Greece to roman road

Chapter 57 Situation

Bulgaria declared unification on its own, a reckless move that went against the wishes of the major powers.

After reunification, Bulgaria's strength doubled and its territory reached more than 90,000 square kilometers.

Although this area is not large, compared with other countries in the Balkan Peninsula, Greece and Serbia both have about 50,000 square kilometers.

In this way, Bulgaria suddenly became the strongest among the three countries.

Originally, everyone was a Christian country independent from the rule of Ottoman Turkey. Suddenly Bulgaria became the largest of the three countries. Its area in the Balkan Peninsula is second only to that of Ottoman Turkey, and is almost the same as the area of ​​Greece and Serbia combined.

(Romania is generally not considered a Balkan country)

Among them, Serbia has the most violent reaction to Bulgarian reunification:

For one thing, the two countries had had quarrels before, and Serbian King Milan I was annoyed (1868-1889) that after the Serbian army suppressed the rebellion, Serbian pro-Russian opposition leaders such as Nikolai, who had inspired the Timok rebellion, La Pašić was granted asylum in Bulgaria.

Secondly, Serbia’s eldest brother, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, did not want a regional power to emerge in the Balkans.

The two countries are now allies. Each country in the Balkans has its own big brother. Behind Bulgaria is Russia (now in conflict), behind Greece is Britain and France, and behind Serbia is the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Thirdly, Serbia and Bulgaria, both Slavs, are naturally hostile over the issue of taking over the European territorial heritage of Ottoman Turkey.

During the Eastern Roman Empire, the Slavs migrated to the Balkans in tribal units, settled in the Eastern Roman Empire, and served the Roman Empire as mercenaries.

The population gradually increased, and the Slavic people gradually developed and expanded in the Eastern Roman Empire. After the decline of the Eastern Roman Empire, the two countries established Slavic kingdoms in the Balkan Peninsula.

At different times, both countries were major powers in the Balkans.

For example, in the tenth century, the King of Bulgaria tried several times to become Roman Emperor and wage war against Eastern Rome.

For these reasons, the Serbian king began to mobilize his troops after obtaining permission from Austria-Hungary to acquire Bulgarian territory.

The day after the high-level meeting, Trikupis hurried to Tatoy Palace and saw King George and Constantine discussing the situation.

"Your Majesty, I have come to resign to you," Trikupis said helplessly.

Both of them were surprised when they heard this.

"Why? Did something happen to the Parliament?" King George asked hurriedly.

“This morning, in front of the National Assembly, a large number of people protested against Bulgaria’s unification and asked the government to declare war on Bulgaria.”

"At the same time, Delianis tried her best to encourage the MPs to support the war. Now the war faction has gained the upper hand in the Parliament. Even the MPs are furious and shouting for war," Trikupis said helplessly.

For a country like Greece, with a large population and territory that is rightly considered part of Greece, located outside its borders, nationalism and patriotic declarations are like the red cloth in the hands of the matador, which only needs to be waved a little. , the people will support the war with high morale.

This method of seizing power is simple and crude, but it is indeed effective.

"You know, I have always been against starting a war when the country is in economic difficulty and the military has no obvious advantage. What's more, the major countries have not expressed their stance. They are simply committing a crime against the country," Trikupis said angrily. said.

"But the people's enthusiasm for war has been aroused, like a volcano about to erupt. I can no longer stop it, so I come to ask you to resign from my position as prime minister." There was a trace of sadness in Trikupis's words.

"Has the situation reached this point?" King George I said with a frown.

"Is Delianis the next prime minister?" George said with a mocking tone. Although it was a question, his tone was affirmative.

"You see, Constantine, being a king is not that easy. I know clearly that the current situation of Greece should not lead to war, but as Trikopis said, who can organize Greece? Again, give Just a piece of advice, the Greeks are not that easy to rule. Don’t be easily involved in Greece’s domestic political quagmire until you are confident that you can bring a feasible way to Greece. Otherwise, in addition to losing your honor, you will not have anything more. good result"

King George said with a lonely face after Trikupis left.

"This is why I never intervened in the disputes in the Parliament, because I knew very well that what Greece needed was a Frederick the Great."

(The King of Prussia launched the Silesian War twice and the Seven Years' War in 1756. In 1772, he and the Russian Empire and the Grand Duchy of Austria took advantage of Poland's internal crisis to carve up Poland for the first time and obtain West Prussia. In 1785, it was formed by 15 An alliance of princes composed of German countries. Died in Potsdam in 1786. He is recognized as one of the most outstanding military commanders in European history.

It was during his reign that Prussia achieved the status of a major European power)

"What I know very well is that I am not a monarch like Frederick the Great. Therefore, when it comes to Greek military issues, in addition to increasing the strength of the army, my approach is to delay and wait for changes." King George looked at the gentleman Tandin said.

"I hope you can do better than me, otherwise sitting on the Greek throne will be a curse rather than a blessing for you," George I said lovingly, looking at the silent Constantine.

Hearing King George's words, Constantine thought of Constantine's final outcome in the original time and space. During the Greek-Turkish War in 1923, after a series of domestic political twists and turns, the Greeks fought for the Asia Minor Peninsula and restored the East. After the dream of the Roman Empire was completely shattered, Constantine lost the Greek throne and lived in Palermo, Sicily, where he died in depression at the age of 53.

"Are you going to do something? Constantine?" George wanted to know what choice his heir would make when faced with such a complicated situation.

"You don't have to worry too much. After all, the major countries are supporting you," Constantine comforted.

With the current situation in Greece, it may be impossible to calm down without some turmoil.

On October 16, 1885, because Bulgaria resolutely refused to retreat from Eastern Rumelia, Russia announced the recall of all Russian officers in Bulgaria. In addition to its hatred of the current Bulgarian regime, Russia did not want to see Bulgaria larger in area and A larger population means Baoguo will be more difficult to control;

Russia's move shocked the international community. You must know that Bulgaria was a protectorate of Russia before.

There is no doubt that the relationship between the two countries is broken.

Prime Minister Gladstone of the United Kingdom initially did not know the whole story of the situation in the Balkans. However, the British Empire made its own choice based on the principle of "we oppose whatever the Russians agree with, and support whatever the Russians oppose." .

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