Empire Rising: Spain-Chapter 79 - 77: Menotti

Carlo was taken aback; he didn’t expect that he had met Garibaldi before.

But this didn’t matter much now. Judging from Garibaldi’s words and attitude, he at least had a favorable impression of Carlo.

As long as there is a good impression, it will make it easier for Carlo to enlist some talent from Garibaldi. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Giotto, why didn’t you tell me in advance that His Majesty Carlo was coming? Your Majesty, please forgive me for being unprepared for your arrival and not personally greeting you." Garibaldi first questioned his son Giotto, and then looked at Carlo with an apologetic expression.

"I asked Giotto to keep it a secret, Mr. Garibaldi. You are a hero of Italian unification; all Italians should thank you for your contributions to Italy." Carlo said with a smile, though his words were sincere.

In fact, in any country, people who are selflessly devoted to their nation are worthy of everyone’s respect.

If Garibaldi had even a trace of selfish intent, the existence of the Kingdom of Italy today would be in question. If Garibaldi had joined forces with the republican Mazzini, perhaps the unified Italy would have become a democratic republic.

"Your Majesty, is there an urgent matter for your sudden visit to see me?" Garibaldi asked with some curiosity.

"It’s not really anything urgent." Carlo chuckled and explained his purpose for visiting: "The main reason is to have Giotto return home while visiting Italy.

And also to invite you to serve as the head of the Saragossa Royal Military Academy in Spain, if you are willing."

Garibaldi was momentarily stunned, then he laughed and said, "Your Majesty, with my health condition, I’m afraid it’s wishful thinking for me.

Life on Capriera is more suitable for me. Besides, an old man with a cane isn’t fit to become the head of a military academy, is he? I fear I may have disappointed you."

Carlo of course hadn’t expected Garibaldi to accept. Seeing Garibaldi refuse his invitation, Carlo immediately followed up by saying: "

Do you have any appropriate candidates to recommend to me? The military academy needs a lot of professors, and my Guard Army also lacks some commanders."

Seeing Carlo reveal his true intentions, Garibaldi realized that Carlo’s target was not himself.

"Your Majesty, in this aspect, you might be looking for the wrong person. You should approach the professors of the Turin Royal Military Academy; I don’t have any military talents here." Garibaldi said with a bitter smile.

It’s not that Garibaldi didn’t want to help Carlo, but that among the old acquaintances he knew, none were suitable for Spain.

Some old comrades had strong republican leanings, and although they might be capable enough, for Carlo as the King of Spain, they could be a liability. Naturally, Garibaldi wouldn’t want to put Carlo in harm’s way.

"What about Menotti? Mr. Garibaldi," Carlo said with a smile, revealing the candidate he had long favored: "I have a position that would be perfect for Menotti, which can fully utilize his talents."

"Haha, so Your Majesty has your eyes on Menotti!" Garibaldi realized with a start, after all this while Carlo’s target turned out to be his eldest son.

But it’s not surprising—after all, his second son Giotto has been under Carlo’s command for several years, so it’s natural 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 quite open, and he wouldn’t confine his sons by his side.

In fact, Garibaldi knew both sons’ capabilities. Although their military skills were not extraordinarily outstanding, they were definitely above average.

Moreover, both were young, and with some training, they might even reach the rank of General—that was why Garibaldi had initially agreed to let Giotto follow Carlo.

The previous rejection of Emanuele II’s rewards was entirely due to the lack of sincerity in such rewards, which seemed more like surveillance than anything.

If it had been an invitation from Emanuele II, Garibaldi would probably have refused. But an invitation from Carlo felt worth exploring.

After all, Giotto becoming the leader of Carlo’s Royal Guard Corps proved Carlo’s trust in Giotto.

Such trust from a monarch was invaluable, and the prospects under such conditions were more promising, without worries of political machinations.

Upon hearing Carlo’s invitation, Menotti did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately nodded in agreement.

Garibaldi, far from being surprised, seemed as if he had expected it all along.

"Mr. Garibaldi, may I then take Menotti with me?" Carlo said with a smile.

"Take him. They shouldn’t be confined with me in Capriera; that’s not their destiny." Garibaldi nodded, with eyes filled with a touch of reluctance and a greater measure of gratification: "

Giotto, Menotti, since you’ve chosen to serve His Majesty Carlo, you must adhere to your responsibilities and avoid associations with the republican faction.

Garibaldi himself suffered greatly due to associations with republicans. In his youth, Garibaldi met Mazzini and embraced republican ideas.

Although Garibaldi later developed his own views, the period of contact with republicans profoundly affected him, casting him as a republican traitor in the eyes of the monarchy.

Now, Garibaldi didn’t think republicanism was right and monarchy wrong, which was also why he chose to support the Sardinian Kingdom in unifying Italy.

No system is solely right or wrong; monarchy has its merits in certain aspects.

However, today’s republicans clearly don’t see this and are vehemently opposed to the monarchy, constantly plotting to overthrow it and establish a republic.

But is their approach correct? Garibaldi didn’t think so.

If Italy were not yet unified and different ideas were held for a unified Italy, that would be one thing. But now that Italy is unified and has a relatively stable and peaceful environment,

the disruption caused by today’s republicans to the Italian Government seems to Garibaldi like ruining the hard-won unification.

It was precisely because of this that Garibaldi was somewhat disenchanted with republicanism, which subsequently influenced Giotto and Menotti.

The reason Garibaldi reminded his two sons in front of Carlo to steer clear of republicanism was to make a statement to Carlo: though he had once dabbled in republicanism, he was now entirely detached from it, and his sons would not be drawn into it.