Persuasion

Carlo understood that if he could not persuade his father now, not only would his plans for the Austro-Prussian War vanish like smoke into thin air, but even the right to independently manage the property he had finally obtained would once again fall under Vittorio Emanuele II's supervision.

Looking at the stern-faced Vittorio Emanuele II, Carlo organized his words in his mind. "Father, I believe there is no harm in having General Garibaldi begin preparing an army in advance.

Prussia and Austria are bound to fight a war, and as Prussia's ally, we will inevitably be drawn into it.

Austria is also our enemy. If we wish to recover the Venetian region during this opportunity, we must make preparations beforehand rather than hastily respond after war breaks out."

Vittorio Emanuele II nodded, quite satisfied that Carlo could see these things so clearly.

But satisfaction was satisfaction. When it came to Garibaldi taking command of military power once more, Vittorio Emanuele II would not compromise so easily.

"Go on." Vittorio Emanuele II showed no expression, still staring at Carlo with a stern face.

"Father, you also know that General Garibaldi enjoys immense prestige among the people of Italy. He could easily organize a powerful army of tens of thousands.

If we can make use of that, we could deal an unexpected blow to the Austrian troops in the Venetian region and perhaps speed up our recovery of the Venetian region," Carlo continued.

Vittorio Emanuele II rubbed his brow and asked, "Compared with the usefulness an army of tens of thousands may bring, I am more worried about the harm an army of tens of thousands could cause the Kingdom."

"That is precisely what you need not worry about, Father," Carlo said with a smile.

Seeing the surprised look on Vittorio Emanuele II's face, Carlo knew his words had had an effect and hurriedly added, "

After the war between Prussia and Austria breaks out, you can personally order Garibaldi to join the war against Austria.

If Garibaldi's army achieves good results, then naturally you will receive your share of the credit. But if Garibaldi suffers defeat in the war against Austria, the people's disappointment will have nothing to do with you, won't it?"

Such tactics were nothing unfamiliar to monarchs of every nation: placing oneself in a position where one could share the credit without bearing responsibility.

Yet this could not completely dispel Vittorio Emanuele II's concerns.

"My child, you do not understand how terrifying Garibaldi's prestige among the people is. If his reputation rises again, it will be a fatal blow to the entire House of Savoy," Vittorio Emanuele II told Carlo earnestly.

Garibaldi's prestige among the people was already threatening enough, and he had even once drawn close to republicanism.

For a monarchical nation, that was an enormous danger, and it was also why Vittorio Emanuele II had risked sending a certain number of soldiers to personally "protect" Garibaldi.

"But he is already nearing sixty, Father," Carlo replied.

Garibaldi had grown old, and that was the one thing Vittorio Emanuele II could take comfort in.

In this era of abysmal medical technology, even in Europe, the most developed region in the world, average life expectancy still hovered around a brief thirty to forty years.

Yes, Europe's average life expectancy at this time was only a little over thirty years. People like Garibaldi, nearing sixty, were uncommon, which was also why Vittorio Emanuele II was relatively at ease.

Looking at Carlo, who kept producing reasons that moved him, Vittorio Emanuele II stared at him for a long while before finally forcing out, "My child, I admit that you have quite the talent for diplomacy."

"Then you agree, Father?" Carlo asked eagerly, unable to conceal his delight.

"I need to discuss it with the cabinet. Some matters cannot be decided by the King alone, understand, Carlo?" Looking at Carlo, who still could not freely hide his emotions, Vittorio Emanuele II felt conflicted.

But no matter what, Carlo showing his clever side was beneficial to the royal family. Vittorio Emanuele II also needed more helpers to assist him in stabilizing royal power, especially a child like Carlo, bound to him by flesh and blood.

"And even if the cabinet agrees, the nation has no funds to help Garibaldi rebuild an army. Enough. Whether the cabinet agrees or not, this matter no longer concerns you, Carlo. Once there is a result, someone will notify Garibaldi. Your foremost task now is to complete your studies at the Military Academy." Vittorio Emanuele II stroked his son's head, finally returning to the role of a father.

After this conversation, Vittorio Emanuele II looked forward even more to Carlo's growth.

Though there could only be one heir apparent, that did not mean the future heir would not need close assistants.

If both Amadeo and Carlo could grow into outstanding military commanders, then the future Kingdom of Italy would see a splendid situation: Italy's Royal Army would be entirely controlled by the royal family, and the House of Savoy's position would become even more secure.

"I understand, Father." Carlo nodded.

Carlo naturally knew that he could not directly persuade Vittorio Emanuele II to agree to let Garibaldi rebuild an army.

Although Vittorio Emanuele II had said he would seek the cabinet's opinion, if he, Garibaldi's greatest opponent, had not refused, then the Italian government presumably would not reject this chance to obtain tens of thousands of troops for nothing.

As for Garibaldi's military talent, Carlo was not worried in the slightest.

In history, whether during the Austro-Prussian War or the subsequent Franco-Prussian War, Garibaldi had displayed outstanding military talent.

It could be said that Garibaldi was now the Italian army's last fig leaf. At the very least, the troops led by Garibaldi could still fight Prussian, French, and Austrian forces toe-to-toe.

If Garibaldi could truly be brought into the war from its very outbreak, perhaps the Italian army's performance on the southern front would not be so terrible.

This might have a considerable impact on the entire Austro-Prussian War. Italy might be able to take a larger bite of the meat in this war, and the House of Savoy's position would become even more secure.

If this proposal achieved good results, Carlo's subsequent plans would surely proceed more smoothly. At the very least, persuading Vittorio Emanuele II would become much easier.

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