Sudden Change

Amidst the lingering winter chill of February 1885, news of triumph reverberated through the hallowed halls of the palace in Athens. The staccato rhythm of telegraphic signals announced to Constantine that the enigma of funding for the Congolese Railway Company had been elegantly unraveled. The royal coffers graciously poured forth 1 million francs, a testament to Greece's commitment. Not to be outdone, the illustrious Bruce Court family, emissaries of British wealth, invested a princely sum of 500,000 pounds, securing a seat of influence in this burgeoning venture.

Belgium's dominance in the initial investment wasn't merely financial; it offered them sway in the management of the Congolese Railway Company, a strategic maneuver to navigate the turbulent waters of international politics. Simultaneously, a new entity, the Kivu Province Gold Mining Company, emerged, tasked with harnessing the wealth from recently discovered gold mines. Greece, leveraging its ownership of these gold mines, secured a 30% stake in this venture—a diplomatic masterstroke by Constantine.

The launch of the Congolese railway marked the heralding of a new era. As the wheels of industry turned in distant Congo, geopolitical tempests brewed closer to home. The crisp notes of September 1885 carried whispers of tumult from the Balkans. The Greek ambassador in Bulgaria relayed tales of unrest in Eastern Rumelia, as locals seized the Ottoman Governor's Palace, rallying for a union with Bulgaria. On September 18, 1885, the Grand Duke of Bulgaria boldly proclaimed the annexation of Eastern Rumelia, extending the frontiers of Bulgaria in a resounding declaration.

In the intricate tapestry of Balkan politics, this was a symphony of change. Previously confined to the northern Balkan territories, Bulgaria's territorial ambitions now danced southward, setting the stage for geopolitical drama. Eastern Rumelia, a region south of the Balkan Mountains, had now become part of Bulgaria's embrace, posing a challenge to the prevailing international order.

The geopolitical chessboard of the Balkans, already fragile, trembled under the weight of Bulgaria's bold move. The Ottoman Empire, in its decline, saw its dominions contested by hungry powers. Russia and Austria-Hungary eyed the spoils, creating a complex web of alliances, nationalistic fervor, and great power rivalry.

Constantine, ever the astute strategist, sensed the brewing tempest and swiftly returned to Athens. History whispered through the corridors of power, reminding him of the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War of 1878. The Treaty of San Stefano, a grand vision of a Bulgarian protectorate spanning Mosia, Eastern Rumelia, and Macedonia, had succumbed to the pragmatic realities of the Berlin Conference.

The subsequent appointment of Alexander von Battenberg as the Grand Duke, meant to align Bulgaria with Russian interests, took an unexpected turn. The young Duke's nationalist aspirations clashed with Russian expectations, leading to a strained relationship. As tensions mounted, Bulgaria navigated the delicate path of asserting its independence while grappling with the looming specter of Russian influence.

The stage was now set for Bulgaria's annexation of Eastern Rumelia in September 1885. The geopolitical chessboard quivered as Bulgaria, in a daring move, challenged the Three Kingdoms Alliance—Germany, Austria, and Russia. This territorial expansion, a violation of the delicate balance orchestrated at the Berlin Conference, triggered a general mobilization by Bulgaria against the Ottomans.

The fervor and determination displayed by the Bulgarians in reclaiming their land resonated across the Balkans. The Greeks, too, caught the wave of enthusiasm. If Bulgaria could assert its territorial ambitions, the question lingered—why not Greece? The populace, fueled by nationalist fervor, saw an opportunity to reclaim lost territories.

Constantine, a guardian of the nation's destiny, found himself at a crossroads. The aspirations of the people clashed with the diplomatic realities dictated by the international community. As the Greeks reveled in the echoes of Bulgaria's bold move, Constantine foresaw the perils that lay ahead. Disobedience to the mandates of the great powers carried consequences, and the delicate dance of Balkan geopolitics awaited its next steps.

In this epoch of history, where the destinies of nations intertwined, Constantine stood as a sentinel, weighing the desires of his people against the diplomatic intricacies of a world in flux. The echoes of decision-making reverberated through the corridors of power, heralding a pivotal chapter in Greek history—one where strategic choices would shape the fate of nations.