Greece to roman road

May 26, 1912, Tatoy Palace

The Constantine family is enjoying a rare relaxing time.

In the spacious and bright restaurant, there are seven members of the Crown Prince's family. In addition to Constantine and Sophie sitting at both ends of the table, the eldest son George, the second son Alexander, and the youngest Paul, and the two princesses Helen and Yilian are surrounding the bar. Dining table, enjoying breakfast.

"Is there going to be a war, father?" George put down the knife and fork in his hand, took a sip of milk from the glass, and looked at Constantine, who was reading the newspaper in the first place.

Prince George, who was born in 1890, was already an adult. After completing the compulsory military education of the Greek royal family, he went to Germany to receive university education.

Because the situation in Europe is tense now, I just returned to Greece from Germany recently.

After the meal, Constantine, who was holding the newspaper in his hand, was concentrating on it without raising his head: "How do you know?"

"In recent days, all newspapers in Greece have published some negative news about the Ottoman Empire. They are obviously inciting public opinion." George looked like he couldn't hide it from me.

When Constantine heard this, he glanced at the Athens Daily in his hand. The front page headline was to introduce readers to the blood tax system of the Ottoman Empire.

The Ottoman Empire ruled Greece for hundreds of years, and naturally committed many atrocities that could arouse the anger of the Greeks.

The so-called blood tax meant that low-level officials in the Ottoman Empire regularly collected boys from Christian families according to a certain proportion.

These boys received rigorous military training from an early age and were converted to the Ottoman Empire's state religion.

Some of these boys entered the army and became efficient, ferocious, and fearless warriors, such as the famous Yenicheri Legion in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The Jenicheri Legion played the most important role in the expansion of the Ottoman Empire's territory.

Some boys with high qualifications will receive a good education and can serve as officials at all levels when they reach adulthood, or serve in the sultan's harem. Of course, they will be castrated.

The above mentioned are boys. The Ottoman Empire also had a concubine system, which was aimed at girls from Christian families.

These girls will be taken into the sultan's palace and become maids or concubines.

Speaking of which, due to the special inheritance system of the Ottoman Empire, the mothers of many Ottoman sultans were of Christian origin.

This newspaper article introduces in detail the less well-known concubine system in the blood tax system.

One can imagine how the Greeks would feel after reading articles written by such people.

Of course, if all the public opinion of a country is used to attack a certain country, in the eyes of interested people, some clues can naturally be seen.

Seeing that Constantine was still engrossed in reading the newspaper, George said expectantly: "I am already twenty-two years old. Should I join the army and serve?"

After George finished speaking, Constantine put down the newspaper and looked at George. He saw that Prince George had specially worn a military uniform today, and his whole person exuded the unique valor and ability of a soldier.

Seeing his father finally reacting, George patted his chest and said: "I have received complete military training, Greek army command courses, German political courses and cavalry command officer training. Uncle William also personally awarded me a captaincy." Where is his military rank?”

Constantine stood up, put on his coat under the service of the servant, and said to George at the same time: "I will inform Emmanuel and ask him to arrange a position for you in the army."

Yesterday, the delegation led by Venizelos returned to Athens from Bodrigocha.

Constantine hurried to the prime minister's residence in a carriage, eager to learn the results of the negotiations with the Pausades.

Constantine came to the prime minister's office and saw that Venizelos was already processing official documents.

Seeing that Vinize Los had a tired face and no joy on his face. Instead, his face was so gloomy that it seemed to be dripping with water. Seeing this scene, Constantine already had some thoughts about the outcome of this diplomatic consultation. Guess.

"Prime Minister, what was the result of the meeting with the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Bodligocha? Was there any result?" Constantine asked eagerly.

After hearing this, Venizelos raised his head from the pile of documents and saw that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came in person. He stood up silently and led Constantine to sit down in the reception room.

"The attitudes of the two countries are very firm. On the issue of dividing Macedonian territory, the two countries have been unable to reach an agreement with us." Venizelos shook his head with a heavy heart.

Constantine frowned when he heard this, and thought to himself, is Greece really going to fight alone?

"Serbia insists on claiming North Macedonia, while Bulgaria has strong ambitions for Thessaloniki, a famous Greek city with a long history."

Venizelos lamented: "Due to the huge differences between the two sides on the issue of territorial division, Greece and the two alliances have only reached some broad agreements to determine the cooperation between the two armies in the face of the Ottoman Empire."

Constantine was confused by Venizelos for a moment: "Looking at it this way, are the alliance negotiations between Greece and Pausanias a success or a failure?"

Venizelos pondered for a moment and said: "Just a loose alliance."

"So, according to this, the territory of Macedonia will belong to whichever country captures it during the war?" Constantine felt surprised.

Venizelos nodded and said: "It can be understood that. In addition, Serbian Prime Minister Pasic asked Greece to allow Serbia to build a railway to connect the Serbian interior with the seaport cities in northern Albania, Greece."

"Moreover, during the negotiations, Grand Duke Nicholas of Montenegro also requested to join this alliance."

The Montenegro region has always maintained a strong independence due to its continuous mountains and difficult terrain, which makes transportation difficult. The Ottoman Empire has never truly conquered the Montenegro region.

"I remember that Montenegro seems to have always had a good relationship with Serbia, right?" Constantine said thoughtfully.

"Montenegro and Serbia are brotherly countries, and the main population of Montenegro is also Slavic. Under the influence of Pan-Slavic thoughts, it is natural to want to stand with its Serbian brothers," Venizelos analyzed.

At present, the territories of Montenegro and Serbia are not bordering each other. The protruding part of the Macedonian territory of the Ottoman Empire, like a knife, is inserted between the territories of Montenegro and Serbia, isolating the two countries.

"Montenegro joins the alliance, and the Serbs naturally warmly welcome it. Once the border between the two countries is opened, judging from the close relationship between Montenegro and Serbia, Montenegro, as a country on the Adriatic Sea, can definitely become Serbia's outlet."

Although Montenegro is an inconspicuous small country with a population of only more than 100,000, the news that another Slavic country has joined the Slavic Alliance in the Balkans still touched Constantine's heartstrings, and he spoke meaningfully to Venize Los said: "Don't you think the Slavic power in the Balkans is already too huge?"