As if he had already anticipated Carlo's words, Victor Emmanuel II sighed, nodded helplessly, and said, "Alright, my child, I can only wish you the best. May God bless you, my child."
"Father, I'm going to Spain. Aren't you going to give me any funds?" Carlo suddenly spoke, looking like he was asking for money.
"Haha, of course, my child." Carlo's interruption successfully lessened Victor Emmanuel II's sentimental mood. The old king also laughed and said, "However, I must remind you that the king's funds cannot be mixed with the government's finances. Regardless of how short the government is on money, you can only provide funds to the government through loans. Do you understand?"
This was a bloody lesson. If it were an absolute monarchy, it would be fine; the king, holding great power, could freely withdraw funds from the national treasury, and only the government would suffer losses.
But Spain was a constitutional monarchy. If the king's private coffers were not distinguished from the government's national treasury, only the king would suffer losses.
Moreover, it would be easy to be exploited, and one could easily be blamed for misappropriating government funds, incurring the hatred of the Spanish people.
This was also the reason Victor Emmanuel II reminded Carlo: that the king's private coffers and the government's national treasury must be separated. Even for loans, the specific interest and repayment period need to be written down.
Carlo nodded. He understood these matters. Many of Carlo's plans required a large amount of funding as a foundation, and his private coffers could not possibly be mixed with the government's national treasury.
After a brief silence, Victor Emmanuel II looked at his youngest son and said, "Although Italy's finances are not abundant, the House of Savoy still has some resources. I am willing to provide you with 30 million lire and a few servants to help with your daily needs. My child, if you feel that being the King of Spain is not the life you desire, know that Italy will always welcome you."
Carlo was surprised by the strong support he received from Victor Emmanuel II.
30 million lire was equivalent to 1.2 million pounds. Although the number might seem small, in the era of dreadnoughts, it was enough to build a dreadnought of the main battleship class.
Even in Britain, currently the most powerful country in terms of comprehensive national strength, a skilled worker's weekly wage was only 9 shillings and 6 pence, and this was the income of an adult male worker. If it was a woman or child, it would be even lower. (1 pound = 20 shillings, 1 shilling = 12 pence)
1.2 million pounds was equivalent to the income earned by over 50,000 British workers working hard for a year, which was enough to prove the vastness of this fund.
Even after deducting all expenses, the Italian royal family's annual income ranged from 300,000 to 400,000 pounds, and it did not exceed 500,000 pounds.
This also meant that Victor Emmanuel II had given Carlo almost three years of the royal family's income, allowing Carlo to have sufficient funds in Spain to carry out his plans.
Although he had not experienced father-son affection with Victor Emmanuel II since childhood, Carlo was still moved by the genuine feelings of his father, Victor Emmanuel II.
This also strengthened Carlo's resolve that he must not let the Italian royal family disappear along with Mussolini. Whether it was Victor Emmanuel II or Crown Prince Umberto, as long as the Savoy dynasty controlled Italy for a day, Carlo's Spain would not actively become an enemy of Italy.
A few days later, Carlo saw Prim again.
Although less than ten days had passed between the two meetings, their conversation became more intimate and friendly.
Prim looked at the chosen candidate for the king whom he had personally selected, expressing his respect and support: "Your Royal Highness Carlo, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Spain, I invite you to inherit the throne of Spain and become the king of all Spaniards."
"It is my honor, Marquis Prim." Carlo nodded with a smile. Carlo felt no embarrassment at all about this throne won through legitimate competition.
"I look forward to working with you, Marquis Prim." Carlo continued, "As I mentioned earlier, I will unconditionally support your reforms and will not cause any trouble during this process."
Hearing Carlo's straightforward expression of support for the reforms, the heavy burden in Prim's heart finally lifted, and he became very relaxed and happy.
"It is also my honor to serve you, Your Highness." Prim performed a standard Spanish noble bow to Carlo and then said very seriously.
For a monarch he recognized, Prim did not mind serving him. Although Prim's loyalty was dedicated to the whole of Spain, as long as Carlo was on the throne of Spain for a day, and as long as Carlo did not show the signs of a foolish ruler, Prim would also be loyal to Carlo.
"Now that the throne has been settled, I will be returning to Spain in the next few days. Your 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 Prim's face as he spoke to Carlo.
"No need for that, Marquis Prim," Carlo said, shaking his head. He smiled at Prim's slight surprise and added, "Give me a few days to prepare, and I will accompany you to Spain."
Although the Spanish throne and the Franco-Prussian War had happened more than a year earlier, Carlo was still worried about any unexpected events.
If Prim were assassinated after returning to Spain, Carlo would still face the same situation as Amadeo, with no one available to use, upon arriving in Madrid.
Although the subordinates Carlo had chosen for himself, including Garibaldi's second son, Ricciotti, already possessed good abilities, these people could not hold high positions from the start.
There were only two people Carlo could rely on in Spain: Prim and Serrano, who both held power in the Spanish government and army.
Among them, the most important was Prim. Prim was not only an important figure in the reformist faction, but his ability also surpassed Serrano's.
In Carlo's plan, Prim would continue to serve as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain until his health could no longer bear the burden or the reforms in Spain were completed.
Serrano, compared to Prim, was actually more suitable to be the stabilizing force in the army. Serrano, being from a military background, had sufficient prestige in the army, and letting him lead the Spanish army was the best choice.
During the initial years of Carlo's reign, power remained largely in the hands of Prim and Serrano. This period was also crucial for Carlo's several ministers to gain experience and establish their reputations.
Carlo would only consider allowing the stabilizing forces, Prim and Serrano, to retire once it was confirmed that someone among them could take over their positions.
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