Rome, at Giolitti’s home.
With a hint of excitement on his face, Giolitti shared the news about the southern landlords and nobles with everyone.
“Once trouble breaks out in the South, the Cabinet will definitely compromise.” After Italy unified the South, it institutionally implemented “Piedmontization,” imposing the northern legal and administrative systems on the South, abolishing its original autonomous institutions, and having all governors appointed by the central government.
However, the officials appointed by the central government were “outsiders” who neither understood local conditions nor had the ability to penetrate the grassroots.
Consequently, state power was largely absent at the village level.
The peasants did not face the distant Rome government, but rather the landlords, nobles, and their armed thugs right before their eyes.
Simply put, the Italian South had merely changed its nominal master, but for the peasants in the southern villages, the landlords who controlled their destiny had remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
The North could neither afford to govern it nor afford to fight it.
“The Crown Prince is still too young and does not understand the real situation in Italy.” Salandra shook his head.
Ever since the land reform program was announced, that Crown Prince’s time in power had entered a countdown.
“I, on the other hand, feel that the Crown Prince seems capable of handling it.” Facta’s view differed somewhat from the other two; all signs indicated that the Crown Prince’s control over the situation remained very strong, without any sign of panic.
The various ministries of the Cabinet were discussing and formulating reform plans step by step, which was not something a panicked government could achieve.
“How so?” Giolitti asked, puzzled.
“The King has made no moves, and the Cabinet has not panicked.” Facta believed that their own tenure in office had been too long and too rigid, always thinking that experience was necessary to govern a country well.
“The Crown Prince announced land reform, won over millions of veterans, and gained the support of more than twenty million peasants.
Do you think that if a real fight breaks out, how will the peasants in the South choose?” After decades of integration into Italy, the peasants’ acceptance of the country was already very high, unlike when the nation had just been unified, when they could easily be incited by landlords and nobles to rise up against the government.
“This is a promise that cannot be fulfilled, so what use is it?” Giolitti disagreed with such a statement.
“Whether it can be fulfilled right now is not important; as long as it can be fulfilled after the fight is over, that’s enough.” Facta believed the Crown Prince still had a knack for winning people over.
Hearing this, the two fell silent.
Indeed, only where there was hope would there be followers.
Millions of people following the royal family into battle could overwhelm the South at any time.
Besides, the South had almost no industry whatsoever; if a real war broke out, there wouldn’t even be a place to replenish ammunition.
“It seems we were worrying for nothing.” Salandra laughed, “However, I don’t think the Crown Prince is that formidable; let’s observe how the situation develops.
We must separately notify the people in our party not to participate in the struggle between the two sides, lest it bring disaster upon the Liberals.” The Liberals were the social elite and looked down upon anyone without experience or background.
“What you say makes sense; even if we are to participate, we must wait until both sides have decided a winner and a loser.” Giolitti believed that the ones who would ultimately have to clean up the mess would still be the Liberals, because they excelled at negotiation and balancing interests.
…
The Royal Palace.
After hearing some news from the South, Victor Emmanuel III grew somewhat worried and called Umberto back to discuss countermeasures.
The southern landlords and nobles had always remained largely outside the jurisdiction of the central government, making them difficult to handle.
Of course, what Victor Emmanuel III feared most was the outbreak of civil war.
“Umberto, are you confident you can handle this quickly?” If a civil war truly broke out, the losses had to be minimized.
“Please rest assured, Father, I can control the situation.” Having laid out his plans for so long, how could Umberto back down?
“If the South truly launches a rebellion, I will deploy the Carabinieri and the Security Battalion without mobilizing the Army.” “Before everything is ready, I will not initiate the reform plan.” The Carabinieri were currently being reorganized and needed time.
“Besides, I have dirt on them and might be able to defeat them one by one, eliminating the risk of civil war.
To be honest, I desire the outbreak of a civil war even less than you do, because too much bloodshed would affect how posterity judges me.” “Ha, I am worrying about the nation’s survival, yet you care about posterity’s judgment.” Victor Emmanuel III was so exasperated by his son’s bizarre mindset that he laughed; truly, a newborn calf does not fear a tiger, taking things so lightly.
Forget it, let’s wait and see first.
So far, the Cabinet had been operating very well.
The royal family had also won the hearts of the people, and his prestige as King was rising rapidly, which was quite satisfactory.
However, as King, he still needed to use his influence to help his son relieve some pressure; calling Umberto back today had also been done with this thought in mind.
Therefore, Victor Emmanuel III asked tentatively, “Umberto, how about I first summon the collateral branches of the royal family and some northern nobles to respond to your policies?” Umberto pondered for a moment and nodded slowly, “If Father can step in, then there is certainly no problem.” “That’s settled then.
I will take this opportunity to invite them to Rome, allowing you to select some talent along the way.
Although the royal family’s foundation has changed, the nobles who support the royal family cannot be abandoned; they are your important supporters and must be properly utilized.” Victor Emmanuel III had accepted Umberto’s governing philosophy, but certain deeply ingrained mindsets still could not be completely discarded.
“Father, you are right; I indeed need them to help me shoulder some of the pressure.” Thinking about how most of the dozens of governors were party members or representatives of local forces, Umberto felt his head ache.
To ensure the effectiveness of the reforms, he had to gradually replace them with loyal and highly capable people who would faithfully execute his policies.
“The collateral branches of the royal family and the nobles have seniority, prestige, and loyalty, which just happens to make up for my shortage of experienced government talent.” Victor Emmanuel III smiled with satisfaction, “That’s right, all kinds of talents must be utilized to ensure governing efficiency.” Victor Emmanuel III had an expression that seemed to say, “I understand all these principles.” “Then I will leave this matter to Father’s arrangements.” Umberto was equally satisfied; if this move succeeded, the influence of the reforms would greatly increase.
“By the way, Father, I plan to temporarily place the Security Battalion under the Carabinieri to prepare for suppressing any rebellion.” The Security Battalion was a private armed force, lacking a legitimate official status.
“Granted.” Although he had partially delegated his authority, Victor Emmanuel III still supported Umberto in formally incorporating the force, otherwise it could leave an opening for others to attack him politically.
Italy would sooner or later be handed over to Umberto, so he had no concerns about it.
“Thank you, Father.” Having finished discussing matters, Umberto’s stomach began to rumble, so he stayed at the Royal Palace for dinner before leaving to make the necessary arrangements.
In the afternoon, Umberto sent someone to notify the Carabinieri Command and the Ministry of War, inviting General Diaz and Marelli to discuss and arrange the unit’s organizational establishment.
For a private armed force to become an official force, going through the necessary formalities was unavoidable after all.
The experimental zone’s Security Battalion had been established for eight years, with a regular establishment of 2,000 men and a five-year service term.
In addition, 1,000 men were recruited annually for three years of preparatory training to serve as reinforcements or reserves.
Retired soldiers continued to work in the experimental zone, ensuring a strong reserve force.
According to Umberto’s plan, the entire Security Battalion would be reorganized into the Provisional 1st Brigade of the Carabinieri, comprising three infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, and other supporting units, essentially forming a reduced-strength division.
After explaining the situation, Umberto sought the opinions of the two men.
“Your Highness, I agree with temporarily incorporating the troops into the Carabinieri establishment.” Having received the King’s orders, Marelli knew what to do.
Moreover, his Carabinieri were currently forming special forces, which could not do without His Highness’s support.
“I have no objection either, but for next year’s military budget, you must include this portion.” General Diaz was the Minister of War, controlling the logistics of all armed forces.
Although it was merely a few thousand men, their annual expenses were not small.
Umberto smiled and said, “That is only natural.
Adding a small unit won’t cost all that much.” With the formalities completed, Umberto was about to let the two men return to work when he saw General Diazhesitating as though he had something to say.
He asked curiously, “Duke, do you have anything to add?” General Diaz answered earnestly, “Your Highness, can you take me to inspect this unit?
I heard they frightened the Blackshirts’ command headquarters into fleeing overnight.” General Diaz was a military man and rarely involved himself in politics.
However, this Blackshirt “coup” had filled him with curiosity: what kind of troops had given the Crown Prince the confidence to challenge the King’s authority and seize political power?
Umberto did not expect General Diaz to want to inspect his troops and quickly declined politely, “Duke, they are just like the Army’s troops, nothing special.
Some of the officers even served in the military and participated in the Great War.” Seeing that Umberto was unwilling, General Diaz looked disappointed.
“Since Your Highness has concerns, I won’t force it.
But as the Minister of War and former Chief of the Army General Staff, it is somewhat unreasonable for me to be unfamiliar with these troops.” “…” Looking at General Diaz’s disappointed expression, Umberto was somewhat speechless.
Was it really that serious?
“Since the Duke wants to take a look, let’s go over in a moment.
I happen to be heading there to arrange some matters anyway.” General Diaz’s expression returned to normal, “Thank you, Your Highness.” Seeing this, how could Marelli miss the opportunity?
He quickly stated that he would go as well.
Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Umberto simply decided to call the Chief of Staff along to visit the camp and give them some early expectations regarding future military reforms.
To tell the truth, the Italian Army’s combat capabilities during World War I had truly been mediocre.