Vol 5 Chapter 11: , The flu is coming

1918 was the year when the European economy returned to normalization. Bulgaria was no exception. The government seldom started large projects. Everyone focused on economic transformation.
The most typical thing is that the number of daily necessities on the market has increased significantly, and the people's table life has become more colorful. Vegetables and fruits that were rare in the past are now everywhere.
On April 26, 1918, the Bulgarian government announced the cancellation of the purchase restriction decree that had lasted for more than three years, and the market was completely normalized.
In fact, after the end of the world war, the government has already lifted the ban, but in order to maintain the stability of prices, it did not abolish the Wartime Basic Living Supplies Act.
More than half a year has passed, and there are enough living supplies on the market. Naturally, this safeguard bill is not necessary to continue.
Affected by this, the prices of daily necessities in Bulgaria have increased by 10% compared to before the war. There is no alternative. Prices in Europe have risen. Although Lev did not depreciate, inflation still occurred in Bulgaria.
This is the pot of the world war. Although Bulgaria has maintained price stability through government intervention, other European countries cannot be controlled by Ferdinand.
Take Britain and France as an example. Their prices have already risen during the World War. Although they have fallen after the end of the World War, they are still far behind the pre-war period.
The prices on the international market are far beyond the pre-war period. As one of the participants in the market economy, Bulgaria is naturally unable to stand alone. In addition, the recent increase in domestic labor costs has finally promoted the rise in prices!
Fortunately, Bulgaria's economy is recovering well. Under the situation of great economic development, the harm caused by inflation is covered up.
However, the world economy is still not optimistic. With the end of the world war, many neutral countries with war money are now facing a common problem-overcapacity!
To this end, Ferdinand also held several economic meetings to discuss whether to adopt tariff increases to protect the local market.
However, this issue had not yet been discussed, Ferdinand's attention was diverted. In March 1918, the British initiated an international conference with the purpose of establishing an international alliance.
Obviously, John Bull also found that their strength was not enough to suppress the world, and continued to establish a new international order to consolidate their position in the world.
This international alliance is entirely Ferdinand’s butterfly effect, and has nothing to do with the League of Nations in history. Both the purpose of its creation and the originator have changed.
Even the address of the League of Nations is not in the neutral country of Switzerland, but in London. There are not so many countries participating in this alliance in history. The Americans directly said that they would not play.
Of course, the British did not invite them to participate. If it were not for influence, Ferdinand guessed that for this joint meeting, John Bull might only invite European countries to participate.
Although the superficial idea is still so lofty, it aims to: eliminate wars, quell international disputes, promote international trade, and improve people's living standards.
In fact, this meeting is a special session for the British. Bulgaria and France only reserved a certain amount of speech. All activities are organized around the consolidation of the British's world hegemony.
Of course, this meeting still reached a lot of positive agreements, but unfortunately there was no enforcement power. For example, if there is a war, it must be approved by the League of Nations meeting, otherwise it will be sanctioned by the alliance.
However, the League of Nations itself does not possess force. It can only be achieved through the support of major powers. Any attempt to intervene in a war is entirely based on the interests of major powers and does not possess justice!
The British were able to allow the two countries to cooperate with their actions, and John Bull naturally did not give less benefit, such as: trade care, everyone strengthened military and economic exchanges.
World trade in this era is still inseparable from the British. It will be much easier to have their support. At least the probability of merchant ships being robbed by pirates will drop a lot.
As soon as the League of Nations was established, 38 member states joined, and eventually formed the three-nation council of Britain, France and Bulgaria. The Americans and their little brothers were absent from the meeting this time.
John Bull achieved most of their goals, restricting the colony expansion of various countries through the form of a treaty, that is, not expanding colonies to member states.
This has won the support of many small European countries. Being neighbors with big brothers is already tragic enough. Now the colony in their hands is no different-children holding gold bricks in the trouble!
The current paper treaty is exactly what they want. The League of Nations has come out to endorse them, and finally they can sleep at ease.
Among them, the Dutch and the Portuguese are even more important. Who told them to have enough colonies and their own strength weak enough?
The Dutch colony has always been peeped by the Japanese. Without the support of the British, they would have long changed hands on their own strength!
The Portuguese colony has not been peeped, but the Portuguese government has a guilty conscience, because they overthrew the king Manuel II in the world war and caused strong dissatisfaction with the Gotha family.
At that time, everyone was busy with the war, and Portugal decisively joined the Allied Powers, so that they did not trouble them, but it did not mean that it was over.
The British royal family has always had plans to support the restoration of Manuel II, but after the end of the world war, George V was almost emptied, and he did not dare to spend too much political resources in his hands for Manuel II. .
But Ferdinand on the other side has no such worries. If he can help Manuel II to restore and collect the Portuguese colony as payment, it is estimated that the Bulgarians will be happy to do it.
Now that the colony is preserved through an international treaty, then the possibility of Bulgaria interfering in their internal affairs has been reduced. In their view, there is not enough interest, and Ferdinand will not stand for Manuel II.
Of course, they still don’t know that Ferdinand was too busy recently to forget Manuel II. Who told him that Manuel II hid in London after being overthrown, and they didn’t know that they went to Sofia. What about presence?
As for the issue of the treaty, there are some ways to avoid it. The League of Nations does not prohibit the transfer of colonies between member states. As long as everyone voluntarily, it is completely free to trade!
...
In the colonies, everyone reached an agreement, but on the issue of disarmament, the main thing was to abolish the navy, and everyone could not reach a consensus. After the end of the world war, the naval arms race did not stop, and certain countries continued to expand, such as Japan and the United States, which continued to build their navies.
In order to maintain the world's hegemony, John Bull had to follow up, especially the American navy tonnage is already moving closer to them, if they do not continue to build warships, wait until 1927 the US Navy tonnage will overtake them to become the world's first!
...
No way, the Germans are still as stubborn as ever. After the signing of the Versailles Treaty, the German Navy sank all its warships in the harbor. John Bull was too busy. Without the German warships, the British dominance of the navy was also Not so stable anymore!
Of course, there must be other factors in this, at least both the French and the Bulgarian have contributed to the flames. For example, Constantine had inadvertently revealed that the British would annex the German navy in a conversation with Hindenburg. fact.
The French have sent people to humiliate the German Navy many times, ridiculing them as cowards, and didn't have the guts to go out and fight the British. Anyway, as long as the German Navy does not take action, they are cowards!
Even before the Paris Peace Conference, the Americans reached a loan contract with the German government, and the interest was quite generous. As for any insider trading, it is not known!
...
Anyway, with the joint efforts of everyone, the British dominance has become unstable. The Japanese want to build the "August 8 Plan", and the Americans want to build a navy that matches their economic status!
In order to join in the fun, Ferdinand also announced Bulgaria's future shipbuilding plan, not just adding five dreadnought ships, the shipbuilding time is naturally: soon!
How long this "short-term" is actually depends on the actual situation. Anyway, it changes with the changes in the international situation. Ferdinand's purpose is only to brush his presence, and he does not really intend to join the arms race.
Unless there is an accident, such as the sudden fall of the British, the world's hegemony can't be maintained, Ferdinand doesn't mind pushing it again, and he will explode the navy only if there is a bargain to take advantage of!
The French also joined in the excitement and said that they are going to build two more battleships. If there are more, they can't afford it. The French economy was half-failed by the World War, and it will not be able to recover for a while!
The rest of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Mao Xiong do not need to think about it. They have no time, at least for ten years, they will not have to consider their diplomatic position.
Then, John Bull said that they have been very busy recently and have not participated in the feces sticks. The European Big 6 is naturally peaceful. No matter how serious the contradiction between Germany and France is, it is impossible for the Germans to jump out and fight Gaul at this time!
In the end, Ferdinand combined European history and summed up the law. As long as the British are busy, everyone will have a good life, so it is better for everyone to pit a John Bull!
In this context, the British want to pull everyone to stop the arms race, naturally it is not so easy!
Soy sauce-based Bulgaria is easy to handle. As long as other countries agree to restrict armaments, Ferdinand will not object.
The French who are busy restoring the economy can deal with it. The French government is now at the poorest time, and they don't mind saving another expenditure.
But the British want Bulgaria and France to unite with them and to suppress other countries’ agreement to disarmament. This issue needs to be discussed.
Perhaps the French will support the British for colonial security considerations, but Bulgaria is different. Most of the colonies are at their doorsteps, and there is no military threat. The two pieces of land in Africa are worthless, and no one will grab them.
In this context, how can Ferdinand stand up for the British in vain?
...
The Minister of Health Carl Landsteiner reported to Ferdinand with anxiety: "Your Majesty, this is the information collected by the Ministry of Health from all over the world. A wave of flu is spreading all over the world. The main symptoms are: headache, high fever. , Muscle aches and loss of appetite.
At present, there have been epidemics in cities such as Texas in the United States, London in the United Kingdom, and Paris in France, and internal symptoms have also appeared in our coastal city of Cavute!
Although the harm of the flu this time is not great, it is very contagious. The Ministry of Health is worried that it will spread to the whole country, and it is recommended that the government take quarantine measures! "
Ferdinand rolled his eyes, what is meant by harm is not great, that is, it has not exploded, once it explodes, its destructive power is not much less than this world war!
Fortunately, Bulgaria has established a medical and health proposal. It is currently the only country in the world that can implement national surveillance. Otherwise, he will have to wait for the epidemic to break out before he can receive the news.
Ferdinand did not hesitate to say: "The emergency plan is activated immediately. The flu is spreading too fast this time, and it is very likely to mutate in the later period. The harm may exceed our expectations.
Now I authorize you to have the highest command in the epidemic area, and the local government and garrison will cooperate with you in epidemic prevention work!
You can take care of the specific epidemic prevention work yourself. Anyway, I will not allow the large-scale spread of the flu in Bulgaria. You can isolate the cities in the epidemic area when necessary! "
Carl Landsteiner's face changed drastically, and he was very shocked and said: "Your Majesty, this flu is only a bit more spreading, but the virus does not cause fatal harm to the human body. We don't need to be so fanatical, right?"
Ferdinand was taken aback. Has history changed. This flu is not the legendary "Spanish flu", but just a common viral flu?
"History has told us that there must be a major epidemic after the war. The European 6th war has been fought for so long. What's so strange about a major epidemic?
Besides, even if it is a common flu, its transmission ability is so powerful, isn't it worthy of our attention?
Do medical experts now have a special medicine for this flu? Or is it the medicine to prevent this flu? "
Regardless of ~EbookFREE.me~, we should pay attention to it first. Even if you make a mistake, you will waste a lot of money. Bulgaria can still bear it. If the Spanish flu is really not taken seriously, then It’s not money!
Carl Landsteiner lowered his head and replied: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will start the arrangement as soon as I go back. The epidemic will never spread in Bulgaria on a large scale!
But your Majesty, if we want to start a comprehensive epidemic prevention work, then all foreigners must be quarantined. This may cause..."
Ferdinand said without hesitation: "According to your rules, don't worry about the funds, you can spend it in the special fee. This year there are 200 million levs to spend!
The diplomatic trouble caused is the issue of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No one will hold you accountable. In order to reduce the intensity of your work, I will order that from now on, all foreign refugees will be sent to Asia Minor for centralized settlement!
At the same time, before the end of the epidemic, Bulgarian merchant ships will no longer go to cities that have been in service. The returning merchant ships can also make them dock on many islands in the Aegean Sea first, and then they can enter the Big 6 after passing the inspection! "
After knowing Ferdinand's determination, the Minister of Health Karl Landsteiner did not hesitate. Anyway, if the boss came forward, he only needed to do a good job in epidemic prevention.
Carl Landsteiner replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that our Ministry of Health will definitely do a good job in epidemic prevention and will never let the epidemic spread in the country!"
He has made up his mind in his heart, and he must organize manpower as soon as possible when he returns to research out the drugs for treatment. If it doesn't help, he must also get the vaccine, otherwise he will be sorry for the investment!
...
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