Mediterranean Hegemony Road

The cold wind whistled past, the dead branches and leaves disappeared with the wind, snowflakes floated in the sky, and another winter came.

Ferdinand was waiting for a few little guys to play in the snow, and even Queen Xenia, who had always been an introspective, put down her dignified past and joined the game, and the family enjoyed it.

The year 1915 just passed was a year of wars, and the chaos in Europe became a pot of porridge. In just one year, more than 5 million people have died in the wars.

But this is just the beginning, Ferdinand knows that the world war will become more brutal in the next year, and now everyone has no way out, either victory or destruction!

The final battle is no longer possible, and it has now become a competition of comprehensive national strength.

When he came to this time and space, Ferdinand became more and more hard-hearted. He was used to seeing swords and swords, intrigues, and became a qualified politician. Even if the front line is full of blood, he can still be at ease in the rear.

Of course, this is premised on the continued victories of Bulgaria. In just one year, Ferdinand has swept Romania and Montenegro into the dust of history.

No, their government-in-exile still exists, and there are even a few small units that continue to resist stubbornly. In case the Allies suddenly explode one day and win this war, they still have a chance to recover.

...

Minister of Foreign Affairs Metev said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the French ambassador has just asked us for support. According to the information from the front line, their defense line at Verdun has been crumbling, and the Germans have broken through two days ago. Their first line of defense!"

Ferdinand's expression changed slightly. He did not expect the French to lose their first line of defense so quickly with the help of the British. Verdun was known as a meat grinder in history, and the casualties on both sides of the war were nearly one million.

He didn't want to throw his precious army into this huge pit,

But now Bulgaria has to keep the French strong.

Ferdinand was thinking quietly, why the historically unbreakable Verdun line of defense is now crumbling.

That's right, it's Italian! Although the combat effectiveness of the Italian 6th Army was not very good, the addition of millions of Italian troops still contained a large number of French troops, resulting in a shortage of French troops.

You must know that in order to help the French hold the line of defense, John Bull also made great efforts this time, and the number of the expeditionary force increased to 700,000, which was worthy of helping the French stop the German attack.

"Tell the French that in order to relieve their military pressure, we will attack the Italian mainland and contain their forces!" Ferdinand finally decided to find the persimmons too soft.

The current battlefield on the Western Front is not a good place to go. Both sides have fired real fire, aircraft, tanks and cannons are blooming everywhere, and bombs are thrown around without money.

Ferdinand had even prepared for the worst. Once the Verdun line of defense fell, he would immediately start 6 battles against Rome, forcing the Italians to withdraw from the war.

At the same time, they will unite with the Russians to kill the Austro-Hungarian Empire as soon as possible, and compare with the Germans to see if they occupy Paris first, or whether Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire can't hold on!

Anyway, once there are no two allies, the Germans who are fighting alone will not change their fate even if they occupy France.

...

Time flies, and according to Ferdinand's order, Bulgaria once again launched a 6th to Italy, this time targeting Sicily.

Geographically, Sicily is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and has a very high strategic value. Now the submarine forces of the Allied countries are mostly based in Sicily, and the Tunis Strait is about to become a death route.

In this respect, the occupation of Sicily had a significant impact on the Allies. More importantly, as long as Ferdinand deploys a few hundred planes in Sicily, he can divide the Mediterranean in two at any time!

Obviously, Ferdinand underestimated the importance of the Verdun line in the eyes of Britain and France.

Due to the sudden explosion of the Germans, the troops attacking Verdun increased to 62 divisions, and the Italians contained the French troops. Now the Allied defenders of the Verdun line of defense have been greatly insufficient.

As for the formation of colonial cannon fodder troops in Britain and France, the combat effectiveness is really not reassuring.

There was even a record of a German regiment defeating an Indian army. Since then, the French have never dared to hand over important defensive lines to colonial troops.

So they turned their attention to Bulgaria. With the collapse of Romania and Montenegro, the fighting in the Balkans has gradually stabilized.

The war between Bulgaria and the Austro-Hungarian Empire has now become a big eye. Both sides are relying on the mountains to build a defense line. It is obvious that whoever attacks will suffer, and the intensity of the war will naturally be low.

This is also what Ferdinand did on purpose, otherwise the Austro-Hungarian Empire would almost have to play. At the same time against the two powers, Austria-Hungary is not Germany, it is not so sturdy!

In this context, Ferdinand naturally wanted to start the Asia Minor strategy. Ferdinand has always been very positive about grabbing territory, and of course the Bulgarian military is even more active!

...

The maid's crisp voice sounded: "Your Majesty, the British ambassador, the Marquis of Winston, and the French ambassador, Mr. Creto, are visiting together."

"Understood, take them to the reception room and wait, I'll be there in a while." Ferdinand said calmly

He knew very well the purpose of the visit of the British and French ambassadors. Could it be that they could not persuade the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they still tried to persuade him? Forget it, you won't know until you meet, why do you think so much!

...

Ferdinand has always disliked beating around the bush, and asked directly, "What are you two coming here today?"

The British ambassador, Marquis Winston, replied: "Your Majesty, the Verdun line of defense is in an emergency. Out of the common interests of the Allies, we hope that your country will send 500,000 troops to France."

Ferdinand smiled and said: "According to our previous agreement, Bulgaria has already completed the task.

We also held down the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Italians, as well as Romania and Montenegro, and are now preparing for the 6th Ottoman Empire!

From the standpoint of allies, we have done enough. If we take more responsibility, should we also allocate corresponding benefits? "

Marquis Winston said cheerfully: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that we are here with sincerity! If your country is willing to send troops to France, we will support your country's actions in the Near East, including the annexation and unification of the Balkan Peninsula and the annexation of the Asia Minor Peninsula!"

Ferdinand shook his head without changing his face. The British and French thought too well. After writing a blank check, they wanted to fool Bulgaria into sending troops?

The Balkan Peninsula needs Bulgaria to send troops to unify itself, and the Asia Minor Peninsula also needs Bulgaria to send troops to get it. Their recognition is worthless!

After the World War, Britain and France lost their pre-war prestige. As long as Bulgaria took these places in their hands, would they still spit it out because Britain and France did not recognize it?

"Your Majesty, if Bulgaria can send reinforcements to France, we can forgive some of the loan." French Ambassador Creto added

Ferdinand still shook his head, the franc was going to depreciate after the war, and he couldn't even keep one-tenth of the current value of the currency. Does he still care about the loan after the shrinkage?

Ferdinand said solemnly: "I'm sorry you two, I don't have so much time to bargain with you. If you need to try it out slowly, you can go to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

If you want to continue talking, just show your cards, I don't like to be around the corner!

I think the battle situation is also very urgent on the front line of Verdun. With such a low efficiency, are you not afraid of changes in the front line?

Or do you think that those colonial troops can stop the German attack and don't need reinforcements at all! "

Obviously his words were very rude, but where he was king, it wouldn't be a big deal if he taught them a few words.

Anyway, the European big 6 here, people are used to the king's appearance, and Ferdinand's current performance is very normal.

Of course, if you leave Europe and go elsewhere, it's another story. The British and French ambassadors have never paid attention to the kings of Asia and Africa.

Although the atmosphere was a little embarrassing, they recovered quickly. Whose king has no temper?

"Your Majesty, if Bulgaria can immediately send troops to France, in terms of distribution of benefits after the war, your country can get an extra share on the current basis!" Creto said neatly.

When he said this, his mood was obviously not very good, and some people must take more and others take less. Obviously, most of this part of the benefit is to be deducted from their share. Who said that the French army is insufficient now?

Ferdinand said happily: "Okay, since that's the case, then it's easy to discuss!

Rest assured, my appetite is not large, and your country's interests will not be harmed!

How about half the Apennine peninsula plus Sicily and Sardinia with Rome as the border? Your country can carve up the other half of the Apennine Peninsula, and we can all get what we want! "

"No!" the Marquis of Winster objected

Obviously, Ferdinand's proposal still has a strong temptation for France. The essence of Italy's industry is in the north. According to the way of dividing up Ferdinand's proposal, the French will undoubtedly take advantage of it.

But for the British, it was completely unbearable. If the French were to swallow the industrial essence of Italy, who would have the final say in the European Big 6?

Of course, everyone is still allies now. Under the premise that the German enemy still exists, everyone will not fall out over the distribution of interests after the war, but the nail Ferdinand has been buried.

Perhaps realizing that he had made a blunder, Marquis Winster explained: "Now that the war is still going on, it is too early to talk about the distribution of Italy so early. It is better to discuss it after the war."

Ferdinand nodded and said, "Yes, it's really too early to talk about how to deal with Italy, so let's deal with it later!

But how about the disposal of the Ottoman Empire after the war to us and the Russians? "

Marquis Winston thought for a while and said, "Yes, but the interests of the British Empire must be guaranteed!"

Ferdinand nodded and said very calmly: "Of course, the current sphere of influence between Britain and France will be handled by you!"

Creto also nodded, they had no interest in the Ottoman Empire anyway.

The Ottoman Empire has long been divided up, and now the most valuable areas are undoubtedly parts of the Asia Minor Peninsula and the Caucasus, which are already in the possession of Bulgaria and Russia.

The rest of the area, just sand! In the Arab region of this era, oil has not yet been discovered, and it is worthless at all.

The spheres of influence delineated by Ferdinand include Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, and other regions have long been included in their own bowls by the British.

Like Kuwait, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are all British spheres of influence, and everyone's conflict of interest is not big.

As for the distribution of interests between the Bulgarians and the Russians, they don't care? For the British, as long as there is a distribution of interests, there will be conflicts. Is it possible that the future alliance between Russia and Russia will be so harmonious?

With Bulgaria as a buffer, the British Empire does not need to directly conflict with Russia in the Near East, and the new international order will still be under the control of the British Empire!

Ferdinand added another request: "By the way, if Bulgaria sends troops to France, it will inevitably lead to a shortage of domestic troops. I hope that the British Empire can provide us with 50 Indian divisions to use on the battlefield in Asia Minor.

Although their combat effectiveness is not very good, it is still feasible for them to do odd jobs and maintain order! "

Seeing Marquis Winster's hesitation, Ferdinand smiled and said, "The population of your country's Indian colonies has exceeded 300 million, and we only need a few hundred thousand people. This is not a problem, right?

Don't worry, I don't need your country to provide officers, I just need your country to provide a batch of translators. We will take care of the rest by ourselves! "

"No problem!" Hearing that there was no need for an officer, Marquis Winster readily agreed.

Anyway, what India lacks the most is people. As for what Ferdinand will use these Indians for, he doesn't bother to care. Anyway, Asan is valuable!

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