novelraw Chapter 79: Menotti
Chapter 79: Menotti
Chapter 79: Menotti
Empire Rise: Spain
Carlo was stunned. He hadn’t expected to have met Garibaldi before.
However, that didn’t matter anymore. Judging from Garibaldi’s current words and attitude, he at least had a favorable impression of him.
Having a favorable impression was good. This also made it convenient for Carlo to poach some talent from Garibaldi.
“Giuseppe, why didn’t you tell me in advance that Your Majesty Carlo was coming? Your Majesty, please forgive me for having no preparation at all for your arrival and not personally coming to greet you.” Garibaldi first questioned his son Giuseppe, then looked at Carlo with an apologetic expression.
“It was I who asked Giuseppe to keep it confidential, Mr. Garibaldi. You are a meritorious official of Italian unification, and all Italians should thank you for your contribution to Italy.” Carlo smiled and spoke, but his words were sincere.
In fact, no matter which country, a person who is so selfless and wholeheartedly devoted to the country deserves the admiration of everyone.
If Garibaldi had even the slightest selfishness, whether the current Kingdom of Italy could exist would be a question. If Garibaldi united with Mazzini, who supported the republic, the unified Italy would probably become a democratic republic.
“Your Majesty, have you come to see me so suddenly because there is something important?” Garibaldi asked curiously.
“It’s not really anything important.” Carlo smiled and explained the purpose of his visit: “The main thing is to take advantage of the time visiting Italy to let Giuseppe go home.
And also to invite you to go to Spain to serve as the dean of the Zaragoza Royal Military Academy. If you are willing.”
Garibaldi was stunned at first, then smiled and said: “Your Majesty, with my current physical condition, I’m afraid I have the will but not the strength.
Life on Caprera is still more suitable for me. Besides, an old man leaning on a crutch probably isn’t suitable to be the dean of a military academy, right? I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you.”
Carlo naturally hadn’t expected Garibaldi to come out of retirement. Seeing Garibaldi refuse his invitation, Carlo immediately continued: “
Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend to me? Not only does the military academy need a large number of professors, but my Guard regiment also lacks some commanders.”
Looking at Carlo who immediately stated his real purpose, how could Garibaldi not know that Carlo’s goal was not him at all.
“Your Majesty, you have the wrong person for this. You should go to the professors at the Turin Royal Military Academy. I don’t have any talent in military aspects here.” Garibaldi said with a bitter smile.
It wasn’t that Garibaldi was unwilling to help Carlo; it was just that among the old guys he knew, there were none suitable to go to Spain.
Some old guys had strong republican ideas. Although they might have sufficient ability, they would be a hidden danger for Carlo as the King of Spain, so Garibaldi naturally couldn’t harm Carlo.
“How about Menotti? Mr. Garibaldi.” Carlo said with a smile, mentioning the candidate he had long had his eye on: “I have a position here that is perfect for Menotti, which can absolutely bring out his talents.”
“Haha, so Your Majesty has his eye on Menotti!” Garibaldi suddenly realized. After talking for so long, Carlo’s target turned out to be his eldest son.
But it wasn’t strange. After all, his second son Giuseppe had been Carlo’s subordinate for several years, so it was normal for Carlo to have some understanding of Menotti.
“As long as Menotti is willing, I of course have no objection.” Garibaldi said with a smile.
His mindset was still very open-minded and he wouldn’t confine his son to his side.
In fact, Garibaldi knew the abilities of both sons. Although their military talents weren’t that outstanding, they were definitely above qualified.
Moreover, both were still young. With a little cultivation, they might even reach the level of general. This was also why Garibaldi had previously agreed to let Giuseppe follow Carlo.
The reason he had previously refused Emanuele II’s rewards was entirely because such rewards lacked sincerity and were more about surveillance.
If it were an invitation from Emanuele II, Garibaldi would probably refuse. But if it was an invitation from Carlo, Garibaldi felt it was worth a try.
After all, Giuseppe being able to serve as the regimental commander of Carlo’s Royal Guard regiment had already proven Carlo’s trust in Giuseppe.
Such trust from a monarch was rare and precious. Under such circumstances, there would be more prospects, without worrying about infighting between governments.
After hearing Carlo’s invitation, Menotti didn’t hesitate at all and directly nodded in agreement.
Garibaldi was not only not surprised by this, but also had an expression as if he had expected it.
“Mr. Garibaldi, then I’ll take Menotti with me?” Carlo said with a smile.
“Take him. They shouldn’t be holed up with me on Caprera; that shouldn’t be their fate.” Garibaldi nodded, his eyes showing one part reluctance and nine parts gratification: “
Giuseppe, Menotti, since you have chosen to serve Your Majesty Carlo, you should stick to your duties and avoid contact with those republicans.”
Garibaldi himself had suffered greatly from contact with republicans. When he was young, Garibaldi met Mazzini and came into contact with republican ideas.
Although Garibaldi later developed his own ideas, this period of contact with republicans had a profound influence on him, making him seen as a republican traitor in the eyes of monarchists.
Now, Garibaldi didn’t think republicanism was right and monarchism was wrong. This was also why he chose to support the Kingdom of Sardinia in unifying Italy.
No single system is right or wrong; monarchism also has its merits in certain aspects.
However, the current republicans clearly couldn’t see this. They hated monarchism intensely and were constantly thinking of overthrowing monarchism to establish a republic.
Was their approach really right? Garibaldi didn’t think so.
If Italy hadn’t been unified yet, having other ideas about unifying Italy would be one thing. But now Italy is unified and has a relatively stable environment for peaceful development.
For the current republican elements to jump out and sabotage the Italian Government isn’t that just destroying the Italy that was so hard to unify?
It is precisely because of this that Garibaldi was somewhat disappointed with republicanism, which also affected Giuseppe and Menotti.
The reason Garibaldi reminded his two sons in front of Carlo to stay away from republicanism was also to express an attitude to Carlo: although he had contact with republicanism before, he now has no relationship with republicanism, and his sons will not get close to republicanism.