Greece to roman road

"Moreover, 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 consideration, Your Majesty, that is, Bulgaria is an important country for the Berlin-Constantinople-Baghdad railway. Germany and the Empire have always had the idea of ​​​​drawing the Ottoman Empire to join the Allies, and Bulgaria became "As an important relay node for the Allies in the Balkans, without the Allies of Bulgaria, it would be impossible to win over the Ottoman Empire." Lucas faced Emperor Franz and Chief of General Staff Conrad and explained the benefits of the Allies' win over Bulgaria.

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

Bulgaria is a must-pass on this railway. Once Bulgaria gets close to the Allies and sides with the Allies in the future war between the Allies and the Allies, the railway connection between Germany, Austria and the Ottomans will be cut off.

Winning the Ottoman Empire to the side of the Allies was an important strategy for the Allies to deal with the Allies, especially the weak link among the Allies - Russia.

The reason is also very simple. The Ottomans hold Russia's important waterway and life route - the Bosporus.

60% of Russia's import and export trade passes through the Bosporus.

Therefore, once the Ottoman Empire joined the Allies, it meant that Russia's foreign trade would be cut off by the Allies during the war.

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

Russia is known as the Russian steamroller in Europe. It plays a decisive role in Europe and has always been a long-standing power in Europe. Russia's shadow is inseparable from everything in Europe.

During the Napoleonic Wars (1812), Russia was the powerful enemy of France, the then European hegemon.

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

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

Russia has the largest population in Europe, with a standing army of 1.5 million people. 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 capabilities.

Once millions of troops participate in a war, the weapons and ammunition they will need to consume will be an astronomical figure.

Obviously, it is impossible to arm so many soldiers solely relying on Russia's local military industry capabilities.

If British and French arms and ammunition pass through the Bosporus and continuously replenish the Russian army, then who else can be Russia's opponent with 7 million fully armed soldiers?

Even Germany's Schlieffen Plan envisaged attacking France first after the war broke out. After quickly defeating France, the German army would then turn back to the Eastern Front to deal with Russia.

This first shows that even the top brass of the German army hide their fear of Russia deep in their hearts. They believe that Russia is more difficult to deal with than France.

Winning over Bulgaria is not about how important Bulgaria is, but the fact that the Bosporus in the hands of the Ottoman Empire is the most effective weapon against Russia.

The Allies' navies were at a disadvantage compared to the Allied Powers. Once the war broke out, it would be impossible to maintain contact with the Ottoman Empire by sea. Then, they must find ways to establish smooth communication channels with the Ottoman Empire on land.

These thoughts emerged in the minds of the three people one by one.

"It seems that winning over Bulgaria is indeed an important matter. What should be done?" Emperor Franz asked solemnly.

"Bulgaria should be resolutely and decisively supported in acquiring Salonika. If Bulgaria has the idea of ​​taking tough measures, it should be supported without hesitation."

Conrad said eagerly.

"Whether Bulgaria wins or fails, it will be helpful to win Bulgaria into the Central Powers."

Emperor Franz looked at Lucas and nodded solemnly.

After Conrad and Lucas bowed to the emperor, they both exited the office.

·······

May 24, 1913, Sofia

Lucas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, secretly took the Orient Express to Sofia, the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

Lucas, who had an important mission, spent the night repairing at the Austro-Hungarian embassy, ​​and hurried into the palace the next morning to meet King Ferdinand.

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

"Your Majesty, I am here to convey the goodwill of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire will support Bulgaria in acquiring Salonika, not just setting up Salonika as an independent city. Emperor Franz believes that as After defeating the main military force of the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria is qualified enough to get Salonika." Lucas directly explained his intention.

"Austro-Hungary believed that with Bulgaria's contribution to the war, it should have greater gains in Macedonia."

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

The failure to acquire Thessaloniki, an important Aegean port and transportation hub city, has made the Bulgarian people furious.

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

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

Moreover, in the Treaty of St. Snofat 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 demand Macedonia.

"Mr. Lucas, Bulgaria has just gone through a fierce war. The kingdom's finances are empty. We..."

Before Ferdinand could finish speaking, Lucas interjected: "Austro-Hungary can lend Bulgaria a sum of money."

"Your Majesty the King, Bulgaria is indeed financially empty after this war, but aren't the Greeks in the same situation?"

Prime Minister Pasic interjected: "Mr. Lucas, the Bulgarian army also has a serious shortage of weapons and ammunition. Our weapons and ammunition suffered huge losses in the last war, and it will be difficult to replenish them in a short period of time."

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

Watching Lucas leave, the two people in the back garden were silent for a while.

"Your Majesty, we will take military action against Greece immediately. I am worried that the soldiers will complain. After all, we have just experienced a few months of brutal war, and we are blatantly accepting support from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Is it inappropriate?" Xiqi said with a troubled face.

"Prime Minister Pasic, the Bulgarian army's attack on Constantinople angered the Russians. It will be 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 was willing to help Bulgaria, why did it refuse?”