Hearing Pri Minister Primó’s questioning of himself, Archbishop Pedro couldn’t help but swallow.
Pri Minister Primó still gave a strong sense of oppression, especially under the premise that he had just suppressed the Carlist faction rebellion not long ago.
Archbishop Pedro certainly did not want to be at others’ rcy, but was there any good way to resist the Primó Governnt at present?
With the precedent of the Carlist faction, Archbishop Pedro had no confidence in the Church’s resistance.
“No, it’s not like that.” Archbishop Pedro hurriedly said: “Of course I will not resist the Governnt. I am just expressing so views on the arrest of Church mbers.”
“Bishop Pedro, I already know your views. But the assassination incident is of great importance and needs to be investigated clearly to determine if there is any suspicion.” Pri Minister Primó said: “
Please wait patiently for a while. If the arrested people have no suspicion, they will naturally go back safely.”
Needs to be investigated clearly to determine if there is any suspicion? Hearing Pri Minister Primó say this, Archbishop Pedro almost wanted to laugh.
If the arrest work was really so serious and responsible, how could it arrest so many Church mbers?
There was not much evidence during the arrest, but complete evidence is needed to prove no suspicion when releasing? Isn’t this fooling ghosts?
Moreover, even if they are released after the investigation is clear, the police on the other side will still continuously arrest other Church personnel.
Release one and arrest two—Archbishop Pedro did not think Primó couldn’t do it.
“Pri Minister Primó, what exactly needs to be done to prove the Church’s innocence? I swear to God, the Spanish Church absolutely did not participate in the plan to assassinate you. Those arrested bishops are innocent.” Archbishop Pedro said quite helplessly.
In the current situation, he had no choice. First ensuring the Governnt abandons the arrest of Church mbers was the most important thing.
As for counterattacking the Governnt’s actions, it was impossible with just the Church’s strength; it still needed help from other forces.
Before that, temporarily compromising with the Governnt to ensure the Church could safely pass this assassination incident had beco Archbishop Pedro’s only idea.
“You know, Pedro. Because of this assassination, many of the Governnt’s work has been delayed for a long ti. I originally planned to issue the second batch of industrial bonds, but after the assassination incident, how can you make the public feel at ease to purchase the Governnt’s bonds?” Pri Minister Primó suddenly said.
Hearing this, Archbishop Pedro imdiately understood what Primó wanted.
To ensure the Church’s temporary safety, Archbishop Pedro could only reluctantly give up the Church’s interests: “Although I am certain the Church is not related to the assassination incident, as a Spaniard, how can I ignore the country’s developnt?
I believe God would not want to see this either. I am willing to represent the Spanish Church to purchase the industrial bonds issued by the Governnt and donate 2 million pesetas to the Governnt.”
Archbishop Pedro’s perceptiveness made Pri Minister Primó very satisfied, but Pri Minister Primó’s purpose was not for these few million pesetas in funds.
The wealth accumulated by the Spanish Church over a long ti was perhaps even more exaggerated than that of the Bourbon family. A few million pesetas was probably just a drop in the bucket for the Church.
Moreover, compared to these not-so-substantial funds, Primó was more interested in the Church’s land.
To be honest, what use was it for the Church to hold so much land? They exploited the Governnt’s low taxes on Church land to frantically accumulate money, then used the money to purchase more land.
Just around Madrid, large tracts of land were occupied by nobles and the Church, while the land in the hands of commoners had beco the minority.
This was extrely unfavorable to Spain’s developnt. If these lands could not be reclaid, it would seriously affect Spain’s future developnt.
“Alright, Bishop Pedro. For God’s sake, I am willing to believe your sincerity. I will instruct the Madrid Police Station to conduct more ticulous screening during arrests to avoid harming innocent people.
Of course, I will also have them carefully screen the arrested Church mbers and release them if there are no issues.
Soone will contact you then. I deeply apologize for the trouble caused to the Church. I believe the matter will be satisfactorily resolved in the near future, and no Church mber will be wronged.” Primó said with a smile.
After confirming that Archbishop Pedro was willing to sacrifice the Church’s interests for those bishops, Primó had achieved his purpose.
As for more detailed negotiations with the Church on how to use money and land to bail out those Church mbers, that was not sothing Primó should do.
As Spain’s Pri Minister, Primó had more important things to do and would not abandon other matters for so Church land.
Anyway, the officials in the Finance Departnt were professionals at haggling; they would absolutely not let the Governnt suffer a loss.
After hearing Primó relent, Archbishop Pedro finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Primó insisted on arresting Church mbers, Archbishop Pedro really wouldn’t know what to do.
As for resistance, the Church currently had no good ans against the Governnt. Perhaps it could incite so brainwashed believers to hold a parade, but such a parade would soon be suppressed by the Governnt.
Rebellion was even more impossible. A parade might attract public participation through brainwashing and deception, but rebellion could not fool commoners into joining.
With Primó’s reforms, the living standards of farrs and workers were slowly improving. Under such premises, farrs and workers were not fools and would not stand up against the Primó Governnt.
“Pri Minister Primó, can we also participate in the investigation of this assassination incident?” Archbishop Pedro asked.
Archbishop Pedro was well aware that a major hemorrhage for the Church was inevitable, which also made him very angry at the true culprits behind the assassination.
Even if it was an assassination, why direct the fire onto the Church?
No matter which force was behind it, Archbishop Pedro had only one idea: to make the people or forces behind it bleed more.
“Of course, Bishop Pedro.” Primó smiled and nodded, as if it was a matter of course: “Catching the culprits behind the scenes as soon as possible is the best, which is beneficial to both the Governnt and the Church.”
It was undeniable that the Church was still a fairly powerful force in Spain at this ti.
As for resisting the Governnt, the Church definitely could not do it at present. But if it was investigating the assassination case, the Church could still play so role, at least helping the Governnt find the culprits behind the assassination case faster.
Second update, seeking support, seeking follow reads!
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