I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 183 Pig Raising Plan
  In order to find a suitable candidate to serve as the Grand Duke of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Parliament traveled all over Europe and finally chose Alexander Joseph of Battenburg.

Facts have proved that Alexander Joseph was not a qualified monarch. Although he had connections with Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Russian Empire, his mind was not very clear and he had no idea what he was doing.

The powerful figures in the Kingdom of Bulgaria played a very bad role in this process. They did not assist Alexander in governing the country. Instead, they gradually stimulated Alexander's ambitions and made Alexander have unreasonable ideas, which ultimately led to the deterioration of the situation. To the point of being unmanageable.

"Go ahead, brighten your eyes this time, and don't find inappropriate people again."

George had no idea about the Grand Duke of Bulgaria. Compared with Bulgaria, Vladivostok was a more perfect base.

Bulgaria is surrounded by enemies on three sides. Once war breaks out, it will face the threat of the Ottoman Empire.

From this perspective, Alexander was actually right. The Russian Empire only stationed one regiment in Bulgaria and could not guarantee the security of the Kingdom of Bulgaria at all.

George also did not understand why the Russian Empire stationed only one regiment in Bulgaria.

After asking Milyutin, George learned that the Russian Empire's protection of Bulgaria was actually free, which George couldn't understand.

In the 21st century, for U.S. troops stationed abroad, not only are all military expenditures borne by the host country, but the host country also has to pay protection fees in order to obtain so-called security protection.

Russia had little to gain from the Tenth Russo-Turkish War. Even military expenses abroad had to be borne by the empire. No wonder the empire's finances were stretched thin.

"This is not good-"

Milyutin hesitated. The tsar had always regarded himself as the protector of the Balkan Slavic brothers. Isn't it natural for the big brother to protect the younger brothers?

"You misunderstood. This is not because we are asking for military expenses from Bulgaria, but out of gratitude to the Empire. The Bulgarian Parliament voluntarily replaced the Empire's garrison in Bulgaria with the latest equipment and provided better logistical support, so that the Empire can be stationed in Bulgaria. Bulgarian soldiers have no worries."

George's military expenses are not a one-time payment, but are paid every year.

Bulgaria's strength is limited and its military expenditures are not sufficient. Most of its military expenditures are used to maintain the empire's garrison in Bulgaria. Bulgaria does not have the strength to form its own army.

The saying that political power comes from the barrel of a gun will never go out of style. If no one is willing to take it away, ambition will naturally not breed.

As for what to do after the war breaks out?
  This is easy to handle. Even if Bulgaria falls, the empire will help Bulgaria recover.

This is the gift of reincarnation. This kind of kindness is big enough.

“Will the Bulgarian Parliament agree?”

Milyugin was several decades old, but he actually had an embarrassed expression on his face.

What's so embarrassing about this?

This is not begging. Not only should you not be embarrassed, but you should be proud of it.

The Russian Empire helped Bulgaria gain independent status.

What does it mean that Bulgaria, out of gratitude, recognized the Tsar's status as protector of the Slavs and asked for the protection of the Russian Empire?
  This fully proves that the feelings between the Russian Empire and the Balkan Slavs are unshakable.

Let Mi Liujing handle this matter. Most likely, Mi Liujing won't be able to speak. After all, he is a person who wants to lose face.

George didn't care anymore. He already had a bad reputation now, so it didn't matter how arrogant he was, so George sent someone to find Clemont.

Uh, not looking for it.

Clemont is also the Speaker of the House, so how could he use such an impolite way as "looking for".

It should be "please".

George did not follow Clemont in circles and made his request directly.

"Honorable Super Duke Yurievsky, your troops already have the most advanced weapons and equipment, do they still need to change their equipment?"

Clemont hoped that George would be as kind as the Tsar.

"Bulgaria is not worthy of the Oak Corps being stationed for a long time. I am not discussing with you, just informing you."

George doesn't accept this trick. Anyone will say that he is obedient. George only wants tangible benefits.

"Duke, if you do this, you may hurt the feelings of the Bulgarians and affect the image of St. Petersburg in the minds of the Bulgarians."

Clemont was euphemistic, meaning that if you dare to act recklessly, I will go to St. Petersburg to file a complaint.

"The imperial garrison in Bulgaria has brought security to Bulgaria. Bulgarians should be full of gratitude. Whose feelings are hurt by the so-called hurt feelings? The Liberals? Don't worry about this problem. There will no longer be a Liberal Party in Bulgaria. "

George hates people who always represent others. They are using the emperor to control the princes. You so-called people of the people's opinion party are holding the public opinion and morality hostage. Have the Bulgarians agreed to let you represent them?

The members of the Bulgarian Parliament are not elected by Bulgarians one person and one vote.

If Bulgarians were given a choice, most Bulgarians would choose the Tsar as the Grand Duke of Bulgaria, rather than a young officer serving in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Military rule is scary enough in itself.

He is such a young officer, so he is worried that the superimposed effect is not enough.

“Duke, Duke, isn’t this bad——”

Clemont was shocked. He knew that George was arrogant, but he didn't expect George to be so arrogant.

"Can you do it? If you can't do it, I will advise the marshal to find someone who can do it."

George was very dissatisfied with Clemont. If he couldn't find a more suitable person, George would not let someone like Clemont be the acting speaker.

Clemont served as speaker, but was ousted by Stefan after only four months. Even Stefan can’t play well, so what qualifications do he have to make demands of George.

Clemont was helpless. He asked to see Milyutin, hoping that Milyutin could persuade George to withdraw his life.

Milyutin's attitude is still very good, but on this issue, Milyutin said that he couldn't control George.

Milyutin is no longer Russia's Minister of War.

"Clement, I think you should understand that St. Petersburg is very disappointed with Alexander and your performance. His Majesty's patience is running out, so I think your most important task now is to consolidate St. Petersburg's trust in you."

Milyutin hoped that Clemont would pay honestly. In fact, it was not much, only 350 million rubles per year.

Russia's annual military expenditure is more than 350 million rubles, and million is indeed not much.

However, the Russian Empire has only a few troops stationed in Bulgaria. If there is no need to replace equipment, 350 million is more than enough to support two divisions.

"Marshal, it's not that I disagree, it's just that Bulgaria cannot afford the money."

Clemont was really helpless, it was not a matter of how much money he had.

"If that's the case, I would suggest you go talk to Super Duke Yurievsky."

Milyutin pointed the way for Clemont.

George is not just asking for money. He is now a well-known money-loving boy in St. Petersburg. In terms of making money, Milyutin considers himself far inferior to George.

Well, don’t talk about Milyutin.

No one in this era knows how to make money better than George.

Clemont actually went to find George.

George was curious. The great monk was so stupid when he chanted sutras. He couldn't do such a simple thing.

What a great opportunity now. The opposition parties in the parliament have been wiped out. The reason why those people were able to enter the parliament is that they have quite rich properties. Not to mention Stefan's fall, Bulgaria is full, at least 80% full.

But things like confiscating homes are a one-time deal and cannot last long.

If George wants the Bulgarian Parliament to be willing to pay this money, and pay it every year, then he has to help Clemont find a way.

Bulgaria is not rich in natural resources. It is not as rich as Romania. Romania at least has oil.

Bulgaria is quite rich in forest resources, but these days, what countries are most in need of is wood——

It cannot be said that Japan lacks forest resources.

This shows how scarce Japan’s resources are.

Everything is lacking except people.

To stand out is to be a capable student.

The Bulgarian government's main revenue comes from agricultural taxes, but most of Bulgaria's land is controlled by large landowners and the emerging bourgeoisie.

George was very curious. Bulgaria had just become independent a few years ago and had suffered a lot of legacy from the Ottoman Empire. The land should be concentrated in the hands of the Bulgarian government.

But why has land annexation in Bulgaria become so serious in just a few years?
  After asking Clemont, I learned that most of the land left by the Ottoman nobles had been bought by the Liberals headed by Stefan.

Well, no wonder the Liberals want to get rid of the control of the Russian Empire.

A new class of vested interests has formed in Bulgaria.

But this cannot be said to be a bad thing.

"This is easy to handle. Just confiscate all the land and properties in their names and sell them again."

George only had one problem to worry about.

This is the routine of fattening pigs and then slaughtering them.

If the Bulgarian government realizes the benefits of this scheme, there will never be peace in Bulgaria in the future.

But what does this have to do with the Russian Empire?

Whether they are raising pigs or slaughtering pigs, they belong to the Bulgarian government and have nothing to do with the Russian Empire.

If the Bulgarian Parliament or the Bulgarian government makes people angry, the Russian Empire can just step in to eliminate the harm for the people and gain another wave of goodwill.

Clemont didn't know George's plan yet.

But I felt vaguely in my heart that this was not a good way, and there should be a better way.

There must be a better way, but George is not the Grand Duke of Bulgaria, so he does not have to try his best.

Bulgaria can learn from what George did in Vladivostok. Although it will take a few years of hardship in the beginning, as long as you survive the most difficult stage, your strength will improve by leaps and bounds.

The key still lies in strength and courage.

(End of this chapter)