Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 102: Chapter 93: Antonio Canovas del Castillo (Subscription Request)_2

After reporting the specifics of the work, Prime Minister Prim returned to the government to preside over his own affairs, while Carlo carefully selected the candidate for the new Minister of Agriculture.

Speaking of the candidates for Minister of Agriculture, Carlo actually had some related candidates in mind. It’s just that Carlo was not too sure whether he could trust him, since this ministerial position was not just one of the cabinet ministers, but also the beginning of Carlo’s influence on the government.

The candidate Carlo hesitated over was named Antonio Canovas del Castillo, a key representative of the Spanish Royalist Faction.

As a conservative, Antonio Canovas del Castillo expressed firm support for the monarchy, and logically he should be an absolute supporter of Carlo.

But herein lies the problem. Antonio Canovas del Castillo supported the monarchy, was indeed Spanish, but he was an old minister who served in the cabinet during the reign of Queen Isabel, having been loyal to the Queen.

Carlo even somewhat doubted whether Antonio Canovas del Castillo was loyal to the monarchy, or to the Bourbon family and Queen Isabel.

Faced with this steadfast Royalist of the Conservative Party, Carlo instead suspected his loyalty to himself, which was the reason for Carlo’s hesitation.

But in terms of reputation and influence in politics, Antonio Canovas del Castillo was indeed a relatively suitable candidate.

During Queen Isabel’s reign, he served as both Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Overseas Territories successively, and if not for Queen Isabel’s overthrow, he even had hopes of ascending to the Prime Minister’s seat.

An additional point is that Antonio Canovas del Castillo was born in 1828, making him 18 years younger than Marshal Serrano and 14 years younger than Prime Minister Prim, precisely at the golden age of a political career.

Carlo considered him as a candidate partly because of this; his age qualifies him to wait for Prime Minister Prim’s retirement, and seek major advancement in his political career afterwards.

Should I choose such a Royalist party member who seems to be loyal to the monarchy, but not necessarily loyal to myself? Carlo hesitated.

After contemplating for a long time, Carlo finally decided to meet this old minister from Queen Isabel’s era, to see if he could be utilized for his purposes.

If he cannot be loyal to me and be utilized for my purposes, then it would be better to find someone else.

After all, Carlo wanted to cultivate the transitional prime minister after Prime Minister Prim, not just an ordinary cabinet minister.

If someone cannot be trusted, the best course of action is to find someone trustworthy. Trust the people you use, don’t use people you distrust. If doubt arises at the start, the end result is bound to be bad.

In the opulent reception hall of the Madrid Royal Palace, Carlo met with Antonio Canovas del Castillo and commenced a brief conversation.

Carlo intentionally chose to receive Antonio Canovas del Castillo in Queen Isabel’s favorite reception hall.

This hall not only housed antique paintings from Europe and even the entire world but also various luxury items, murals, and ornaments.

The value of this reception hall alone reached tens of thousands of Pesseta, and those who could be received here were generally confidants of the King.

Years later, returning to this grand and luxurious reception hall, Antonio Canovas del Castillo’s mood was somewhat complex.

The monarch before him had changed from Queen Isabel to the younger Carlo, and the Spanish Government had long transformed from an autocratic Kingdom Government to a reformed constitutional government.

“Your Majesty!” Antonio Canovas del Castillo respectfully performed a Spanish-style noble salute to Carlo, adopting a very low posture.

“Mr. Cavanos, I am pleased to meet you,” Carlo nodded with a smile, signaling Antonio Canovas del Castillo to sit in the chair beside him.

“I am also honored to meet you, Your Majesty.” Cavanos, with a humble and respectful demeanor, carefully sat down on the chair beside Carlo, his manners faultless.

“You served as Minister of Internal Affairs six years ago and as Minister of Overseas Territories four years ago, correct?” Carlo asked with a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Antonio Canovas del Castillo nodded, still oblivious to Carlo’s intentions.

“The position of Minister of Agriculture is soon to be vacant, and I intend to recommend Prime Minister Prim to appoint you as Minister of Agriculture. What are your thoughts?” Carlo continued.

“It is my honor, Your Majesty.” Antonio Canovas del Castillo immediately stood up, his expression filled with gratitude towards Carlo.

“Please, be seated.” Carlo once again motioned for Canovas to sit, then, with a hint of meaning, said, “However, Mr. Canovas, before recommending you for Minister of Agriculture, I would like to ask you a few questions.”

“Please ask, Your Majesty.” Antonio Canovas del Castillo did not know what Carlo intended to inquire, but he knew his duty at this moment was to listen quietly and respond honestly.

“You served as a cabinet minister during Queen Isabel’s reign and expressed support for the Bourbon Dynasty during the Provisional Government. Mr. Canovas, I want to ask, is your loyalty to the King, or to the Bourbon family?” Carlo said with a warm smile, yet his words caused Canovas to perspire coldly.

“Of course, my loyalty is to the King, Your Majesty!” Antonio Canovas del Castillo immediately stood up, hastily explaining: “You are the King of Spain, the object of my loyalty is always solely you, Your Majesty.

The Bourbon Dynasty is in the past; Spaniards have chosen a more suitable King, and as one of the Spaniards, I will naturally support their decision.

Your Majesty, Cavanos is your subject and will forever express a loyal attitude only towards you.”

Cavanos was not foolish, he certainly understood the purpose behind Carlo’s questioning.

If his answer were incorrect, let alone the previously mentioned Minister of Agriculture, Canovas’ political career might not proceed smoothly.

After all, Prim would not offend Carlo for Canovas. Although Carlo’s power was not great, he could still completely block an official if he wished.

The current political scene was not so pristine. If Carlo were the type of King to repay every slight, Canovas might not even see the sunrise if he answered incorrectly.

Indeed, he had once supported the Bourbon Dynasty, but with Queen Isabel and Carlos Faction being expelled successively, naturally, he wouldn’t remain foolishly loyal to the Bourbon Dynasty.

“I certainly believe you, Mr. Canovas.” Carlo nodded with a smile, seeming to accept Canovas’ statement: “I merely wanted to ask, I surely believe in your loyalty.

Mr. Canovas, I will recommend you to Prime Minister Prim. You Royalists are my loyal subjects; I will naturally not forget your contributions to the Kingdom.”

Antonio Canovas del Castillo repeatedly nodded, very respectfully saying: “It is my honor to serve you, Your Majesty.

No matter under whose rule Spain once was, the Spaniards today are always your loyal subjects.”

Carlo’s purpose, aside from recruiting Canovas, a representative figure of the Royalist Party, was to use him to recruit more Royalists to pledge loyalty to himself.

Since the Bourbon Dynasty ruled Spain for hundreds of years, the majority of Royalists held the Bourbon Dynasty in high regard.

What Carlo needed to do was convey that the Savoy Family was still the current master of Spain; if these Royalists couldn’t be used by him, the best move would be to eliminate them and nurture a Royalist Faction loyal to the Savoy Family.