Mediterranean Hegemony Road

(In the previous part of the remarks, the exchange rate was mistaken by a decimal point, 1 lev = 1 dinar = 1 lei = 1 franc ≈ 0.29 grams of gold, and now it has been changed.)

In international diplomacy, as long as you judge the ownership of interests, in the hearts of big people, you can roughly infer the context, and the truth is often not important!

Ferdinand believed that the secret deal between himself and Austria-Hungary was so inseparable from what was speculated by Alexander III!

Crown Prince Nicholas took a deep breath, he obviously couldn't do the same thing as Alexander III, and said very worriedly: Does the transaction between Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary mean that their strategic change will affect the What about us?

Alexander III asked back: What do you think, Nicholas? I want to hear your own judgment!

Crown Prince Nicholas pondered for a moment, then said: I think Bulgaria's strategy has not changed from beginning to end! Ferdinand's goal is still the Ottoman Empire, although the Ottoman Empire has fallen, it is not the current Bulgaria that can challenge of!

The contradiction between Bulgaria and Serbia is deeper than the contradiction between Germany and France. There is no possibility of easing. There must be a battle between Bulgaria and Serbia!

Now Vienna wants to teach the disobedient Serbs a lesson, and the goals of the Bulgarians hit it off. Ferdinand intends to hit the ground running!

But that's all, Austria-Hungary can't watch Bulgaria crippling Serbia, let alone annexing it!

Once Austria-Hungary intervenes, the war will stop! Ferdinand didn't ask us for help, which means he's ready! For us, the impact doesn't seem to be that big!

If Ferdinand listened to Nicholas' judgment, he would be shocked. Is this still the incompetent Nicholas II in the history books?

Think about it too, the decline of the Russian Empire began with the Russo-Japanese War. In the first ten years of Nicholas II's reign, this huge empire was still functioning normally!

How could a tsar who mastered this huge empire, an emperor who could suppress the aristocrats and capitalists at home; an emperor who had the support of the peasant class even after being overthrown, how could he be an idiot?

Alexander III said with a smile: Nicholas, your judgment is right, but this is also our chance! In 1886, Austria-Hungary intervened in the Bulgarian War, and many Bulgarians are still brooding, presumably after this time. , their resentment will be deeper!

Serbia didn't pay the price last time, and it's hard to say this time. Once Austria-Hungary's intervention doesn't satisfy them, it's estimated that they won't read Vienna's good!

Our opportunity has also come to provoke their civil conflicts. Even if Serbia has completely fallen to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Joseph cannot be easily swallowed!

The Prime Minister said in surprise: Your Majesty, Austria-Hungary has ambitions to annex Serbia, so should we intervene in this war, or else~~

Nikolai interrupted the Prime Minister's words: No need! Serbia is not so easy to swallow, the British will not let Austria-Hungary dominate the Balkans, and even their allies, the Germans, will probably object!

Our strategic focus is now the Far East, and Bulgaria is enough for a single nail in the Balkans. There is no need to involve too much energy in the short term!

Alexander III thought for a while and said, Nikola is right, we don't need to intervene now! Even if I stopped this war, Serbia would not be able to come to us!

Unless we are willing to go to war with Austria-Hungary for a Serbia! Otherwise, once Joseph's patience runs out, all our investment in Serbia will be lost!

...

The different opinions at the top of the Russian government are also caused by the different strategies advocated by factions within the Russian Empire! The European faction represented by the Prime Minister and the Far Eastern faction headed by Crown Prince Nicholas.

The European faction wants to expand in the Balkans,

Then it entered the Mediterranean, so they supported the intervention in the Bulgarian War; the Far East believed that the Balkans were complicated and that Russia would be boycotted by Britain, Germany, Austria, and Italy if it wanted to enter the Mediterranean. Back to Europe!

From a strategic point of view, Russia's implementation of the Far East plan is correct, and the European powers are too powerful to make breakthroughs.

Even if it fails in the Russo-Japanese War, it cannot be said that the Far East strategy is a mistake, it can only be regarded as a mistake in execution!

In fact, Russia's harvest in the East is still very rich. The vast territory and rich resources have laid the foundation for the rise of the Soviet Union in later generations!

If it weren't for greed, the Russian Empire would not have fallen into the quagmire of the Balkans and continued to implement the Far East plan, and world history would be rewritten!

It is estimated that Crown Prince Nicholas, who is now opposed to interfering in the Bulgarian War, would never have dreamed that he would start a world war for a Serbia that could be abandoned, and eventually destroy his empire!

Ferdinand, who had just sent away the Russian ambassador, Count Paul, is in a good mood now. There was no accident, the Russians are willing to cooperate with this scene, and now it can be said that the victory is in hand!

...

Is the Constantine government ready? Ferdinand asked

Constantine said without hesitation: Grand Duke, we have made all the preparations! Bulgaria can enter a wartime state at any time, and the major domestic factories have all been included in the government's overall planning!

The strategic material reserve is enough for a 200,000-strong army for a year. At present, a special wartime fund of 100 million lev has been raised, but the subsequent construction projects may be postponed!

Ferdinand nodded with satisfaction, and then said: Well, you did a good job, let's start mobilizing! Although most of the reserves are not needed, it's just an exercise!

How is the military preparation of the chief of staff? When can I start?

After listening to Ferdinand's words, Petrov replied confidently: Your Excellency, please rest assured, there is only Serbia, and we can attack at any time!

According to staff estimates, the war will last no more than two months. Under normal circumstances, within a month, we can occupy Kraljevo and end the war!

How to fight, Ferdinand wisely chose to default. I know my own level. If it's just talking about soldiers, it's okay; formulating a strategy is still going to work. If you really want to command the battle, it's not as good as Zhao Kuo!

How is the command ability of the Bulgarian military, this is really hard to say! At least they commanded a group of militia nine years ago, and they overturned Serbia, at least the tactical level is qualified!

Ferdinand smiled and said: Serbia has already started nationwide mobilization, so let's start it. Can't really wait for them to be ready before going to war? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for finding a suitable excuse to declare war, and other departments cooperate!

The military must not forget the strategic purpose of this war! All battles revolve around the core goal of maximizing the weakening of Serbia's living strength!

Yes! Petrov came back with a sonorous force

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