Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Conferment and Military Parade

The coronation ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Serrano took a step further from being an esteemed Duke, becoming a truly rare Grand Duke in Spain.

Meanwhile, Prim was elevated from Marquis to Duke, at least matching his status in the military and government.

Having quelled both the Carlos Faction rebellion and the Cuban rebellion, Carlo was in high spirits and generous in bestowing titles.

Beyond one Grand Duke and one Duke, this ceremony also included two Earls, seven Viscounts, and more than ten Barons, with Andrew and Kaman making the list.

Though both were the lowest-ranked Barons, they had at least entered the ranks of Spanish nobility, a significant leap in status compared to before.

Their promotion was not limited to noble titles. Due to their merits in combating the Cuban rebels, both of their military ranks were exceptionally promoted from Lieutenant to Major, and they took on the role of company commanders.

With Carlo’s trust and their achievements, unless unexpected, they could rise to the rank of colonel in a few years.

Had their Italian origins not hindered them, after quelling the Cuban rebellion, their ranks might have been elevated to above Major, perhaps even becoming colonels.

After all, compared to Italians suddenly appearing over their heads, soldiers preferred their direct superiors to be Spaniards.

To earn the trust of soldiers, Andrew and Kaman must expend more effort than Spanish officers.

But this is a good thing. Once they’ve undergone soldiers’ trials and climbed steadily to higher ranks, control over their troops will be more stable.

The troops under their command will become a support to Carlo, effectively serving as Carlo’s military authority.

What puts Carlo at ease about developing his influence is precisely the age of Serrano and Prim.

Serrano was born in 1810, making him 60 years old this year. Prim, born in 1814, is already 56.

Two elderly men nearing 60 will not care about Carlo’s influence developing slowly, for they will not live to see its maturation.

According to Europe’s average life expectancy, nearing 60 is considered quite old age. Prim’s plan is straightforward; he aims to drive the Spanish revolution within his lifetime and complete as much of it as possible.

Serrano is less enthusiastic about revolution and has less appetite for power. What Serrano truly cares about is his status, being elevated to Grand Duke has made him very satisfied.

Due to Serrano, Prim, and Carlo having various reasons not to conflict openly, the Spanish Government retains considerable stability.

This is what all three wish to see. After all, when their main needs are met, who would choose to clash with a powerful enemy?

Carlo is pleased with Prim’s reforms and Serrano’s control over power. With these two there, Carlo’s throne remains steady.

Once they retire or pass on, Carlo’s faction will have matured, marking the time when Carlo gradually seizes power.

What Carlo is fortunate about is Queen Isabel, despite contributing nothing to Spain, at least agreed to grant titles to Prim and Serrano.

Especially Serrano. Pushing Serrano to join the Republicans might transform post-Queen Isabel Spain into a republic, making a return to monarchy difficult.

Historically, Alfonso XII managed a restoration because the Republican Government lacked public support, added to Prim’s early assassination making Spain’s situation even more chaotic than during Queen Isabel’s time.

If Prim were a part of the Republican Faction and had not encountered assassination, Spain might’ve become a complete republic later on.

One could say, Prim’s support for monarchy is a tremendous help to Carlo. Until Prim’s reforms are completed, Carlo’s stance firmly supports Prim.

Following the coronation ceremony, Carlo attended a small-scale military parade.

The number of troops participating was limited, totaling slightly over two thousand.

Undeniably, watching over two thousand troops march past you is an incredibly awe-inspiring sight.

Watching the troops march by and glancing at the onlookers, Carlo couldn’t help feeling ambitious.

These were his troops and his subjects. No matter Spain’s historical development, during this time, in this world, he is Spain’s King, the sole ruler.

As expected, when all day’s events concluded, the coronation ceremony and military parade became Madrid’s hottest news.

To acknowledge the troops’ merits, related news would be published across Spain, letting all Spaniards know about the newly ennobled nobles and their contributions to Spain.

This is Carlo’s goal. Spaniards should understand nobles are such due to their vast contributions to Spain.

Even if public attitudes towards nobility won’t change significantly, any minor changes are what Carlo wishes to see.

After all, King and nobles are unified. If the nobles’ reputation is utterly ruined, what good will the King’s reputation, as the greatest noble, still hold?

On another front, Carlo hopes to kindle soldiers’ and public aspirations for merit-based ennoblement.

Only letting soldiers see the benefits from military achievements will impel them to genuinely sacrifice for the country and government.

Only letting the public see the transformative change ennoblement brings can they rid themselves of military resistance, perhaps even eagerly enlisting.

Although it seems ineffectual, it’s considerably effective for boosting military morale.

Following the coronation ceremony, Prim became increasingly busy.

He must devote all effort toward government work. Reform and national development are priorities, alongside investigating the assassination’s mastermind during free time.

Luckily, Serrano returned from Cuba to assist Prim with some government affairs. Given Serrano once served as Spanish Provisional Government Prime Minister before the parliamentary elections, his government management isn’t outstanding, but certainly proficient.

With Serrano and Prim’s combined efforts, Spain is poised to enter a stable growth period. Carlo also eagerly anticipates Spain’s upcoming development speed, to see if this once-Sun Never Sets Empire can find new life amid prolonged decline.