My Italy

When Simeone took his troops and prepared to land. The same thing happened on the island of Crete, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking of Crete, the Minoan civilization on the island is world-famous. However, in its long history, the Cretans have always been accompanied by the rise of regional powers and have been controlled by them.

The most recent change was when the Ottoman Empire captured the island from the Venetians.

However, with the rise of nationalism in modern times, Greek-speaking Cretans gradually became dissatisfied with the declining Ottoman Empire. They were somewhat eager to merge with Greece, which had the same language and culture, but this was not an easy task. The Ottoman Empire did not want to give up the island at all, so nearly 30,000 Ottoman troops were stationed on the island, leaving Crete One can only wait for the opportunity.

The advent of the Italian-Turkish war has made many people feel that the time has come, so undercurrents are surging, making people even more impetuous.

Especially yesterday, alarming news emerged. Italian warships appeared off the coast of Crete and captured several ships out to sea. This caused the undercurrent below to surge out.

In the secret room of a mansion in Heraklion, Candido Solari, a celebrity on the island of Crete, is receiving a mysterious guest.

Solari is a very famous local man. The olive oil production factory he founded accounts for nearly half of the island's output. Although Crete's olive oil production is not high, the island's olive oil is famous, and many nobles and wealthy people like to use the olive oil produced in Crete.

In addition, Solari also controls one-third of the island's wine production and nearly one-tenth of the import and export trade of goods. He can be said to be a well-known figure on the island, with nearly 3,000 people directly Work for it.

You must know that at this time, there were only more than 200,000 people in Crete, and basically one out of every twenty households was working for it. This can also be seen from Solari's status on the island. Even the local Ottoman military and political figures give him three points. Of course, the taxes that should be collected still have to be collected, but a little more consideration should be given to other exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes.

Since it occupies such a position economically on the island, it is natural to want to gain political status. However, he cannot squeeze into the political circles of Istanbul, and at the same time, he is unwilling to squeeze in. So staying on the island to develop his political capabilities became Solari's concern.

So over the years, the island's political groups have received more or less favors from him, which made him even more enthusiastic about politics.

Of course, the main idea of ​​the Cretans on the island is still very simple, that is, to merge with Greece, which has the same culture and language, so that Crete can escape the fate of being squeezed by the Ottomans.

Before this, Solari, like most Greeks, mainly wanted to merge with Greece. However, in the past two years, his thoughts have changed somewhat, and the person who made him change his thoughts is the man in front of him, Mr. Hibbock from Rome.

This time I met a middle-aged man at a cocktail party two years ago. After talking to him, I felt very interesting, so the relationship between the two gradually changed from strangers to mature people, and then to friends.

During this period, Hibok proposed a bold idea. Since they wanted to get rid of the oppression of the Ottomans, why should the Cretans choose Greek merger instead of other ideas, such as independence.

After laughing at his friend Hibok's whimsical idea, Solari talked about the weakness of Crete and the strength of the Ottoman Empire. It did not rely on Greece, which had a similar culture, but the Cretans themselves.

Facing Solari's words, his friend suddenly said, who says it's not possible? The Cretans can rely on the help of others to gain independence like a dream.

When Hiback said these words, Solari knew that there was something wrong with his friend's identity. But this is nothing to him. He is not a loyal subject of the Ottoman Empire. Is it necessary to report this for him?

Of course, this sentence also opened up a hint of Solari's ambition. Because he said that according to his reputation in Crete, it is also very suitable to serve as the head of government of an independent country.

The temptation of power and fame made Solari gradually fall in love with him. With the subsequent conversation between the two, he gradually learned about the power behind Hibok.

Although Italians are not the most ideal choice, they are the most suitable choice at the moment.

Especially after the news of the outbreak of war between Italy and the Ottomans came, Solari became even more restless. Although he is very famous in Crete, there are still three or four people with similar fame on the island. In this case, it is important to seize the opportunity. This will mean whether you are the number one or number two in the future. If it is later, then the number three or four may also be possible.

So he quickly found Hibok, an old friend, and wanted to implement the issue of independence as soon as possible.

"Hibok, last time you talked about the issue of the post-independence political system, I think a parliamentary system can be implemented, which will allow Cretans to be more involved in the operation of the post-independence country. In addition, I think the issue of hiring consultants from your country This is also very reasonable. After all, when our new independent government operates, we will also need guidance from others. "

In the secret room, Solari told his old friend the conditions he could accept.

However, Hiback, as an old friend, was a little dissatisfied with Solari's direct words. "Solari, I need to tell you something. Pacheco promised our country that if Crete becomes independent, then he will hire our country's officers to help Crete form its own army."

After hearing Hiback's words, Solari cursed Pacheco in his heart. Of course he wasn't surprised at all when Italy reached out to other people. Everyone is playing politics, it is strange that anyone can put their hope in one person.

He knew that the Italians were in contact with three or four targets, but the most threatening one was Pacheco.

Although he is not as rich as Solari, he is much better than him politically. Its leader, the Cretan United Forces Party, is also one of the top three political groups on the island. Although its organization has less than a thousand people, this is already very good for Crete.

Faced with Hibok's move to threaten each other with conditions from both sides, Solari had absolutely nothing to do. It seems that if you want to add points in front of the Italians, you must come up with some new conditions.

Thinking of this, Solari gritted his teeth and said. "I think that in the future, the new government can not only ask your country's officers to train the army, but even the police can be trained by your country in the future. After all, these policemen of the Ottoman government should not be trusted."

Faced with Solari's words, Hibok did not give a direct reply, but spoke instead. "As for the issue after the formation of this new government, I think you need to do it as soon as possible, because within a month at most, our country will need to make a choice."

As for what to choose, although Hibok didn't say it clearly, Solari still doesn't know.

Of course, Hibok didn't just say this to Solari, but also to several others. As for whether they will inform the Ottomans, there is no need to worry, because under the blockade of the Italian navy, the Ottomans cannot bring in reinforcements at all except for the troops currently in Crete.

In this case, there is nothing to be afraid of. Besides, they told the Ottomans what good it could do for them.

So facing Solari with a pensive expression, Hibok drifted away.