Greece to roman road

Chapter 253 Hidden worries

For Greece at this time, potatoes were really a very good staple food.

Not only do they have a high yield per unit area, but in addition to starch, potatoes are also rich in protein and various vitamins. There is no problem at all when they are used to partially replace wheat.

"So, since the navy can use potatoes as the main food for naval soldiers, your army can naturally do the same. How about it? Now that you are all here, we can discuss how to promote the consumption of potatoes in the Greek army." Constantine looked at A group of army senior officials said.

Arms Minister Giannis was a little surprised by Constantine's eagerness to promote potatoes.

"Your Highness, promoting a new crop cannot be done overnight. If you are too hasty, I am afraid it will be counterproductive and cause resentment among the people and soldiers. Greeks have a long history of eating wheat. If you change it rashly, I am worried. It will cause a stir," Giannis warned worriedly.

Although the land area suitable for farming in Greece is small and food production is sparse, Greece has a small population. When it first became independent from the Ottoman Empire, the total population in Greece was only more than 800,000, and food supply was not tight.

Therefore, unlike Western Europe, the Greeks are not averse to growing potatoes with high yields and good taste due to their dense population.

"Hey" Taking a deep breath, Constantine asked: "Do you think we have plenty of time, Mr. Minister of Arms?"

Constantine now felt an eagerness in his heart.

According to the reaction of diplomats stationed in Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria), the conflict between Greece and Bulgaria is getting closer.

Regarding Bulgaria, Constantine was not worried that the Greek army could not resist. What Constantine was really worried about was whether the war with Bulgaria would become the trigger of the European war and directly cause the war to happen in advance.

The world is a different place after all.

For this upcoming war, Serbia's attitude will be a huge worry, directly related to the outcome of this war.

What will Serbia choose?

Constantine had previously informed the Greek ambassador in Belgrade and ordered him to secretly test the attitude of the Serbians. If Serbia did not object, he could hint to the Serbian authorities that Greece intended to form an alliance with Serbia.

The results obtained were not optimistic. Serbia's position was ambiguous and it did not give a positive answer to the Greeks' overtures.

From Serbia's perspective, it seems that it is also more profitable to be on the side of Bulgaria.

After all, the most important thing for Serbia at this time is to obtain access to the sea, which is of vital interest to Serbia's future development.

At this time, Serbia, like its Slavic big brother, Russia a hundred years ago, urgently needs to obtain access to the sea in order to develop its economy, obtain maritime channels for diplomatic exchanges, and exchange materials.

In order for Russia to gain access to the sea, Peter the Great led Russia to war with Sweden and gained St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg's latitude is too high and it is frozen all year round.

In order to obtain a warm water port, Catherine the Great turned to the Ottoman Empire and obtained Sevastopol, the outlet of the Black Sea region.

Now, the same fate seems to have fallen on Serbia and Bulgaria, both Slavic countries - fighting for access to the sea.

After all, the source of the conflict between Greece and Bulgaria is also the ownership of Salonika, the most important commercial port in the Aegean region.

During the 1912 War, among the three countries of Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria, Serbia still did not get the coveted sea port.

And now the sea port Serbia most desires - northern Albania, is now Greek territory.

Once it gets northern Albania, Serbia will become an Adriatic country.

From this point of view, there are sufficient reasons for Serbia to side with Bulgaria.

The dispute between Greece and Bulgaria, if Serbia intervenes, will complicate the situation.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which has always regarded the Balkan Peninsula as its own, will inevitably not be able to sit back and watch Serbia obtain a vital seaport and allow this Slavic country with territorial disputes with itself to develop and grow.

For the purpose of safeguarding its status in the Balkans, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is very likely to react violently to Serbia's actions.

As an important member of the Allied Powers, Austria-Hungary was naturally involved in the confrontation and game between the two major military alliances in Europe, the Entente and the Central Powers.

Because Serbia is Russia's ally.

If the situation really develops like this, then the war between Greece and Bulgaria will become the trigger for the European War.

According to Constantine's impression, the European war was protracted in the original historical time and space.

During this war, the entire Europe fell into a food famine and was in a state of extreme hunger.

Once it is involved in such a tragic war and becomes the initiator of the war, Greece's food shortage problem will become a thorny problem.

This is why Constantine was anxious to promote potatoes in Greece.

Although this is only a possibility, politicians are supposed to consider the worst-case scenario while working towards the best.

Constantine made these considerations known to all without reservation.

Everyone was silent for a while. After a long time, Giannis was the first to reply in a deep voice: "I understand, Your Highness. After I go back, I will immediately notify the personnel of the logistics department to discuss a plan for eating potatoes in the army."

"I can give you a suggestion," Constantine said without thinking.

"You can inform the cooking staff to gradually increase the amount of potatoes in the soldiers' diet without causing resentment to the soldiers," Constantine said.

"As for promoting planting, as nobles conferred by His Majesty the King, you naturally have to set an example." Constantine changed the subject and talked about potato planting.

"The potatoes needed by the army will be purchased from your land first. You will also develop your own territory in the near future, so you should give priority to planting a batch of potatoes." Constantine looked at everyone.

In order to speed up the promotion of potato cultivation, Constantine also had to take some special measures to let the nobles shoulder the task of promoting potatoes. At the same time, in order to prevent them from complaining, increase their enthusiasm and give them some sweeteners.

That's the Army's purchase order.

"If the promotion effect is good, purchasing potatoes from your territory can become a routine in the future."

If there were a Greek reporter present at this time, he would probably report to the world that the Greek elite colluded with each other to seize the Greek army's food purchasing rights.

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