Chapter 16

It must be admitted that looking at the history of Italy's unification, except for the accidental factor of Garibaldi, the rest can be collectively referred to as relying entirely on luck, without half a point of strength.

The Austro-Prussian War allowed Italy to easily obtain the Venice region and the southern part of South Tyrol, and this Franco-Prussian War caused by the Spanish throne also allowed the Italians to see the opportunity to recover Rome.

The one entrenched in Rome at this time is the Catholic Holy See, which is the so-called Papal States. And supporting the Papal States is the European hegemon France, which is also the reason why Italy has clearly unified but has been unable to recover the core Rome region.

But after the outbreak of the war, the French army stationed in Rome had gradually begun to withdraw.

Italy is waiting for the opportunity for all French troops to withdraw, the Papal army will not be able to stop Italy's pace of unification, and Rome is about to become the official capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

Just as Vittorio Emanuele II was waiting anxiously for the French army to completely withdraw from Rome, the Spanish government also sent a request for a diplomatic visit to the Italian government.

The mission sent by Spain this time was very luxurious, led by Prime Minister Primo, accompanied by many ministers of the government, and also included several high-level generals of the Spanish military.

Combined with the recent Spanish king-choosing event, Vittorio Emanuele II seemed to understand the purpose of Spain's diplomatic visit this time.

However, there is one thing Vittorio Emanuele II did not quite understand, that is, when the Spanish government investigated candidates from other countries, they were all conducted secretly.

How did it become sending a diplomatic mission to visit Italy? And the one leading the mission was Spain's new Prime Minister Primo, who was a person who grasped both military and political power, and it was absolutely no exaggeration to call him the most powerful person in Spain today.

Although he didn't quite understand Primo's intention, Spain was after all a major power along the Mediterranean coast, so Italy naturally would not refuse the Spanish government's active visit.

Gao Da, who was paying close attention to the news of Spain, naturally learned of the request for a diplomatic visit sent by the Spanish government to Italy.

For this thing that had never happened in history, Gao Da couldn't help but have a few more guesses in his heart.

If there was only Amadeo's name on the list of candidates for the Spanish throne, they would probably not come to Italy.

After all, three of the four competitors in history have already withdrawn. If there are no other competitors, Amadeo should have won.

Combined with the Spanish government's request for a diplomatic visit, Gao Da can basically conclude that he should also be on the list of candidates for the Spanish throne, and has reached the final round of competition with his brother Amadeo.

This also means that the candidate for the Spanish throne will come to light with Primo's diplomatic visit this time. If Gao Da wants to become the King of Spain, he must firmly grasp all the opportunities in this diplomatic visit and show his advantages to Primo.

The good news is that the reason why Amadeo became the King of Spain in history is not because he is outstanding.

In fact, compared with the other three candidates, Amadeo can only be considered barely qualified. It was precisely because of the active withdrawal of the Portuguese Regent Fernando and the strong opposition of the French to Prince Leopold becoming the King of Spain that Amadeo benefited from the fisherman's profit and finally won.

However, compared with Gao Da, Amadeo also has advantages. First of all, his age is six years older, and the age of 25 looks more mature and stable, which is still relatively important for Spain.

But Gao Da is not without advantages. For the two people in power in Spain now, Gao Da is absolutely more familiar than Amadeo.

Compared with Primo's pursuit of Spain, Amadeo's six-year age advantage is actually nothing.

And for Primo, who holds military and political power, he may not be willing to see a more mature and stable king come to fight for power.

Being young not only means not being mature and stable, but also means being easier to control than being older.

At least for Primo, who is now determined to promote Spain's reform, Amadeo does not necessarily have an advantage there.

After silently calculating the advantages of himself and his brother Amadeo in his heart, Gao Da began to calculate how to show his advantages in this diplomatic visit and let Primo choose himself.

The first thing to do is to recognize his own identity.

In fact, whether it is Amadeo or Gao Da who becomes the King of Spain, it is impossible to hold much real power in the early stage.

It would be fine if there is the support of Primo and Serrano, both of whom hold military and political power, which is no small help to the king.

If there is no support from the two, then this King of Spain can be said to be a completely bare commander, without a reliable subordinate under his hand.

Under such circumstances, Gao Da's initial plan for becoming the King of Spain was never to seize power, but to help Primo and Serrano carry out Spain's reform on the basis of stabilizing his throne.

Although Spain is still a second-rate country in Europe, it has already pulled too much distance from great powers like Britain, France, Prussia, Russia, and Austria.

Even Italy, which has not been unified for long, is superior to Spain in terms of comprehensive strength. If Spain does not reform and continues to consume like this, Spain will even become a third-rate country in Europe.

And Primo and Serrano both have huge prestige. Letting them take the initiative to carry out Spain's reform will be smoother than Gao Da pushing for reform himself, and the Spanish people will also find it easier to accept.

More importantly, Primo and Serrano, both of them are willing to see a monarch who supports reform appear in Spain.

Especially Primo, as the most powerful person in Spain, he is a thorough reformist.

Although Primo was assassinated before Amadeo arrived in Spain in history, he promoted the promulgation of many decrees in the short time he served as the Prime Minister of Spain, and he is also a representative of the Spanish reformists.

If Gao Da can show his support for reform during Primo's visit to Italy, I believe he will get Primo's favor.

As long as either Primo or Serrano supports him, Gao Da does not think that he will lose to his brother Amadeo in this competition for the throne.

After all, Amadeo did not show any talent in the three years he became the King of Spain, and even had no great ambition or lofty ideals.

First update, seeking support!





(End of this chapter)