Chapter 55: Confidentiality Agreement

"Okay! Russia can support Bulgaria's expansion in the Balkans, but only to contain other major powers. We will not send troops directly!" Nicholas has calmed down. Although Ferdinand's promise is attractive, the success rate is very low. I do not intend to invest too much.
　　 Even though Ferdinand knew Nicholas’ plan, he didn’t care, his real goal had been achieved!
　　 For the sake of secrecy, the secret alliance with Russia must be a secret agreement, and the diplomatic influence will not be too great. Bulgaria can obtain sufficient mining resources and human resources from Russia to complete industrialization in a short period of time.
　　 In the future changes in the international situation, Mao Xiong suffered a terrible defeat in the Russo-Japanese War. He has just recovered and caught up with the World War. Mao Xiong has no chance to complete this strategy, the plan will always be the plan!
　　In history, Bulgaria was isolated and helpless in the Balkan War and will no longer exist. Of course, it is still unclear. Although the Serbian pro-Russian faction has come to power, they are still the younger brothers of Austria-Hungary. Russia has no room to choose allies at this time. (Note: In 1891, Greece was the territory of the British, and Romania had signed a treaty with Germany and Austria.)
　　……
　　 and Nicola reached a preliminary agreement, and Ferdinand was deeply relieved.
　　The biggest problem of Bulgaria's development has been solved, and the next step is to develop with all strength. We must seize the time and quickly get rid of the Balkan countries in national power.
　　 The next negotiation does not require Ferdinand to go out in person. Bulgaria is a luxurious version of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs composed of Konstantin, Chekov and others. Russia’s representatives are headed by Duke Ukhtomsky.
　　 This may be good news for Bulgaria. Is Duke Ukhtomsky very familiar? He is the "civil diplomat" active in St. Petersburg, Beijing, Shanghai, and Vladivostok.
　　 is a representative of the Russian Eastern faction, advocating to adopt a strategic contraction in Europe, expand to the Far East, and establish a "Yellow Russia".
　　 Since Ferdinand and Nicolas have already had a showdown, the two sides have no major differences on the issue of principle, so the negotiation is proceeding smoothly, and there are some specific rules to be discussed.
　　Nicholas stayed in Bulgaria for more than a month, but the negotiations are still far away. Ukhtomsky was again the main character in the entourage, and he could not be left behind, which seriously affected his eastward plan.
　　 "Mr. Ukhtomsky, can you speed up the progress? It has been more than a month, and only half is completed!" Nicholas often urged
　　 "Your Majesty, we are already making progress very fast, but we are stuck on the details!" Ukhtomsky explained
　　 Nikolai changed his face when he heard the words, and said angrily: "I'm stuck, is it because something happened in Bulgaria, and I want the lion to open his mouth!"
"Oh, isn't it! It's just some ordinary business negotiations, normal bargaining?" Ukhtomsky explained hurriedly that as the vanguard of the Eastern Movement, he didn't want to make any changes that would affect the empire's east. Advance strategy.
　　 Nikolai's face was a little slow, and he asked a little depressed: "So how long will it take to finish?"
Ukhtomsky vaguely said: "This is difficult to say! Normal business negotiations are very troublesome. There are too many industries involved. You can only talk one by one and find various information, so it is difficult to say how long it will take. To complete!"
　　 Nicholas was startled, and suddenly understood, a bold idea suddenly popped up in his mind, "Since it is an ordinary business agreement, or else just sign a draft first, and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send someone to take over the specific rules."
　　 said: "Mr. Ukhtomsky, simply sign the peace agreement that has been negotiated first, and hand over the subsequent negotiations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"
　　 "His Royal Highness, it's not good! If we hand over in this way, the work behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be difficult to do, and it will be difficult for them to grasp that degree!" Duke Ukhtomsky had already entered the state and said dutifully.
　　 Nicholas said freely and easily: "It doesn't matter, you can explain to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and properly release some goodwill. Anyway, as long as the zero tariff agreement is signed, the Bulgarian market has been fully opened to us, and some details are not important at all!"
　　 "Okay!" Ukhtomsky thought for a while. This is the same principle. The strategy of eastward advancement is more important. The Balkans' slight interests are not worth mentioning.
　　Nikolay still doesn't know how much loss this hasty decision will bring to Russia in the future. I guess I know or care about it.
　　 Before leaving, Ferdinand gave an expensive gift, including a huge cheque for 500,000 pounds.
　　 can be regarded as pacifying Nicholas's wounded heart. He took the top and bottom and took a short hand. Therefore, Nicholas confessed to release some kindness, which was infinitely magnified.
　　 Then in a burst of laughter, Nikolai left Bulgaria and stepped into the next stop in Greece.
　　 Paul Shuvalov, an official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who came from St. Petersburg to take over, is a little trapped. St. Petersburg's request is to fight for the benefits of the empire as much as possible. The UU Reading www.uukanshu.com Crown Prince ordered the opposite!
　　Paul Shuvalov is now very embarrassed. He was originally an ambassador living in Germany, but he was out of luck. It just happened to catch up with William II tearing up the "German-Russian Reinsurance Treaty", and then he was dismissed from his post, and now he was demoted to Bulgaria.
　　 St. Petersburg's order cannot be ignored, and the crown prince cannot be offended. His current position still happened by chance. Just to win over Bulgaria, a person with enough status is needed to be an ambassador.
　　 At this time, an unexpected guest solved the problem for him, and Nicholas's close attendant Smith-Vicky came. Earlier, he received the benefits sent by Ferdinand, pretending to be sick and staying.
　　……
　　 Paul Shuvalov asked incredulously: "Mr. Smith, the crown prince really said that?"
"Of course! You can send a telegram to ask, is this what I dare to lie? Mr. Paul Shuvalov, the first negotiation was made by His Royal Highness personally with the Grand Duke of Bulgaria. Some of the agreements were secret, and these concessions were Included in the category, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not clear!" Smith-Wiki said with certainty
　　 Paul Shuvalov was startled, and sweat came out. Why did he bump into this unlucky thing again? "Confidentiality" is not even clear to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, can we still ask?
　　 As for the truth or not, he has no doubts! Nikolai’s telegram to him clearly requested the release of goodwill. Didn’t you understand, but I didn’t expect to make such a big concession!
　　 After thinking about it, Paul Shuvalov decided to follow suit in the end. He was cheated by the Germans, and now he is scared. Anyway, at the most damage to national interests, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can use Nicholas' telegram to communicate.
　　 "Well, I know what to do, Mr. Smith, thank you for your advice, otherwise it will be troublesome to disrupt the layout of the crown prince!"