Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Cuba Pacified

The month of May in 1870 was quite ordinary, but for Carlo, it was a delightful time.

Following the successful establishment of the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau, Carlo received another good news: Duke Serrano had already resolved the Cuban rebellion, and the army was on its way back to Spain.

This allowed Carlo to breathe a sigh of relief, as there was no longer a worry that Cuba might unexpectedly detach from Spain’s control.

As one of the few profitable colonies for Spain, Cuba’s significance was still very high. In addition to providing continuous funds and income during Spain’s early reforms, Cuba in the future could also be a positive asset for Spain to exchange for more potential colonies.

In Carlo’s future plans for Spain’s colonies, those in Africa were the most important, especially Morocco in Northwest Africa.

Due to the small strait separating it from Spain’s mainland, controlling Morocco would make localizing it relatively easy.

Only colonies that can be localized are territories that can truly be held, as the colonial era wouldn’t last much longer.

Carlo didn’t have a grand ambition for colonies either. Those that could provide the urgently needed resources for Spain, and in the future become part of the mainland, are truly what Spain desires.

Given its size, Spain also couldn’t control too large a colony, otherwise, the rebellions alone would tire Spain out in coping with them.

This time, when Serrano went to Cuba to suppress the rebellion, Carlo also had talks with Serrano, and expressed that, when necessary, some power in Cuba could be allowed in exchange for Spain’s control over Cuba.

It’s known that this Cuban War of Independence lasted nearly ten years in history, costing the Spanish Government nearly 700 million Pesos one after another.

Carlo certainly didn’t want the current Spanish Government to spend so much on Cuban suppression; the best solution was to concede certain compromises to the Cuban Government, dragging as long as possible.

Carlo’s objective was merely to ensure that Cuba wouldn’t face issues for the next decade or more.

As for whether Cuba would restart a war of independence more than a decade later, that was something for the country taking over Cuba to consider.

Serrano indeed did this. Having previously served as the Governor of Cuba, Duke Serrano was highly acquainted with its situation.

Which forces to draw in, which ones needed prioritization to address—these did not require much investigation for Duke Serrano, making the suppression naturally more efficient.

By rallying one faction while suppressing another, Duke Serrano quickly stabilized the Cuban turmoil, marking the end to this massive Cuban rebellion.

Certainly, the army accompanying Serrano to Cuba played a crucial role. Without these 5,000 troops, certain factions in Cuba might not have cooperated as well with Serrano’s actions.

In summary, after agreeing to carry out political reforms in Cuba and granting certain factions more power, the Cuban War of Independence officially ended, and Serrano was leading the army on their journey back to Spain.

For Carlo, preparations could finally begin for lavish rewards to the army, and nurturing a new generation of nobles loyal to himself.

After Prim put down the rebellion of the Carlos Faction before, Carlo had wanted to grant Duke status to Prim. The celebration for this was also in preparation.

However, due to various events’ delays, it was postponed to May, coincidentally clashing with Serrano’s suppression ending.

Carlo immediately decided to hold both celebrations as one, and at the same time bestow titles to Serrano and Prim.

Since Serrano was already a Duke, Carlo decided to ennoble him as a Grand Duke to secure Serrano’s loyalty.

Prim would also be ennobled as a Duke, becoming a pivotal figure among Spanish nobility.

The decision to ennoble Serrano as a Grand Duke was after careful consideration by Carlo. Compared to Prim, Serrano leaned more towards conservatism, with his stance being in the Royalist Faction.

Simply put, although both Serrano and Prim could be considered as Carlo’s right-hand men, Prim was more devoted to Spain. It’s merely because Carlo was the King of Spain that he chose to be loyal to Carlo.

Serrano, on the other hand, was different. Serrano’s political stance leaned more toward the Royalist faction, and his loyalty to Carlo might not be less than to Spain.

Moreover, Serrano’s prestige in the army was no less than that of Prim’s. If Carlo could secure Serrano’s absolute loyalty, his position in Spain would be thoroughly consolidated.

Even if he lost Prim’s support next, Carlo wouldn’t have to worry about the instability of his throne. At the very least, he would have the political leverage to contend with Prim or the next Prime Minister.

Otherwise, relying only on his outsider status and the 2,000-strong Royal Guard, how could he compete for power with the next Prime Minister?

Carlo wasn’t naive to think that all Prime Ministers would be like Prim, maintaining great respect for royal power. Moreover, Prim’s respect for Carlo was partly due to his desire to advance Spain’s reforms, which couldn’t be done without the King’s support.

Therefore, regardless of the current relations with Prim, it’s crucial to plan for the future and gradually take more control over power.

Carlo’s arrival in Spain was not to be a mere mascot. To achieve his ideal and aspirations, he must establish some influence within the government, at least capable of interfering in governmental decisions at certain times.

The fleet for Serrano’s return sailed on May 22, needing at least until June to reach Spain.

This was good, giving Carlo more time to prepare for the bestowing of titles to Serrano and Prim and for rewarding many of those who established merits in suppressing the rebellion.

The good news was, although Spain’s noble class still held considerable privileges, the lowest ranks of Baron and Viscount, in reality, had no special rights.

Besides the ability to inherit titles, these two ranks were more honorary in nature, providing no jurisdiction over the lands obtained.

Ennobling such new-style nobles did no significant harm to the country, except for giving up some land.

But Spain, compared to other European countries, did not lack land; moreover, there remained vast lands in Africa not yet divided by the great powers, ideal for bestowing new-style nobles.

Whether these new-style nobles establish large farms or invest in other industries in the future, it would benefit Spain’s economic development.

Furthermore, compared to Spain’s traditional nobility, the loyalty of those ennobled personally by Carlo visibly increased, with a greater appreciation for titles bestowed based on military merits.