Rebirth of the Spanish Empire.

Chapter 2 Return to Madrid

After most of the day, Alfonso and his party arrived in Madrid, the capital of Spain, in a carriage. Spain belongs to Southern Europe and is a country on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The climate of European countries in Southern Europe is relatively warm, especially countries represented by Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In later generations, they are famous for their developed tourism industry!
  Even in the coldest winter, the daytime temperature remains around 10℃~20℃, which does not make tourists feel cold, but attracts a large number of tourists!
  Alfonso finally arrived at the capital Madrid after a long journey of more than half a day. Along the way, he observed the impoverished lives of a large number of civilians, which further strengthened his idea of ​​saving this country!

Arriving at the gate of the city, the gate was filled with government officials greeting Alfonso, and the group got off the bus here.

"Canovas, I will trouble you about the formation of the new government from now on. If there are any special circumstances, please report to me." Alfonso said to the old man in the middle of the officials.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best." Canovas replied quickly.

Canovas: His full name is Antonio Canovas del Castillo, and he was an important minister during the reign of Alfonso XII's mother, Isabel II.

(In 1864, he served as Home Secretary to handle government affairs, and from 1865 to 1866, he served as Minister of Overseas Territories.)
  Because the army could not stand Isabel II's incompetence. Therefore, in 1868, a coup launched with the army as the main force successfully expelled Isabel II and young Alfonso from Spain and established the Spanish Republic.

However, it turns out that Spain's economic development during the Republic was not as good as during the Bourbon rule, and there were constant disputes within the government.

And this veteran minister retired from the scene and became an important force supporting the restoration of the Bourbon family.

During the conversation, Alfonso and his party unknowingly arrived at their destination, the Royal Palace of Madrid on the left bank of the Manzales River.

The Royal Palace of Madrid, located on the left bank of the Manzales River, is the third largest palace in Europe after Versailles and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. At this time, this magnificent building welcomed its new owner.

"Canovas, I have lived abroad for many years, and it is very worrying to see the development of Spain in recent years.

In order to solve these emergencies, I have many ideas. When the urgent rebellion caused by the Carlos faction is resolved, I hope you can give me some useful suggestions for governing the country. "

To this. Alfonso said seriously.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best to relieve Your Majesty and the country's worries." Although Canovas' face was expressionless, there was still a hint of worry in his tone.

There is a reason why Canovas is so worried: after all, most of the whimsical kings in history have no wise kings.

At the same time, French Emperor Napoleon III and Austrian Emperor Franz I also served as examples.

"Concerning the holding of the succession ceremony of the throne, this is the top priority now. We must not neglect it and cause trouble." Alfonso said seriously.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the old minister will take his leave first." Canovas lowered his head and prepared to retreat.

"Wait, don't leave yet, call Arsenio for me. I want to hear your two ideas on how to solve the Carlist rebellion."

Alfonso said suddenly.

…………

After a while, Arsenio, now the main person in charge of the army, arrived.

"Do you two have a solution to the Carlos rebellion in the north now?" Alfonso asked.

"Your Majesty, I think that although the current Carlos rebels are large and powerful, they are not regular soldiers after all and have not received orthodox military training, so their combat effectiveness is extremely limited."

As the commander-in-chief of the Spanish Army, Arsenio is indeed qualified to say this. In the just-ended February 1874, he defeated the Carlos rebels in Bilbao and lifted the siege of the city.

“A powerful blow should be given to the main force of the rebels in the northern part of the Kingdom of Spain.

The entire northern region north of the Ebro River and up to the French border, as well as cities such as Alcoy, Seville, Cadiz, and Valencia, are now under rebel control.

The rebellion must be eliminated as soon as possible and the country can be reunited before it can develop stably. "

Canovas mused that the rebellion started by the Carlos rebels is now indeed the biggest cancer that prevents the country's stable development.

"Your Majesty, we can mobilize the main force of the army and launch a general attack on the main force of the rebels entrenched in the northern cities. After the main force of the rebels in the north is eliminated, the cities in the south will not be a concern."

Arsenio said.

Alfonso nodded to express his recognition of Arsenio and asked: "Now regarding the specific situation of the national army, I still need you to introduce it to me."

"Except for the colonial army, which cannot be mobilized, there are currently 11 active-duty soldiers in the Kingdom's army. With His Majesty's order, all armies can participate in the fight against the rebels."

Alfonso sighed secretly when he heard this. European countries at the same time: the Russian Army had 80 standing troops, France had 50 people, Germany had 45 people, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had 30 people. Even the navy was famous for it. The standing strength of the British Army in the world is about 25.

Compared with the Spanish army of 11 men, the Italians' 15 men were more than enough.

If the number of people in the Italian Peninsula is added to the number of people in Sicily, the total number of troops in the army is 24, which is basically the same as the number of the British Army and twice the total number of the Spanish Army.

In fact, the main reasons for this situation are Spain's backward economy and long-term rebellions, which make people's lives difficult, resulting in population growth rate always ranking last in Europe.

而西班牙现人口在1650万左右，排名欧洲第8。    上面依次是俄罗斯帝国7100万、德国4170万、法国3846万、英国3317万、奥匈帝国3310万、意大利2863万。

And 75 years ago, that is, in 1800, the population of Spain had reached 1100 million, and the population of the United Kingdom, which was similar to Spain, was 1050 million. Overall, there was not much difference between the two.

But 75 years later, the British population has nearly tripled, while the Spanish population has only increased by 3 million people.

On the one hand, ongoing internal wars and instability have resulted in stagnant economic development and inevitable slow population growth.

On the other hand, it is also because after the end of the South American War, the United States became the immigration target of many poor farmers who wanted to escape the war and had dreams of getting rich. There are several reasons for Spain's slow population growth.

"Arsenio, ordered the army to start a large-scale offensive, and also ordered Fernando to lead 3 people to recapture the city occupied by the southern rebels."

(Fernando was the Spanish Minister of War at the same time and the grandfather of the later Falangist Jose Antonio.)
  "Canovas, issue an edict that all Carlists who surrender can be pardoned, and the northern provinces participating in the rebellion can retain their original privileges if they surrender.

Whether they are Castilians, Catalans, Galicians, or Basques, they are all Spaniards now and do not allow the army to burn, kill, and loot. "

In this regard, Alfonso did not hesitate at all and gave Canovas instructions.

The Second Carlos War in history, although it came fiercely, ended in an anticlimax. It was put down in 1876, the year after Alfonso XII succeeded to the throne.

But now Alfonso is just taking over the historical solutions and using them both politically and militarily.

However, he did not intend to personally go to the northern frontline to supervise the war as was the case in history. As a monarch, he did not have to do everything himself. Knowing how to employ talents was the greatest ability of the monarch.

For example, Napoleon III personally commanded the defeat of Germany, which led to the defeat of France. The Second German Empire was established on the remains of France, and he could only take his family into exile in the United Kingdom.

Francis I personally commanded the defeat of the Italian states, which led to the unification of the Kingdom of Italy. These were all monarchs of the same period as Alfonso XII.

"The coronation ceremony of the throne is scheduled for January 1, and Canovas has prepared the declaration of succession."

Alfonso did not forget this matter, after all, it represented whether he could truly become the monarch of the Kingdom of Spain.

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Arsenio and Canovas responded in unison, slowly exiting the great chamber.

On the way back, the two couldn't help but chat about King Alfonso XII.

"It seems that our new king is very determined to make Spain rise again."

Arsenio said.

Canovas was convinced of this and said: "Not only is he determined, he is also capable. It seems that we must assist this majesty.

We have been waiting for this day for a long time so that he can show off his talents in Spain and realize the renaissance of Spain. "

After speaking, the two looked at each other speechlessly, with firm eyes, and then parted ways, each returning to the mansion.

In such a chaotic era, wealth no longer means much to them, and their status has reached the point where they are inferior to one person.

But who doesn’t want to leave a strong mark in the history books of their motherland and be remembered forever?

…………

January 1875, 1, the second day after the conversation with the two ministers.

When newspapers across the country appeared in newspapers across the country, this order was personally issued by Alfonso XII, who took office on the first day of his reign. People across the country finally began to discuss it heatedly.

"All Carlists, I have ordered a full-scale offensive by the government's regular forces, and all rebellious areas will eventually be liberated.

As the new monarch of the Kingdom of Spain, I am willing to provide people who can change their ways with an opportunity to make up for their mistakes.

Now, whether you are Castilian, Catalan, Garcia or Basque, we are all fellow citizens of the Kingdom of Spain and we share the same homeland.

Therefore, as the new King of Spain, I, Alfonso, hereby solemnly promise: To all compatriots who are willing to lay down their arms and are unwilling to continue killing each other, I can forgive your mistakes and let bygones be bygones.

And for those who have no repentance at all, when the rebellion is ended, I will punish them with treason and execute them by firing squad.

Spain, this beautiful land under our feet has suffered from countless wars, large and small, since entering the new century.

We should safeguard our hard-won peace on the basis of national unity. "

……

(End of this chapter)