Empire Rising: Spain

“That’s good.” Carlo nodded, also letting out a sigh of relief.

No matter how fervent the industrial development in Spain, it cannot change the fact that Spain is currently an agricultural powerhouse.

If this economic crisis had a significant impact on agricultural products, Prime Minister Prim and Carlo would not be able to smile.

As long as the farmers’ income is not affected, Spain’s fundamental stability remains intact.

This is why, despite the economic crisis lasting several years, its ultimate impact was not so devastating.

It did not reach the core issues, and the impact on industry could even be remedied within just a few years.

Though the economic crisis effectively curtailed industrial expansion in Germany and the United States, it was only a temporary limitation of a few years.

In history, the economy and industrial scale of the United States eventually surpassed the British Empire, followed closely by Germany, whose industry had already overtaken the United Kingdom before World War I.

“How is the construction of the Barcelona Industrial Base progressing?” After confirming that agricultural products were not impacted, Carlo turned his attention to the industrial base under construction in Barcelona.

In Spain’s development plan, Barcelona is second only to Madrid in importance. It is the future industrial and economic hub of Spain and an essential export port for Spanish products.

The decision to choose Barcelona has many reasons. Besides its large population suitable for industrial development, its geographical location is closer to European countries, as Spain sits on the Iberian Peninsula, on the periphery of Europe.

“Currently, the second phase of the Barcelona Industrial Base construction is proceeding very smoothly, and it is expected to be fully completed and operational next year.” Mentioning the Barcelona Industrial Base, Prime Minister Prim couldn’t stop smiling.

The construction of the Barcelona Industrial Base represents a significant achievement for Prime Minister Prim, marking a leap in Spanish industry from 1 to 10.

The previous Seville Industrial Base was more like a summary of Spain’s existing industrial capabilities, serving as a small-scale demonstration base.

The Barcelona Industrial Base is Spain’s most costly and largest industrial base under construction, which the Spanish Government envisions as an industrial center.

The total investment for the first phase of the industrial base surpassed 15 million Pesseta, and the second phase exceeded 45 million Pesseta.

What can an industrial base with a total investment of over 60 million Pesseta bring to the Spanish Government?

It’s set to produce over 300,000 tons of steel, house hundreds of factories and enterprises, and include dozens of massive storage warehouses alongside transportation routes.

The first two phases of construction are expected to provide nearly 100,000 jobs in the Catalonia Region, greatly satisfying the employment needs of its residents and transforming the region into one of both industrial and economic development.

Keep in mind that the total population of the Catalonia Region is just over a million. This means that after the second phase is completed, one in ten people in Catalonia will have an opportunity to work in the industrial base.

It’s challenging for Catalonia alone to satisfy all employment needs at the industrial base. Therefore, once the second phase is completed, Spain will need to select suitable workers from other regions to move to Catalonia, assisting in the further development of the Barcelona Industrial Base.

There is a hidden benefit in doing this: it reduces the proportion of Catalans in the Catalonia Region.

Once Spaniards become the majority, it will be harder for Catalans to cause unrest.

Solving the Catalonia issue means that the Basque Region alone wouldn’t be able to stir much trouble.

Given the size of the Basque, they are destined to succumb to Spanish Government rule. Should any Basque extremists dare to cause trouble, they would face high-pressure policies.

At worst, all tens of thousands of Basque could be moved out of Spain, with Spaniards immigrating to take over the area.

With the Basque unable to create considerable upheaval, solving the Basque question is merely a matter of the Spanish Government’s will.

Upon hearing about the smooth construction of the Barcelona Industrial Base, Carlo nodded and instructed Prime Minister Prim, ”

There’s no rush in constructing the industrial base, as our demand for steel isn’t that urgent. Additionally, when introducing different factories and enterprises, we should increase the proportion of other industrial sectors, like the chemical industry, shipbuilding, and machinery processing.

When the second phase of the Barcelona Industrial Base is complete, remind me. I want to personally attend the celebration ceremony of its completion.”

Prime Minister Prim nodded, indicating he understood.

In fact, both Carlo and Prime Minister Prim attach great importance to the construction of the Barcelona Industrial Base.

This concerns not only the future of Spanish industry but also the Spanish Government’s layout in the Catalonia Region.

When the industrial base construction is complete, it will mark the time for Spaniards to enter the Catalonia Region en masse, diluting the proportion of Catalans.

This peaceful resolution is the most hopeful strategy for solving the Catalonia issue, and is why Prime Minister Prim is so focused on the Barcelona Industrial Base.

Being a Catalan himself, Prime Minister Prim is naturally aware of the problems in Catalonia. Although many radical Catalans have been forcibly relocated, this does not address the root of the Catalonia issue.

Ultimately, it’s caused by the awakening of national consciousness. Spain must either fully assimilate this ethnicity before their national consciousness awakens in Catalonia or, covertly, reduce the proportion of Catalans in Catalonia so that they become a minority without exclusivity in any administrative region.

Prime Minister Prim is currently implementing a two-pronged approach: using more effective policies to assimilate the majority of Catalans while simultaneously constructing industrial bases to attract more Spaniards to Catalonia, reducing the proportion of Catalans.

When Spaniards in Catalonia marry the local Catalans, their descendants are more easily assimilated into Spaniards.

Coupled with the population growth of the main ethnic group, Catalans will become fewer in the future, while the proportion and scale of Spaniards will continue to rise.

“How have we handled the industrial equipment purchased from other countries, and the production lines dismantled from acquired enterprises?” Besides industrial base development, Carlo is also concerned about these foreign acquisitions.

After all, the Spanish Government spent 300 million Pesseta in silver, and these devices must be utilized to the fullest.

“We allocated some equipment and production materials through auctions to domestic enterprises. As for those less manageable, we sold them at a low price to state-owned enterprises.

A large batch of industrial equipment has been transported to the Barcelona Industrial Base, where they will be integrated into the second phase, expanding factories and enterprises.

We expect it will take at least three years to fully utilize these devices. Over the next three years, our industrial production will experience a relatively stable growth phase, and those enterprises acquiring production materials and equipment will have the opportunity to expand.” Prime Minister Prim responded.