The next day, the two sides held friendly talks and signed an alliance!

Oh, and it's all YY!

Diplomatic negotiations are never achieved overnight, and negotiations like this involving future national strategies are even more troublesome.

In fact, the next day, Ferdinand and Nikolai were in Sofia.

"God's back garden" is not in vain, even in the 19th century, Sofia had the rudiments of a garden city. Now it is full of flowers, green trees, and birds.

For some reason, Nikolai has recently become obsessed with history and culture. Although Bulgaria is not one of the four ancient countries, it does have some historical heritage, which can be traced back thousands of years.

The Thracians settled here in 2000 BC, and the ancestors of the Bulgarians were the ancient Bulgarians who migrated from Central Asia and were incorporated into the Byzantine Empire in 395 AD.

In 681 AD, the Slavs who moved south from the north bank of the Danube, the ancient Bulgarians and Thracians who migrated west from the northern Caucasus, led by Hanaluh Asbaruk, defeated the Byzantine army and established the Slavic Kingdom of Bulgaria (historically known as the First Bulgarian Kingdom) in the Danube Valley.

Sofia was built and settled by the Thracian Serdi tribe from the 8th century BC to the 7th century BC for more than 2,800 years. It is an ancient city with a long history in Europe, known as "Serdica" in ancient times.

There are now remnants of broken walls, the exact date of which is difficult to determine, revealing the vicissitudes of life that Bulgaria has experienced.

In 809 AD, Sofia became part of the Slavic Bulgarian state and has been a gathering place for Slavs in the Balkans ever since.

"Ferdinand, Serdica is so beautiful, you're cheap!" Nikolai said with some envy

"Hehe, yes! Compared to the great Russian Empire, it is not worth mentioning! Ferdinand took it and gave it a small compliment.

"That's right, but it's too cold in Russia! We have a land bigger than the whole of Europe, but most of it is frozen ground! Now the world has been almost divided, and the best land is in the hands of the British, are you willing? Nikolai did not hide his dissatisfaction with the British, and could not help but express it.

Ferdinand rolled his eyes and expressed displeasure! Is this looking for excitement? If Bulgaria had that strength, Lao Tzu would have acted a long time ago.

After thinking about it, Ferdinand decided to provoke Nikolai as well, saying: "I don't think you should say this to me, it is better to tell Wilhelm II or Franz Joseph I!" Their interest will be even greater! ”

As soon as Ferdinand's words fell, Nikolai seemed to be stimulated, and said with some excitement: "Don't put those two bastards in front of me!" It's all a bunch of cowards, who don't have the courage to attack the British tigers, and only know how to make small moves in Europe! ”

Ferdinand smiled and did not continue the topic. Russia's current relations with Germany and Austria are not very good.

Thirty years ago, in the Crimean War, Austria-Hungary betrayed Russia and switched to Britain and France, resulting in a crushing defeat for Russia, and the hatred between the two sides accumulated.

Wilhelm II, who had just succeeded to the throne, had recently torn up the German-Russian Reinsurance Treaty, and if he had been calm, it would not have been Nikolai.

As if aware of his gaffe, Nikolai adjusted his emotions and said very gracefully: "I'm sorry, you know I'm in a hurry!" ”

Still smiling, Ferdinand said, "It's okay, but your status is not suitable for such a thing!" ”

Nikolai nodded and did not speak. Ferdinand had figured out his character, and knew very well that Nikolai, who was usually polite, could hardly control himself when he was angry, and he lost his usual shrewdness.

Then he said, "Nikolai, what is the purpose of your trip?" ”

"Of course, it's to understand the world and increase experience! Oh, why do you suddenly care about this? Nikolai asked, somewhat confused

"Okay, you keep selling! But I can still guess that St. Petersburg's strategy is about to change, right? Ferdinand said in the affirmative

Nikolai was shocked in his heart, and said without changing his face: "How do you know? Now there are no more than ten people who know this news! ”

Ferdinand looked at Nikolai and said confidently, "It's easy! The current international situation, coupled with your travel routes, exposes this secret! ”

"Without the German-Russian alliance, if St. Petersburg's next focus is still in Europe, then it will have to face the German, Austrian, Italian, and British alliances. Unless St. Petersburg wants another war like the one in the Crimea, the strategy will inevitably change! ”

"It just so happens that the neighbors in the east are now in a state of weakness, and now that you are heading all the way east, I am afraid that you are planning to gain an in-depth understanding of the strength of the countries in the east! Your country's next expansion target is either the Ottoman Empire or the Manchu Qing in the East! ”

Nikolai frowned, he didn't like this scene of the situation getting out of control, looked at Ferdinand and said coldly: "Yes! You're so sure, why not guess the Balkans? ”

Ferdinand did not answer, and after looking at Nikolai, he said: "The Balkans are complicated, no matter how much it expands, Russia can't eat it now!" Perhaps the Quadruple Alliance will be established by accident, and the challenge for your country will be even greater! ”

"It is impossible not to see the shrewdness of the government of St. Petersburg, otherwise your country will not move closer to France!"

Nikolai pondered for a moment and said coldly: "That's right, Ferdinand seems that we still underestimated you, so you can see it so quickly!" This matter has not been kept secret for long, even if it is exposed now, at most the eastward expansion plan is a little troublesome! We went to the Far East, probably just according to their wishes! ”

Ferdinand said cautiously: "Of course, with the strength of your country, the Manchus are definitely not opponents!" But what about the future? Once your country gains a foothold in the East, it will inevitably harm the interests of the British, and the European-stirring stick is not in vain! ”

Nikolai seemed to be tired of Ferdinand, and was unwilling to continue to talk nonsense, so he went straight to the point and said, "Say, what do you want?" And what kind of return can it bring to Russia? ”

"Quite simply, I want to build a solid alliance with Russia. Your country's decision to move eastward will inevitably lead to a strategic retrenchment in Europe. I hope that your country will support Bulgaria's expansion in the Balkans, and in return your country's interests in the Balkans will expand. In the future, if the conditions are ripe, Romania can be divided, and even if your country wants to seize Constantinople, we can also provide support! Ferdinand said cautiously

Nikolai was taken aback, Ferdinand's appetite was beyond his imagination, and it was definitely not easy for a small Bulgaria to upset the balance in the Balkans.

But the rewards were also tempting, and the expansion of interests in the Balkans was not enough to make Nikola happy.

The partition of Romania is indeed a piece of fat, and the most important thing is Constantinople, which has been the dream of generations of Russians, and for this goal, wars and wars have been fought countless times.

The main reason for the failure each time is that there is not a single ally. On this issue, the European powers, the Balkan countries were all their enemies, and now Ferdinand was on the side of Russia on the question of Constantinople, Nikolai could not believe it.

"Are you sure?" ”

"Of course!" Ferdinand affirmed

If Ferdinand wasn't a traverser, he wouldn't have dared to make such a promise. With the full support of Bulgaria, would the woolly bear be able to capture Constantinople? The answer is: Yes!

The two sides are too close, with Bulgaria as the rear, and the woolly bear will strategically take the initiative and have a very high chance of winning. Once the woolly bears gain a foothold in the Mediterranean, the Balkans can claim to be in their pockets.

If it really happened, even if Ferdinand unified the Balkans, he would not be able to compete with it, and the whole of Europe would have to crawl under the shadow of the woolly bear. (You can refer to the Soviet Union in its heyday)