Empire Rising: Spain

During the few days visiting the Austria-Hungary, Carlo spent most of his time with Crown Prince Rudolf, admiring the scenery around Vienna and incidentally touring the factories and some famous enterprises of the Austria-Hungary.

On the second day of Carlo’s arrival in Vienna, Spanish officials began formal talks and consultations with officials of Austria-Hungary.

After about a week of negotiations, both parties once again reached a cooperation agreement. This cooperation agreement mainly concerns industrial cooperation, with Austria-Hungary mainly providing industrial support to Spain.

This is also the Austria-Hungary’s return for Spain’s diplomatic support, after all, the relationship between the two countries also needs interests to be maintained.

Regarding the industrial aid from the Austria-Hungary, Carlo had only one attitude, which was the more, the better.

Due to the previous cooperation in military industry, the new cooperation agreement focuses more on the chemical and heavy industries, aiming to help Spain better complete its industrial base.

After all, Spain has only been developing its industry comprehensively for less than ten years. Although the development speed is very fast, there are still some shortcomings in some basic industries, as well as in the chemical and heavy industries.

Part of the cooperation reached this time includes the construction of a large chemical plant in Spain to enhance Spain’s capabilities in the chemical sector.

Since further diplomatic visits to Germany and France were planned, Carlo did not stay long in the Austria-Hungary.

After the two governments signed the industrial cooperation agreement, Carlo, along with Spanish officials, departed Vienna for Berlin, the capital of Germany, heading north.

Traveling by train also had an advantage, allowing one to see firsthand the development and prosperity of the German Region.

The geography of Germany and France has a similarity, which is that the south is mountainous, while the north is a vast plain.

France has the vast Western European plain, and Germany also has the vast Bod Plain, with agriculture and animal husbandry being quite developed.

This is an advantage of Germany and France compared to Spain; even with a larger population, the vast plains allow both countries to meet the food needs of their populations.

Crossing the Sudeten Mountains, the Spanish officials shed tears of envy as they faced the vast Bod Plain.

Had Spain owned such a large plain area, its development would not have been so slow. However, such a geographical shortcoming is inherently destined for Spain, unless the Spanish Government abandons the development of mainland Spain, otherwise, it can only silently bear the various limitations brought by Spain’s geography.

Like Austria-Hungary, when visiting Germany for diplomatic purposes, the Spanish Government had also communicated with the German Government.

Although there is no alliance relationship between Spain and Germany, such a state visit by the King himself would naturally not be rejected by the German side.

Carlo had no significant demands regarding his visit to Germany, only hoping to introduce some industrial technology from Germany or achieve some cooperation with German military enterprises.

Carlo was still very interested in the Krupp Company of Germany. Currently, the Krupp Company is still controlled by its founder, Alfred Krupp. Although not as famous as his namesake and grandson Alfred Krupp, his ability is evident in transforming a small factory struggling to survive by producing cutlery into a renowned German arms company.

The famous Krupp Cannon was invented by this arms company’s founder. His invention of artillery played a huge role during the Franco-Prussian War and crushed the large artillery equipment of the French.

In the capital city of Berlin, Carlo also received a warm reception from the German Government.

Like the Austria-Hungary, Germany also sent its Crown Prince Friedrich to receive Carlo.

The difference, however, was that unlike in Austria-Hungary where Crown Prince Rudolf was similar in age to Carlo, Crown Prince Friedrich of Germany was born in 1831, making him 47 years old this year.

In fact, Crown Prince Friedrich of Germany was only one year younger than Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, which illustrates the longevity of William I, the founder of the German Empire.

William I was born on March 22, 1797, already a man born in the last century. Among the heads of state of all European countries, William I is the oldest, and the only monarch still alive from the last century.

And that’s not the most astonishing part. Even more astonishing is that William I would live another ten years. His lifespan reached 91 years, which additionally made his son, Crown Prince Friedrich, a famous ”hundred-day emperor.”

Though Crown Prince Friedrich passed away due to throat cancer, he was already 57 years old at the time of his death, which in this era does not count as dying young.

It can only be said that William I’s reign was indeed too long, causing the power of the German Empire to transition frequently within a short period, ultimately coming into the hands of the renowned German Emperor William II.

Carlo and Crown Prince Friedrich did not have a particularly close relationship, but their meeting was quite harmonious.

Carlo first visited German Emperor William I, then attended the welcome banquet prepared by the German Government for him and his accompanying officials, and finally rested in the accommodation arranged by the German Imperial Family.