.”

The couple chatted and laughed, dispelling the previous despair, and seemed to be full of hope for life.