Chapter 738: Making the Most of a Difficult Ally
The Spanish capital, Madrid.
The ceremony for Carlos IV to welcome Joseph was, once again, of the highest possible standard.
From the northern suburbs of Madrid all the way to the Royal Palace, guards of the Royal Guard stood solemnly on both sides of the road. Behind them, Spanish citizens thronged, eager to catch a glimpse of the French Crown Prince. The entire city was as bustling as if celebrating a holiday.
In the square before the Royal Palace, cannon salutes and the orchestra's melodies intertwined. As Joseph stepped down from his carriage, he saw Carlos IV hurrying toward him, a radiant smile on his face.
Joseph straightened his attire and offered a chest-hand salute to the Spanish King, but Carlos IV simply pulled him into a warm embrace.
"Ah, my dear Joseph," Carlos IV exclaimed, "I never expected you to visit at this particular time!"
Carlos IV drew Joseph further into the palace. "The banquet is already prepared, featuring your favorite baked seafood. Afterward, there's the opera—the Royal Troupe's latest production, which everyone has been raving about. Oh, and tomorrow, we'll go hunting together. Did you know, the wild boar and lynx this season are as plump as walking wine barrels..."
"Thank you for your generous hospitality," Joseph replied with equal enthusiasm.
Joseph responded with equal enthusiasm, though internally, he couldn't help but marvel, 'It must be quite an effort for this introverted fellow to arrange so many social events just for my sake.'
"Perhaps you've already heard," Joseph began, "Britain has rallied a coalition of adversaries and issued a threat to France."
"Yes, the whole of Europe is abuzz with it," Carlos IV replied, looking at Joseph with concern. "War may not be far off."
Joseph nodded. "At a time like this, our two nations must stand united."
Before Carlos IV could respond, Count Floridablanca, the former Spanish Secretary of State and current Royal Advisor, quickened his steps, advanced, and bowed slightly.
"Your Royal Highness," he addressed Joseph, "our two nations did indeed sign a secret treaty, but if I recall correctly, its provisions are only triggered when taking offensive action against Gibraltar or Portugal."
Joseph wasn't surprised by the Count's stance; Floridablanca had always advocated for maintaining distance from France.
Joseph maintained a pleasant smile, yet his words carried no hint of diplomacy.
"You are quite right, Count Floridablanca," Joseph conceded. "But tell me, does your nation possess the military strength to defeat Britain or Portugal on its own?"
Count Floridablanca could only shake his head. "That... I'm afraid it would be exceedingly difficult."
Spain's national power had gradually dwindled to a level comparable to Portugal's. Far from seizing Gibraltar and unifying the Iberian Peninsula, merely holding onto its existing colonies was becoming a significant challenge.
Joseph's smile vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. "For Spain," he declared, "this is the sole opportunity to challenge Britain and Portugal. It means standing united with France, shoulder to shoulder, to crush them!"
Seeing the King nod in agreement repeatedly, Count Floridablanca gritted his teeth. "Your Highness," he argued, "getting embroiled in a war will severely deplete our nation's strength..."
Joseph raised a hand, cutting him off.
"You must understand that Spain's future does not lie in America," he stated. "The sheer distance makes those territories extremely difficult to govern, and the cost of suppressing revolts will soon outweigh the tax revenue they generate."
He glanced at Carlos IV, then raised his voice.
"The world has entered the industrial age," he asserted. "To become a first-rate power, one must develop powerful industry and commerce."
"Spain itself is riddled with mountains and hills, making the cost of developing industry and commerce prohibitively high. It simply cannot compete with other great powers. The only sizable plain on the Iberian Peninsula is to the west: Portugal."
"For Spain to develop industry and commerce, only one model is viable: leveraging Spain's extensive territory coupled with Portugal's plains. Construct factories on those western plains, and their products can then be sold across the entire Iberian Peninsula and to the American colonies."
Joseph knew perfectly well that historically, Spain had never succeeded in a Personal Union with Portugal, which was why, from the 19th century onward, as its colonies continuously gained independence, it swiftly declined into a second-rate European power.
He continued, "Forgive my frankness, but with the incessant revolts in the American colonies, if Spain fails to act, its national strength *will* be utterly exhausted!"
Count Floridablanca was about to speak again, but Count of Aranda, the Secretary of State, interjected before he could.
"Your Highness," he acknowledged, "you are very correct. However, I believe that even with both our nations combined, it would still be incredibly difficult to challenge the British Navy. They would even receive assistance from the Dutch fleet."
"I perfectly understand your concerns," Joseph said with a slight smile. "But what if our navy were already equipped with Frigates capable of speeds up to 12 knots, and with a turning radius twice as quick as existing warships? Would you still be so pessimistic?"
"Oh, I'm referring to their speed in the Mediterranean Sea, mind you."
The entire procession, walking toward the theater, halted in unison, their eyes widening as they stared at Joseph. In a windless region like the Mediterranean, a speed of 12 knots would be nothing short of flying!
Minister of Interior Campos spoke up. "Your Highness, are you describing some new type of galley?"
"No, it's a 28-gun Steam Warship—a frigate," Joseph explained. "It can maintain a speed of 12 knots for three to four days continuously."
Campos swallowed hard. "Are you serious?"
"The French Mediterranean Fleet will arrive at Valencia port in a few days," Joseph replied. "You can witness it with your own eyes."
Count of Aranda inquired, "Your Highness, how many such warships are currently available?"
"Twenty-one ships. The Brest Shipyard can complete two such warships every month."
Joseph savored the Spanish ministers' reactions for a moment, then dropped an even more startling piece of news.
"And incidentally," he added, "a 32-gun steam-powered fifth-rate ship will be launched in Brest at the end of this month. It will still achieve speeds of up to 12 knots."
Campos, still somewhat unsettled, pressed for more details regarding the Steam Warship's firepower, combat capabilities, and other specifications. Joseph patiently provided the Spanish officials with a thorough explanation.
Abruptly, Carlos IV interrupted Campos and turned to Count of Aranda. "Please draft a Spanish-French alliance treaty as soon as possible," he instructed.
He hadn't truly absorbed the discourse on "the future of Spanish industry," but the exquisite mechanical marvel of the Steam Warship had profoundly impressed him.
At that moment, only one thought filled his mind: 'A nation capable of building such incredible machines can never be defeated!'
The following day.
Joseph and Carlos IV ventured to the Royal Hunting Grounds together, where they indeed encountered wild boars so corpulent their bodies nearly scraped the earth.
However, Joseph's mind was not on the hunt at all. Instead, he constantly pondered how to make Spain, his 'struggling ally,' fulfill a more significant role.
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