While Carlo and Victor were enjoying their Royal Family leisure life, the Spanish officials who had come to Italy also truly began their busy work at this moment.
The diplomatic visit was not for sightseeing, but to practically solve the problems currently faced by the Spanish Government.
What was the biggest problem currently faced by the Spanish Government? The first was a lack of money, and the second was insufficient foreign capital intervention.
The various developments of a country are not that simple; effective growth cannot be achieved just by throwing money at it.
For example, in terms of Industry, the growth of Industry requires various factories to bloom all over Spain, which is absolutely impossible to achieve relying solely on Spain's domestic capital.
Although the Royal Family has invested heavily in steel and other Industries, comprehensive growth and expansion ultimately still require the help of Spain's private capital, as well as some foreign capital.
Therefore, in addition to discussing a low-interest loan with the Italian Government, Prime Minister Primo also issued another order to the diplomatic delegation: to attract Italian capital to invest in Spain as much as possible, including bidding for the construction of Spanish railways, and so on.
Both Kings tacitly chose not to pay attention to the discussions between the two Governments, letting the Government officials negotiate on their own.
After all, the interests of the Royal Family do not represent the interests of the country; although the two Royal Families are one family, this does not mean that Spain and Italy are one family.
Although World War I was claimed to be a war between the Royal Families of Europe, it was actually a conflict that erupted due to the differing interests of various countries.
The Royal Families did not have much say, nor were they qualified to call off this war. Regardless of whether Carlo or Emanuele II interfered with the negotiations between the two Governments, it would cause unnecessary trouble; it was better to just wait for the two Governments to negotiate a result themselves.
Anyway, as long as it didn't affect the interests of the two Royal Families, it didn't matter which country the negotiated result benefited.
Carlo spent a relatively relaxed and pleasant few days with his father, and then decided to meet the famous Italian figure, Garibaldi, under the guidance of Ricciotti.
Carlo personally greatly admired Garibaldi. If Garibaldi had any selfish motives, Victor Emmanuel II would not have become King of Italy so easily.
As one of the heroes who unified Italy, Garibaldi's later years still required relief from the Italian Government, which was enough to prove Garibaldi's selflessness.
Of course, the situation in this world was already different.
Because Garibaldi had long been serializing his articles in Il Sole 24 Ore, founded by Carlo, the manuscript fees he earned were already enough for his family's life.
Garibaldi did not mention any words supporting a republic or opposing the monarchy in the stories he wrote, which also greatly reassured Emanuele II, as the King of Italy, and relaxed the restrictions on Garibaldi.
However, due to his age, Garibaldi still chose to live in seclusion on Caprera Island, enjoying his leisurely later years.
Apart from seeing this famous Italian figure with his own eyes, Carlo's purpose in going to Caprera Island to meet Garibaldi was also to recruit a few more talents from Garibaldi.
Garibaldi had a total of three children, two of whom were sons. In addition to his second son Ricciotti, Garibaldi's eldest son Menotti was also a capable assistant during Garibaldi's military career.
Regarding talent, Carlo's attitude has always been that you can never have too much.
Including the talents from the Red Army that Garibaldi previously commanded, it would naturally be great if a group could be recruited to go to Spain and serve him.
Carrying his purpose, under the leadership of Ricciotti, and under the protection of a guard detachment, Carlo bid farewell to his Father Emanuele II and headed for Caprera Island.
"Ricciotti, how long has it been since you came back?" Carlo looked at the island, whose outline was already visible before him, and asked Ricciotti beside him.
"About two and a half years, Your Majesty," Ricciotti thought carefully for a moment, and surprisingly found that he couldn't remember when he had last returned.
"I'll allow you to stay on Caprera Island for a few more days and spend some good time with Garibaldi," Carlo said with some emotion. After returning to Spain this time, he might not come back to Italy for several years.
"No need, Your Majesty," Ricciotti shook his head and said, "My duty is to protect Your Majesty; Your Majesty's safety is the most important thing.
Besides, Father probably wouldn't keep me either. If you were to let me stay on Caprera Island alone, I reckon I'd have to sleep on the beach."
Garibaldi's life had been relatively eventful, and his two sons had also experienced a lot with him since childhood.
Including the previous Expedition of the Thousand and the Italian unification movement, Ricciotti had been Garibaldi's capable assistant and had matured a great deal.
Moreover, Ricciotti also knew his duty as the Regimental Commander of the Royal Guards; if he were really left alone on Caprera Island, the first person to be unhappy would probably be Garibaldi himself.
At Garibaldi's very simple residence, Carlo finally met this highly renowned figure of Italy.
At Carlo's specific instruction, this visit to Garibaldi was not announced in advance.
This allowed Carlo to see Garibaldi wearing a simple robe, leaning on a cane with his right hand, looking like an ordinary old Italian farmer.
Beside Garibaldi was his wife, or rather, Ricciotti's mother. This was because the two had not yet held a marriage ceremony at this time, but were simply living together as husband and wife.
"Father," Ricciotti spoke first.
Carlo's status was noble, so it was certainly impossible for Carlo to speak first in greeting. Ricciotti could only softly remind his Father, interrupting Garibaldi's thoughts.
Hearing someone call him from behind, Garibaldi turned his head and immediately saw Carlo and Ricciotti beside him.
"Ricciotti? This is? King Carlo?" Garibaldi was startled for a moment, then immediately came back to his senses, walked forward leaning on his cane, looking somewhat excited and seemingly surprised: "King Carlo, when did you arrive?"
"Garibaldi, it is an honor to meet you," Carlo said with a smile, stepping forward and shaking Garibaldi's hand in greeting.
"Carlo, oh no, King Carlo, it is my honor to meet you," Garibaldi said, somewhat surprised. The young King before him, who had grown into an adult, was still as polite as he was in childhood.
"Have you met me before?" Carlo wasn't angry about the unintentional way the other party addressed him; instead, he was a little curious if he had met Garibaldi before.
"Yes, Your Majesty. When I met with King Victor, His Majesty was also so approachable at that time," Garibaldi said with some emotion.
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