Vittorio Emanuele II was very quick.
On the day when Carlo received the annual pension of 3 million lire, Vittorio Emanuele II also brought Carlo the butler he had carefully selected.
However, the decision still lay with Carlo. After all, the butler is the most trusted subordinate of a noble, and Carlo had the right to choose 100%.
Borrowing a meeting room in the royal palace, Carlo met with the subordinate recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II.
Because Carlo was not very old, the talents recommended by Vittorio Emanuele II were also young, appearing to be in their early 20s.
However, according to the information given by Vittorio Emanuele II, this guy named Loren was not simple.
First of all, there were his academic qualifications. Not only did he graduate from a prestigious university, but he also studied in England and France for several years.
Because he had been trained and funded by the royal family since childhood, his loyalty was also guaranteed.
Loren himself managed part of the property for the Italian royal family, and his ability in finance and economics was commendable.
In short, Loren was a talent who had been tested in terms of knowledge and ability, and his loyalty was also recognized.
Carlo's first impression of Loren was good. Born in a monarchy country, Loren still held a favorable view of the monarchy. In particular, everything he had came from the funding of the Italian royal family, making his loyalty to the entire Italian royal family beyond doubt.
"Loren?" Carlo spoke first.
"Yes, Your Highness. I am Loren, and I am honored to serve you." Loren nodded very respectfully, maintaining a lowly attitude.
"Very good." Carlo nodded with satisfaction, pleased with Loren's demeanor. After all, if his butler did not recognize the superior status of the nobles, who else would?
"Were you working for my father before?" Carlo asked.
"Yes, Your Highness." Loren nodded respectfully and replied, "I used to manage plantations in the Philippines and also acquired several newspapers in the Turin area."
Carlo was quite satisfied. Although the plantations managed by Loren were all crop plantations, this management experience could also be extended to future rubber plantations.
It was well-known how much money rubber plantations made. With such experience, Carlo could easily become a giant in the rubber industry when planning in the future.
The experience of acquiring newspapers added to Loren's credentials. In Carlo's mind, the power of public opinion, such as that wielded by newspapers, was very important.
If a person or a country could master the power of public opinion, they could easily reverse black and white, claiming that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right.
This was crucial for stabilizing the monarchy in Italy or Spain. At least, it could influence the people's choices and prevent the monarchy from withdrawing from the stage of Italy and Spain too early.
Whether now or in the future, the people often exhibited a blind herd mentality. Regardless of whether a system was good or bad, as long as many people deemed it bad, it was considered bad.
If the power of public opinion were well managed, it would become Carlo's important weapon in the future, second only to the army, and could play an unexpected role.
In Carlo's future plans, whether he became the King of Spain or continued as an Italian noble, he aimed to use his noble identity to do good things for the people.
The power of public opinion, primarily through newspapers, would serve as Carlo's important tool for propaganda. After all, the purpose of doing good deeds was to let the people know that not all nobles were cruel rulers who oppressed the populace, and that the monarchy was not entirely flawed.
"Tell me what you think of the newspaper." Although Carlo was already quite satisfied, his investigation of Loren was not yet complete.
If Loren could be somewhat compatible with Carlo's future development, perhaps their collaboration would be even more fruitful.
After hearing Carlo's question, Loren did not rush to answer but pondered carefully for a moment before speaking: "For now, newspapers are just a means for people to obtain information from the outside world.
However, in the future, the role of newspapers will be quite significant and can even affect the people who read them.
Although a newspaper's influence is not great at the moment, if we can control dozens or even hundreds of newspapers, and then publish a piece of news in these hundreds of outlets, that news will be instantly believed by hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, regardless of whether it is true or false.
I think that in terms of the potential and role of newspaper development, you need to buy a few newspapers as your own tool for shaping public opinion to influence the populace."
Carlo nodded, agreeing with Loren's perspective. Although the development of newspapers had not yet formed a large-scale public opinion force, their role as institutions of public opinion was unquestionable.
The fact that Loren was able to recognize this first proved that his vision for strategic development was quite sharp.
As the manager of Carlo's property, such talents at least offered a much higher probability of increasing Carlo's wealth rather than diminishing it.
"You have successfully impressed me, Loren." At the end of the conversation, Carlo smiled and nodded, addressing Loren, who looked uneasy. "From now on, you are my palace steward."
The stewards of Western courts were not like the eunuchs of Eastern courts. Stewards held a very high status and faced no discrimination from anyone.
Loren was not opposed to becoming Carlo's steward. After all, if he were under the command of Vittorio Emanuele II, he would merely be a capable talent.
But by serving Carlo loyally, Loren would become Carlo's confidant and important subordinate, with their importance completely disproportionate.
Carlo was also the Duke of Chablais in Italy, so it was not shameful to be the Duke's steward.
"Your Highness, because I was an orphan since childhood, I only have my name, Loren, and no surname of my own. Can you please give me a unique surname? Loren is willing to serve Your Highness for the rest of his life." At the end of their chat, Loren suddenly spoke, asking Carlo for a surname.
Such occurrences were not unheard of; if a commoner suddenly gained the trust and favor of the monarch, it was not surprising for them to receive a surname that integrated them into the aristocratic class.
Loren's request for a surname was actually a show of loyalty to Carlo. After receiving a surname from Carlo, Loren would be completely identified with him.
If Loren were to betray Carlo in the future, his reputation among the European aristocracy would be ruined, and his prospects would vanish.
Carlo understood this well. Looking at Loren, who seemed determined, Carlo smiled and said, "Well, Butler Loren. I think the surname Royat is fitting. Loren Royat will undoubtedly become a legend worth writing in Italian history."
Royat nodded and accepted the surname with a respectful demeanor.
*Royat means loyalty in English. Carlo's intent was clear, and Loren hoped to express his loyalty in this manner, securing Carlo's trust and showcasing his capabilities.*