Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 58: Chapter 57: Serrano Returns to His Homeland

The grand coronation ceremony will be held in July 1870.

The army led by Duke Serrano is expected to return to Spain in mid to late June.

After resting for more than a week, they will just be in time to attend the coronation ceremony and hold a small military parade in Madrid.

The purpose of the parade is simple. Firstly, it’s to celebrate Spain’s successive resolution of domestic and colonial rebellion issues, allowing the Spanish people to finally enjoy peace.

Secondly, it’s to deter the internal Republican Faction and other ill-intentioned forces. If even the Carlos Faction and Cuban independence fighters can be dealt with, other forces should reconsider whether they can pose a threat to the Spanish Government.

For the Spanish people, the coronation ceremony and parade not only provide a spectacle but also evoke patriotic enthusiasm and admiration for military achievements and titles of nobility.

After all, most of the soldiers who receive titles and awards are ordinary people. If they can achieve it, why can’t other Spanish civilians?

Starting in early June, the government began to warm up for the coronation ceremony.

Newspapers, including the Sun Newspaper and others, have been continuously publishing news about the coronation ceremony and boldly speculating on the nobles who will be ennobled during the ceremony.

Among them, Prime Minister Prim and Duke Serrano were the most frequently mentioned names. Their prestige in politics and the military far exceeded others, and they were the main heroes in quelling rebellions.

Amidst public expectations, Duke Serrano finally led the army back to Spain and traveled by train all the way back to Madrid.

Carlo attaches great importance to the heroes. On the day Duke Serrano returned to Madrid with the army, Carlo not only personally went to greet them but also arranged for the makeshift Royal Military Band to play the “Royal March” to welcome the returning heroes.

Duke Serrano was evidently a bit surprised by Carlo’s personal welcome.

However, Serrano reacted quickly and, upon seeing Carlo personally welcoming him, immediately left his army behind, rode forward alone, stopped a hundred meters ahead, and walked toward Carlo.

“Your Majesty!” Duke Serrano was the first to salute Carlo.

“Welcome back to Spain, Duke Serrano.” Carlo smiled and nodded, speaking warmly: “I have already prepared a celebratory banquet for you. Go and rest a bit. We will have a good chat tonight.”

Duke Serrano nodded, and then engaged in conversation with Prime Minister Prim and others behind Carlo.

Among those behind Duke Serrano, Carlo recognized two familiar faces, Andrew Russo and Kaman Esposito, whom he had placed into the rebellion-quelling army.

During the campaign against Cuba, Carlo had read several reports from Duke Serrano detailing the results of the conflict.

Andrew and Kaman, both outstanding graduates of the Turin Military Academy, performed excellently in the Cuban campaign and were repeatedly praised by Duke Serrano.

It should be noted that although Duke Serrano leaned toward the conservative Royalist Faction, it didn’t mean he would defer to all things related to Carlo.

Even though he knew Carlo had sent these two guys into the army as a form of gilding their résumé, Serrano would not have praised them if they didn’t have sufficient talent.

Receiving praise from Duke Serrano proved that Andrew and Kaman had commendable military command abilities and were worth Carlo’s investment.

Coincidentally, the achievements in quelling the Cuban rebellion were significant. Using the opportunity of ennobling Duke Serrano as Grand Duke, Carlo also planned to make Andrew and Kaman Barons, thus further aligning them with his interests while offering them the prospect of entering the higher echelons of the Spanish Army, potentially leading it when Prim and Serrano retire.

Not directly promoting them was due not only to the need to evaluate their capabilities but also because they were Italians with no significant merits in Spain.

Although as King, Carlo could easily promote them, doing so without due merit would cause dissent among the soldiers under them and displeasure among generals and nobility.

After their gilded experience in Cuba, such issues no longer persisted.

Cuba’s importance to Spain is self-evident, which is why historically, Spain was willing to spend seven billion Pesos to keep Cuba within its colonial domain.

The merit obtained from quelling the Cuban rebellion was enough to earn them titles and opportunities for rapid military promotion.

Whether they could gain the recognition of their soldiers and gradually enter the high ranks of the military would depend on their actual capabilities.

Carlo had set up the ladder for them to climb. If they couldn’t reach the military’s upper echelons, it would only mean Carlo had misjudged them.

.p>In any case, Carlo had plenty of time to wait. As the Royal Military Academy gradually matured, more newly trained officers would emerge in the future.

Carlo held the honorary title of principal, meaning the young officers trained were, figuratively, his protégés.

Whether Andrew and Kaman reached the high ranks of the Spanish military first, or whether the excellent young officers from the military academy climbed to the top, either outcome was acceptable to Carlo.

In any event, Serrano and Prim would not retire for at least a few years, and this time also coincided with the crucial period for them to strive for advancement.

These years were the most stable for Spain as well. The political and military power was split among Serrano, Prim, and Carlo, forcing others to yield under their combined influence.

Once Serrano and Prim both retire, if Carlo’s trusted aides cannot assume their power, he would no longer face such a stable political landscape.

“Well done,” Carlo smiled at Andrew and Kaman.

The two of them had completed the tasks assigned to them, and naturally, Carlo expressed a friendly demeanor towards them.

After all, as fellow Italians, Andrew and Kaman shared a closer bond with Carlo in certain respects.

They too were outsiders in Spain, and their upward mobility depended on Carlo’s support, which was why Carlo chose to trust and provide opportunities for them.

Carlo did not lack ordinary talent. What he truly found scarce were subordinates he could completely trust, who also had a degree of capability.

“Go back and get some rest. As honorees, you can’t miss tonight’s banquet,” Carlo continued. “You’ve done well in pacifying the Cuban rebellion, and I definitely won’t shortchange those who contributed.”