Chapter 71: Preparations for the Scramble for Africa

Since factories like steel mills are basically in a state of guaranteed profit, there is nothing more to say; naturally, we should vigorously build steel mills.

Continuously expanding the scale of steel mills also helps improve Spain's overall industrial level, which is beneficial to both the royal family and the government.

Moreover, it can provide more jobs for the Spanish people and accelerate the speed of Spain's economic development; it is simply a triple win.

Without the slightest hesitation, Yu Kaluo immediately instructed Butler Luo Lun: "The focus from now on will be on the expansion of banks and steel mills; other industries can be temporarily put aside for a period of time."

There is no other way; to let Spain catch the train of the Second Industrial Revolution, one must lure a large number of relevant talents from other countries.

To lure enough talent from other countries, money is first and foremost necessary.

Only money can move people's hearts. No matter what massive achievements those researchers have made, they are ordinary people and have certain material needs.

Even if they do not have great material needs themselves, they will have families, and their family members will have corresponding needs.

Therefore, the simplest way to win over a talent is to let them and their families possess enough money and provide them with the material and living standards of the national upper class.

Letting a scientist who was originally destitute, or even on the verge of having their family destroyed, instantly enjoy the life of the national elite, possessing endless money and material comforts, will certainly make this scientist tempted.

Although throwing money around seems like a rather crude method, at a time when most European civilians are living in poverty or even hellish conditions, throwing money is indeed the most effective way.

Of course, in any era, the lives of the bottom-tier masses are destined not to be too good.

It is just that more advanced technology has raised the baseline to a certain extent, but every country will inevitably have a social bottom layer.

As long as there is a destitute group, there will definitely be people who bow for money. What Yu Kaluo needs to do now is to use money to attract these people to defect, and then use these talents as a foundation to cultivate more talents for Spain.

"How much capital can be diverted from the bank at most?" Yu Kaluo thought carefully for a while and asked aloud.

"The construction of our branches requires at least 5 million pesetas, and we must also leave enough cash for the existing banks. Currently, we should be able to divert about 25 million pesetas in funds, and there should be no problem with a usage period within one year." Butler Luo Lun thought for a while and gave a relatively objective answer.

The current Royal Bank has a big problem, which is that most of the deposits come from the nobility.

However, this is also good news, because these nobles made large deposits out of respect for Yu Kaluo, and it is unlikely they will join together to cause a bank run.

This also allows the Royal Bank to have enough funds to divert, and with the backing of other royal enterprises, it can calmly cope with small-scale bank run crises.

"These 25 million pesetas will all be invested in steel, chemicals, machinery, steam turbines, and military industry; these are also our main goals in the near future.

We can also invest in Spain's existing factories; after all, it is impossible for us alone to drive Spain's industrial development," Yu Kaluo instructed.

These industries are in relatively short supply in Spain, and considering the needs of Spain's future development, these industries will be in a state of guaranteed profit for a period of time in the future.

The Royal Bank now has a bit of capital, so it naturally cannot miss the opportunity to invest in these industries.

After all, Spain is in a state of waiting for reconstruction in these aspects; once the investment is successful, what might be harvested in the future are Spain's industrial giants.

Besides wanting to earn income and develop Spain's industry, Yu Kaluo wants to invest in these industries to win over the working class, a force that has already risen.

If capitalists can incite workers to hold parades to threaten the government, why can't the royal family?

Once Yu Kaluo controls tens of thousands of workers through a large number of industries, he only needs to compare the treatment of workers in royal industries with that of other capitalists, and these workers will naturally understand who to follow to live a better life.

With the power of the workers in his hands, Yu Kaluo naturally does not need to worry about the threat of the next government. No matter who the next Spanish Prime Minister is after Primo, they must take into account Yu Kaluo's influence in the government and among the people.

This is also the benefit that the twilight of the monarchy in this era brings to Yu Kaluo. The stage when Yu Kaluo first arrived in Spain was when his influence was at its lowest and he was most likely to be sidelined.

Once Yu Kaluo gets through this low point and masters a stable Wang Quan, no one will dare to underestimate the influence of Wang Quan.

After giving instructions regarding domestic industrial construction, Yu Kaluo thought for a moment and continued: "Prepare an additional 2 million pesetas in funds; I might use it in a while."

Hearing Yu Kaluo's instructions, Butler Luo Lun nodded quickly without asking for any reason.

As a qualified and loyal servant, it is best to carry out one's master's instructions without asking too much.

If it is something one should know, the master will definitely tell one. If it is not something one should know, how could one's impression be good if one asks rashly?

Butler Luo Lun understands this point, so he firmly does not ask what he should not ask.

Yu Kaluo is also quite satisfied with Butler Luo Lun's attitude. The purpose of this fund is not a big secret, so Yu Kaluo smiled and said: "It is too difficult for Spain to achieve revival by relying on its own territory.

Africa has not yet been completely carved up by the great powers, and we can still find our own land outside the colonial strongholds of the great powers.

The purpose of this fund is to hire foreign explorers to find more land for Spain. Only by possessing enough land can Spain achieve revival through its own strength, rather than by exploiting its domestic people.

While preparing the funds, you can also help me see which explorers at home and abroad can be contacted. At least in the initial stage of the operation, I hope our expedition team's movements can be kept secret for the time being."

Regarding the sovereignty of colonies, the great powers generally advocate that whoever occupies them first owns them. After all, the relations between the great powers are chaotic and complex, and in some cases, it is impossible to directly rely on force to compete for colonies.

As long as Spain can establish strongholds in some important colonies in advance and plant the Spanish flag, even if there are conflicts over colonies in the future, Spain will hold the moral high ground.

Moreover, it is only 1870, and Africa has not yet been carved up by the great powers. Even countries like Portugal and Belgium can get a piece of the cake in the carving up of Africa, so why can't the more powerful Spain?

Second update, please support!

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(End of this chapter)