Hearing Prim explain the financial preparations for industrial construction, Carlo nodded and asked, "When do you plan to start industrial construction? What direction will our initial construction goals focus on?"
"I plan to establish a small industrial base in Seville, Andalusia, and increase our steel production.
After increasing steel production, we will invest in railway construction, to increase the railway mileage to over 6,000 kilometers within the next five years, connecting all regions of Spain from east to west and north to south," Prim replied.
Although it's just building railways, the boost to industry is enormous.
The steel rails required for railways necessitate steel mills working overtime to increase steel production, which can drive the development of a series of related industries.
Spain possesses considerable coal and iron ore reserves in Andalusia, which is also relatively convenient for industrial development.
Although most of Spain's coal is of relatively poor quality, it is sufficient for initial industrial production.
After all, the total steel production of various countries in this era was not large, far from the exaggerated tens of millions of tons seen in later generations.
The strongest industrial power at present is the British Empire, but even British steel output is only around 300,000 tons, not yet reaching such an exaggerated scale.
However, Spain's steel output is even less. Because industrial construction was neglected during the reign of Queen Isabella II, Spain's annual steel output to date is only in the thousands of tons, a meager 2,000 tons.
While part of the reason is that Spain lacks excellent iron ore and coal reserves, for a second-tier European country with a population of over 16 million, such industrial output is far too limited.
"Once our steel mills are in full production, we hope to increase steel output to over 10,000 tons within the next five years. At the very least, our steel output must meet the demands of domestic industrial construction; Spain without industry is incomplete," Prim said.
Building 1,000 kilometers of railway in five years might seem slow, but it is not easy for Spain, given its pitifully low steel output.
Spain only built 5,000 kilometers of railway in the nearly 30 years from 1840 to 1869, a construction speed far behind countries like Britain, France, Germany, and the United States.
Spain has many mountainous regions, and building railways is essential to better strengthen connections between different areas.
This will not only enhance the kingdom government's control over various regions but also accelerate population movement and economic exchange between them.
"I approve your plan, Prime Minister Prim." Hearing Prim's full explanation, Carlo nodded and approved Prime Minister Prim's plan without the slightest hesitation.
This industrial plan is very necessary for Spain. Although the investment is not huge, it is a good start for Spain's industrial development.
"Your Majesty, there is something that perhaps only you can accomplish." After hearing Carlo approve the industrial plan, Prim first smiled and nodded, then quickly presented another request to Carlo.
"Oh? What is it?" Carlo asked curiously.
"Whether it's building industrial bases or laying railways, we need a large number of laborers. But as Your Majesty knows, the laborers we bought from Africa are not very compliant, and they are also a destabilizing factor in Spain.
Compared to these laborers, I think introducing laborers from abroad is a more suitable choice. When I went to Italy before, I found that Italy has a large agricultural population choosing to emigrate overseas.
If possible, could we establish contact with the Italian government and bring in some Italian immigrants and laborers?
Doing so would not only solve our labor shortage problem but also accelerate our industrial construction. I believe it is very necessary to give it a try," Prim said.
Establishing industrial bases and constructing railways demands a substantial workforce. For Spain, this requirement is particularly difficult to meet. Although the country has a large agricultural population, these farmers are widely dispersed across its expansive territory and typically own their land. As landowners, they have little motivation to leave their homes and travel across the country for the low wages offered to laborers.
Italian farmers, by contrast, face a different reality. Many are barely able to sustain themselves in Italy, which is why so many are willing—even eager—to emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad
Given this context, why not seize the opportunity to attract Italian immigrants to Spain and, in doing so, address the country's labor shortage? It's worth noting that the majority of Italy's agricultural population comes from the south—specifically from regions formerly ruled by the autocratic Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. These farmers have lived under authoritarian rule for generations, making them more accustomed to strict governance and, arguably, easier to manage than laborers from Africa or those influenced by republican ideals.
This was one of the reasons why Prim focused on Italian laborers: diligent, orderly workers are welcome anywhere.
Carlo was somewhat surprised to hear Prim say this—introducing Italian laborers had already been part of his plans, and it aligned perfectly with his interests.
As a member of the Italian royal family, Carlo stood to gain politically. The incoming Italian workers were unlikely to challenge his authority; on the contrary, they would likely view him as a familiar and favorable figure. Compared to the native Spanish population, these Italians would feel a closer cultural and national affinity with him.
Naturally, Carlo had no reason to oppose a proposal that worked so clearly to his advantage.
"For the development of Spain, I am certainly willing to do so," Carlo said with a smile. "If the government is ready, then our industrial construction can begin immediately.
I will handle the matter of laborers. I hope our industrial construction will proceed as smoothly as anticipated."
Prim nodded and said respectfully, "As you command, Your Majesty."
Ultimately, Carlo had too few people he could rely on.
Currently, the only usable people were Ricciotti and Laurent. Ricciotti needed to manage the palace guard, so only Laurent could go to Italy to discuss labor matters.
Fortunately, this was not a major issue, and Italy did not lack thousands or tens of thousands of laborers. Coupled with the good father-son relationship between Carlo and Vittorio Emanuele II, signing an agreement with Italy to introduce laborers was not a problem.
As expected, Laurent's entire trip took only over ten days, and he brought back a 'Labor Introduction Agreement' for Carlo.
Carlo's requirements were not high; introducing a few thousand to ten thousand laborers from Italy annually in the first few years would be enough to meet Spain's development needs.
Once Spain's construction achieves certain results and the living standards and income of the people continuously rise, it will naturally attract people from other parts of Europe who cannot make a living in their hometowns to immigrate to Spain.
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