Rise of Empires: Spain

Chapter Three: Laurent Royate

Vittorio Emanuele II acted swiftly.

On the same day that Carlo received his three million lire annuity, Vittorio Emanuele II also brought Carlo his carefully selected steward.

However, the decision ultimately rested with Carlo. After all, the butler was a nobleman's most trusted subordinate, and Carlo had 100% of the choice.

Carlo and the subordinates recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II met in a meeting room in the palace.

Because Carlo was not very old, and the talent recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II was also not very old, he looked to be only in his early twenties.

However, according to the information provided by Vittorio Emanuele II, this guy named Loren is not simple.

First, there's his academic background. He not only graduated from a prestigious university, but also studied in the UK and France for several years.

However, since they have been raised and sponsored by the royal family from childhood, their loyalty is guaranteed.

Furthermore, Laurent himself manages a portion of the Italian royal family's assets, and his abilities in finance and economics are undeniable.

In short, Lauren is a talent whose knowledge and abilities have been tested, and his loyalty is also commendable.

Carlo's first impression of Lauren was also good.

Born into a monarchy, Laurent had a rather favorable view of the monarchy. In particular, everything he had came from the patronage of the Italian royal family, and his loyalty to the entire Italian royal family was beyond question.

“Loren?” Carlo spoke first.

“Yes, Your Highness. I am Loren, it is my honor to serve you.” Loren nodded very respectfully, keeping his posture extremely humble.

“Very good.” Carlo nodded in satisfaction, quite approving of Lauren’s behavior.

After all, if even one's own steward doesn't acknowledge the superior status of nobles, then who will?

"Were you working for my father before?" Carlo asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Loren nodded and replied very respectfully, “Previously, I managed plantations in the Philippines and also acquired several newspapers in the Turin area.”

Carlo was quite satisfied. Although the plantations that Laurent managed were all crop plantations, this management experience could be applied to future rubber plantations.

It goes without saying how profitable rubber plantations are. With this experience, Carlo can easily become a giant in the rubber industry when making future plans.

The experience of acquiring the newspaper further enhanced Laurent's reputation. Because in Carlo's mind, the power of public opinion emanating from a newspaper was extremely important.

When an individual or a country controls the power of public opinion, it can easily distort the truth, turning right into wrong and wrong into right.

This is quite important for stabilizing the monarchies in Italy or Spain, at least influencing the choices of the people and preventing the monarchies from disappearing from the Italian and Spanish stage too early.

Whether now or in future generations, people have a tendency to blindly follow the crowd.

Whether a system is good or bad, if more people say it's bad, then it is bad.

If public opinion is managed well, it will become Carlo's most important weapon in the future, second only to the military, and can also play an unexpected role.

In Carlo's future plans, whether he becomes the King of Spain or continues as an Italian nobleman, he intends to use his noble status to do some practical good for the people.

The power of public opinion, primarily through newspapers, was a crucial weapon for Carlo's propaganda efforts. After all, the purpose of doing good deeds was to let the people know that not all nobles were cruel rulers who oppressed the people, and that monarchy was not entirely flawed.

"Tell me your thoughts on the newspaper." Although Carlo was already quite satisfied, his assessment of Laurent was not yet completely over.

If Laurent and Carlo can find some common ground in their future development, their collaboration might be even more perfect.

Upon hearing Carlo's question, Lauren did not rush to answer. Instead, he pondered for a moment before speaking: "For now, newspapers are merely one way for the public to obtain information from the outside world."

But for the future, newspapers will play a very important role, and can even influence the people who read them.

Although the influence of a single newspaper is not significant, if we can control dozens or even hundreds of newspapers and publish a certain news story in all of them, then that news story will instantly be believed by hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, regardless of its truthfulness.

I believe that, considering the potential and role of newspapers, it is necessary for you to purchase several newspapers as your own propaganda weapon, thereby exerting influence on the public.

Carlo nodded, agreeing with Lauren's words.

Although the newspaper has not yet developed into a large-scale media force, the role of the newspaper as a media organization is undeniable.

The fact that Laurent was able to see this first proves that his strategic vision is quite good.

With such talent as the manager of Carlo's estate, the probability of Carlo's estate increasing is far greater than the probability of it decreasing.

“You have successfully impressed me, Loren.” At the end of the conversation, Carlo smiled and nodded, saying to the apprehensive Loren, “From now on, you will be my court steward.”

Unlike the eunuchs in Eastern courts, butlers in Western courts not only wielded considerable influence but also faced no discrimination.

Loren was not opposed to becoming Carlo's butler, after all, under Vittorio Emanuele II, he was just a reasonably capable person.

However, if Lauren pledges allegiance to Carlo, he will become Carlo's confidant and important subordinate, and the importance of the two will be completely disproportionate.

Moreover, Carlo was also the Duke of Chable in Italy, so it was not shameful for him to be the Duke's butler.

"Your Highness, because I was an orphan from a young age, I only have my name, Loren, and I don't have a surname of my own."

"May I ask you to grant me a unique surname? Laurent is willing to dedicate his life to serving His Highness the Duke." At the end of the conversation, Laurent suddenly spoke up and asked Carlo to bestow a surname upon him.

Such things have happened before. If a commoner suddenly gains the trust and favor of a monarch, it is not surprising that he is granted a surname that integrates him into the aristocratic class.

Laurent's request for a surname was essentially a declaration of loyalty to Carlo. After receiving the surname from Carlo, Laurent was completely branded as Carlo.

If Laurent were to betray Carlo in the future, his reputation among the European nobility would be ruined, and his future would be over.

Carlo naturally understood this. Looking at the determined-looking Loren, Carlo smiled and said, "Alright then, Butler Loren. I think the surname Royate is quite good. Loren Royate will surely become a legend worth writing in Italian history."

Laurent nodded, accepting the surname with a respectful expression.

Loyat means loyalty in English. The meaning behind Carlo giving him this name is self-evident, and Loren hoped to express his loyalty in this way, thereby gaining Carlo's trust and being given important responsibilities, and demonstrating his abilities.