The Sun Never Sets In Spain

On the evening of September 13, two days before the start of the meeting, Spanish Foreign Minister Cruz had already arrived in Rome ahead of schedule. At the place where he settled, he welcomed an unexpected visitor-French Foreign Minister Gramon.

Cruze is a little strange. France is playing the role of peacemaker in this meeting. They have already had conversations during the day, so why did the other party suddenly come so late?

This Duke of Grammon is also a well-known figure in history. At first, he was bold enough to threaten William I not to take the throne of Spain. Then, William I's response was added by Bismarck and finally provoked a Franco-Prussian war.

As the foreign minister, he didn't know how to be euphemistic, and he was arrogant to the King of Prussia, and he was unable to calmly deal with the provocations of others. It can be said that France has part of the responsibility of attacking Prussia.

"Count Cruz, I'll just say anything if you want." Duke Grammon went straight ahead: "I have discussed with Timothy during the day. We can completely resolve the dispute in Rome privately."

Cruz said nothing, he probably guessed what the other party was trying to say.

Sure enough, Grammon continued: "Italy's minimum requirement is the divide and conquer of East and West. Even if it is put in the meeting, it cannot be lowered.

The French Empire felt that this requirement was more reasonable. "

Duke Grammon emphasized the words "French Empire".

Cruz feels ridiculous. Now it is France who is being beaten on the ground by Prussia. It is France who wants Spain. How can he use such a slightly threatening tone?

He shook his head decisively and said: "His Majesty the Pope has rejected this proposal, and Spain's position will be consistent with that of the Papal State."

"Don't rush to refuse, listen to me..." Duke Grammon waved his hand: "If Spain can withdraw its troops, France can provide you with a low-interest loan..."

He stretched out two fingers.

"Twenty million?"

"Two billion... francs!"

Cruz's expression quickly turned from surprise to disappointment. Two billion francs is more than 7 million pounds, which is less than a lot, but it is not enough to make Spain betray the papacy.

You must know that in normal history, the indemnity has lost 5 billion francs.

Grammon noticed the change in the opponent's expression, and was a little angry, but he couldn't ask for more, he could only know the emotion and reason.

"The division of east and west does not treat the Pope badly. As long as we coordinate, there is no need to consider the interests of the Papal State. What can the church do? The church can do nothing..."

"To tell you the truth, there is the shadow of Prussia behind the recent actions in Italy. If they are treated unfairly here, they may turn to our enemies.

At that time, not only France, but Spain will also face a more difficult war.

To be honest, I have never understood why you want to help the Papal State. The French stationed troops in the past for regional balance considerations, but Spain should have no demand in this regard. Is it really in response to the call of God? "

"Please go back, something to say at the meeting." Cruz no longer wanted to talk to each other, maybe Gramun himself was unconscious, but he had already felt the humiliation.

As for why he helped the Papal State... he couldn't figure it out. In his opinion, the fall of the Papal State would help ease the country's overly strong religious atmosphere.

It's just that the king and the prime minister have solemnly confessed, so they must have their consideration.

The conversation broke up during the night, and the two countries failed to reach an agreement.

However, the disparity between the two countries did not show up.

On September 15, the Rome meeting was held as scheduled. Spanish Foreign Minister Cruz, Italy's Foreign Minister Timothy and Crown Prince Umberto, and French Foreign Minister Duke Grammon all arrived on time.

The representatives of the three countries are considered to be quite satisfactory, and at the same time they have given enough attention to this meeting, but when it was the turn of the Papal States, they sent an unexpected figure-Alfonso's personal religious adviser Andrew.

Since Andrew followed Alfonso a year and a half ago, he has been doing his religious advisory work in a proper manner. He has performed well, and he can be regarded as his close minister. Taking advantage of this religious reform, Alfonso deliberately promoted him.

Unexpectedly, the pope hadn't forgotten the former assistant deacon, and proposed to Alfonso the idea of ​​letting Andrew be present on behalf of the Papal State.

Naturally, Alfonso readily agreed. With this resume, Andrew can logically push to a higher position. With such a loyal and open-minded church senior, subsequent reforms will be more convenient.

Although Andrew has become a Spanish citizen, his position in the church has not been cancelled. It can be said that it is a dual nationality in a certain sense, so no one can tell whether it is not...

There were only four countries participating in the conference, but the number of people who actually came was more than 300. The vast majority of them came to observe. It is related to the future of Catholicism. The Papal States agreed to all European countries’ requests for observation.

As soon as they entered the venue, the Italians did not give the Spaniards a good face, and the prisoners of war incident and the stationing in Rome, the two sides were considered deadly feuds.

In particular, Prince Umberto, who originally thought his nobility was not so good, but the last incident not only greatly affected the prestige of the royal family, but also drained every penny of the Savoy royal family, even his crown prince. It's been a hard time now.

All this was naturally attributed to Spain by him, and he completely forgot who sent the volunteers first.

The proponent of this meeting was France, and the host was the Papal State. Pius IX spoke first and gave a courteous and thoughtful speech, only to discuss the future of Rome and the church.

There is no mention of Italy in the words, and it seems that it is also afraid that the other side will leave in angrily, and the war will be unavoidable.

It's a pity that the Italians failed to grasp the pope's kindness. As soon as the pope's voice fell, Timothy said:

"Rome is the natural capital of Italy, and a unified Italy has unquestionable ownership of Rome.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not being rude to the church, but I hereby solemnly propose to re-examine the secular status of the Papal State! "

...

Alfonso was waiting for the results of the meeting at the Royal Palace in Madrid, when he suddenly heard that there was a telegram forwarded from Paris in Barcelona.

"Spain, please focus on the interests of Italy, the messenger is on the way." Looking at the manuscript handwritten by the translator, Alfonso read it word by word. The sign on it was Prime Minister Olivier, who is about to step down.

Don't think about it, this must have been sent by Eugenie, so she used Olivier's name if she couldn't help her face.

Alfonso chuckled. The time was very clever. Fortunately, the communication was not smooth these years, and there was no time for France to operate in the dark.

He will never sell the Papal State, and it seems that this time he has to save the face of the French.