As the political and economic center of Spain and a transportation hub city, Madrid’s many statuses also determine its importance to Spain.
Therefore, Madrid people have always been very proud and satisfied to be able to live here.
However, compared with ordinary people, Prime Minister Castillo is much more melancholy. Spain is in troubled times right now.
In Asia, Spain's most important colony is the Philippines, but this colony is now quite noisy. The secret organization "Katipunan" (meaning "Supreme Association of Children of the Nation") is becoming more and more restless in the Philippines, and Manila has sent several letters to this issue.
The telegram reported that the organization was collecting arms and had evil intentions. In addition, the Japanese were also found behind the organization.
).
Manila's intention in sending this telegram was obvious, that is, the Philippines needed reinforcements.
But unfortunately, Manila is doomed to be disappointed. Now Spain cannot send reinforcements. Because, more importantly, Cuba has already broken out in the War of Independence.
Since 1895, Cubans have broken out in riots in Santiago, Bayamo and other places, and they have intensified. These rioting rebels are led by the traitors Gomez Baez and Maceo Grajales.
, escaped the encirclement and suppression by the army, and fled all the way to Mantua at the western end of Cuba.
Prime Minister Castillo has sent 50,000 troops one after another, but still failed to capture these traitors. So in February this year, he appointed Weiler, who has always been known for his toughness, as the governor of Cuba, responsible for annihilating the rebels. (This Weiler
Governor Leer is a ruthless person who created the concentration camp system)
After Weiler became the governor, he did quite well. He killed the rebel leader Maceo Grajales during the suppression of the rebels in May, making significant progress. Now we hope that this capable general can give the rebels sustained power.
and made outstanding contributions to extinguishing the rebellion in Cuba.
Prime Minister Castillo is very angry at the rebellious locals. Don't these people understand that they will not gain true independence if they leave the kingdom? Behind them, the well-intentioned support for the country will be the same after defeating the kingdom.
Squeeze them.
Yes, as a qualified politician, how could Prime Minister Castillo not know the cause of the ongoing turmoil in these two places. Although these two places are ruthlessly plundered, there will be no chaos if no one is behind it.
Get up. And the current situation is very difficult for Spain. All we can do is try our best.
Just as Prime Minister Castillo was secretly feeling sad, Foreign Secretary Bianca Gibbs and Navy Secretary Admiral Cervera walked in hurriedly.
"What's the matter, you two?"
Looking at the two people who came in, Prime Minister Castillo asked curiously.
"Prime Minister, what a happy event, a great happy event!"
Foreign Secretary Gibbs excitedly reported to the Prime Minister. "Italy is willing to sell us two new battleships, but requires us to pay the purchase price in wool and pyrite, as long as it is paid off within three years."
The words of the Foreign Secretary made Castillo, a man who has been in the political arena for decades, stunned for a moment, and then he immediately asked, "Didn't the Italians make any other demands?"
"That's not true. The goods we are required to pay must be 5% lower than the normal price, or the price of the warship must be increased by 5%, and taxes must be used as collateral."
Gibbs's answer made Prime Minister Castillo look much relieved. It seems that there is still a conditional discount, so that's good, that's good!
As the saying goes, being courteous for nothing is either cheating or stealing. Prime Minister Castillo was also afraid that this suddenly enthusiastic Italian would do something wrong. Since he wanted to make more money, this matter would be much easier to handle.
However, Prime Minister Castillo looked at the Minister of the Navy who was hesitant to speak and asked, "Admiral Cervera, are you here because of these two battleships?"
Faced with the Prime Minister's inquiry, Admiral Cervera immediately replied, "Yes, that's why I came here this time."
"Is there any problem?"
"That's no problem, but considering that the Italians can pay in installments with goods, I would like to ask if the navy can re-select warships?"
Admiral Cervera's words made Prime Minister Castillo start to hesitate. "Your Excellency, Admiral, this is the Italian battleship that you highly recommended to me. Are you going to regret it now?"
It was obvious that the admiral's words made the prime minister angry.
Seeing that the Prime Minister had misunderstood him, General Cervera hurriedly explained. "Prime Minister, I have absolutely no intention of doing this. I mainly considered that since Italy is willing to let our country pay in installments with goods, I wonder if I can buy better Italian goods."
Battleship, serving our country?”
Hearing this, Castillo's heart moved. "Tell me your reasons."
"Prime Minister, I previously recommended Italy's new battleship, mainly because this battleship is an improved version of its Turin class. The Turin class is an extremely outstanding battleship, whether in terms of firepower, protection or speed.
Perfect balance, which was reflected in the previous naval battle in the Yellow Sea.
The reason why I requested to purchase it before is that it can at least allow our navy to resist threats from outside. Of course, this is only possible, because our potential enemies are also making progress. As far as I know, they have at least two 10,000-ton ships.
Battleships are under construction. There are two more that are ready to be built, and we must prepare for a rainy day. That’s why I think that the new Italian cruise ships are the battleships that are completely suitable for us.”
"New armored cruiser?"
"Yes, armored cruiser."
Facing the Prime Minister's doubts, Admiral Cervera said very seriously. "Why I say this new armored cruiser is suitable for us is that it has excellent speed and can reach a high speed of 23 knots. And the ship
Powerful firepower, eight 254mm rapid-fire main guns, able to defeat new types of warfare
All other battleships except the battleships were sunk in the sea. In addition to its firepower and speed, its armor was not weak. The 190-110 mm new armor can cope with most naval battles. It can be said that the current Italian equipment
Patrol can at least lead the trend in the next five years."
At this point, he continued to say, "As long as I have two of these ships, I can make those Yang guys with bad intentions think twice before they act."
It can be seen that Admiral Cervera highly admires this patrol equipment. But its performance is here, it is difficult not to attract attention.
"I heard you say so much, so how much is the price of such a boat?"
Facing the Prime Minister's inquiry, Admiral Cervera answered seriously. "The Italians quoted 36 million lire."
"What!"
The Prime Minister was shocked when he heard the price. It was 5.6 million pesos higher than the price of the battleship. It was too high. (1 Lira ≈ 0.56 pesos)
"But this is very suitable for our Spanish navy. I think the Italians should be willing to talk about it."
Facing the admiral's words, Prime Minister Castillo pondered, and the atmosphere was a little awkward for a while.
"How about I go and talk first?"
At this time, the Foreign Secretary opened his mouth to smooth things over.
"That's okay, then let's talk to Xiang."
Prime Minister Castillo originally thought that the Italians would not sell this cruise ship, or that they had too many demands. Who knew that the Italians were very easy to talk to. He directly stated that he would give Spain two of the ships he built first, and in addition, the years of payment with goods could still be used.
Relaxed to 5 years.
With such an easy-to-talk Italian, Prime Minister Castillo was a bit caught off guard. So in the expectant eyes of Admiral Cervera and other naval officers, the Prime Minister could only grit his teeth and sign the purchase agreement.
According to Italy, the battleship could be delivered to Spain in June 1897.
