Awards

King Ferdinand I of Bulgaria sat in his opulent study, his gaze fixed on the telegram that had arrived earlier from Prime Minister Geschoff. The message detailed the conditions laid out by the various countries involved in the peace negotiations following the tumultuous events of the Balkan Wars. The room was heavy with the scent of aged wood and the burden of impending decisions.

Lieutenant General Savov, the Secretary of the Army, stood before the King, having just read the same telegram. His posture was rigid, the weight of military responsibility evident in his eyes.

"What do you think about the conditions of various countries?" King Ferdinand I inquired, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern.

Lieutenant General Savov paused, considering his words carefully. "Your Majesty, I believe there is room for negotiation on the conditions set forth by each country. We can..."

Before he could continue, Ferdinand I raised his hand, signaling him to stop. "We do not agree to Romania's terms, and the peace talks will not proceed on that basis. This time, I am primarily concerned with what the military thinks about this."

The words of King Ferdinand I made it clear to Lieutenant General Savov the true nature of the King's inquiry. The Bulgarian army was not in a position to challenge Romania, and with Austria-Hungary and Germany also withholding their support as indicated in the prime minister's telegram, Savov found himself at a loss for words.

Ferdinand I, observing Savov's silence, understood the military's stance. They preferred to avoid confrontation, a luxury the King felt he could not afford himself.

Seeing Savov's discomfort, Ferdinand I dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Then it's settled, let's proceed."

Later that evening, King Ferdinand I sent a concise telegram back to Prime Minister Geschoff, entrusting him with the full responsibility of the negotiations. The prime minister, upon receiving the telegram, understood that this was the King's tacit approval of his handling of the situation, albeit phrased diplomatically.

Prime Minister Geschoff, holding the telegram from the King, turned to his Foreign Minister Tirasnoch. "This time, he will let me handle it alone!"

Foreign Minister Tirasnoch, with a resigned smile, responded, "Your Excellency, do you think I can remain in politics after this negotiation?"

Geschoff knew the gravity of the situation. He had deliberately chosen a delegation that included individuals who were not seen as future political stars, to spare them from being associated with what was likely to be a humiliating treaty for Bulgaria. Their mission was clear: to sign the treaty and try to mitigate Bulgaria's losses as much as possible.

Despite the unfavorable conditions, Prime Minister Geschoff did not immediately accept the terms proposed by Romanian Prime Minister Bretianu. Instead, he engaged in a tactical dialogue, attempting to extract some concessions. However, Bretianu, aware of his advantageous position, remained firm on Romania's demands.

After five days of intense negotiation, Geschoff reluctantly agreed to Romania's terms. However, he managed to secure a provision for the local population in the territories ceded to Romania: they could choose either to move to Bulgaria or stay. Additionally, the Romanian government agreed to provide 20 million levs in humanitarian aid to help those who chose to relocate, while Bulgaria would facilitate the migration of Romanians with an aid fund of 5 million levs from Romania.

This arrangement, while framed as aid, was widely recognized as compensation from Romania to Bulgaria, a way to maintain appearances and avoid embarrassing the Bulgarian government too overtly.

As negotiations with other countries proceeded, Montenegro and Serbia presented their own sets of challenges. In Montenegro, after a tough negotiation, Bulgaria agreed to pay compensation. The talks with Serbia were even more contentious, turning into a proxy confrontation between the foreign ministers of Austria-Hungary and Russia, who supported Serbia and Bulgaria respectively.

The negotiations with Greece were influenced by the broader international context. British Prime Minister Asquith had remarked on prioritizing other issues over the Balkans, leading to minimal support for Greece. Consequently, Greece had to accept the terms laid out by Bulgaria, which included territorial concessions in the Thessaloniki area.

The final negotiations involved the Ottoman Empire. With the backing of Austria-Hungary and Germany, Bulgaria managed to maintain control over strategic locations, despite the Ottomans' dissatisfaction. The Ottomans were persuaded to sign the treaty after Germany promised military aid.

Ultimately, the Bucharest Treaty was signed, marking the end of the Second Balkan War. Romania emerged as a significant beneficiary, while Bulgaria, despite losing territory, managed to retain more than it had in the original historical timeline. Serbia and Greece saw increases in their populations, though not to the extent they might have hoped. The Ottoman Empire, having lost most of its European territories, faced the most substantial reduction in both territory and population.

This complex web of negotiations, influenced by both local ambitions and international dynamics, reshaped the political landscape of the Balkans, leaving a lasting impact on the region and its people.

The Times recently published an extensive commentary on the recent conflict, focusing particularly on Romania's pivotal role. Amidst the ongoing tensions between Bulgaria and Serbia, Romania, often hailed as the Balkans' strongest nation, swiftly concluded the war. The Battle of Tarnovo inflicted severe losses on Bulgaria, sometimes referred to as the "Prussian of the Balkans," forcing it to seek peace to alter its dire circumstances.

Romania, predominantly recognized for its abundant food and oil reserves, also boasts a thriving automotive and agricultural machinery industry, with products highly esteemed across European markets. However, Romania's industrial ascent began only eight years prior, with a substantial industrial aid loan of 12.5 million pounds from Germany. This financial boost laid the groundwork for Romania's rapid industrialization, leading to the establishment of modern petrochemical plants and a burgeoning automobile industry. Romanian cars, particularly the T-car, known for its affordability, and the Dongfeng truck, which has revolutionized short-distance transport by replacing traditional freight wagons, are now dominant in European markets.

Given its industrial and military prowess, Romania's influence in the Balkans has grown to such an extent that its stance is now crucial in regional decisions. The nation is viewed as a stabilizing force, capable of maintaining peace in the peninsula amidst the broader confrontations involving Austria-Hungary and Russia.

The latest edition of The Times lay on Edel's desk, its praises for Romania bringing a wry smile to his face. He humorously dismissed the notion of accepting such accolades outright, considering the still-present influences of Austria-Hungary and Russia. Despite the flattery from the Allies, who seemed eager to relieve Russia's burdens on the Eastern Front by favoring Romania, Edel knew well from history that mere promises wouldn't sway his nation's stance.

As Edel pondered these complexities, his head of guard, Carust, entered the room.

"Your Highness, the officers have arrived."

Acknowledging the report, Edel straightened his attire and prepared to meet the officers.

The Romanian army, under the direction of the Minister of Army Courtois, was in the process of withdrawing from Bulgaria and returning to domestic bases. Nonetheless, a significant military presence was required in newly acquired territories to manage the integration of the Bulgarian areas now under Romanian control. Thus, the 12th and 17th Divisions remained as garrisons.

The commendation of officers was a priority to acknowledge their contributions during the conflict. Just three days after the peace talks, these officers delegated their duties to their deputies and gathered in Bucharest. Due to the old king's ill health, Crown Prince Edel himself would conduct the award ceremony.

In the grand hall, the atmosphere buzzed as about thirty officers, grouped by rank and acquaintance, engaged in muted conversations. Lieutenant General Puleshan, soon to be promoted, was the center of attention among his peers. Nearby, Major General Fereit, commander of the Twelfth Division, which had seen significant action at Tarnovo, was also surrounded by a group of officers. His recent successes and rumors of his future role as director of military education made him a prominent figure.

In a quieter corner, Major Hoffman observed the interactions with a mix of envy and aspiration. As the deputy head of the car transport group, he was somewhat of an outsider to these gatherings of high-ranking officers. His role had been crucial in the logistical support during the war, managing the transport of ammunition and supplies using the fleet of Dongfeng trucks.

When Edel entered the hall with Captain Carust, an orderly silence fell over the room as the officers lined up according to rank and contribution.

"Greetings, Your Highness," saluted Lieutenant General Puleshan, initiating the formalities.

Edel, acknowledging the salute, felt a surge of pride and gratitude towards these men who had served their country with distinction. He addressed them, expressing his appreciation on behalf of the nation and emphasizing the enhanced reputation of the Romanian military because of their efforts.

The ceremony proceeded with the awarding of promotions and medals. General Puleshan was first, his new rank of General reflecting his leadership in the campaign. Major General Fereit was promoted to Lieutenant General for his decisive role in the Battle of Tarnovo.

As Edel continued with the ceremony, each officer received recognition appropriate to their service. Major Hoffman, despite only receiving a medal, felt a profound sense of honor as Edel personally decorated him, acknowledging his crucial role in logistics.

The ceremony concluded with a group photograph, capturing a moment that would become historic. In years to come, many in this photo would rise to even higher ranks and lead Romania through future challenges in World War I and World War II.

This moment marked not just a celebration of military success, but a reaffirmation of Romania's rising status as a formidable power in the Balkans, ready to face the complexities of a rapidly changing Europe.