Chapter 180： Choices (2/2)
He also said, ”I don't care what you think, anyway, Bulgaria can't be lost. What it means here, you all know!”
Everyone was afraid to speak with their heads down. The national policy of the Ottoman Empire was actually very liberal in modern times.
It is a pity that no matter how good the policy needs to be implemented, the decaying Ottoman government undoubtedly lacks efficient implementation capabilities, and naturally, the people are full of grievances.
The aftermath is now out, and the local operations have not received the support of the people, and they have also been attacked by guerrillas, which has slowed the pace of reinforcements.
Fortunately, the reaction of the Russians was also very slow. Otherwise, a decisive battle broke out on the front line, and the Ottoman government could only cry.
...
Athens, Greece
With the outbreak of the Near East War, the Greeks were happy, and their chance to achieve their goals came.
Otto I had a headache and faced the pull of the four great powers at the same time. He didn't know how to stand.
Greek nationalism has been on the rise since the conflict with the British in 1850. From the beginning Otto I supported the idea that nationalism was conducive to his rule.
Otto I thought he had seized the key to gaining popular support and put himself at the forefront of the patriotic movement.
How to keep the patriotic enthusiasm of the people from cooling down has become a problem for Otto I.
After the outbreak of nationalism, regaining lost ground has become the common goal of the Greeks, and it is also the ”great ideal” of Otto I and Queen Armania.
The Greeks' claims to take back territory are almost endless. The theoretical basis of this requirement came from the Byzantine Empire, and the Greeks wanted to reproduce the territory of the Byzantine Empire.
When the power and the ideal are out of balance, the days of tragedy are not far off. The territory of the Greek kingdom in this era was only over 50,000 square kilometers, and its population was less than one million. It simply could not support their ”ideals”.
”You, where should we stand now?” Otto I asked frowningly.
As a small country, the most sensible approach is to stand on the side of the winner; while a country with a flourishing nationalism is often not so sensible, it will choose the side with the greatest interests.
At this time Otto I did not know that his rule was about to usher in a new crisis. No matter which side you stand on, it is impossible to satisfy the appetite of the people to regain their lost ground.
In Greece, where idealism prevails, the people don't care so much. They only ask the government according to their ideals.
In history, for more than one hundred years from the time of Otto I, all the kings of Greece have not lived comfortably, because none of them could fulfill the ideals of the Greek people.
The Finance Minister answered with a complex look: ”His Majesty, the British and French navies have taken control of the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. For the sake of national security, we can only stand with them.”
This is the most sensible approach. No matter who wins or loses, Greece surrounded by British, French, and Ottomans has no choice at all.
The Minister of War countered: ”What can we gain by standing with the Ottoman Empire? Can we count on their alms to return our homeland to us?
Now that the Russians have made a commitment, as long as we declare war on the Ottoman Empire, they will support us in obtaining Thessaly and Ipirus after the war.
The Austrians even promised that they would support us as much territory as we had won.
Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, have we given up? ”
There is no way, the Russians and Austria are generous to others, naturally do not mind promises to the Greeks. Britain and France are now allies with the Ottoman Empire. How could they choose to sacrifice Ottoman's interests to meet the Greeks' demands?
Even if it is to win allies, the Greek kingdom is not qualified?
Britain and France are also arrogant, not just cats or dogs, they can sit on an equal footing with them.
The Prime Minister echoed: ”Yes, if we give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the people outside will not agree.
It's worth taking a little risk for the revival of the great Greek kingdom! ”
It is not that he wants to stand with the Russians, nor that he does not see the risks of doing so, but that the Greek people outside have already made choices for them.
Nationalism is a double-edged sword. It can kill the enemy and hurt itself. Now the government of Otto I has been abducted by my opinion.
Otto I thought for a while and said, ”Since the people have made their choices, then our government must respect their choices.
However, given the British and French positions, we cannot declare war on the Ottoman Empire directly. What is a good way for everyone? ”
There is no good way, I have an idea.
The Minister of War proposed: ”Your Majesty, we can set up civilian armed forces to launch an attack on the Ottoman Empire, which can not only give the Russians and Austria an account, but also take care of British and French faces.
In his view, British and French support for the Ottoman Empire was only to combat the Russians, not to say that the two countries really supported the Ottomans.
As long as the Greek kingdom grasps the degree, they will not interfere when they attack the Ottoman Empire without harming the face of Britain and France.
My idea is better than no idea. There is no better way. My idea can only be used to make sense.
After seeing everyone applauding, Otto I finally made a decision: ”Then talk to the representatives of Austria and Russia, we support them in this war!”
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