Spain, though its glory was fading like the setting sun, could still rank among the European powers, nourished by its vast colonial domains.
The Spanish fleet was also highly valued by Joseph.
After all, as a nation that once boasted the Invincible Fleet, even though it had fallen on hard times, its naval fleet still held the third-largest size in Europe.
If France wanted to maintain its minimal trade needs, which is to say, the security of the Mediterranean trade routes, it had to ally with the Spanish fleet.
Joseph was well aware that the navy was the most expensive of all the military branches, without exception.
Relying on France's current financial strength and using the traditional model to compete with England in naval power held no chance of success.
