Mediterranean Hegemony Road

The next day, the two sides held friendly talks and signed a covenant!

Oh, it's all yy on it!

Diplomatic negotiations are never easy, and such negotiations involving future national policy strategies are even more troublesome.

In fact, the next day, Ferdinand and Nikolai were in Sofia.

"God's back garden" is not a false name. Even Sofia in the 19th century had the prototype of a garden city. Now the flowers are in full bloom, the trees are shady, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant.

For some reason, Nikolai has recently become obsessed with history and culture. Although Bulgaria is not one of the four ancient countries, it has some historical background, which can be traced back thousands of years.

The Thracians settled here in 2000 BC. The ancestors of the Bulgarians were the ancient Bulgarians who migrated from Central Asia and merged into the Byzantine Empire in 395 AD.

In 681 AD, the Slavs who moved south from the north bank of the Danube, the ancient Bulgarians and Thracians who moved westward from the northern Caucasus, under the leadership of Han Asbaruch, defeated the Byzantine army and established the Slavic Bulgarian Kingdom in the Danube Valley (historical history). called the First Bulgarian Kingdom).

Sofia was built and settled here by the Thracian Serdi tribe from the 8th century BC to the 7th century BC, and has a history of more than 2,800 years. It is an ancient city with a long history in Europe, called "Serdica" in ancient times.

Now there are remnants of the broken wall, and the specific age is difficult to verify, revealing the vicissitudes and changes experienced by Bulgaria.

In 809 AD, Sofia became part of the Slavic Bulgarian state and has been a gathering area for the Slavs of the Balkans ever since.

"Ferdinand, Serdica is so beautiful, it's cheaper for you!" Nikolai said with some envy

"Hehe, that's right! Compared with the great Russian Empire, it's not worth mentioning!" Ferdinand followed suit and gave a small compliment.

"Yes, but Russia is too cold! We have a country larger than the whole of Europe, but most of it is frozen soil! Now the world is almost divided up, and the best land is in the hands of the British, are you willing? ?" Nikolai didn't hide his dissatisfaction with the British, and couldn't help revealing it.

Ferdinand rolled his eyes and expressed his dissatisfaction! Is this looking for excitement? If Bulgaria had that strength, Lao Tzu would have acted long ago.

After thinking about it, Ferdinand decided to stimulate Nicholas as well, saying: "I don't think you should tell me this sentence. It's better to tell Wilhelm II or Franz Joseph I! Their interest will be bigger!"

As soon as Ferdinand finished speaking, Nicholas seemed to be stimulated, and said a little excitedly: "Don't mention those two bastards in front of me! They are a group of cowards, and they have no courage to sway the British tigers. They only know how to do it in Europe. Small action!"

Ferdinand smiled and did not continue the topic. Russia's current relationship with Germany and Austria is not very good.

Thirty years ago, in the Crimean War, Austria-Hungary betrayed Russia and turned to Britain and France, resulting in a disastrous defeat for Russia, and the hatred between the two sides accumulated.

Wilhelm II, who had just succeeded to the throne, tore up the "German-Russian Reinsurance Treaty" not long ago. If he could still calm down, he would not be Nicholas.

Seemingly aware of his gaffe, Nikolai adjusted his emotions and said gracefully, "Sorry, you know I'm in a hurry!"

Ferdinand still said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, but your identity is not suitable for such words!"

Nikolai nodded, but did not speak. Ferdinand had pondered over his character, and he knew very well that Nicholas, who was usually polite and courteous, would find it difficult to restrain himself when he was angry, and he would no longer be his usual shrewdness.

Then he said, "Nicholas, what is the purpose of your trip this time?"

"Of course it's to understand the world and gain experience! Oh, why are you suddenly concerned about this?" Nikolai asked with some doubts

"All right,

You keep selling off! But I can still guess that the strategy of St. Petersburg is about to change, right? ' said Ferdinand in an affirmative tone.

Nikolai was shocked, and said without changing his face: "How do you know? There are no more than ten people who know the news now!"

Ferdinand looked at Nicholas and said confidently: "It's very simple! The current international situation, coupled with your travel route, has exposed this secret!"

"Without the German-Russian alliance, if St. Petersburg's next focus is still in Europe, then it will have to face the German-Austrian-Italy-British alliance. Unless St. Petersburg wants to have another war like the Crimea, the strategy will inevitably change!"

"It just so happens that the neighbors to the east are all weakened. Now that you are heading east, I am afraid that you are planning to gain a deeper understanding of the strength of the Eastern countries! The next expansion goal of your country is either the Ottoman Empire or the Manchu Qing in the East!"

Nikolai frowned. He didn't like the situation when the situation got out of control. Looking at Ferdinand, he said coldly: "Really! You are so sure, why don't you guess the Balkans?"

Ferdinand didn't answer, and after looking at Nicholas, he said: "The Balkans are complicated and complicated, no matter how much they expand, Russia will not be able to eat it now! Maybe accidentally, the Quadruple Alliance will be established, and then your country will face The challenge is even greater!"

"The shrewdness of the St. Petersburg government is impossible not to see, otherwise your country will not move closer to France!"

Nicholas pondered for a moment, and said coldly: "Yes, Ferdinand seems that we still underestimated you, so we can understand it soon! This matter will not be kept secret for long, even if it is exposed now, at most It's a little more troublesome to enter the plan! We go to the Far East, it is estimated that it is just in accordance with their wishes!"

Ferdinand said cautiously: "Of course, with your country's strength, the Manchu Qing is definitely not an opponent! But what about the future? Once your country gains a firm foothold in the East, it will certainly harm the interests of the British, and the European scumbag is not a wave. A false name!"

Nikolai seemed to be fed up with Ferdinand and was unwilling to continue bullshitting. He went straight to the point and said, "Tell me, what do you want? What kind of return can you bring to Russia?"

“It is very simple, I want to build a solid alliance with Russia. Your country’s decision to move eastward will inevitably lead to a strategic contraction in Europe. I hope that your country can support Bulgaria’s expansion in the Balkans, and in return your interests in the Balkans will also be Expand. If the conditions are ripe in the future, Romania can be divided up, and even if your country wants to capture Constantinople, we can also provide support!" Ferdinand said cautiously

Nicholas was shocked. Ferdinand's appetite was beyond his imagination. It was definitely not easy for a small Bulgarian to break the balance in the Balkans.

But the return is also very attractive, expanding interests in the Balkans, this is not enough to tempt Nikolai.

Carving up Romania is indeed a piece of fat. The most important thing is Constantinople. This is the dream of several generations of Russians.

Every time I fail and return, the main reason is that there is no ally. On this issue, the European powers and the Balkan countries are all their enemies. Now that Ferdinand is on the side of Russia on the issue of Constantinople, Nicholas can't believe it.

Asked, "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" said Ferdinand with certainty.

If Ferdinand was not a transmigrator, he would not dare to make such a promise. With the full support of Bulgaria, will the bears be able to occupy Constantinople? The answer is: yes!

The two sides are too close, with Bulgaria at the rear, Mao Xiong will take the initiative in strategy, and the odds of winning are extremely high. Once hairy bears gain a foothold in the Mediterranean, the Balkans can be declared theirs.

If it really happened, even if Ferdinand dominated the Balkans, he would not be able to compete with it, and the whole of Europe would crawl under the shadow of the bear. (You can refer to the Soviet Union in the heyday of later generations)