A Complex Battlefield

Joseph was not overflowing with kindness; he simply did not want Spain to suddenly suffer something like a financial collapse halfway through the war.

When that happened, whether France had to allocate funds to "nurse" them along or watched them withdraw from the fighting, it would be exceedingly frustrating.

Joseph roughly sorted through Spain's current situation and quickly identified the point to start from.

The church.

The Spanish Church possessed enormous wealth, levied heavy taxes among the populace, and wielded immense influence over national politics. It was unquestionably Spain's greatest cancer.

He handed his hunting rifle to Eman to reload and turned to Carlos IV. "Your Majesty, have you considered using this war as an opportunity to reform the church?"

The latter froze for a moment, then nodded. "If it can be done, that would naturally be for the best."

Joseph motioned for the attendants around them to move farther away, then continued, "First, you need an army that is absolutely loyal to you. I mean an army that obeys only your personal orders. The current Spanish Army has too many entanglements of interest with the church."

"How... how should that be done?"

"You can use the outbreak of war as a pretext to establish a new Royal Guard. Select officers unconnected to the church to command it, and recruit all the soldiers from the American colonies. Even Creoles will do. As for training, I can have the General Staff Headquarters send people to assist you."

Carlos IV looked utterly bewildered. "This... how large would the Guard need to be? And where would the funding come from?"

Joseph rubbed his forehead and patiently explained, "Eight thousand men should be enough. As for funding, you only need to bring the smuggling operations at the American Silver Mines under your own name.