Mediterranean Hegemony Road

Nicholas traveled to Bulgaria, Ferdinand held a grand welcome ceremony at the Sofia Palace.

According to European rules, curtsey to someone with a royal title higher than oneself. Squat with both legs and knees, step back half a step with the other foot, keep the body upright, look at the person being greeted, and bow your head to show respect.

In order to show the importance of Nicholas, the senior officials of the Bulgarian government were dispatched together, and under the leadership of Ferdinand, they respectfully greeted Nicholas.

Originally Ferdinand didn't have to go out in person, but unfortunately he can't send enough members of the royal family now. In order not to offend the careful Nicholas, Ferdinand finally went out in person.

After a tedious set of etiquette, Ferdinand, as the host, said with a bright smile: "Nicolas, welcome you!"

They are also old acquaintances. They have met each other several times. Of course, their friendship is limited to a few greetings.

Ferdinand still knew something about Nicholas. Knowing that he is very proud, looks down on people of humble origin, and does not like to have close contact with commoners.

I am even more jealous of those ministers with outstanding abilities, which may be related to the political environment in Russia, always worried that one day, the ministers will take away his monarchy.

Ferdinand knew that the pro-Russian faction in Bulgaria was very strong now, and many ministers had high expectations for Nicholas and did not care.

Birth and status determine political stance!

There may be people in the Russian government who support them, but Nikolai's character has been decided, and he can't mix with a bunch of civilians.

Nicholas also smiled and said, "Thank you! Ferdinand, it's been a long time! In the words of the Orientals, three days apart, you should be impressed. You've changed so much!"

"Well, people always change, and your change is not small! You didn't say such things before!" Ferdinand pushed back directly.

It seems that the dialogue between the two people with guns and sticks shocked the Bulgarian ministers, but on this occasion, they have no right to speak.

After crossing over, Ferdinand, after dealing with the great nobles, knew that Western and Eastern values ​​were different.

The identities are equal, and there is no need to be subtle when speaking. It is straight and straightforward, but it is easier to be respected. If you want to beat a horse, you will have to test your level, at least Ferdinand thinks he has no ability.

"Haha, God bless!! It seems that you have been doing well recently! I also heard in St. Petersburg that you expelled a group of rogues and thieves, and you did a good job! Many people used to see it wrong and thought you were a full-fledged businessman. !" Nikolai laughed.

"Oh, yes! You have changed a lot from each other. The original Nikolai would not have such a keen observation! By the way, I want to know that there is no Your Excellency among the people who are wrong?" Nan asked

...

On the surface of the banquet, the conversation between the two did not seem to be very pleasant! Nikolai didn't even attend the ball, he just showed his face and hurried past.

Many people in Sofia will not be able to sleep tonight, and the people spontaneously turn their attention to Nikolai's visit.

Among the ministers who attended the banquet, some looked different, some were confident, some were worried, and some were happy.

Those who are confident are all Ferdinand's diehard loyalists and have confidence in him; those who are worried are mostly his supporters, who do not want changes to interrupt Bulgaria's development; those who are happy are dissatisfied with the status quo People seem to sense an opportunity in it.

Oh, these Ferdinand didn't care, and by talking to Nicholas, he could already be sure that the wheel of history had not changed. Mao Xiong's next strategy has shifted from Europe to the Far East.

"Farewell for three days, look at it with admiration!" If you don't understand oriental culture, you can't tell.

As the crown prince of Russia, the future tsar, will he be bored when he has nothing to do, study oriental culture?

According to Ferdinand,

Nikolai is not that studious, the crown prince of the Russian Empire is not as laid back as Edward, and there are a lot of things waiting for him to deal with.

"Ukhtomsky (one of the representatives of Russia's eastward movement), it seems that the purpose of our visit to Bulgaria has basically been achieved!" Nikolai said happily

Ukhtomsky said calmly: "Yes, His Royal Highness, the Bulgarian gang of turtles, it is easy to pull them over, but Archduke Ferdinand is a bit difficult to deal with!"

Nikolai said indifferently: "It's nothing more than profit! Ferdinand is indeed surprising, but in just two years, he has single-handedly controlled Bulgaria! But that's all, Bulgaria is only a small country, after all, internationally. In the battle, it is destined to only be attached to the wings of a big country!"

"His Royal Highness, Russia's future lies in the Far East, and the Balkans are not worth keeping our energy down!" Ukhtomsky preached

Nikolai said confidently: "You are right. Bulgaria is a traditional ally of the empire. The people-to-people relationship between the two countries has always been very good. It is our natural ally in the Balkans. And now Bulgaria is developing very fast. It is already Russia's largest trading partner in the Balkans, and it is not difficult to pull them over!!"

Ukhtomsky asked in surprise: "His Royal Highness plans to use the economy to control Bulgaria?"

Nikolai looked at Ukhtomsky and smiled and said, "Why not?"

"Bulgaria is poor in resources! From a geographical point of view, importing from Russia is the cheapest. The faster they develop, the more they can't do without us!!"

Ukhtomsky fell into contemplation, "Yes, Bulgaria has embarked on a road of industrialization, and the resources it needs will definitely not be self-sufficient, and must be imported! There are many countries in the world that can provide resources, but the economically feasible only Ukraine, there is no choice!"

Seeing Ukhtomsky's worries, Nikolai thought he was worried about affecting Russia's future national policy, and immediately assured: "Ukhtomsky don't have to worry, the future strategy of the empire is in the Far East, and the establishment of a yellow Russia is history. Give us a mission!"

Knowing that Nikolai had misunderstood, Ukhtomsky quickly explained: "His Royal Highness, I am not worried that it will affect the future national policy! Now there are a lot of problems in the Balkan countries, Bulgaria's development can be described as a unique one, I am afraid that in the future it will be Break the balance of the region!"

Nikolai nodded, thought about it, and said, "You are overthinking, Bulgaria's size is too small, even if it develops, it will be a Belgium at most. Even so, we also solved the Far East problem at that time, and there are enough The power to suppress them!"

Nikolai may not know that the place where they talked has been installed with the most primitive bugs, and now it has reached Ferdinand's ears.