"Prime Minister de Pretis, my country attaches great importance to its relations with your country. We agree that relations with your country will be the main direction of Bulgaria's future diplomacy, and to that end we are ready to forge stronger relations with your country. ”

Bulgarian Prime Minister Stambolov, who is in the prime minister's office, is trumpeting the intimacy between the two countries in front of Italian Prime Minister De Pretis. Its affection is so deep that people who don't know think that the two countries are good enough to wear a pair of pants.

De Pretis looked at the Bulgarian prime minister in front of him, and felt that this scene was so familiar, this was not the same when he went to Berlin to seek an alliance a few years ago.

However, this trick was not good at all for Prime Minister Bismarck, who had already gone into the wilderness, and if it were not for the later Russian incident, his low voice would have been in vain.

I didn't expect feng shui to take turns, and it was Italy's turn to enjoy this treatment.

Unlike Germany, however, Bulgaria did play a significant role in expanding Italy's influence in the Balkans. Unlike King Carlo, Italian officials, led by De Pretis, were indeed interested in the Balkans, but Bulgaria wanted to win Italy's friendship with empty teeth, which was too wishful thinking.

So Depretis waited for the Bulgarian prime minister to finish speaking, and then spoke slowly. "Your Excellency Stambolov, the whole of our country also has a good impression of Bulgaria. But if you want to take the relationship between the two countries to a higher level, there are so many things that need to be taken into account, and this involves many aspects, do you understand? ”

Depretis, this is completely a rabbit and no eagle, all nonsense, as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, how can Stambolov, as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, not understand, this is waiting for Bulgaria to make an offer.

Although he didn't think about a few kind words to achieve his goal, it still gave him a sense of the Italian attitude. This can be discussed, but it must be sold at a sufficient price.

Just talking about interests, now it is much simpler, and Stambolov believes that the benefits that Bulgaria has come up with this time are enough to impress the Italians.

I saw him smile and speak. "The help to your country, of course, we will not forget. For this reason, China believes that we should increase economic and trade exchanges between the two countries and make the relations between the two countries closer. ”

Bulgaria's conditions seem to be good, but why does Depretis feel so familiar, isn't this a trick he used in Germany?

Since he was not able to impress the Germans with this condition at that time, it was not easy for the Bulgarians to impress themselves this time.

I saw him ask with a smile. "So how much do you think it should be lowered?"

"We believe that it is reasonable to reduce the current tariff between the two countries from 25% to 20%."

Unable to understand Depretis's inner thoughts, Stambolov immediately stated the Bulgarian conditions, but he did not know that the conditions did not meet the expectations of the Italian prime minister.

"Your Excellency Stambolov, your country's proposal is very beneficial to the promotion of economic and trade exchanges between your two countries, and I believe that it will greatly promote the economies of the two countries."

Although Depretis said words of thanks, Stambolov, who is familiar with the rules of diplomacy, was not happy in his heart, because the Italian prime minister in front of him did not give the answer he wanted.

It seems that this condition did not satisfy the Italians, and thinking of this, Stambolov glanced at Foreign Minister Popkov beside him, and saw a bad look in his eyes as well.

It seems that the final conditions need to be come up.

"In fact, in addition to thinking that the reduction of tariffs can promote the development of our two countries, in fact, we have a request for this visit."

Stambolov's words left Prime Minister Depretis and Foreign Minister Bakona a little puzzled. What else can Bulgaria have?

Soon, Stambolov solved the mystery. "Actually, we came here this time for another purpose, that is, we hope to be able to raise funds in your country......

"Financing?"

Faced with the Bulgarian Prime Minister's financing words in front of him, Depretis showed a puzzled expression. As we all know, Italy itself is not a suitable country for financing, and there is not enough domestic capital for itself, and it can still provide financing for others?

However, De Pretis's doubts soon unfolded with Stambolov's words.

"Yes, your country also knows that although our country has gained a large amount of territory in this war, our current financial situation is not good. And with the end of the war, the main focus of our country needs to be shifted to the development of the Macedonian region. Among them, the railway from Sofia through Skopje to Thessaloniki is of particular importance for our country. However, in view of the current financial income of our country, it is very difficult to build this railway on our own, so we hope to be able to finance it in your country. ”

Hearing this, Depreetis couldn't help but interject. "Is your country going to finance in the form of shares, or in the form of debt?"

"Shares."

"So how much do you plan to finance?"

"A share of 40% of the total share capital."

Speaking of which, Stambolov added another layer of price. "In addition, we intend to expand the port of Thessaloniki to facilitate our use of this port to expand our exports, which will also require 40% financing."

At this time, Depretis did not understand that perhaps Bulgaria was indeed short of funds, but there was no need to give up a stake in such a strategic project as the expansion of the port of Salonica and the railway linking Sofia, because it was a profitable business.

As long as Bulgaria places these two projects in Paris or London, and publicly issues debt, some people are willing to invest. There is no need to come up with shares at all, such a sensitive thing.

This is the Bulgarian interest in Macedonia, and its purpose is already very obvious, which is to keep Salonica, the largest port in Macedonia.

Don't blame the Bulgarians for wanting to defend this port, this port is too important to them, as long as Bulgaria can keep this port, then it will no longer be locked up in the Black Sea, which is of great benefit to Bulgaria's strategic situation. Whether military, economic, or even political, the benefits are endless.

In the face of such generous conditions offered by the Bulgarian prime minister in front of him, Depretis was really moved, not only him, but also Foreign Minister Bacona on the side, who was even more moved.

Had it not been for the fact that such a matter would have to be told to the king, they would have almost agreed on the spot.

In the end, though, DePreetis endured. "I and Bacona personally agree very much with your country's demand, and at the same time, I think that your country's performance and sacrifice in this war, and it is very reasonable to ask for Macedonia as compensation."

Although this was only the private attitude of the Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, it still made the Bulgarians happy. Such lucrative conditions finally stunned them.

However, to avoid long nights and dreams, Stambolov still asked with concern. "I would like to ask how long it will take for your country to give an official reply?"

"This time will not be too long, I will go to the palace and inform Your Majesty of your country's request."

De Pretis's answer made Stambolov feel a lot more relieved, and if he got the full support of the Italians, he believed that on the question of Macedonia's ownership, the pressure on Bulgaria would be reduced by at least half.