Chapter 19: Preparations Before Departure

Seeming to have understood long ago that Gao Da would say this, Vittorio Emanuele II sighed, but still nodded helplessly, saying: "Very well, child, I can only wish you all the best. May God bless you, my child."

"Father, I am going to Spain; won't you give me any funds?" Gao Da suddenly spoke up, looking as if he were collecting a debt.

"Haha, of course I have some, child." Gao Da's interruption successfully lessened the sentimental mood of Vittorio Emanuele II, and the old king also smiled as he spoke: "However, I must remind you that a king's funds cannot be confused with the government's treasury. No matter how short of money the government is, you can only provide funds to the government in the form of loans. Do you understand?"

This was actually a lesson learned in blood. If it were an absolute monarchy, it would be fine; a king holding supreme power could extract funds from the national treasury at will, and only the government would suffer the loss.

But Spain is a constitutional monarchy. If the king's private treasury and the government's national treasury are not distinguished, only the king will suffer.

Moreover, it is easily exploited, and one could easily be scapegoated for misappropriating government funds, drawing the hatred of the Spanish people.

This is also why Vittorio Emanuele II reminded Gao Da: the king's private treasury and the government's national treasury must be kept separate. Even for loans, the specific interest and repayment terms must be written down.

Gao Da nodded. He understood these things. Many of Gao Da's plans required the backing of massive funds, and his own private treasury could not be mixed with the government's national treasury.

After a brief moment of silence, Vittorio Emanuele II looked at his youngest son and said: "Although Italy's finances are not wealthy, the House of Savoy still has some capital.

I will give you 30 million Lira, plus some servants to look after your daily life. Child, if you feel that being the King of Spain is not the life you want, Italy will always welcome you back."

Gao Da was quite surprised by the level of support from Vittorio Emanuele II.

30 million Lira is equivalent to 1. million pounds. Although the number does not look large, in the era of dreadnoughts, it was enough to build a capital ship of the dreadnought class.

Even in the United Kingdom, which currently has the strongest comprehensive national power, the weekly wage of a skilled worker is only 9 shillings and 6 pence; this is the income of an adult male worker, and it would be even lower for women or children. (1 pound = 20 shillings, 1 shilling = 12 pence)

1. million pounds is equivalent to the income earned by over 50, 00 British workers working hard for a year, which is enough to prove the magnitude of this funding.

Even for the Italian royal family, the annual income after deducting all expenses is only 300, 00 to 400, 00 pounds, and at most it would not exceed 500, 00 pounds.

This also means that Vittorio Emanuele II has handed over nearly three years of the royal family's income to Gao Da, allowing Gao Da to have sufficient funds in Spain to carry out his plans.

Although he had not experienced the father-son affection of Vittorio Emanuele II since childhood, Gao Da was still moved by the sincere feelings of his father, Vittorio Emanuele II.

This also made Gao Da determined that he must not let the Italian royal family vanish into smoke along with Mussolini. Whether it is Vittorio Emanuele II or Prince of the Blood Umberto, as long as the House of Savoy controls Italy for a single day, Gao Da's Spain will absolutely never take the initiative to be an enemy of Italy.

A few days later, Gao Da saw Primo again.

Although less than ten days had passed between the two meetings, the conversation between the two had become much more intimate and friendly.

Primo looked at the king candidate he had personally selected and expressed his respect and support: "Respected Prince Gao Da, on behalf of the Spanish Prime Minister, I invite you to inherit the Spanish throne and become the King of all Spaniards."

"It is my honor, Marquis Primo." Gao Da nodded with a smile; Gao Da did not feel the slightest bit embarrassed about this throne won through legitimate competition.

"I look forward to working with you, Marquis Primo." Gao Da continued: "Just as I said before, I will unconditionally support your reforms and will not be a source of trouble in your reforms."

Hearing Gao Da express his support for the reforms so straightforwardly, the heavy burden in Primo's heart finally fell away, and he became very relaxed and joyful.

"It is also my honor to serve you, Highness." Primo performed a standard Spanish aristocratic salute to Gao Da, then said very seriously.

For a monarch he approves of, Primo does not mind serving him. Although Primo's loyalty is dedicated to the whole of Spain, as long as Gao Da is on the Spanish throne for a day, and as long as Gao Da does not show the side of a foolish ruler, Primo is also loyal to Gao Da.

"Since the throne has been decided, I will return to Spain in these few days. Highness, I hope you can arrive in Madrid within a month; we will prepare a grand coronation ceremony for you." A smile also appeared on Primo's face as he said to Gao Da.

"No need, Marquis Primo." Gao Da shook his head, rejecting Primo's proposal.

Looking at the somewhat surprised Primo, Gao Da smiled and explained: "Give me a few days to prepare, and I will travel to Spain with you."

Although the Spanish throne issue had come up more than a year earlier than the Franco-Prussian War, Gao Da was still worried that any accidents might occur.

If Primo were to be assassinated after returning to Spain, then Gao Da's arrival in Madrid would still face the same situation as Amadeo, with no one to rely on.

Although the subordinates Gao Da had chosen for himself, including Garibaldi's second son, Menotti, already possessed decent abilities, it was impossible for these people to hold high positions from the very beginning.

The only people Gao Da could rely on in Spain were two: Primo and Serrano, who held power in both the Spanish government and the military.

The most important of these was Primo. Primo was not only an important figure among the reformists, but his abilities also exceeded those of Serrano.

In Gao Da's plan, Primo would serve as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain until his health could no longer bear the burden or Spain's reforms were completed.

As for Serrano, compared to Primo, he was actually more suitable as the anchor of the military. Serrano, who came from an officer's background, had sufficient prestige in the military, and letting him lead the Spanish army was the best choice.

For the first few years of Gao Da's reign, power would still be controlled by Primo and Serrano; this period would also be the time for Gao Da's several prime ministers to slowly gain experience and cultivate their reputations.

Only after confirming that one of them could take over the positions of Primo and Serrano would Gao Da consider letting the two anchors, Primo and Serrano, retire.

Second update, asking for support!

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(End of chapter)