Mediterranean Hegemony Road

At this time, the negotiations in London had also entered a new stage. After the Battle of Constantinople broke out, the Bosphorus was closed.

Cannonballs have no eyes. The capitalists are very courageous, but they are definitely not stupid! Thousands of cannons on both sides are bombarding each other, who dares to run over to die?

However, the long-term closure of the Bosporus Strait has seriously affected the interests of capitalists engaged in overseas trade in this area, and the biggest losers are the Russians!

No way, who said that most of the overseas trade of the Russian Empire was completed through this golden waterway?

Although it is also possible to go to the Baltic Sea instead, it is not as convenient as traveling from the Black Sea. The key is that the transportation cost will increase a lot!

In just two months, the total import and export trade volume of the Russian Empire has shrunk by nearly three levels!

There was a war before, and no one could do anything about it. Thinking that after the war was won, the Ottoman Empire would be less plundered, and the capitalists endured it! \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

But now it has entered September, and the war has ended for more than half a month. Since the negotiating parties are still arguing, the two sides have to shoot a few shots from time to time, which still blocks the navigation of the strait. This is unbearable!

The capitalists decisively found their backers and exerted influence on the Russian government! Especially now that autumn is coming soon, and a new round of grain harvest is coming, if they cannot be sold, the nobles will suffer a great loss!

Pressured by domestic nobles, Sergei Yulievich Witte, the diplomatic representative of the Russian Empire, is now in a bad mood.

In order to complete the tasks entrusted by the tsar and face the pressure of domestic nobles, the negotiations must be completed as soon as possible, at least to restore normal navigation to the Bosporus Strait.

Also under pressure are the representatives of Britain, France, and Germany, the huge market of the Russian Empire,

How could it be possible without the participation of these three giants? \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

The British Empire is still the factory of the world, and although the two sides are at odds diplomatically, economically, the Russian Empire is undoubtedly one of its main trading partners.

Not to mention France, the place with the most overseas investment is Russia, and the two sides are each other's most important trading partners.

Germany is no exception. As a rising star, it was already the last train when it joined the colonial scramble. The Russian Empire has always been one of the main export destinations of German industrial and commercial products.

After the Bosphorus was cut off, everyone's import and export trade was affected to a certain extent.

Affected by the economy, Britain, France, Germany, and Russia all intend to end negotiations as soon as possible, sign a peace treaty, and restore normalization in the Near East.

In order to end the war as soon as possible, the former harmony, and restore normalcy in the Near East as soon as possible! Sergey Yulievich Witte united the representatives of the three countries who also wanted to end the war as soon as possible, and jointly exerted pressure to promote the negotiation process. \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

In this world, once the four countries of Britain, France, Germany, and Russia have the same position, there are few things they cannot do!

Faced with the unanimous decision of the four countries, Ferdinand resolutely admitted that as long as the benefits he had already obtained were not vomited, all other issues can be discussed.

Similarly, the Ottoman Empire could not bear the common pressure of the four countries, and the conditions became more pragmatic, and the negotiations seemed to have dawned.

Constantine knew very well that the main purpose of the great powers was to restore normal navigation to the Bosporus Strait. On this point, they must not fight against them!

So not long after the negotiations started, Constantine made it clear: In order to show the sincerity of Bulgaria's peace, we can stop the bombardment in the Bosporu Strait and allow merchant ships to navigate normally!

As expected, Constantine's statement received a wave of applause from the great powers! No, the representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were not very happy. After the sea-6 transportation channel in the Black Sea Strait was cut off, the Austro-Hungarian Empire could reap a lot of benefits. At least there would be less competition from Russia and Romania for grain exports! \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

What is even more uncomfortable is Halim Pasha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ottoman Empire. Now whether it is the Bosphorus Strait or the Dardanelles, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria each occupy half. How should this tariff be collected?

Ferdinand didn't care, anyway, the Bulgarian government didn't receive a penny of tax from it, and it didn't matter whether it was collected or not!

But Hario Pasha was uncomfortable. This golden waterway has always been one of the most important financial revenues of the Ottoman Empire. More than half of the customs duties were obtained from here! If it is lost directly, it is estimated that Sudan will tear him up when he goes back!

Fortunately, Harim Pasha is also a veteran in the diplomatic arena. Knowing that the situation is not good for him, he decisively played Tai Chi and resorted to procrastination.

Under the dissatisfied expressions of the great powers, the day's negotiations ended. After leaving the venue, Harim Pasha immediately sent a telegram to Ankara, demanding a domestic decision. \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

It is conceivable that Harim Pasha's life will not be easy tonight, and the subsequent forced palace by the four powers is definitely not something he can resist!

At this time, the atmosphere in the palace of Ankara is also very strange. The current situation is very unfavorable to the Ottoman Empire. Are capitalists willing to pay tariffs?

The answer is yes, as long as you are not a fool, you are not willing to pay!

Under this background, once normal navigation is resumed, tariffs will definitely not be collected! The two countries in the Straits each have half, so why should the tariffs be handed over to you?

The current situation is obvious. With the support of France and Russia, Bulgaria will definitely not spit out their European territory again.

Even if they also received the support of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they still cannot change this outcome!

Originally they hoped that the British would check and balance Russia and intervene to keep Constantinople, but now everything is impossible! \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

The Russians don't need to hide their faces, and let the navy hang the Bulgarian flag and enter the Marmara Sea, and then they can know the result.

The attitude of the Russians is very firm, even if the British drop the Mediterranean Fleet, it will be useless!

No matter how bad it is, they can defend the Dardanelles! Hundreds of heavy artillery were fired on the peninsula, and a batch of mines were planted in the strait of more than 70 kilometers, it was almost impenetrable!

The real power of sea mines should be in the Russo-Japanese War. Prior to this, the American Civil War had also been used on a large scale, but the stability was not good, and far more fish were bombed than boats!

In order to protect the interests of the great powers, all countries have tacitly prohibited the export of naval mines. In fact, even if exports are allowed, it would be unaffordable to poor people like the Ottoman Empire!

Although the production cost is only a few hundred dollars, if you want to buy it, it is estimated that the dollar is converted into pounds. Is it very cheap compared to naval warships? \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

At the beginning, Ferdinand also thought so, and planned to block the coastline with mines. After he learned the real situation, he didn't think so.

It's all pure consumables, and it drifts around with the current. It will explode when it hits a rock, and even if it hits a fish, he will still explode. It is normal to lose a hundred or eighty a day.

The family background of the Russians is not comparable to that of the Ottoman Empire. Although the mines of this era are still high-tech products and the quality is not good, they can still be manufactured and consumed!

Everyone knows this. Maybe the British still hope that the Russian navy will enter the Mediterranean Sea, so that he can join forces with other countries to break Mao Xiong's ocean dream!

Sultan blushed and said, What should we do now?

After a moment of silence, the prime minister said: It was a unanimous decision of the great powers to let go of the Bosporus Strait and allow ships to resume normal navigation, and we cannot stop it!\u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

There are two roads before us: either abandon the Strait tariffs and continue the stalemate with the Balkan alliance; or admit defeat and give up the territorial sovereignty of part of Europe!

Well, this is a multiple-choice question whether you want face or face.

Sudan was silent, his eyes were full of murderous intent, he was not willing to choose either of these two paths!

...

The next day, a new round of negotiations began, and Harim Pasha unwillingly proposed new conditions: The Ottoman Empire can give up the territory of Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Thrace, but in other areas We must be compensated!

Knowing that the Ottoman Empire had made concessions, although he didn't know why, Constantine knew that it must have something to do with the pressure from the great powers.

But he did not respond right away. Harim Pasha left out the Istanbul area including Constantinople, which is definitely not acceptable to Bulgaria. \u00261t;i\u003e\u00261t;/i\u003e

After a moment of silence, Konstantin said, Mr. Harim Pasha, you still said that you missed something!

Harim Pasha said excitedly: Istanbul is the capital of the Ottoman Empire, we must not give up!

Constantine smiled and said: It should be called Constantinople! And we all know that Constantinople is the holy land in the hearts of Christians all over the world. You have occupied it for so many years, and now it's time to return!

So you don't have to make trouble for no reason. Every believer in God in the world cannot tolerate the fall of the Holy Land again!

Speaking of which, Constantine also specially emphasized the voice! It was obviously meant for the representatives of Britain, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. The meaning is obvious. As long as you are a believer in God, you can't object!

Those sitting here are not fools. The most important political correctness in Europe in the 19th century is to believe in God. If anyone dares to say the words of abandoning Constantinople, the London citizens outside will not be able to get around him!

The Crusades and Holy Wars were not fought in vain! Some folks have always advocated that the Crusaders be reorganized and a holy war be launched against the Ottoman Empire!

This is also the reason why Ferdinand can be sure that it is absolutely impossible for the Ottoman Empire to obtain Constantinople this time.

Even if it is for votes, the British government must ensure that Constantinople cannot fall into the hands of the Ottoman Empire again!

The same point also applies to the governments of France, Russia, Germany, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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