Empire Rising: Spain

After spending a few years in the colonial army, returning to Spain’s native land will surely lead to a promotion. For those who have no background and rely solely on their efforts to rise, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity.

Moreover, compared to Spain’s homeland, its colonies are more likely to face warfare. Even if it’s merely a small-scale war against indigenous uprisings, as long as they win, the credit will be theirs.

As long as there is credit, whether it’s a promotion in rank or the acquisition of land and titles, it is very promising, which is why Carlo is not at all worried about those military academy graduates opposing it.

The conditions in the colonies are, of course, tough, but it also depends on whom you ask. For the Spaniards, the biggest drawback of the colonies is the lack of medical facilities, which isn’t much better in mainland Spain either.

This era’s medical technology is what it is; if there are any relatively serious ailments, one basically has to leave it to fate.

Aside from the major issue of poor medical environment, the colonies’ drawbacks also include scarcity of supplies. Nonetheless, the government will ensure the army’s supply of materials, and apart from these problems, the Spaniards receive quite generous treatment in the colonies.

Having dealt with some affairs and made proper arrangements for matters within Spain, Carlo once again boarded a warship heading for Italy.

The difference from last time is that this time Carlo’s departure does not include any family members. Whether Queen Sophie or the two children, they all have to stay at the Madrid Royal Palace.

The reason for not bringing them, besides having already visited last time, is Carlo’s consideration of the itinerary after returning from Italy.

In the years since becoming King of Spain, Carlo has rarely undertaken diplomatic visits. Seizing this opportunity, Carlo decided to embark on a European tour to strengthen ties with several allies while also aiming to cooperate with major powers like the UK, France, Germany and gain some benefits from them.

Currently, the primary competitive confrontations on the European Continent are twofold: the opposition between the United Kingdom and Russia, and that between Germany and France.

Let’s not mention England and Russia for now; the confrontation between these two major powers is focused on the Balkan Peninsula and Central Asia, which has little to do with Spain.

The France-Germany confrontation mainly manifests in Germany’s Prime Minister Bismarck’s policy of isolating France. There are four major powers surrounding France, and besides Spain, the relationships of the other three powers with France aren’t very good.

The Franco-German relationship is self-explanatory; Germany’s establishment was completed by stepping on the heads of the French.

The relationship between France and Italy is also not good. Previously, France used its support for the Pope State as a means to firmly control Rome, the current capital of Italy.

Had it not been for the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, Italy would still have had to wait longer to complete its unification. Still, even so, Vittorio Emanuele II had to painfully cede the ancestral land of the Savoy Family, the Savoy Region, which made Europe’s populace joke about the Italian Royal Family Savoy Family, that the name’s origin lies in the Savoy Region not belonging to Savoy.

As a result, the relationship between France and Italy is also not good. France wants to break through the encirclement created by Germany, so its southern neighbor Spain becomes a very important link.

If Spain also joins in isolating France, France will be completely blocked by Germany.

It’s important to know that although Europe’s main contradictions lie in the conflicts between England and Russia, and Germany and France, the English-French conflict is none the lesser.

Setting aside the long-ago Hundred Years’ War, during the era of Napoleon, upon which the French speak with pride, England and France were fiercely antagonistic enemies.

In fact, several Anti-France Alliances were initiated by the British, and the most intense conflict during this period was the English-French conflict.

If France hadn’t lost in the Franco-Prussian War, the UK’s biggest enemy wouldn’t be Russia, but France.

At this time, Germany hasn’t yet displayed enough threat to England, resulting in Germany, France, Russia all still being on the UK’s watchlist.

The typical British character and diplomatic policy are always like this; they advocate suppressing the strong and ally with the weak.

Neither side of the German-French competition has shown dominant superiority yet; naturally, the British won’t take action recklessly.

Historically, the UK allied with France to oppose Germany precisely because Germany’s rapid development after unification made its comprehensive power quickly surpass France.

But at this time, Germany’s comprehensive power hasn’t tremendously surpassed France’s. France and Germany are still on the same level as superpowers; Bismarck’s painstaking efforts to isolate France was precisely due to fearing French retaliation.

For France to break Bismarck’s diplomatic isolation policy, it can only achieve this by wooing Spain. As long as Spain doesn’t lean towards Germany, France’s southern border will be secure.

Spain’s previous application for a 500 million franc loan from France was quickly approved because the French recognized Spain’s importance.

Carlo also fully understands this point. Although Carlo doesn’t intend to forge an alliance with the French, the necessary cooperation is still essential to maintain.

Even though France lost in the Franco-Prussian War, who can deny that France is an extremely powerful superpower?

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