Vol 2 Chapter 33: Preparations for the Ottoman Empire

　　 Foreign Secretary Harim Pasha said with a sneer: "The mouse is short-sighted! Even if the British are restrained by the Boers, they are also the world's largest power. Isn't it easy to cause us trouble?
　　 It’s too far to say, now they support the Balkan countries to challenge our status and support the Armenian independence. These are enough for us!
　　 The Russians certainly do not want the Austro-Hungarian Empire to expand its power in the Balkans, but if it is for the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, wouldn’t it be worth trading with Austria-Hungary?
　　 You must know whether the Russians can enter the Mediterranean Sea or not, and the influence on the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not great! As long as the benefits are sufficient, how can we stop the compromise between the two countries! "
　　 The Minister of War retorted: "The Russians do dream and want to enter the Mediterranean Sea, but I don’t need to say what is going on in the Black Sea Strait!
　　Even if the Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea are acquired, what will happen? There are also a series of chains in front of the islands, and you need to break through to enter the Mediterranean!
　　And now the Russian navy does not have the strength to contend for the Mediterranean. Once in the Mediterranean, the British, Italians and even Spaniards, Portuguese, and Dutch may be their enemies!
　　 Would the Russians be so unwise and rush to the Mediterranean sea stupidly? If this is the case, it is easy to let go of the strait and let the Russians pass. Then we will organize coalition forces to fight a new Crimean war! "
　　 Foreign Secretary Harim Pasha glanced at the Minister of War with disdain, and said: "Don't think of the Russians as idiots. Taking the Black Sea Strait does not mean fighting for the hegemony of the Mediterranean!
　　 Now the Russian strategic focus is still in the Far East. To seize the Bosphorus, even the Dardanelles, and control the Marmara Sea, just to grasp the gateway to the Black Sea, the Russians will gain the strategic initiative!
　　 As long as they are not competing with the British for dominance in the Mediterranean, the British will not interfere now! The Germans and French have enough headaches for them! "
　　The Minister of War continued to retort, saying: "Then Mr. Harim Pasha, please tell me that after the Russians have shifted their strategic focus eastward, are they still capable of starting a full-scale war in Europe?
　　To fully grasp the Black Sea Strait, Istanbul and Asia Minor are the hurdles that cannot be bypassed! At least they have to acquire the coastal areas, otherwise even if they capture Constantinople, they are still not insured!
　　 Unless the Russians desperately declare war on us! Otherwise, at most they will support a few fleas in the Balkans, and come out to cause us trouble!
　　A few small countries, even with the support of the Russians, we can still suppress them! In the absence of access to the Bosphorus, are the Russians willing to compromise with the Austro-Hungarian Empire? "
　　Well, Foreign Secretary Harim Pasha was sprayed speechless! It can not be said that the Ottoman Empire can't even handle a few small countries!
　　At this time, the Sultan stood up to be a peacemaker and said: "You are the pillars of the country. There is no need to argue over a little thing! Prime Minister, what do you think of this issue?"
The named prime minister looked at the face of Sudan and slowly said: "Everyone is right. The situation in the Balkans must be paid attention to. I propose to increase troops to the Balkans to deal with the future situation. Variety!
　　 As for the Russians if they don’t fight, they might end up in person, otherwise they wouldn’t sell a fleet to Bulgaria!
　　 If the Greek navy is added, they have now taken advantage, but we don’t have to take the precious navy and fight them at sea!
　　The navy only needs to hold the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, separate them from each other, and wait for the army to win, and everything is over!
　　 The three children in the Balkans now dare to make small moves. Apart from the instigation of the British, Austrian-Hungarians, and the Russians, the Armenian uprising in our country is the main factor.
　　 Maybe they think that our Ottoman Empire is decayed and is about to die. They want to be a vulture, and they are eager to come out to carve up the carrion!
　　 Now our focus is on solving domestic problems! Then give the three disobedient children a blood lesson! "
　　 I have to say that Prime Minister Osman's judgment is quite accurate! Before the Bulgarian army reached Constantinople, the Russians would not fight them with the navy.
　　 The Bosphorus Strait is so dangerous, the narrowest place is only more than 700 meters, and the Ottoman navy can rely on the fort defense on both sides of the strait!
　　 If the Russian navy entered, it would be like a pair of warships and turrets. I guess the commander wouldn’t go as long as he didn’t get into his head!
　　 This is also the reason why the Russian Empire collapsed in World War I! The navy of the Allied Powers clearly had the upper hand, and was still unable to open the Black Sea Strait. In order to open up the transportation line, Britain and France had to send troops to Salia!
　　 As for some people saying that Britain and France deliberately caused the Russians to collapse, that is completely nonsense! Not to mention the foreign debts owed by the Russians, from a military standpoint alone, without the containment of the Russians on the Eastern Front, Britain and France were crushed on the Western Front!
　　 In 1917, the Germans almost broke through the line of defense for a few terrible times. If it weren't for Britain and France to fight for their old lives and the Germans' strategic mistakes, the French might kneel down!
　　 As for the Americans, it's okay to spend money and supplies. Think about the pocket version of the army with only tens of thousands of people. Let's just count on them to fight!
　　 Even if he joined the war later, the aid brought by the materials was much greater than the military one, and even the support brought by the spirit was greater than the military one, and the main force was still Britain and France!
　　 The pride of the Turks is not without reason. At the end of the 19th century, were they also the No. 1 power?
　　 I dare not say anything else. At the moment, their military strength is still in the top ten in the world. They can't beat the British and the Russians. Could it be that they can't beat Bulgaria, Greece, or Mentenegero?
　　 Foreign Secretary Harim Pasha could only sigh and returned disappointed! How is the Ottoman Empire now? Can anyone sitting there know? That is to flick the Sudan, but no one dared to expose this mess, of course, did not take the opponent to heart, which is also a reason!
　　……
　　 Received the information that the Ottoman Empire increased its troops to the Balkans, and also frightened Ferdinand, but he waited and waited, but nothing happened!
　　Until 1896, Armenians launched a rebellion in Constantinople, and Turkish talents really increased their troops to Europe!
　　 Ferdinand also had to admire the efficiency of the Ottoman Empire. No wonder the first Balkan War in history was over, and reinforcements were still on the way from Asia!
　　 I'm drunk too! Now that both sides have set out their carts and horses, the Sudanese government is still free! If Ferdinand is replaced, the Armenia issue will not be solved immediately, and then the army will be organized, and the conflicts between the three countries will be used to break them one by one!