Vol 4 Chapter 76: , Negotiate terms

The cold wind whizzed by, the dead branches and leaves passed away with the wind, and snowflakes floated in the sky, and it was another winter.
Ferdinand was taking a few little guys to play in the snow, and even Queen Xenia, who had always been restrained, put down her former dignity and joined the game. The family enjoyed themselves together.
The past year of 1915 was a year of wars, and Europe’s 6th chaos became a pot of porridge. In this short year, five million people have died in the war.
But this is just the beginning. Ferdinand knows that in the next year, the world war will become more cruel, and now everyone has no way to retreat, either to win or to destruction!
The battle is no longer possible, and it has now become a competition for the comprehensive national strength of both sides.
Coming to this time and space, Ferdinand became more and more hard-hearted. He was used to seeing swords and shadows and intrigues, and he also became a qualified politician. Even if blood is flowing from the front, he can still feel at ease in the rear.
Of course, this is based on the premise of Bulgaria's continuous victories. In just one year, Ferdinand has swept the kingdoms of Romania and Montenegro into the dust of history.
No, the government in exile still exists, and there are even a few small units that continue to resist. One day the allies of Wanyi suddenly exploded and won the war, they still have a chance to recover.
...
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Metjeev said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the French ambassador has just asked us for support. Judging from the intelligence from the front line, they have been shaky on the Verdun line. The Germans have broken through two days ago. Their first line of defense!"
Ferdinand's face changed slightly. He did not expect the French, with the help of the British, to lose the first line of defense so quickly. Verdun was known as a meat grinder in history, and the casualties on both sides of the war reached nearly one million.
He didn't want to throw his precious army into this huge pit, but now Bulgaria must make the French stand firm.
Ferdinand was quietly thinking about why the historically unbreakable Verdun line of defense is now crumbling.
Yes, it's Italian! Although the combat effectiveness of the Italian Sixth 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.
We must know that in order to help the French defend the line of defense, John Bull also made great efforts this time. The number of expeditionary troops increased to 700,000, which was able to help the French block 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 a soft spot.
The current battlefield on the Western Front is not a good place to go. Both sides have launched real fire. Aircraft, tanks and artillery are blooming everywhere, and bombs are littered without money.
Ferdinand had even prepared for the worst. Once the Verdun line fell, he immediately set off for 6 battles against Rome, forcing the Italians to withdraw from the war.
At the same time, they united with the Russians to kill the Austro-Hungarian Empire as soon as possible, and compared with the Germans, to see if they occupied Paris first, or Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not hold on first!
Anyway, once there are no two allies, the Germans fighting alone will not change their fate of failure even if they occupy France.
...
Time passed in a hurry. According to Ferdinand’s order, Bulgaria once again moved to Italy. This time the offensive target was Sicily.
Geographically speaking, Sicily is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and has extremely high strategic value. At present, the submarine forces of the Allies are mostly based in Sicily, and the Tunis Strait is almost becoming a death route.
In this respect, the occupation of Sicily had a significant impact on the Allies. More importantly, as long as Ferdinand deploys hundreds of 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 number of troops attacking Verdun increased to 62 divisions, and the Italians contained the strength of the French. Now the strength of the Allied defenders of the Verdun line is greatly insufficient.
As for the formation of colonial cannon fodder troops by Britain and France, the combat effectiveness is really not reassuring.
There has even been a record of a German army defeating an Indian army. Since then, the French have never dared to hand over important lines of defense to colonial forces.
So they put their attention on Bulgaria. With the end of the kingdoms of Romania and Montenegro, the battle in the Balkans has gradually stabilized.
The war between Bulgaria and the Austro-Hungarian Empire has now become a big-eyed star. Both sides are relying on the mountains to build a line of defense. It is obvious that whoever attacks will suffer, and the intensity of the war will naturally not be high.
This is also what Ferdinand deliberately did, otherwise the Austro-Hungarian Empire is about to play. Against two powers at the same time, Austria-Hungary is not Germany, not so sturdy!
Against this background, Ferdinand naturally wanted to start the Asia Minor strategy. Ferdinand has always been very active in grabbing territory, and of course the Bulgarian military is even more active!
...
The maid’s clear voice sounded: "Your Majesty, the British Ambassador, the Marquis of Winston, and the French Ambassador, Mr. Creto, are visiting together."
"I see, take them to the reception room and wait, I'll be there in a while." Ferdinand said calmly
He knew the purpose of the British and French ambassador's visit. Could it be that they couldn't convince the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they wanted to convince him that it failed? Forget it, you won’t know when you meet, why do you think so much!
...
Ferdinand didn't like roundabouts and asked directly: "What is the so-called two people here today?"
The British ambassador, the Marquis of Winston, replied: "Your Majesty, the Verdun line is in a hurry. For the common interests of the Allies, we hope that your country will send half a million troops to France."
Ferdinand smiled slightly and said: "According to our previous agreement, Bulgaria has completed the task.
We have contained the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Italians at the same time, and we also settled the kingdoms of Romania and Montenegro. We are now preparing to join the 6 Ottoman Empire!
From the standpoint of allies, we have done enough. If we are allowed to take on more responsibilities, should we also allocate corresponding benefits? "
The Marquis of Winston said heartily: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that we have come 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 Asia Minor!"
Ferdinand shook his head unchangingly. Britain and France are thinking too well, right? If you write a blank check, you want to fool Bulgaria into sending troops?
The Balkans wants Bulgaria to send troops to unify itself, and Asia Minor also needs Bulgaria to send troops to get them. Their recognition is worthless!
Britain and France after the World War lost their pre-war prestige. As long as Bulgaria took these places in their hands, would it still be impossible to vomit because Britain and France did not recognize them?
"Your Majesty, if Bulgaria can send reinforcements to France, we can reduce or exempt part of the loan." French Ambassador Creto added
Ferdinand still shook his head. After the war, the franc was about to depreciate, and even one-tenth of the current currency value could not be kept. Does he care about the loan after shrinking?
Ferdinand said solemnly: "I'm sorry that I don't have so much time to bargain with you. If you need to test it slowly, you can go to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If you want to continue the conversation, just show your cards, I don’t like roundabouts!
I think the battle situation at the Verdun front line is also very urgent. With your low efficiency, are you not afraid of changes in the front line?
Or do you think that by relying on those colonial troops, you can stop the Germans from attacking, and there is no need for reinforcements? "
Obviously his words were very rude, but where he was the king, it wouldn't be a big deal even if he taught them a few words.
Anyway, the European Big 6 here, people are accustomed to the appearance of the king, Ferdinand is now very normal.
Of course, if you leave Europe in other places, it's another situation. The British and French ambassadors have not paid much attention to the kings of Asia and Africa.
Although the atmosphere was a bit embarrassing, they quickly recovered. Whose king has no temper?
"Your Majesty, if Bulgaria can send troops to France immediately, in terms of the distribution of benefits after the war, your country can get an extra share on the current basis!" Creto said simply and neatly
When he said this, his mood was obviously not very good. Someone must take more while others take less. Obviously, most of these benefits are to be deducted from their share. Why is it that France's current strength is insufficient?
Ferdinand said happily: "Well, in that case, it's time to discuss!
Don't worry, I don't have a big appetite and will not harm your country's interests!
Taking Rome as the boundary, how about half of the Apennines plus Sicily and Sardinia? Your country can carve up the other half of the Apennines, and we can take what we need! "
"No!" Marquis Winster objected immediately
Obviously, Ferdinand's proposal is still very attractive to France. Italy's industrial essence is in the north. According to Ferdinand's proposal, the French will undoubtedly take advantage of it.
But for the British, it is completely unbearable. If the French were to swallow the essence of Italy's industry, who has the final say in the European Big 6?
Of course, everyone is still an ally. Under the premise that the Germans still exist, everyone will not fall out for the benefit of the post-war distribution, but the nail Ferdinand has been buried.
Perhaps realizing that he had made a mistake, the Marquis of Winster explained: "Now that the war is still going on, it is too early to discuss 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 the handling of Italy, so let's deal with it later!
But how about the disposal of the Ottoman Empire after the war and the Russians? How about the specific distribution, how about you not to interfere? "
The Marquis of Winston thought for a while and said: "Yes, but the interests of the British Empire must be guaranteed!"
Ferdinand nodded, and said calmly: "Of course, the current sphere of influence between Britain and France will be at your disposal!"
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 the Asia Minor Peninsula and parts of the Caucasus. These are already in the pockets of Bulgaria and Russia. UU reading www.uukanshu. com
In the remaining area, only sand is left! In the Arab region of this era, oil has not yet been discovered, and it is worthless at all.
The sphere of influence that Ferdinand delineated has also increased in Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Other regions have long been drawn into their own bowls by the British.
Kuwait, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are all spheres of influence of the British, and their conflicts of interest are not significant.
As for the distribution of interests between Bulgaria and Russia, do they not care? For the British, as long as there is a distribution of benefits, there will be conflicts. Is it possible for the future Russia-Russia alliance to be so harmonious?
With Bulgaria as a buffer, the British Empire does not need to directly conflict with Russian life in the Near East. 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 result in insufficient domestic forces. I hope that the British Empire can provide us with 50 Indian divisions for use on the battlefield of Asia Minor.
Although their combat effectiveness is not very good, it is still feasible to use them to do miscellaneous tasks and maintain order! "
Seeing the Marquis of Winster hesitating, Ferdinand smiled and said: "The Indian colony of your country has a population of over 300 million. We only need a few hundred thousand manpower. Isn't this a problem?
Don't worry, I don't need your country to provide military officers, just need your country to provide a batch of translators. We will take care of the rest! "
"No problem!" Hearing that no officer was needed, the Marquis of Winster readily agreed.
Anyway, the most indispensable thing in India is people. As for what Ferdinand would use these Indians to do, he didn't bother to care, anyway, Ah San was worthless!
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