"Your Majesty, this is the latest battle report from the Eastern Front, and this time the Russians are going to be unlucky!" The Chief of the General Staff, Imya Dimitev, brought bad news to Ferdinand.

The defeat of the Russians did not come at a good time, and now the war in Asia Minor is at a critical juncture, and once the Russians have suffered a major defeat in advance, the military pressure on Bulgaria in the Balkan region will be great.

Ferdinand asked with concern, "How long do you think the Russians will be able to hold out?" ”

After thinking for a while, Imya Dimityev said: "Judging from the current situation, the Russians' defense line may collapse at any time, but after all, they still have nearly five million troops, and it is impossible for the Allies to swallow them in one gulp."

Even if the Allies were victorious, they would not be able to get out of the Eastern Front for two or three months, and the Russians would probably be demoralized this time.

However, the Russians have a huge territory, abundant human resources, and enough strategic buffer space, as long as they are given enough time, they can still be relieved! ”

Ferdinand nodded slightly, as long as the Russians don't finish it directly, it's all acceptable. The size of the woolly bear is placed there, even if they are weak, they can contain a large number of troops of the allies.

After Ferdinand thought about it, he said coldly: "Start the second plan, first occupy Sardinia and Tuscano, and prepare to land in Lido-Diostia." As soon as the Russians are defeated, we will take the Italians! ”

There is no doubt that Ferdinand intended to withdraw the Italians from the war in advance, and use Italy's surrender to offset the political adverse effects of Russia's defeat!

Lido Diostia was only a few dozen miles from Rome, and once the landing was successful, the capital of the Italians, Rome, could not be defended.

Once Rome fell, the Apennine Peninsula was split in two, and Italy couldn't even do it if it didn't want to surrender!

"Yes!" The Chief of the General Staff, Imya Dimitev, replied

Of course, this strategy also needs the cooperation of Britain and France, otherwise the tens of thousands of Bulgarian troops in Sicily alone will not have the strength.

Ferdinand, however, was certain that Britain and France would not reject the offer, and that they would not be able to resist the political gains of taking out Italy.

……

At Buckingham Palace in London, George V was having a headache over the Russians' telegram for help, and he really didn't expect that the hairy bear, which had just erupted, would soften so quickly.

"Prime Minister, do you think the Russians really can't stand it, or are they playing tricks?" George V asked

The prime minister frowned and said: "Your Majesty, judging from the information transmitted back by our military observation mission, the Russian army is indeed running out of ammunition and food now, and I am afraid they will not last long!" ”

George V asked with some doubts: "The Russians are still short of food?" ”

The prime minister shook his head and said affirmatively: "No, of course the Russians are not short of food!" However, because they blindly advanced the battle line, and because the two or three months were the season of melting snow and ice in Russia, and the muddy roads hindered their material transportation, there was a shortage of food, and after a period of time, the traffic should be restored, and this problem should be solved. ”

After listening to the Prime Minister's explanation, George V's mood suddenly relaxed a lot.

"Oh, so as long as we find a way to solve the problem of weapons and ammunition for the Russians, they can stop the Germans?

Then let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs negotiate with the Bulgarians, let them first put together a batch of ammunition for the Russians and help Russia get through this hurdle! ”

The prime minister smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, the Bulgarians are also fighting on multiple fronts, and their strategic material reserves may not be able to supply the Russians' army of five million!"

In fact, we had already negotiated with the Bulgarians, and they categorically rejected our offer and did not even give us a chance to make an offer! ”

George V denied in a very firm tone: "No, my Prime Minister, I don't need them to supply all the supplies, just provide a batch of bullets, so that the Russians' rifles do not turn into burning sticks, of course it would be better to provide another batch of shells!"

Believe me, a mere one or two hundred million rounds of ammunition will not be enough for Ferdinand! He was actually very conservative and would certainly be well prepared on big strategic matters, as His Majesty the great Edward VII told me! ”

After thinking for a moment, the Prime Minister said, "Of course, I have no doubt about His Majesty's judgment. If only a batch of bullets is supplied, Bulgaria should still be able to get it, but these bullets alone are not useful? ”

George V sneered: "This has nothing to do with us, the Russians are only our allies now, who knows what will happen in the future?"

As long as they can hold back the Germans, it doesn't matter if they win or lose on the Eastern Front! ”

The prime minister nodded cooperatively, now the British Empire has twenty colonial divisions arriving in Europe every month, as long as the Russians drag on for a few more months, they will be ready, and when the time comes, the pile of human lives can also meet the needs of the dead Germans!

……

Compared with the British, the French were much more sincere, they sincerely hoped that the Russians would win, and the fierce battle of Verdun had already made the French realize that even if they defeated the Germans on their own, they would suffer heavy losses.

Not only did they help the Russians raise a batch of supplies, but they also tried to induce Bulgaria to take the initiative to attack Austria-Hungary through diplomatic means, and at the same time launched a feint on the Western Front to contain the Germans as much as possible.

It's a pity that all this was in vain, Ferdinand could not have put himself in danger for the sake of profit!

On the contrary, it was the proposal of the British, which intrigued Ferdinand, and it was undoubtedly in everyone's common interest to use the woolly bear and the Germans to fight desperately.

Ferdinand finally decided to send 300 million rounds of ammunition and 5 million shells of various types from the stockpile to the Russians, so that the woolly bear could support it for a while longer.

……

At this time, the battlefield on the Eastern Front changed again, and the Russian army, which had received ammunition assistance, immediately revived with full blood and fought well with the German-Austrian forces.

Of course, this only refers to the troops that have received ammunition, and the Northern Front, which is the farthest away, is still holding on, and they are still fighting very aggrieved due to the lack of ammunition.

The mood of General Alexei Andreyevich Polivanov of the Russian Northern Front is getting worse and worse, the Southwestern Front, which is closest to the Black Sea, is now resurrected with full blood, and even the Western Front next door is also replenishing blood, but their Northern Front is in the worst situation.

The ammunition is there, but it's still on the way, and when it gets to them, it's unknown how much will be left.

Once the battle is fierce and the ammunition consumption is too large, the Russian troops along the way will inevitably have to pluck the goose, and in the end, in their hands, there are only three melons and two dates left.

It's no wonder that his heart is unbalanced, and anyone who encounters this situation will be in a bad mood.

"General, a telegram has been sent from the 2nd Infantry Division saying that the Germans are storming them, that they are running out of ammunition, and that they are asking for urgent reinforcements!"

"General, the 16th Infantry Division has sent a telegram saying that the Germans intend to penetrate the line from their position, they have repelled three enemy attacks, and now they are running out of ammunition, request urgent reinforcements!"

……

Looking at the barrage of telegrams for help, Alexei Andreevich Polivanov knew that this time the Northern Front was miserable, and the Germans seemed to have discovered their lack of ammunition and seemed to be pinching them as soft persimmons.

No, now they are soft persimmons, all weapons and ammunition have been distributed to the troops, the logistics warehouses of the Northern Front have been emptied, and now the only hope is waiting for logistics supplies.

Alexei Andreevich Polivanov said sternly: "Tell them that they must hold on, hold on for two more days, and our logistical supplies will be in place, and before that everyone must stick to their posts and die on the ground, and I will die on the position, violating military law!" ”

"Yes!" The staff officer replied

Alexei Andreevich Polivanov ignored the staff officer's answer and continued to speak: "Pass the order, order the logistics department to speed up the march, and if it is not possible to reach the front line within two days, all personnel will be martialized!"

Order the 7th Cavalry Division to immediately go to meet the logistics troops to help them transport, and first use the war horse to carry some bullets back to me for emergency!

And all the officers and guards in the rear handed over the ammunition to me to the front and distribute it to the soldiers! ”

Obviously, the Northern Front was already in danger, and the troops on the front line were short of ammunition, and the battle could not be continued at all.

Alexei Andreevich Polivanov knew that the current consumption of ammunition was simply too great, and even if this batch of supplies arrived, the Northern Front would not be able to hold out for long.

But now every minute is precious to the Russian army, and the Entente is already trying to supply them.

As long as there is enough ammunition, it will not be difficult for them to block the attack of the Allies by virtue of their superiority in strength.

Therefore, now Alexei Andreevich Polivanov has decided to fight to the death, and even all the weapons and ammunition of the guard units have been sent to the front, and he is fighting for time with the Germans.

……