(Note: In some places earlier, the exchange rate was mistaken to a decimal point, 1 leva = 1 dinar = 1 leu = 1 franc≈ 0.29 grams of gold, now it has been changed.) ）

In international diplomacy, as long as you judge the attribution of interests, in the hearts of big people, you can roughly guess the ins and outs, as for the truth and falsehood, it is not important in many cases!

Ferdinand's secret deal with Austria-Hungary was so speculated by Alexander III!

Crown Prince Nicholas took a deep breath, he obviously couldn't do what Alexander III was doing, and said very worriedly: "Does the deal between Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary mean that their strategic change will affect us?" ”

Alexander III asked rhetorically: "What do you think, Nikolai?" I'd like to hear your own judgment! ”

Crown Prince Nikolai pondered for a moment, then said: "I think Bulgaria's strategy has not changed from beginning to end!" Ferdinand's goal was still the Ottoman Empire, although the Ottomans had fallen and was not something that Bulgaria could challenge now!

The contradictions between Bulgaria and Serbia are deeper than those between Germany and France, there is no possibility of détente at all, and there will be a war between Bulgaria and Serbia!

Now Vienna wants to teach the disobedient Serbs a lesson, and the goal of the Bulgarians is in unison, and Ferdinand is planning to fall to the ground!

But that's all, Austria-Hungary could not have watched Bulgaria cripple Serbia, let alone annex it!

As soon as Austria-Hungary intervenes, the war will stop! Ferdinand didn't ask us for help, which means that he was mentally ready! For us, the impact doesn't seem to be huge! ”

If Ferdinand listened to Nicholas's judgment, he would have been surprised, 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. For the first ten years of Nicholas II's reign, the huge empire was still functioning normally!

The Tsar who took control of this vast empire, an emperor who could suppress the domestic aristocracy and capitalists; How could an emperor who had the support of the peasant class even after being overthrown be an idiot?

Alexander III smiled and said: "Nikolai, your judgment is correct, but this is also our chance!" In 1886, Austria-Hungary intervened in the Bulgarian War, and many Bulgarians are still haunted by it, so presumably after this time, their resentment will be even deeper!

Serbia did not pay the price last time, this time it is difficult to say, once the intervention of Austria-Hungary did not satisfy them, it is estimated that they will not miss Vienna well!

Our opportunity has also come, to provoke their civil contradictions, even if Serbia completely falls to Austria-Hungary, we can't let Joseph swallow it easily! ”

The prime minister was surprised and said: "Your Majesty, Austria-Hungary has the ambition to annex Serbia, so do we want to intervene in this war, otherwise ~~"

Nikolai interrupted the Prime Minister: "There is no need! Serbia is not so easy to swallow, the British will not let Austria-Hungary dominate in the Balkans, even their ally the Germans will probably oppose it!

Our strategic focus is now on the Far East, and it is enough to have Bulgaria in the Balkans, so there is no need to involve too much energy in the short term! ”

Alexander III thought for a moment and said: "Nikolai is right, now we don't need to meddle!" Even if I had prevented this war, Serbia would not have come to us!

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

……

The disagreement at the top of the Russian government is also the result of the strategic differences advocated by the factions within the Russian Empire! The European faction, represented by the Prime Minister, and the Far Eastern faction, headed by Crown Prince Nicholas.

The Europeans wanted to expand in the Balkans and then into the Mediterranean, so they supported intervention in the war against Bulgaria; The Far Easterners believe that the Balkans are complicated, and that Russia's entry into the Mediterranean will be boycotted by Britain, Germany, Austria, and Italy, and that it will be difficult to accomplish things, and they advocate expanding to the Far East first to develop its national strength, and then returning to Europe at the end!

From a strategic point of view, Russia is right in carrying out its plans for the Far East, and the European powers are too strong to make a breakthrough.

Even if it loses in the Russo-Japanese War, it cannot be said that the Far Eastern 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, and the vast territory and rich resources laid the foundation for the rise of the USSR in later generations!

If it had not been for greed, the Russian Empire would have not been bogged down in the Balkan quagmire and continued to carry out the Far Eastern plans, and the history of the world would have been 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 off the Russian foreign envoy, Count Paul, was now in a good mood. There were no accidents, the Russians were willing to cooperate with the scene, and now it can be said that the victory is in hand!

……

"Is the Konstantin government department ready?" Ferdinand asked

Konstantin did not hesitate to say: "Grand Duke, we are ready for everything!" Bulgaria can enter a wartime state at any time, and the major factories related to the country have been included in the overall planning of the government!

The strategic material reserve is enough for 200,000 troops for a year, and 100 million leva of wartime special funds have been raised, but I am afraid that the later construction projects will be postponed! ”

Ferdinand nodded in satisfaction, and then said, "Well, well done, let's start mobilizing!" Although most of the reserves are not needed, it is better to treat it as a drill!

How is the chief of staff and the military prepared? When can I start? ”

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

According to the estimates of the General Staff, this war will not last more than two months. Under normal circumstances, within a month, we would have been able to occupy Kraljevo and end the war! ”

How to fight, Ferdinand wisely chose to default. I know my own level, if it's on paper, that's okay; Formulating a strategy will also be done, if you really want to command the operation, it is better than Zhao Kuo!

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

Ferdinand smiled and said: "Serbia has already started a national mobilization, so let's start, can't we really wait until they are all ready to go to war?" The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for finding a suitable excuse to declare war, and other departments cooperate!

The military should not forget the strategic purpose of this war! All battles revolve around the core goal of ~ minimizing the survival of Serbia! ”

"Yes"! Petrov returned sonorously

……