Rise of Empires: Spain.

Chapter 24: Countering the Cuban Rebellion
As soon as the two decrees of free literacy education and agricultural tax reduction policy were promulgated, the Spaniards were surprised to find that the king above their heads did not seem so annoying anymore.

At least during the reign of Queen Isabella, the government would not proactively propose tax cuts on agriculture, let alone establish any free literacy education.

But for Carlo at this time, only one trouble had been solved.

As early as the Spanish Revolution, the Cuban colony took the opportunity to launch an independence war, occupied many cities, convened the so-called constitutional convention and elected a president.

This was unacceptable to Spain because Cuba was the most valuable of all Spanish colonies and one of the few colonies that could generate positive income.

If the Cuban colony was lost, not only would the Spanish government suffer a significant loss in annual fiscal revenue, but it would also be a blow to the reputation of the new king Carlo and the new cabinet.

The current Spanish royal government is gradually getting on the right track, and it is time to deal with the restless Cuban colony and create more income for the Spanish government.

There were not many Cuban rebels at that time, and they did not have any advanced weapons and equipment. For the Spanish government, apart from the need to fight a long distance across the Atlantic, there were no major problems to overcome.

Thus, the first large-scale war since Carlo became king was officially launched.

Army Minister Serrano led 5500 soldiers to Cuba to quell the rebellion and strived to eliminate as many Cuban rebels as possible.

This counterinsurgency war, which is not actually very large in scale, is also an opportunity for Carlo. Carman Esposito and Andrew Rosso will also join this counterinsurgency war as low-level officers.

Carlo's expectation for them is that they can achieve certain merits in suppressing the rebellion, which will also facilitate Carlo's subsequent promotion and appointment of them.

Carlo left the more capable Jyoti in Madrid to lead the 500-man palace guard. There was no other way, Carlo's safety was more important, and he had to have a trustworthy subordinate to be responsible for the safety of the palace.

Carlo still trusted Serrano's military ability. More importantly, Serrano had served as the Governor of Cuba from 1859 to 1862 and had a good understanding of the situation in Cuba.

Letting him go to Cuba to quell the rebellion is the most appropriate option, and it is also the option that has the greatest hope of resolving the Cuban issue in a short period of time and preventing a rebellion from occurring in Cuba in the short term.

As for the long-term future, it is not within Carlo's consideration.

Because for Carlo, Spain's colonies scattered around the world were a burden to Spain.

Cuba is across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain, but only across the Florida Strait from the United States.

Having won the Civil War, the United States already has the potential to become a world hegemon, and its comprehensive national strength is constantly improving.

For Spain, the most valuable colony was located at the mouth of the Americans, which meant that Spain was destined to be unable to defend Cuba.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to give up Cuba at an appropriate time in exchange for other colonies that are not so valuable but can be firmly controlled.

The same is true for the Philippines. In Carlo's future plan for Spain, both Cuba and the Philippines need to be abandoned, as the Spanish colonial base is in Africa. However, precisely because Cuba is one of the few colonies that can bring positive returns to Spain, it is difficult to get the public to agree to lose Cuba.

Spain would not carry out the colonial replacement until at least Carlo had enough reputation to withstand such a loss, or until a good opportunity came.

On September 1869, 9, Carlo saw off Serrano who was on the expedition to Cuba in Madrid, and personally promised all Spanish soldiers that he would hold a celebration banquet for them when they returned triumphantly to Madrid, and would grant land and titles to those who made great contributions.

The awarding of titles for military merit is still very attractive to soldiers, and it is also one of the most effective opportunities for the lower-class people to climb up.

Including Serrano himself and Primo, they are among the representative figures who were awarded knighthood for military merit. Although Spanish soldiers did not have great ambitions to become dukes and marquises, it was no problem to strive for some land and financial rewards as much as possible.

Carlo, who had just returned to the palace after seeing off Serrano, soon received a report from the guards that Prime Minister Primo wanted to see him.

Since Carlo fulfilled his promise and firmly supported the reform, Primo's attitude towards Carlo became very respectful, and he was willing to cultivate a commendable monarch-subject relationship with Carlo.

This is also good news for Carlo. Just like now, Primo will consult Carlo's opinion many times and is willing to leave some things to Carlo to decide.

Although Primo was not like Garibaldi who had no ambition for power and status, he was not an autocratic person either.

Carlo was also happy with this kind of partnership. Carlo's plan was to work with Primo to gain some reputation for reform, then slowly cultivate his own confidants in the government and the army, and prepare to take over the country after Primo.

"Your Majesty, this is a plan for industrial construction, please approve it." As soon as Primo saw Carlo, he handed over an industrial plan that had been prepared long ago and spoke straight to the point.

"Are we going to start industrial construction now? Prime Minister Primo, if I remember correctly, it seems that our government does not have so much money to build industry." Carlo was a little surprised at the speed of Primo's reforms.

The reforms in education and agriculture have only been going on for less than a month, so why do we have to start industrial construction immediately?

For Spain, which is currently in urgent need of funds, launching so many projects at once is not a good thing. Carlo can understand Primo's eagerness for success, but if the pursuit of speed leads to the Spanish government facing a bankruptcy crisis, it will be a loss.

“The first batch of industrial construction is expected to require 5500 million pesetas. I plan to issue industrial bonds of about 2500 million pesetas in batches, and the remaining 3000 million pesetas can be obtained by borrowing from foreign capital.

As long as we can promote industrial construction, our economic situation will improve in the next few years, and Spain's bad situation can be improved overall." Primo explained.

Queen Isabella's government only cared about its own enjoyment and ignored national development, which caused Spain's construction in all aspects to stagnate for a long time and even regressed.

The only good news is that the previous government, which ignored development, did not borrow heavily from abroad. The current Spanish government can still obtain some start-up funds for projects through borrowing.

First update, please support!


(End of this chapter)