Since factories like steel mills are basically in a state of guaranteed profit, there's nothing more to say; of course, it's time to build steel mills vigorously.
Continuously expanding the scale of steel mills also helps improve Spain's overall Industry level, which is beneficial to both the Royal Family and the Government.
Moreover, it can provide more job opportunities for Spaniards and accelerate Spain's economic development, truly a win-win-win situation.
Without any hesitation, Carlo immediately instructed Laurent the butler: "From now on, the focus will be on the expansion of banks and steel mills; other industries can be postponed for a period."
There's no other way; to get Spain on board the train of the Second Industrial Revolution, it's necessary to attract a large number of relevant talents from other countries.
To attract enough talent from other countries, financial resources are essential first and foremost.
Only money can move people's hearts. No matter how great the achievements of those researchers, they are still ordinary people with certain material needs.
Even if they don't have a great need for material things, they will have families, and their family members will also have relevant needs.
Therefore, the simplest way to attract talent is to provide them and their family with enough money, offering them a top-tier material and living standard in the country.
Allowing a scientist who was originally destitute, even on the verge of ruin, to instantly enjoy a high-level national life, with endless money and inexhaustible material possessions, will surely move that scientist's heart.
Although throwing money around seems like a crude method, at a time when most European commoners were living in poverty or even hellish conditions, throwing money was indeed the most effective way.
Of course, in fact, no matter what era, the lives of the lower classes are destined not to be too good.
It's simply that more developed technology has raised the baseline to some extent, but every country will certainly have its lowest social stratum.
As long as there are impoverished groups, there will always be people who bend for money. What Carlo needs to do now is to use money to attract these people to join, and then, based on these talents, cultivate more talents for Spain.
"How much capital can the bank allocate at most?" Carlo pondered for a moment before asking.
"The construction of our branches will require at least 5 million pesetas, and we also need to keep sufficient cash for the existing banks. Currently, about 25 million pesetas can be allocated, and there should be no problem using it within one year," Laurent the butler thought for a while and gave a relatively fair answer.
The current Royal Bank has a big problem: most of its deposits come from nobles.
However, this is also good news, because these nobles deposited large sums of money precisely because of Carlo's influence, making it unlikely they would collectively run on the bank.
This also gives the Royal Bank enough funds to allocate, and with the Royal Family's other enterprises as a fallback, it can calmly deal with small-scale bank runs.
"All 25 million pesetas will be invested in steel, chemical Industry, machinery, steam turbines, and military Industry. These are our main goals in the near future.
We can also invest in Spain's existing factories, as we alone cannot promote Spain's Industry development," Carlo instructed.
These industries are relatively scarce in Spain, and considering Spain's future development needs, these industries will be in a state of guaranteed profit for some time to come.
The Royal Bank currently has some capital, so it naturally won't miss the opportunity to invest in these industries.
After all, Spain is in a state of rebuilding in these areas; if the investment is successful, the future harvest could be Spain's Industry giants.
Besides wanting to earn income and develop Spain's Industry, Carlo's desire to invest in these industries also stems from his wish to win over the working class, a rising class force.
If capitalists can incite workers to protest to threaten the Government, why can't the Royal Family?
Once Carlo controls tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of workers through numerous industries, he only needs to compare the treatment of workers in Royal Family 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, Carlo naturally won't have to worry about the threat of the next Government. No matter who the next Prime Minister of Spain is after Prim, he must consider Carlo's influence in the Government and among the populace.
This is also the benefit that the lingering glow of monarchy brings to Carlo in this era. The period when Carlo first arrived in Spain was when his influence was at its lowest and when he was most likely to be sidelined.
Once Carlo overcomes this low point and gains stable royal power, no one will dare to underestimate the influence of the monarchy.
After instructing on domestic Industry construction, Carlo thought for a moment and then continued: "Prepare an additional 2 million pesetas in funds; I might need it later."
Upon hearing Carlo's instruction, Laurent the butler quickly nodded, not asking any questions.
As a qualified and loyal servant, it's best to follow your master's instructions without asking too many questions.
If it's something he should know, the master will surely tell him. If it's not something he should know, how could his impression be good if he asks presumptuously?
Laurent the butler understood this point, so he firmly did not ask what he shouldn't.
Carlo was also quite satisfied with Laurent the butler's attitude. The purpose of this fund was not a big secret, Carlo said with a smile: "For Spain to achieve its Revival, relying solely on the homeland is still too difficult.
Africa has not yet been completely carved up by the Great Powers; 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 with enough land can Spain achieve Revival through its own strength, rather than by exploiting its domestic populace.
While preparing the funds, you can also help me look for explorers, both domestic and foreign, who can be contacted. At least in the initial phase of the operation, I hope our expedition's actions can remain confidential for now."
The Great Powers generally uphold the principle of 'whoever occupies it first, owns it' regarding colonial sovereignty. After all, the relationships between the Great Powers are complex and chaotic, and in some situations, it's not possible to directly rely on military force to compete for colonies.
As long as Spain can establish outposts and plant the Spanish flag in some important colonies beforehand, even if there are future conflicts over colonies, Spain will hold the moral high ground.
Moreover, it's only 1870 at this time, and Africa has not yet been completely divided among the Great Powers. If even countries like Portugal and Belgium can get a piece of the pie in the partition of Africa, why can't Spain, with its greater strength?
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