The church’s exile of Esteban barely registered with most people — after all, he was only a priest. But Francisco’s plan to go to Hanover touched many: Sofia and Mauricio, in particular, were intrigued.
"So you’re going to study in Hanover?" Sofia asked, only mildly surprised. As the daughter of a marqués she had no access to universities, so news of study abroad didn’t change her prospects.
Mauricio, however, felt a twinge of envy. He had studied at the University of Salamanca, which, prestigious as it was, focused on theology; studying science had been out of the question.
"But why Hanover? A Protestant university?" Sofia added. She didn’t know that the University of Göttingen — Georg-August — had been founded by a king rather than the church.
Francisco explained, "Georg-August isn’t a religious university. It was established by the king, so I don’t expect trouble. Besides, I’m not a strict follower of the Church. I believe in God and in Jesus Christ, so—"he shrugged his words could be taken as heresy. Sofia and Mauricio stiffened.
"Aren’t you afraid of the Church?" Mauricio asked.
"Of course," Francisco admitted. "Even if I’m not devout, I’m not naïve. The Church still holds sway. A bad reputation could hurt my family or our businesses. But we’re partners — I need to trust you both, or else you could betray while I’m in Europe. Also, I’m half German. That will make so of the clergy suspicious of my family. So instead of pretending to befriend them, it might be better to keep distance."
Sofia and Mauricio exchanged looks, then approval. Mauricio leaned in, whispered sothing to Sofia, and she started, then almost shouted, "Is that true?" which startled Francisco.
"Hey—what’s wrong?" he asked, startled and a little frightened.
"Sorry," Mauricio said, calming. "Let explain. Our secret is that we’re leaders in the liberal organization."
Francisco did not seem entirely surprised. From earlier glimpses and from what Oscar had hinted, he’d suspected the existence of a clandestine movent. He’d even imagined that so local families might be involved. What surprised him now was that Sofia’s father — a noble — was one of the leaders.
"Wait," Francisco said. "I can understand mbers of the bureaucracy or rchants joining the liberals — they’re squeezed by the viceroy. But your father is a noble, ennobled by the king. Why would he join a movent that risks losing his title? If New Granada declares independence, a noble title could be aningless unless he becos a monarch — which the liberals don’t want. It doesn’t add up."
Sofia chuckled. "My father’s reasons are naive, maybe—but sincere. He hopes to retain status even if a king no longer rules. More than that, he, like many liberals, believes that if New Granada keeps sending money to Spain we’ll never develop. He wants fiscal autonomy — control over our own taxes and economy. Spain won’t willingly grant that, so for many the only answer is independence."
Francisco thought, Autonomy—that’s the true driver of independence. Apart from a few towns that profit directly from trade with Spain, most people want to make their own laws, grow their economy, and use their taxes as they see fit. But the crown depends on colonial revenue to fund its armies and bureaucracy. The heavier that burden becos, the more resentnt it stirs, pushing people into the independence movent. Each wave of discontent fuels new rebellions, which in turn forces the crown to raise even more taxes to arm more troops. It’s a vicious cycle, one that can only end when the colonies, exhausted by excessive taxation, finally declare independence.
Francisco listened, then frowned. "But why tell ? My family is officially aligned with the crown—my father works for the Cádiz Company. If people discover we’re seen as heretics, the worst my family will suffer is scorn in Antioquía. You, however—if your involvent were exposed—could face execution, and your families could suffer too."
Mauricio smiled wryly. "True, our secret is riskier. There are two reasons we told you. One: Oscar ca to us months ago with word of a church conspiracy and he ntioned you. He thought you were soone worth recruiting — soone who might be useful. Two: your industrial plans and your trip to Hanover matter politically."
Francisco blinked. "I understand about Oscar—my family protected him—but I still don’t see the link. What do industries and Hanover have to do with politics?"
Mauricio’s voice sharpened. "Opening industries shows you intend to be economically independent of the Cádiz Company. With your family connections you could have worked within the Company, beco corrupt like many rchants, or sought a governnt post to make money. Instead, you’re building your own enterprises — distilleries, cent works, immigrants to work the land — and that signals you favor economic autonomy. Also, traveling to Hanover — a Protestant region — suggests you’re willing to look beyond Church-sanctioned networks. That’s politically useful to us. Am I wrong?"
Francisco was speechless. He had not thought of his choices as political statents; he’d wanted capital to build a private army. Hearing Mauricio’s analysis, the implications suddenly felt heavier.
"Don’t worry," Mauricio continued. "We’re even debating whether to offer your father a position. His influence is real but not yet leadership-level. If he becos mayor of Villa dellín or Santa Fe, it might secure him a seat among us. For now we’re still deciding."
Francisco considered the possibility: if the liberals won, his family could gain power and influence in the new order. If the crown prevailed, his father could take the bla and be sent to Spain. Either way, their dynasty might be preserved. He thought of his father — loyal to the crown because he’d been raised by Francisco’s grandfather, a duke of Spain — and doubted the old man would accept any role with the liberals.
"My father is different from ," Francisco said finally. "He’s loyal to the crown. He only lets act because he fears the tensions in the air. If things go badly he can resign the patriarchal role and I can step in. If the crown stays strong, he can take the bla as the traitor and be sent to Spain to live out his days in one of my grandfather’s manors."
Mauricio stared. He had never seen such calculated family strategy: if the liberals win, Francisco becos patriarch and can influence the new governnt; if the crown wins, the father can be sacrificed and the family survive in another way. Shaless — and clever.
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