Empire Rise: Spain

Chapter 159: The Nobles' Concerns

Was the first Five-Year Plan under Prime Minister Primó’s leadership successful?

This is a question that requires no thought at all; of course, it was highly successful.

From the results achieved by the Five-Year Plan, Spain has transformed from an agricultural nation into an agricultural industrial nation.

What does that mean? Although agriculture remains Spain’s pillar industry, industry has also reached a considerable scale.

Currently, the total number of workers across Spain reaches hundreds of thousands and is still continuously growing. The increase in the number of workers has effectively boosted Spain’s average annual income; people can earn greater rewards from their work, which is also why people are satisfied with the Primó Government.

Behind the nearly 2 billion peseta increase in Spain’s economic volume, Spain’s average annual income has grown from 87 pesetas in 1869 to around 115 pesetas by the end of 1873—this is what ordinary Spaniards can see.

It is precisely because of these contributions that as long as Prime Minister Primó continues to run for election, re-election is a matter of course and something no one can prevent.

However, at this time, Spain’s political situation has changed far too much compared to five years ago.

During the election of the first Cabinet Government after the Revolution, the candidate for King of Spain had not yet been determined. Primó successfully displaced Grand Duke Serrano and became the Prime Minister of the first Cabinet Government, thanks to his supreme prestige in the Revolutionary Army and the political arena.

But the current election for the second Cabinet Government is more complex than the first. Carlo has integrated the Royalist Party composed of nobles and Conservatives, and the throne has become quite stable.

In such a situation, even if Carlo cannot interfere with Prime Minister Primó’s continued re-election, he can reasonably demand more power.

Whether a power competition or even conflict will erupt between the increasingly mature Carlo and Prime Minister Primó is the question most on the minds of Parliament’s members.

But no matter what the members of Parliament think, the atmosphere between Prime Minister Primó and Carlo at this moment still appears very harmonious.

After Prime Minister Primó gave a brief summary report, it was then the turn of the ministers from various departments to deliver detailed annual departmental reports.

Because Prime Minister Primó’s summary report served as a preventive measure, although the members of Parliament were somewhat surprised by the performance of various departments in the Five-Year Plan, it was not entirely inconceivable.

The reason Spain had not achieved good development before was not due to shortcomings in the country’s potential and foundation, but because Queen Isabella and the Kingdom government’s Prime Minister had not paid sufficient attention.

Spain’s upper class was only concerned with indulging in pleasure, so officials naturally did not pay much attention to the development of the economy and industry either, creating a vicious cycle.

Under Prime Minister Primó’s leadership, the Spanish Government has expressed great importance to the development of the economy and industry. Coupled with the promulgation of the Official Performance Appraisal Act beforehand, officials at all levels have truly begun to pay attention to developing industry and the economy.

After all, the development of industry and economic growth are directly tied to their own political achievements, and their political achievements in turn affect their own futures.

With everything interconnected, it is only natural that Spain’s industry and economy have achieved good development.

As long as the Cabinet Government maintains control at the highest level, ensuring that Spain’s development is genuinely effective rather than superficial political achievement projects hastily undertaken for merit, that is sufficient.

This government annual work report meeting has ended, but for Spain’s political arena, the real excitement has only just begun.

As time enters 1874, Spain will also usher in a very important year.

Although the Cabinet election takes place in February, Spain in January already carries some of the heated atmosphere of the Cabinet election.

Although the Cabinet Government election has little to do with most commoners, the newspaper and media will not miss this hottest news. Starting from January 1, the new year and a new day, the streets and alleys of Madrid are filled with newsboys selling newspapers, shouting the hot topics from the newspapers to attract people to stop and watch.

Although the Cabinet election has attracted great attention from the public, anyone with eyes knows that as long as Prime Minister Primó confirms his candidacy, the position of Cabinet Prime Minister has nothing to do with anyone else.

January 12, 1874, inside the Madrid Royal Palace.

Although Carlo has taken no action, this does not mean that the Royalist Party forces and nobles supporting Carlo have no ideas.

Since the Spanish Revolution, Prime Minister Primó’s control over prime ministerial power has lasted five years. As the largest power class in Spain, it is impossible for the nobles to have no opposition whatsoever.

It was only because Carlo had always supported Prime Minister Primó’s reforms, and at the time the Spanish royal power was unstable—whether the nobles could even exist was in question—that Spain has remained peaceful until now.

But things are different now. Carlo’s royal power is already quite stable and even poses a threat to Prime Minister Primó’s prime ministerial power. In such a situation, the nobles naturally want to use Carlo to achieve their own purposes, at least to ensure that the nobles possess the power they deserve, right?

The Madrid Royal Palace is very lively today. These nobles seem to have coordinated in advance, arriving together to seek an audience with Carlo.

These nobles seeking audience are generally great nobles of duke rank or above; naturally, Carlo cannot refuse to see them.

“Your Majesty!” A group of grand dukes and dukes arrived in the palace’s banquet hall with great momentum, appearing very respectful as they saluted Carlo.

Carlo nodded indifferently, his gaze turning to these familiar or unfamiliar nobles, expressionless and silent.

“Your Majesty.” Finally, one noble could not hold back, stood up, and spoke: “Next month is the Cabinet Government election. Has Prime Minister Primó confirmed his candidacy?”

Carlo’s gaze turned to the noble who spoke, his expression as cold as ever: “What? Do you have an opinion on Prime Minister Primó’s candidacy?”

Anyone who pays attention to Spain’s political situation knows that Prime Minister Primó’s attitude at the government annual work report meeting was already very clear: he intends to run for the next Cabinet Prime Minister position.

The nobles’ joint arrival clearly is not just to inquire whether Prime Minister Primó is running, but they have other ideas.

The noble who was asked hurriedly shook his head; he dared not admit to such a thing: “I am merely curious about Prime Minister Primó’s attitude, after all, there is less than a month until the next Cabinet Government election.”

Carlo looked at these nobles; how could he not know what they were thinking? But Spain’s development cannot do without a stable environment; at least for now, the Spanish Government still needs Prime Minister Primó.

“Do you not know the summary report of the first Five-Year Plan? The second Five-Year Plan plays a transitional role and is extremely important for Spain.

Prime Minister Primó, who proposed the first Five-Year Plan, is the most suitable person to launch the second Five-Year Plan. For present-day Spain, Prime Minister Primó is the most qualified candidate for Prime Minister, without question.” Carlo’s gaze swept over the nobles, then he continued on his own: “

Whoever delays Spain’s development is a sinner of Spain. At this moment, my goal and Prime Minister Primó’s are one and the same: to strive for Spain’s revival.”

Some nobles were puzzled, but others had already understood the deeper meaning hidden in Carlo’s words.

Looking at Cánovas, who was nodding subtly, Carlo rarely smiled and said: “Minister Cánovas, your work in the Agricultural Department during this time has been very effective.

I will recommend to Prime Minister Primó that you serve as Minister of Industry in the new Cabinet Government, making a greater contribution to Spain’s development.”

Hearing Carlo’s sudden words, Cánovas hurriedly stepped forward, saluting Carlo with a noble’s courtesy very respectfully, and said with excitement on his face: “Thank you, Your Majesty. Cánovas will continue to strive for You, the Royal Family, and Spain’s future.”

Cánovas was not famous at this time, but in history, he was also quite renowned. Cánovas’s full name is Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, the renowned Spanish politician and writer.

As a Conservative, Cánovas opposed constitutional monarchy, believing that the King is not a government tool established according to national legal consciousness, but the legitimate ruler of the country, Spain’s great and supreme monarch.

It was precisely because of such views that in history, during the Provisional Government, Amadeo’s rule, and the Republic period, Cánovas was not given heavy responsibilities.

It was not until Alfonso XII’s restoration that Cánovas rose to become Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, successively serving as Prime Minister of six Cabinet Governments, with a total tenure exceeding 12 years.

Such a person is certainly no mediocrity, and his ideology of supreme royal power earned him heavy use by Alfonso XII.

However, in this world, Alfonso XII clearly has no chance. One could even say the Bourbon family has no opportunity in Spain at all, unless the House of Savoy produces several incompetent rulers in a row.

Cánovas’s response carried a strong ideology of supreme royal power. The King comes first, the Royal Family second, and the country last.

Carlo also understood why Cánovas received such heavy use during Alfonso XII’s rule. Imagine a teenage young king, with most domestic forces supporting the Republic, yet receiving such adulation for supreme royal power—who would not be elated and heavily employ the minister praising him?

Although Carlo was quite satisfied with Cánovas’s attitude of pledging loyalty, he would not show it on the surface. Looking at the very respectful Cánovas, Carlo continued: “As for your position as Minister of Agriculture, let Hovilliar take it over.

I support Prime Minister Primó’s continued candidacy for the next Cabinet Prime Minister. You and Hovilliar, as ministers of important positions in the Cabinet Government, must also support Prime Minister Primó’s policies more, working together to strive for Spain’s great revival.

Alright, that is all. As for the rest of you, you are not members of the House of Representatives; this Cabinet election has little to do with you, so disperse.”

Carlo does not intend to demand more power right now. Since Spain is still on the fast track of rapid development, the most important thing is naturally to advance Spain’s further development.

Only when the country becomes stronger can Carlo’s throne be more secure, and the power in his hands greater.

This also means that not only will Carlo not obstruct Prime Minister Primó’s candidacy; he will instead strongly support Prime Minister Primó’s continued re-election.

Whether these nobles can understand the meaning beyond Carlo’s words depends on their comprehension.

The many nobles came with great momentum and left full of question marks.

Although they wanted to fight for more matters, it was clear that Carlo was not interested in the topics they wished to propose. Since Carlo had instructed everyone to disperse, the nobles did not dare linger in the Royal Palace and could only obediently bid farewell one by one.

However, the nobles gathered in twos and threes, their conversations with each other still filled with many questions, such as Carlo’s attitude.

Logically speaking, Carlo’s throne is already stable now; how could he still allow Primó to continue controlling the Prime Minister position?

Although the Cabinet Prime Minister is one below all others, if it is in Primó’s hands, it is uncertain who is below whom.

The nobles do not believe that Carlo is willing to continue staying under Primó’s authority as a figurehead king with little real power.

“Minister Cánovas, what do you think His Majesty really means?” Beside Cánovas, a marquis asked the question he had been holding back for a long time.

Cánovas smiled and replied to his friend: “Hasn’t His Majesty the King’s meaning already been made very clear?”

“But is His Majesty the King really going to allow Primó to continue re-electing as Prime Minister? If Primó proposes more reforms targeting us in the next Five-Year Plan, must we keep retreating?” the marquis continued to ask.

The reason these nobles gathered to seek audience with Carlo was, of course, their worry that after re-election, Prime Minister Primó would continue to make things difficult for the nobles.

Previously, due to Primó’s reforms, many nobles had lost large amounts of land. Policies like land rent reduction had reduced nobles’ income by at least one-fifth.

If Primó continues to hold office, his power will be even greater. If he continues targeting the nobles’ wallets, even nobles with deep foundations cannot withstand such ravaging.

“If Prime Minister Primó’s reforms are reasonable, then for Spain’s development, we naturally should make some sacrifices.

But if Prime Minister Primó’s reforms are just to target the nobles, do we not still control the Industry Department and Agricultural Department?

If it really comes to confrontation, how industry and agriculture are reformed is not up to us to decide?” Cánovas said with a smile.

Carlo is not doing nothing either; promising the position of Minister of Industry to Cánovas and Minister of Agriculture to Hovilliar is the best example.

Industry and agriculture are, for Spain, the most important departments after economy and national defense. Spain was originally an agricultural nation, so the importance of the Agricultural Department goes without saying.

And as one of the main sectors for Spain’s future development, the position of Minister of Industry is destined to earn enormous merit in the future.

Cánovas naturally understands Carlo’s purpose in appointing him as Minister of Industry: occupying this department with considerable authority can, first, check Prime Minister Primó to some extent; second, it partitions the enormous merit of the second Five-Year Plan, preparing for future ascension.

Yes, Cánovas is the successor candidate in Carlo’s plan after Prime Minister Primó’s term ends.

This is unavoidable, after all, there are too few political talents Carlo can use. Cánovas’s seniority is barely sufficient, and his loyalty is higher than that of Prime Minister Primó and Grand Duke Serrano.

“I say, old friend, although His Majesty the King said that, isn’t the appointment power for Cabinet Ministers in Prime Minister Primó’s hands?

The Minister of Industry is an important position; will Prime Minister Primó agree to His Majesty the King’s proposal?” The marquis still had many questions; after all, the Industry Department is quite important in the Five-Year Plan, even the key development department for Spain, without question.

The merit a Minister of Industry can obtain is absolutely the most among Cabinet Ministers; would Prime Minister Primó let such a position go to Carlo for nothing?

“Our Prime Minister will of course agree.” Cánovas smiled and nodded, a hint of deep meaning in his eyes: “Of course, I more hope he will not agree.”

Looking at his somewhat stunned companion, Cánovas smiled and walked with the crowd toward the outside of the Royal Palace.

The Cabinet Government election has not yet begun, and Prime Minister Primó still controls immense power.

Prime Minister Primó is, of course, aware of the many nobles going together to the Royal Palace to seek audience with Carlo. Although he does not know what the nobles discussed with Carlo, their purpose is not hard to guess.

Compared to Primó, who carries out reforms encroaching on noble interests, the nobles certainly hope for a more conservative figure who will not strike at the nobles to become Prime Minister of the new Cabinet Government.

At this time, the only one who can threaten Prime Minister Primó’s re-election is Spain’s King Carlo; that is the reason the nobles sought audience with Carlo.

However, Prime Minister Primó ultimately shook his head. Through this period of contact, he believes he understands Carlo quite well.

No matter how one thinks, Carlo will not step forward to block his re-election. Moreover, currently, the Spanish King’s power really does not qualify to block Prime Minister Primó’s re-election, unless Carlo disregards opposition and dissolves Parliament.

But that is even more impossible. Spain’s situation has already tended toward stability; dissolving Parliament at this time would be like throwing a boulder into a calm lake.

It would even be disadvantageous to Carlo himself; a king who dissolves Parliament without any reason—is that not a manifestation of absolutism?

The previous Queen Isabella who pursued monarchy was already cursed bloody by Spaniards. If Carlo shows monarchical tendencies, even if he previously won Spaniards’ favor, it may still arouse Spaniards’ anger again.

Shaking his head to himself, Prime Minister Primó began to focus on reviewing the development reports successively submitted by the regional governments to the Cabinet Government, and conceiving the second Five-Year Development Plan in his mind.

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