The Allure Of Gold Mines

As the crisp breeze swept through the city of Larissa, the echoes of two days' journey settled into a palpable tension as Constantine and his party arrived at the heart of Thessaly. Larissa, once under the rule of the Turks, now stood before them, its gray stone buildings and slate-paved streets revealing the scars of recent history. The remnants of Turkish influence lingered in the sparse crowds, pedestrians casting furtive glances at the military procession.

Following the blue and white cross flag of Greece, the group found their way to the military station. Guided by Private Thales, they entered a small two-story building, where military officials huddled around maps. Schmidt stepped forward, presenting Constantine's letter of appointment, and the conversation took an unexpected turn.

The topic shifted to the Ottoman Anatolian Railway—a venture that could alter the geopolitical landscape. Metaxas, the Chief of Staff, informed Constantine about the Ottoman Empire's plans to build a railway, with the involvement of a German officer, Colonel Goetz. The news struck a chord with Constantine, recognizing the strategic implications of a railway network in the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

The revelation of Ottoman-German collaboration added another layer of complexity. Metaxas, sensing the gravity, emphasized the urgency of action. His military instincts prompted him to advocate for a pre-emptive strike against the Ottomans, citing their current vulnerabilities. The prospect of a strengthened Ottoman army, aided by German training and technology, loomed large in Metaxas' assessment.

Constantine, however, approached the matter with a broader perspective. He acknowledged the military concerns but emphasized the intricate web of international politics. The Treaty of Berlin in 1881, he explained, had set a precedent—unilateral changes in the Balkans were forbidden without unified consensus. The balance of power in the region was delicately maintained, and any move required approval from foreign powers.

Metaxas, undeterred, urged Constantine to consider the imminent threat and the weakened state of the Ottoman Empire. He painted a picture of an opportune moment for Greece to act, citing the disarray in the Turkish army and their political isolation.

Constantine, though appreciating Metaxas' military acumen, couldn't ignore the diplomatic realities. The international constraints on unilateral actions were formidable. As the conversation unfolded, the intricacies of military strategy and political diplomacy merged into a tapestry of historical challenges.

This cautious approach aimed to avoid premature exposure of the Congo's rich mineral deposits, ensuring that Greece could develop the region without inviting unnecessary geopolitical challenges. As Banning spearheaded the exploration efforts, the wheels of opportunity were set in motion.

With a solution in sight for the railway financing problem, Constantine felt a sense of relief. He walked out of the office with Schmidt, and as they strolled across the empty playground, the distant sound of gunshots caught their attention. Curious, they approached the training grounds to witness soldiers engaged in target practice.

The focus then shifted to the Greek military's own preparations. Metaxas provided an overview of the Thessaly 1st Division, detailing its regiments and stationed locations. Approximately 11,000 soldiers comprised this formidable force, armed with advanced weaponry acquired from various countries. The French Chaposse rifle and German Krupp cannons showcased Greece's commitment to building a modern army.

Acknowledging the delicate balance between maintaining a capable army and managing economic constraints, Constantine realized that the Greek military's effectiveness was compromised by limited resources. Despite dissatisfaction with the status quo, he understood the financial limitations imposed by the country's weak industrial strength

Months later, in the midst of grappling with the Congolese railway financing, Constantine received a telegram. The exploration team had discovered gold mines in North and South Kivu, providing a potential solution to the funding dilemma. Constantine, recognizing the strategic importance of gold in the late 19th century, devised a plan to leverage this discovery.

His directive to publicize the gold mines through Western European newspapers, coupled with negotiations for investments in the Congolese railway, showcased a shrewd understanding of economic dynamics. The scarcity of gold and its role in the gold standard system made the discovery a valuable asset for attracting investments.

In the backdrop of geopolitical maneuvers, military strategies, and economic intricacies, Constantine navigated the challenges of his era. The threads of history wove through the city of Larissa, the Turkish-German alliance, and the untapped wealth of the Congo. The chessboard of international relations unfolded, and Constantine, the strategist, played his pieces with a calculated hand.