The Austro-Prussian War can be said to be the only major event before the Spanish Revolution. Carlo's suggestion has achieved good results, leading Vittorio Emanuele II to pay more attention to Carlo's ideas and allowing him greater autonomy.
For Carlo, the most important task at present is to find qualified subordinates so he doesn't have to do everything himself. Although there are servants at the royal palace, they serve his father, Vittorio Emanuele II, and their loyalty may not meet Carlo's standards.
It is not appropriate for Carlo to meet some high-ranking military officials and generals given his position, but he can meet some fellow students from the military academy. Aside from Giotti, who went to the Turin Military Academy with Carlo, the only students he is familiar with are Alejandro Rosso, who majors in infantry, and Carmen Esposito, who specializes in artillery.
These two young men are around Carlo's age and are his best companions at the military academy. Alejandro is short and stout, looking honest but with a lot of creative ideas. Carlo appreciates his flexible mind and wild concepts. In contrast, Carmen is tall and thin, appearing malnourished. If Carlo didn't know Carmen's background ensured he was well-fed, he might suspect the young man was hungry all the time.
The duo, one fat and one thin, along with Giotti, who is already in his twenties, serve as Carlo's temporary assistants in his plans. Both Alejandro and Carmen hail from Savoy. After the Savoy region was ceded to France, their families moved to Turin, which is why they could attend the Turin Military Academy.
Carlo's demeanor and appearance stand out from those of the other students at the academy. The two may have sensed something was different about him, but they kept silent. If Carlo wanted them to know more, he would tell them; since he hasn't, it's clear he doesn't feel it's time yet.
Following the Austro-Prussian War, Carlo's daily routine became simple. Apart from occasionally consulting Loren about the newspaper's layout and development, he spends most of his time shuttling between the military academy and the Royal Palace in Turin, sometimes inviting Alejandro, Carmen, and Giotti to parties. While his days lack excitement, they are interesting nonetheless.
During his time at the military academy, Carlo noticed a significant change in his physical condition due to his time travel. Previously, he had been a sickly person, prone to frequent illnesses. Now, his health has greatly improved, and he has even become somewhat stronger through military training. Carlo never skips his meals. At just 15 years old, he stands at 1.7 meters tall, which is considered quite tall for his age.
With his handsome appearance, noble demeanor, and wealth from the royal family, Carlo has become the object of admiration among many Italian noble ladies. However, given his young age, Carlo is cautious about how to handle their attention. He contemplates his future wife, aware that while the West does not engage in exorbitant bride prices, a good match can bring significant advantages.
Carlo hopes to choose princesses from powerful countries like Germany and Russia to marry. As for France, the current European hegemon, he disregards them, knowing that if the Franco-Prussian War unfolds as history suggests, the French royal family would soon be gone.
The Turin Military Academy has a three-year program, after which graduates can enter the Italian Army as low-level officers. Active officers or soldiers can graduate in two years and receive a rank promotion. Carlo will take the first path; enrolling in 1866 means he will graduate in 1869. This timing aligns with the Spanish Revolution that erupted in 1868, as the monarchy will not be restored in Spain until after the First Spanish Republic falls.
Time flies quickly during his busy military academy life. On May 30, 1867, Carlo attended his brother Amadeo's wedding to Maria Victoria Porzo Pozzo, presenting them with gifts. Marriages among European royal families remain chaotic at this time. Carlo recalls that his brother Amadeo's second wife will eventually be his sister's daughter, Marie Letitia Bonaparte.
While nothing significant occurred in 1867, the international scene in 1868 was lively. First, U.S. President Andrew Johnson became the first president in American history to be impeached by Congress, narrowly escaping removal by one vote. In contrast, Queen Isabel II of Spain was far less fortunate.
As the first generation of the British Empire retreats from history, the once-mighty kingdom of Spain faces severe polarization. The aristocracy indulges in extravagance, profiting from railway and real estate investments. One residence built by an Andalusian guard in Madrid is mocked by the public for being inlaid with diamonds, highlighting the opulence of the Spanish aristocracy.
On the other hand, Spanish peasants and workers lead hard lives. They possess usage rights to the land but lack ownership, and a struggling economy has led to factory closures. Impoverished peasants and workers frequently demonstrate and riot, only to be brutally suppressed by the Spanish government, yet their anger continues to build.
Finally, this anger ignites. In September 1868, exiled soldiers led by Francisco Serrano and Juan Bautista Topet, elected to the House of Representatives, rallied their supporters to launch a larger uprising. This revolution, which erupted in September, became known as the September Revolution.
The corrupt royal government proved unable to suppress the explosive revolution. As peasants and workers actively joined the uprising, it quickly spread across most of Spain. Even more alarming is that Queen Isabel II's control over the army is tenuous at best. The soldiers harbor no goodwill towards this extravagant queen, and as many government troops defect, the Spanish Revolution accelerates, leading to the Kingdom of Spain's demise.