Carlo was taken aback; he hadn't expected that he had met Garibaldi before.
However, that didn't matter anymore. Judging by Garibaldi's words and attitude now, at least he had a good impression of him.
A good impression was enough; it also made it convenient for Carlo to poach some talents from Garibaldi.
"Ricciotti, why didn't you tell me King Carlo was coming in advance? Your Majesty, please forgive me, I was completely unprepared for your arrival and didn't personally go to greet you." Garibaldi first questioned his son Ricciotti, then looked at Carlo with an apologetic expression.
"I asked Ricciotti to keep it a secret, Garibaldi. You are a hero of Italy's unification, and all Italians should be grateful for your contribution to Italy." Carlo said with a smile, but his words were sincere.
In fact, no matter which country it was, such selfless people who dedicated themselves to their country were worthy of everyone's respect.
If Garibaldi had even a hint of selfishness, whether the Kingdom of Italy could exist today would be a question. If Garibaldi had united with Mazzini, who supported the Republicans, the unified Italy would probably have become a democratic republic.
"Your Majesty, is there something important that brings you to see me so suddenly?" Garibaldi asked with some curiosity.
"It's not something urgent." Carlo smiled and explained the purpose of his visit: "The main reason is to take advantage of the time visiting Italy to let Ricciotti come home.
Also, to invite you to serve as the Dean of the Saragossa Royal Military Academy in Spain. If you are willing."
Garibaldi was startled at first, then said with a smile: "Your Majesty, given my physical condition, I'm afraid I'm willing but unable.
Life in Caprera is more suitable for me. Besides, an old man leaning on a cane shouldn't be suitable to be the dean of a military academy, right? I'm afraid I've disappointed you."
Of course, Carlo hadn't expected Garibaldi to come out of retirement. Seeing that Garibaldi had declined his invitation, Carlo immediately continued: "
Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend to me, then? Not only does the military academy need a large number of professors, but my Royal Guard also lacks some commanders."
Seeing Carlo immediately state his true purpose, Garibaldi knew that Carlo's target was not himself at all.
"Your Majesty, you should have looked for the wrong person in this regard. You should look for the professors of the Turin Royal Military Academy, I don't have any military talents here." Garibaldi said with a wry smile.
It wasn't that Garibaldi was unwilling to help Carlo; it was just that among the old folks he knew, there were none suitable to go to Spain.
Some old folks had relatively strong Republican ideas. Although their abilities might be sufficient, they were a hidden danger for Carlo as the King of Spain, and Garibaldi naturally wouldn't harm Carlo.
"How about Menotti, Garibaldi?" Carlo said with a smile, naming the person he had long favored: "I have a position here that is very suitable for Menotti, and it will definitely allow him to fully utilize his talents."
"Haha, so Your Majesty has taken a fancy to Menotti!" Garibaldi suddenly realized, after talking for so long, that Carlo's target was actually his eldest son.
However, it was not surprising. After all, his second son Ricciotti had been Carlo's subordinate for several years, so it was normal for Carlo to have some understanding of Menotti.
"As long as Menotti is willing, I certainly have no objections," Garibaldi said with a smile.
His thinking was still very open-minded, and he wouldn't confine his sons to his side.
In fact, Garibaldi knew the abilities of his two sons. Although their military talents were not outstanding, they were definitely above average.
Moreover, both of them were still young. If they were trained a little, they might even reach the rank of General, which was also the reason why Garibaldi had agreed to Ricciotti following Carlo before.
The reason he had refused Victor Emmanuel II's reward before was entirely because such a reward lacked sincerity and was more of a form of surveillance.
If it were Victor Emmanuel II's invitation, Garibaldi would most likely have refused. But if it were Carlo's invitation, Garibaldi felt it was worth a try.
After all, Ricciotti being able to serve as the Regimental Commander of Carlo's Royal Guard had already proven Carlo's trust in Ricciotti.
Such trust from a monarch was rare and valuable. In such circumstances, there would be a better future, without having to worry about the infighting between Governments.
Upon hearing Carlo's invitation, Menotti didn't hesitate at all and immediately chose to nod in agreement.
Garibaldi was not only not surprised at all by this, but even looked as if it had been expected all along.
"Garibaldi, then I'll take Menotti with me?" Carlo said with a smile.
"Take them. They shouldn't be cooped up with me in Caprera, this shouldn't be their destiny." Garibaldi nodded, his eyes filled with a hint of reluctance and nine parts of satisfaction: "
Ricciotti, Menotti, since you have chosen to serve King Carlo, you should stick to your duties and avoid contact with those Republicans."
Garibaldi himself had suffered a great loss from associating with the Republicans. When he was young, Garibaldi met Mazzini and came into contact with Republican ideas.
Although Garibaldi later developed his own ideas, this period of contact with the Republicans had a profound impact on Garibaldi, making him a Republican traitor in the eyes of the monarchy.
Even now, Garibaldi didn't believe that the Republican system was right and the monarchical system was wrong, which was why he chose to support Sardinia's unification of Italy.
A single system has no right or wrong, and the monarchical system also has its merits in some aspects.
However, the current Republicans clearly couldn't see this. They hated the monarchical system immensely and were constantly thinking about overthrowing it and establishing a republic.
Were their actions really right? Garibaldi didn't think so.
If Italy had not yet been unified, it would have been understandable to have other ideas about a unified Italy. But now Italy had been unified and had a relatively stable environment for peaceful development.
For the current Republicans to jump out and cause trouble for the Italian Government, weren't they destroying the hard-won unified Italy?
It was precisely because of this that Garibaldi was somewhat disappointed with the Republican system and it affected Ricciotti and Menotti.
The reason why Garibaldi reminded his two sons to stay away from the Republican system in front of Carlo was also to show Carlo an attitude, that is, although he had been in contact with the Republican system before, he now had nothing to do with it, and his sons would not get close to it either.
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