Mediterranean Hegemony Road

At the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Franz Joseph I is holding a cabinet meeting to discuss how Austria-Hungary should deal with the war in Serbia and Bulgaria next!

Your Majesty, the Serbs already know that they are in a hurry. It seems that they are not sure about this war! Foreign Minister Roman Haubenstock-Lamati said gloatingly.

This is normal. It has only been nine years since the last Bulgarian war, and Serbia has not recovered its strength yet; Bulgaria has become even stronger, and the gap between the two sides is too great. This war is simply impossible to fight! the Minister of War laughed. Say

You mean, if we don't intervene, Serbia will fail this time? the Prime Minister asked with interest

Judging purely from a military point of view, I can't think of how Serbia could win. Of course, if there are other countries participating, maybe it's possible! The Minister of War said affirmatively.

This may be almost non-existent! The major powers are restraining each other, even if they support Serbia, but other countries except us have limited power in the Balkans and do not have the strength to intervene! the foreign secretary added.

The Prime Minister asked suspiciously: What about the Ottoman Empire? Their strength in the Balkans is not small. If they want to intervene, it is still possible?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs thought for a while and said: The Ottoman Empire is now too busy to take care of itself. Some time ago, the issue of their massacre of Armenians has not been resolved, and the Sultan has rejected our 'good intentions'! !

The Russians also invited countries to join forces to intervene, but we refused! Even if the Ottomans want to support Serbia, consider whether the Russian Empire will join in!

In fact, apart from us now, basically no other country will directly take action!

By the way, Romania seems to have some ideas, but Carol I is too timid. Unless we are willing to come forward to contain the Russians, they will not dare to intervene!

Franz Joseph I seemed interested in the words of the foreign minister and asked: What would happen if we contained the Russian Empire and Romania entered the war?

The Minister of War thought for a while and said, If Romania and Serbia can be fully united, then this war has to be fought!

Franz Joseph I asked in surprise: Oh, has Bulgaria grown to this point?

In fact, Serbia is now half-crippled, and the country is in a mess. The rebellion has just been quelled, and the defense is acceptable, and there is no ability to take the initiative! If Romania participates in the war now, it is basically a one-on-one battle with Bulgaria, and Serbia can help at most. Contain 20,000 or 30,000 troops! explained the Minister of War

The Foreign Minister asked incredulously: Isn't Serbia already expanding its army? It is said that it is a nationwide mobilization. They plan to mobilize 300,000 people? Even if there is not much combat power, it can't be stopped by the number of 20,000 to 30,000 Bulgarian troops, right?

The Minister of War shook his head and said, No, Mr. Roman! If they are only used for guarding, under the call of the righteousness of defending the home and the country, they may still have some fighting power; if they are active, maybe they will collapse when they start a war!

An army that does not even have a gun for each soldier may not even have enough ammunition to support a major battle. The combat effectiveness can be imagined!

At this time, the Minister of Finance said: The Minister of War is right! The Serbian government's finances are very bad, and now it has no money! The army of 300,000 people, whether it is weapons, equipment or military salaries, they can't afford it!

Franz Joseph I felt puzzled that the situation in Serbia was much worse than he thought! In this case, why are you so arrogant to establish a Greater Serbia?

Don't you know that the Bosnia and Herzegovina region is already the meat in the mouth of the boss. Isn't it courting death when he publicly announces that he wants to grab food from the tiger's mouth?

He thought about it and said, Forget it! Since the Serbs are so clueless,

Let Bulgaria teach them a bloody lesson!

Tell the Bulgarians to do as agreed! The army must also be prepared, and the show must be a complete set, so that no one can see the flaws!

...

Russian Empire, Alexander III who is on tour is not good now!

The Crisis in the Near East has not yet been resolved, and Ottoman Turkey does not see any sign of surrendering; the Jiawu War in the Far East has broken out again, which has attracted his attention again; now Bulgaria, this little brother, seems to be planning to do something again!

Alexander III asked unhappily: What do you think of this conflict between Bulgaria and Serbia?

The prime minister smiled and said: The Bulgarians did not ask us for help this time, they just wanted us to show solidarity internationally, and it seems they are confident!

Of course, this has something to do with the rapid development of Bulgaria in recent years. They can't stand it anymore and want to show their strength!

The conflict between Bulgaria and Serbia has a long history, and the two sides have long been incompatible with each other. It is also expected that a war will break out between them! Just didn't expect it to be so early?

Alexander III looked at the confident crown prince and asked, What do you think of Nicholas?

Crown Prince Nikolai said with a smile: Ferdinand's eyes are still so vicious! Serbia is at its weakest now. Taking the opportunity to fall, he intends to abolish this opponent!

Alexander III smiled and nodded, motioning him to continue.

The future Nicholas II was slightly surprised and continued: The current international situation is very beneficial to Bulgaria!

The Austro-Hungarian Empire has just passed through the financial crisis, and it is unlikely to send troops to intervene directly; the Ottoman Empire is trapped in the 'Crisis in the Near East', and is regarded as deadly by the major powers; Britain, France and Germany have limited power in the Balkans. Saying they can't come out for irrelevant Serbia!

After eliminating external interference, Serbia is not an opponent at all, but once Bulgaria wins, the Austro-Hungarian Empire will definitely interfere. Have they reached an agreement?

Alexander III smiled and said: Yes! Although Serbia is Austria-Hungary's younger brother, it does not mean that there is no contradiction between the two sides. The young king of Serbia uses the establishment of 'Greater Serbia' as a slogan all day long, and Vienna will definitely not be satisfied!

If possible, Vienna would not mind teaching Serbia a lesson and let them know that the sky is high!

Ferdinand should have reached a tacit understanding with them, and even this war may be secretly planned by the old fox Joseph!

The political methods of the Hardenberg family are the best in the world. Presumably soon, Serbia will be forced to submit to the Austro-Hungarian Empire!