Empire Rise: Spain

Chapter 59: Five-year Plan

The celebration banquet that Carlo prepared for Serrano and others was equally grand, but the specific specifications were not so luxurious.

Although there were also a large amount of cuisine, most of it came from Spain, with only a small amount of Italian cuisine mixed in.

The alcoholic beverages were even wine from Carlo’s private winery, emphasizing self-production and self-sale.

There were also many nobles attending the banquet. In order to express the importance attached to meritorious officials such as Serrano, Carlo specially invited several Spanish grand dukes and dukes, including Duke Jacopo, to bolster the occasion.

After a joyous celebration banquet ended, the main event that followed became the July enfeoffment ceremony.

Because it was the first time Carlo had conferred nobility titles since taking the throne, the Spanish Government attached great importance to it. Especially since this time the prime minister and the Minister of War were also being enfeoffed, the government’s officials did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

Compared to the officials’ hasty preparations, Carlo and the two protagonists of the ceremony were quite relaxed at this time.

After learning that Prime Minister Primó had been assassinated, Serrano was first greatly shocked, then sighed in relief upon seeing the unharmed Prime Minister Primó.

Serrano also understood that, at present, Primó was quite important to Spain. This reform could only be promoted by Primó; his importance was far greater than his own.

“Has the mastermind behind the scenes been identified?” Duke Serrano asked. The mastermind behind the assassination was not targeting Prime Minister Primó; they wanted to destroy Spain’s future. In the present where countries around the world are becoming increasingly powerful, if Spain does not keep pace with the times to promote revolution and accelerate industry and economic development, the gap with the great powers will only grow larger.

“Not yet for the time being, but I believe there will be results soon,” Primó said somewhat helplessly.

Although he had extorted a large amount of land from the Church and funds approaching 8 million pesetas, the taste of being secretly plotted against was not pleasant.

If he found out who was behind the planning of this assassination, Prime Minister Primó would not mind sending him to see God.

“So what is your next plan? Continue promoting reform?” Serrano asked curiously.

“Of course.” Primó nodded and replied: “Spain is too poor in all aspects; we must seize the time to carry out reform.

At the same time, we need to make massive investments in industry, agriculture, medical treatment, education, and so on, including building railways and roads, etc.

Good heavens, I don’t even know how long the government’s finance can support this; it’s simply an enormous pit.”

If it were just constructing a single industry sector, the burden on Spain would not be that great. But in Primó’s plan, he wanted to simultaneously construct industry, agriculture, education, medical treatment, and transportation, etc.; the funding pressure required was unimaginable.

“Prime Minister, I think we need to formulate a detailed plan,” Carlo interjected at this time: “If we layout so many industry sectors at the same time, it would be a huge burden on our finance, even impossible to bear.

Although we can also obtain funds through foreign loans, this method not only carries high interest, but also comes with some additional conditions.

If possible, I hope we can divide the tasks of reform and construction into phases, and complete them phase by phase.”

“Your Majesty, could you elaborate?” Primó became interested at this point, his curious gaze fixed tightly on Carlo.

“It’s just some personal thoughts of mine.” Carlo smiled and said: “For example, we can set a five-year period and formulate a five-year development plan.

In these five years, we can set small goals for each industry sector, then use five years to achieve them.

Perhaps individual small goals are not enough to bring massive results to Spain, but accumulated over time, they can have a huge influence on Spain.

Perhaps one five-year plan cannot complete Spain’s reform, but two or even three five-year plans will surely bring some new changes to Spain.

As long as we devote time and energy to completing the five-year plans, perhaps after two or three five-year plans, Spain will return to the ranks of the great powers—this isn’t precisely the goal of our reform?”

Neither in the development of other countries in Europe nor in Primó’s plans for reform was there any concept of a multi-year plan.

The reason was also simple. Cabinets in European countries have varying terms, and there would also be significant differences in the choice of governing strategies.

A prime minister like Bismarck could serve for as long as several decades. But for prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Italy, the term would be much shorter, even less than a year.

Under such circumstances, formulating a five-year development plan would be somewhat too difficult. Because the development plan might not even be completed before the cabinet’s ministers have been replaced batch after batch.

Under the constant replacement of government leadership, which government’s development plan formulated at the beginning would any administration follow?

But such a situation could be avoided in Spain. With the prestige of Primó and Serrano, controlling the majority of seats in the Spanish Parliament could still be easily achieved.

Even Carlo could not influence them; as long as they were willing, they could remain in high positions indefinitely.

Under such circumstances, a five-year development plan would have no impact on Primó. Because the Prime Minister of Spain five years from now would still be Primó, unless some accident occurred during this period, such as an assassination.

This also eliminated another reason that affects the birth of five-year plans: the incumbent government worrying that the next administration would reap the benefits.

Because it is hard to ensure staying in the prime minister’s position for a full five years, politicians in Europe rarely formulate long-term development plans.

Otherwise, the development plans painstakingly promoted by oneself might end up benefiting others, with the results enjoyed by the next government.

“Excellent, Your Majesty, truly a perfect proposal.” Primó’s enthusiasm was fully ignited; smiling at Carlo, he said: “I still need to discuss the specific five-year plan with the government, but the general approach is indeed suitable for Spain now.

Once the details of the first five-year plan are finalized, I will submit the plan to you, Your Majesty.”

Primó was not fixated on developing all industry sectors at the same time, which made Carlo breathe a sigh of relief.

If Primó were too radical and wanted to complete all reforms in a short time, Carlo really wouldn’t know what method to use to stop him.

The outcome of radical reform is usually not good; reforms that are too hasty without any preparation often do not yield good results either.

Second update, seeking support!