Chapter 58: Serrano Returns Home
The grand ennoblement ceremony will be held in July
Duke Serrano’s army is expected to return to Spain in mid-to-late June.
After resting for more than a week, they can attend the ennoblement ceremony and hold a small-scale military parade in Madrid.
The purpose of the military parade is also very simple. First, it is to celebrate that Spain has successively dealt with the rebellion problems domestically and in the colonies, and the Spanish people can finally welcome peace.
Secondly, it is also to deter the republican faction and other forces with ulterior motives in Spain. Since even the Carlist faction and Cuban separatists can be dealt with, other forces should also weigh whether they can pose a threat to the Spanish Government.
For the Spanish people, the ennoblement ceremony and military parade not only allow them to watch the excitement, but also inspire patriotic enthusiasm in some of the public, as well as admiration for awarding titles for military merit.
After all, most of the soldiers who obtained nobility titles and rewards are commoners. If they can do it, why can’t other Spanish commoners?
Starting from early June, the government has already been warming up for this ennoblement ceremony.
Newspapers, including the Sun Newspaper and others, have also been continuously publishing news about the ennoblement ceremony, and boldly speculating on the nobles who will be ennobled at the ceremony.
Among them, Prime Minister Primó and Duke Serrano are two names that are frequently mentioned. Their prestige in the political arena and the army far exceeds others, and they are the greatest meritorious officials in suppressing the rebellion. Amid the public’s anticipation, Duke Serrano finally led the army to arrive in Spain and took the train all the way back to Madrid.
Carlo attaches great importance to meritorious officials. On the day Duke Serrano led the army back to Madrid, Carlo not only personally went to greet them, but also had the temporarily assembled Royal Band play the 《Royal March》 to welcome the returning heroes.
Duke Serrano was clearly a bit surprised by Carlo’s personal welcome.
However, Serrano reacted quickly. The moment he saw Carlo personally welcoming them, he immediately left the army behind, rode forward alone, stopped at a hundred meters, and then walked toward Carlo alone.
“Your Majesty!” Duke Serrano was the first to salute Carlo.
“Welcome back to Spain, Duke Serrano.” Carlo smiled and nodded, saying very amiably: “I have prepared a celebration banquet for you. Go rest first, and we’ll have a good chat tonight.”
Duke Serrano nodded, then chatted with Prime Minister Primó and others behind Carlo.
Following behind Duke Serrano, Carlo saw two familiar faces: Andrew Rosso and Camann Esposito, whom he had placed in the suppression army.
During the process of suppressing the rebellion in Cuba, Carlo had also read several reports of war spoils from Duke Serrano.
Andrew and Camann are indeed excellent graduates of the Turin Military Academy, performing quite excellently in the war against Cuba, and were personally praised by Duke Serrano multiple times.
It should be noted that although Duke Serrano leans toward the conservative royalist faction, this does not mean he would yield to Carlo on anything.
Even knowing that Carlo had placed these two guys in the army to gild themselves, if they did not have enough ability, Duke Serrano would absolutely not praise them actively.