21) Russian-Bulgarian Relations
There is no free lunch in the world!
After the Bulgarian-Russian alliance, Bulgaria's overall national power has grown considerably and has increased at least twice compared to the same period in history.
Now it also has to be subject to the constraints. Once without this alliance, it will at least deprive Bulgaria's national power three times!
Since they would rip it off, Ferdinand also decided to give the big deal. Anyway, no matter how much it costs, you can get it back from the Ottoman Empire later.
The French have a lot of money, don't they? Well, we'll borrow more, no problem to mortgage, both the legal rights and taxes are negotiable!
Ferdinand suggests one billion francs, as long as you are willing to lend it, even if you want the Sofia Palace as a mortgage!
What? You want to build a railroad, fine! Look at what other roads are available in Bulgaria now. Go ahead and build them! Anyway, the main roads are almost finished, so it's not our business if the other routes lose money!
What? Want a tariff mortgage? Yes, you can! Bulgaria's most important trading partner, the Russian Empire, is equal to zero tariffs.
As for trade with other countries? The biggest item is the export of agricultural products, which are directly free of tariffs! The largest imports are machinery products, which are urgently needed in Bulgaria and tariff-free!
In fact, Bulgaria's customs revenue, as a percentage of the treasury, is already very low! That's only 7 or 8 million Leva a year, do what you want. The Bulgarian market is that big?
Typical of the die-hard pigs are not afraid of boiling water!
That's the state of Ferdinand now, anyway. Bulgaria's market is so big in terms of international politics and dependence on the Russian Empire. If the French appetite is too big, it will certainly affect the interests of the Russians!
It is clear that this time the joint French-Russian group, the strength of the Russian banking consortium is limited. The French are the gold master. The obvious purpose is to use the loan to control the Bulgarian economy.
A Franco-Russian agreement is likely. The Russians will further expand their influence in Bulgaria, and the French will gain economic benefits!
In this regard, Ferdinand is under no pressure at all. Now Bulgaria's major domestic industries are in control of his own hands. The government completely holds the railroads.
Any foreign capital intervention must comply with his rules, or you can feel what is difficult to move an inch!
Unless the French create a 'French Concession' out, but this possibility is infinitely zero, the Russians will be the first to say no!
After the Bulgarian-Russian Alliance, the industrial and commercial circles of the two countries were the first to come together, and they reduced tariffs repeatedly. If France was allowed to establish a concession, wouldn't it allow French goods to enter the Russian Empire and escape tariffs?
Unlike Bulgaria's weak link, France at the end of the 19th century was an industrial power, and if there was no tariff protection, it is estimated that the Russian national bourgeoisie in its infancy could not bear the impact!
...
Nikolai II, far away in St. Petersburg, also had a headache with Bulgaria's request for a loan. It is funny to say that the Russian government does not know what to demand except for direct economic benefits?
Let's talk about tariffs! I'm sorry, but what is the tariff between Russia and Bulgaria now? Even the customs staff's salary is not enough to pay. If not checked, the illegal traders use this channel to smuggle goods from other countries. The customs do not even bother to check!
The tariffs of other countries are in charge in order to facilitate the export of goods from their own side, but for Bulgaria, there is no need at all!
As for opening factories? Well, Bulgaria welcomes Russian businessmen to invest over there. As long as you have the money to invest in arsenals are fine, as long as you can sell them, but of course, the Bulgarian military will not buy them!
Mineral resources? Nikolai II expressed disdain. Is Bulgaria still the largest importer of Russian minerals?
As for other religious and cultural exports? Is this a condition? Is there any less cultural exchange between the two countries now? Bulgarian novels are read in the streets of Russia, and in the streets of Bulgaria, poems of the Russian Empire are written!
The two countries are similar in language and similar in writing. Even though religious customs are similar, the two sides communicate without any problems, even without translators. These simply do not need the government to meddle!
You can't blame Bulgaria for being too cooperative, can you? Russia exports its culture to Bulgaria, and Bulgaria exports its culture to the Russian Empire, and the birthplace of the ancient Russian language is still in Sofia?
Sometimes the minions are too cooperative, which is also a problem! At least now, to consider the feelings of Bulgaria, the Russian Empire can not impose excessive conditions and destroy the friendly relations between the two countries!
"Prime Minister, what additional demands do you think we can make now?" asked Nikolai II in a depressed voice.
The Prime Minister smiled and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, it seems that we do not need to mention any conditions now, as long as we continue to maintain friendly exchanges between the two countries, perhaps in 30 or 50 years, there will be one more highly autonomous Grand Duchy of Bulgaria under the Russian Empire!"
The crowd roared with laughter. Yes, theoretically, the two countries are tied together economically, with cultural exports and immigration, and after 30 or 50 years, a new generation grows up, and it is natural for both sides to unite as one!
Since sooner or later, it will be part of the Russian Empire, it doesn't matter if the Bulgarians take advantage of it. It is still a benchmark for the unification of the entire Slavic nation!
At this time, the Minister of Navy suddenly spoke up and said, "Your Majesty, in fact, we can strengthen the military ties between the two countries, and even support the Bulgarians to master the Turkish Straits when the time is ripe!"
In his mind, Nikolai II understood that the Navy had always been attached to the Turkish Straits, but after the Russian Empire shifted its strategic focus eastward, it no longer had the energy to compete for the Turkish Straits.
After all, the European powers, except for France, are not expected to welcome the Russian Navy into the Mediterranean!
Never look at the good words of the British. With a partition of the Ottoman, the Russian Empire gained the Turkish Straits. Once the Russian Navy broke out of the Turkish Straits, access to the Mediterranean Sea waters was another situation!
Whether it was the British, Italians, Spaniards, or Germany and Austria-Hungary, all would be an obstacle to the Russian Empire. Though large, the Mediterranean could not accommodate so many other Great Powers!
Nikolai II did not divide the Ottomans with the British. It is known that entering the Mediterranean Sea will face too many enemies! Once trapped, it will be difficult to escape!
It is possible that they surrounded the British and beat back the small matter so that the British or any of the powers to take control of any section of the Strait. It will be a bad day for the Russian Empire!
The Turks could hold the Straits because the Ottoman Empire was weak and didn't have the guts to cut off the Russian Empire's maritime artery! How about the British? One wrong move, and the Russian Empire will be cut off from the world in no time!