Greece’s Roman Road

"Furthermore, winning over Bulgaria can also break up the alliance treaty signed between Serbia and Bulgaria against the empire," Lucas added.

"In addition, there is another factor that should be taken into account, Your Majesty, that is, Bulgaria is an important transit country for the Berlin-Constantinople-Baghdad railway. Germany and the Empire have always had the idea of ​​wooing the Ottoman Empire to join the Allies, and Bulgaria became the As the Allies' important relay nodes in the Balkans, without Bulgaria's allies, it is impossible to win over the Ottoman Empire." Lucas, facing Emperor Francis and Chief of General Staff Conrad, clarified the benefits of the Allies winning Bulgaria.

After the completion of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway, a large number of goods from Germany and Austria were exported to the Ottoman Empire through the railway, and various raw materials, agricultural products, and ores of the Ottoman Empire were also transported to Germany and Austria through the railway.

And Bulgaria is the only place to pass on this railway. Once Bulgaria is close to the Allied Powers and stands on the side of the Allied Powers in the future war between the Allied Powers and the Allied Powers, then the railway connection between Germany and Austria and the Ottomans will be cut off.

To win over the Ottoman Empire into the Allied powers was an important strategy for the Allied Powers to deal with the Allied Powers, especially the weakest part of the Allied Powers - Russia.

The reason is also very simple. The Ottomans hold Russia's important waterway, the lifeline - the Bosphorus Strait.

60% of Russia's import and export trade needs to pass through the Bosphorus Strait.

Therefore, once the Ottoman Empire joins the Allies, it means that Russia's foreign trade will be cut off by the Allies during the war.

If this important waterway cannot be cut off during the war, Russia, which has insufficient industrial production capacity, will continue to import arms, weapons and other resources through the Bosphorus Strait, relying on Russia's abundant manpower, and the Allies have only one option to surrender.

In Europe, Russia is known as a Russian road roller. It has a pivotal position in Europe. It has always been an old European power. In all things in Europe, Russia is inseparable from the shadow.

During the Napoleonic Wars (1812), Russia was the formidable enemy of France, the hegemon of the European continent at that time.

During the Crimean War, Russia fought fiercely with Britain and France on the Black Sea coast.

In the impression of Europeans, Russia gives the impression that it is a behemoth with an almost inexhaustible source of troops.

Russia has the largest population in Europe, with a standing army of 1.5 million. Once mobilized for war, this number will reach 7 million.

For any European country, this is a force that cannot be underestimated.

If Russia really has any shortcomings, it is its backward industrial capacity.

Millions of troops, once participating in the war, will consume an astronomical amount of weapons and ammunition.

Obviously, it is impossible to arm so many soldiers only by relying on the military-industrial capabilities of Russia.

If the arms and ammunition of Britain and France pass through the Bosphorus to replenish the Russian army continuously, then, with 7 million fully armed soldiers, who else can be his opponent?

Even Germany's Schlieffen plan envisaged to attack France first after the war, and after the rapid defeat of France, the German army would then be transferred back to the east to deal with Russia.

First of all, this shows that even the top leaders of the German army hide their fear of Russia in their hearts. They believe that Russia is more difficult to deal with than France.

Winning Bulgaria is not because of how important Bulgaria is, but because the Bosphorus Strait in the hands of the Ottoman Empire is the most effective weapon against Russia.

The navies of the Allied countries are at a disadvantage compared to the Allied countries. Once the war begins, it is impossible to maintain contact with the Ottoman Empire by sea. Then, they must find a way to establish a smooth communication channel with the Ottoman Empire on land.

These thoughts emerged one by one in the hearts of the three of them.

"In this way, it is indeed an important thing to win over Bulgaria. What should we do?" Emperor Francis asked with a solemn expression.

"Bulgaria's acquisition of Thessaloniki should be resolutely and decisively supported. If Bulgaria has the idea of ​​taking tough measures, it should support it without hesitation."

Conrad said eagerly.

"Whether Bulgaria wins or loses, it will be beneficial to win Bulgaria into the Allies"

Emperor Francis looked at Lucas and nodded solemnly.

After Conrad and Lucas bowed to the emperor, they all left the office.

........

May 24, 1913, Sofia

Lucas, the foreign minister of the Austria-Hungary Empire, secretly took the Orient Express to Sofia, the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

Lucas, who was on an important mission, hurried into the palace the next morning to meet King Ferdinand after a night of repairs at the Austro-Hungarian embassy.

In the back garden of the palace, Lucas met King Ferdinand and Prime Minister Pasic.

"Your Majesty, I'm here to convey the goodwill of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire will support Bulgaria in acquiring Thessaloniki, not just make Thessaloniki an independent city. Emperor Francis believes that as a By defeating the main military force of the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria is qualified enough to get Thessaloniki" Lucas directly stated his purpose.

"Austro-Hungary believes that with Bulgaria's contribution to the war, there should be greater gains in Macedonia"

Although Ferdinand and Prime Minister Pasic knew that Austria-Hungary's move was entirely motivated by interests, they were still pleasantly surprised.

The failure to acquire Thessaloniki, an important Aegean port and transportation hub, has made Bulgarians angry.

In fact, Bulgarian people believe that the whole of Macedonia should belong to Bulgaria.

After all, in the heyday of the Bulgarian Kingdom in history, the territory spanned the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, and Macedonia was ruled by the Bulgarian Kingdom.

Moreover, in the Treaty of Saint Snowfat signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1878, the Greater Bulgaria Plan also included Macedonia.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Bulgarians, Bulgaria has sufficient reasons to ask for Macedonia.

"Mr. Lucas~www.wuxiax.com~ Bulgaria has just gone through a fierce war, the kingdom's finances are empty, we..."

Before Ferdinand finished speaking, Lucas interjected: "Austro-Hungary can borrow a sum from Bulgaria."

"Your Majesty, Bulgaria is indeed financially empty after this war, but isn't it the same for the Greeks?"

Prime Minister Pasic interjected: "Mr. Lucas, there is also a serious shortage of weapons and ammunition in the Bulgarian army. Our weapons and ammunition were depleted in the last war, and it is difficult to replenish them in a short period of time."

"It doesn't matter, Your Excellency, two days later, there will be a train carrying weapons and ammunition from Vienna to Sofia."

Seeing the figure of Lucas leaving, the two in the back garden fell silent for a while.

"Your Majesty, take military action against Greece immediately. I am worried that the soldiers will complain. After all, everyone has just experienced a brutal war for several months, and we are blatantly accepting the support of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Is it inappropriate?" Hickey said with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Prime Minister Pasic, the Bulgarian army's attack on Constantinople has annoyed the Russians. It is difficult for Bulgaria to gain the trust of the Russians again. Most of the weapons used by the army were purchased from Russia. Now Austria-Hungary The Empire is willing to help Bulgaria, why refuse it"

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