Greece to roman road

The Ottomans chose to attack Greece's textile industry, which really hit a critical point in Greece.

"We must respond, Your Highness, otherwise the Greek economy will be in trouble." Kontoriotis looked anxious.

"I have asked the Greek ambassador in Constantinople to lodge a protest with the Ottoman government and ask them to treat Greek goods fairly," Trikupis said with a worried face.

"But so far there has been no response from the Ottoman government"

"According to my sources, this incident was instigated by local businessmen from the UK and France. In recent years, Greek goods, especially textiles, have been squeezing their markets," Kontoriotis told himself. The news was informed to the two.

Constantine sighed, there was no good solution to this matter except military means.

The so-called doing business with a sword means that a country's commodity market must rely on military means to maintain it, especially in the international situation at the end of the 19th century when imperialist powers were competing for each other.

At this time, Greece was regarded as a third-rate European country in the eyes of various countries, and naturally it would not be taken seriously.

After glancing at the restless Kontoriotis, Constantine stepped forward, patted him twice on the shoulder, and said: "No matter the trade friction between Greece and the Ottomans, Britain and France are behind it." No matter how dirty they have played, there is no way Greece can do anything to them.”

"We can only put it down to Osman"

"You should go back first. The government will give you an explanation anyway, but you must be prepared for one thing. This is not a problem that can be solved in a short time. Be prepared for a long-term response."

Contoriotis was full of unwillingness. He had lost the big market of Ottoman. Now he had to find an alternative market and could only dump more cotton cloth to Congo.

Looking at Kontoriotis's retreating figure, Constantine asked quietly: "Prime Minister, are we ready for war?"

Hearing the word war, Trikupis was horrified and said hurriedly: "Your Highness, it won't develop to the point of war, right?"

Although the Greek army has made great progress in recent years. With the support of 200 million drachmas in military expenditures, various new technological weapons have been continuously installed in the army, and its military capabilities have advanced by leaps and bounds. But suddenly, it will be like the Ottoman Empire. The war between the great powers still surprised Trikupis.

As the prime minister of a country, unlike ordinary people who did not know the state affairs and often clamored for war and regained Rome, Tricupis clearly knew the risks of war.

Although the Ottoman Empire is known as the Sick Man of West Asia, its lean camels are bigger than horses. Since Sultan Abdul Hamid II succeeded to the throne, he has directly abandoned the expensive navy and increased investment in the army. The number of troops that can be fought is still around 200,000.

In Constantine's view, this was actually a wise decision. For a declining empire with financial constraints, the army was much more cost-effective.

For the price of one warship, you can arm several army divisions.

In the obvious comparison of strength between the two countries, Greece and the Ottomans, Greece is at an absolute disadvantage.

Greece has a population of about 1.8 million (300,000 more than in the original time and space) and a territory of about 50,000 square kilometers.

Ottoman Türkiye had a population of 20 million and a territory of 1.5 million square kilometers.

Such a comparison of strength, as long as Fan still has some sense, really makes people have no idea of ​​​​going to war with Türkiye.

Trikoupis frowned and thought about countermeasures. If the Ottoman Empire was allowed to suppress Greek textiles, the Greek domestic economy would collapse. This is different from raisins. Greece cannot find a replacement for the 120 million market. market.

Not to mention the pressure from the industrial, commercial and financial circles, the families of the hundreds of thousands of textile workers alone are enough to cause a headache for the Greek government.

Being in a dilemma, a dilemma, is exactly the psychological portrayal of Trikupis at this time.

Looking at Trikoupis who kept pacing, Constantine advised: "The current situation is that you can either watch the economic collapse of Greece, or take a military risk and take a risk."

"Whether it is the failure of the military adventure or the collapse of the economy, Greece cannot afford either outcome."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Trikupis said awkwardly: "Your Highness, if I go to the National Assembly building now and announce the news of the war to everyone, I am afraid that the congressmen will immediately kick me off the stage and regard me as Be a lunatic"

Although there are great ideals among the people and calls to regain places where the Greeks are the majority, Greek officials are still very aware of the power gap between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

"It will be difficult, we can't fight, and the economy collapses," Constantine lamented.

"Your Highness, can you tell me, if Greece really goes to war with the Ottomans, what are the chances of Greece winning?" Trikupis stared at Constantine and asked solemnly.

His brain was working rapidly, analyzing all aspects of the Greek army's information. Constantine replied seriously: "The possibility of victory, although not great, is not impossible, 30%-40% possibility."

"We have no better way besides military adventure, right?" With these words, Trikupis seemed to be asking Constantine, but also seemed to be telling himself.

For a long time, I didn't get any answer.

After sending away the two guests, Sophie hugged George, walked up and asked: "What happened? My dear"

Constantine looked up at the rolling dark clouds in the sky and murmured: "The storm is coming."

···········

Time entered 1895, something happened in the Ottoman Empire, which attracted the attention of Constantine, and the Armenians were rioting.

Armenians mainly live in the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, south of the Caucasus Mountains and in the vast area north of Syria.

As the Ottoman Empire lost Georgia and Azerbaijan, Russian forces entered the southern Caucasus Mountains. Russia's land bordered the Armenian gathering area in the east of the Ottomans. The Russians and Armenians shared the same Orthodox faith, which made the Ottoman Empire feel disturbed.

In Constantinople, 2,000 Armenians petitioned the Sudan, asking the government to restrict the Kurds who continued to harass and plunder Armenian villages.

They were later dispersed by Ottoman police force.

Soon, the killing of Armenians occurred in Constantinople. Subsequently, this incident swept through the Armenian-inhabited areas in the Ottoman Empire, including the provinces of Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Harput, and Sivas. , Trabzon Province and Van Province.

In June 1895, inspired by the government's intentional or unintentional hints, all Greek newspapers began to launch a fierce public opinion offensive against the Ottoman Turks, accusing the massacre of Armenians of being an organized and premeditated atrocity.

The newspaper called the Ottoman Sultan, Hamid II, "Bloody Hamid", and paired it with a chilling picture: a Q version of Hamid with teeth and claws, wearing a turban, and holding a belt in his mouth. Bloody dagger.