I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 525 Supply Point

The current Ottoman Empire still occupies large tracts of land including Albania, Macedonia and Serres.

George did not want the above-mentioned areas, he only wanted the outlet to the Black Sea. After the war broke out, this marine corps of the Black Sea Fleet would be the surprise force to raid Constantinople.

It was also Peter's wish to seize the outlet to the Black Sea.

Upon learning of George's plan, Peter returned to Crimea to take charge of the Black Sea Fleet, while George continued to stay in St. Petersburg.

At the end of December, the Kingdom of Greece replaced its ambassador to the Russian Empire. The new ambassador was Greek Prince Georgy, who had accompanied Nicholas on his tour around the world.

Georgy's mother, Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna, was the eldest daughter of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich of Russia and Grand Duchess Alexandra Josephovna.
Prior to this, Georgy served in the Danish Navy and married Princess Marie Bonaparte in 1907.

When Georgy accompanied Nikolay on his trip around the world, he was just 20 years old and in the prime of his life.

Georgy, who is just 40 years old this year, already has a frosted face and looks much older than Nikolai, who is only one year younger than him. They are almost two generations apart.

"You finally left Denmark. I told you long ago that if you are unhappy in Denmark, come to St. Petersburg. Now George is the Minister of the Navy and can give you a good job."

Nicholas would accompany Queen Mother Maria on vacation to Denmark every summer and would often meet Georgi.

George's situation in the Kingdom of Greece was not good, otherwise he would not have served in the Danish Navy.

"Please come on, I want to live a few more days."

Georgi was not shy with George, and he had heard many rumors about George in Copenhagen.

From 1883 onwards, Georgy lived very little in Greece, spending most of his time at his uncle, Prince Valdemar's, Bernstorff Palace near Copenhagen.

Prince Valdemar is the youngest son of King Christian IX, grandfather of Nikola, and an admiral of the Royal Danish Navy.

"If you come to the Imperial Navy, you can save a life buoy."

George joked that Georgi's belly was a little big.

Ever since Alex went to Amur, Nicholas has been letting himself go more and more. There are banquets in the Winter Palace almost every night, and the reunion of old friends is no exception.

If it were someone else, they would probably think that Nicholas was extravagant.

In fact, Nicholas did not use the Russian government's money at all. He had too much money to spend, and holding banquets in the Winter Palace was considered a way to stimulate consumption.

Although Georgy's wife is French, she doesn't like French champagne very much, but has a special liking for rose wine produced in the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

"If you want to drink, go find George. He is the most powerful wine merchant in the empire and can get you all kinds of fine wine."

Nicholas doesn't care about this little money at all.

"Compared to you, I am a complete pauper."

Georgi joked that he did not have a strong desire for money.

When Georgy proposed to Princess Bonaparte, he promised not to interfere with her finances, which was rare.

Compared with Georgy, who was not favored by the Greek royal family, Princess Bonaparte was a small wealthy woman. The inheritance left by her mother alone could provide Princess Bonaparte with an income of up to 80 francs every year.

"If you want to make money, come to my office tomorrow."

George wants to show Georgi a clear way forward.

Georgy's brother is Constantine, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Greece, and his wife is Princess Sophie, the sister of William II.

Because of this relationship, between the Russian Empire and the German Empire, Constantine was more inclined towards Germany and was not very interested in the Russian Empire. If Constantine had not become king yet, otherwise the Kingdom of Greece would probably not have joined the Balkan League.

George also did not intend to provoke Georgi to rebel against his brother.

Instead, he sought greater benefits for the Kingdom of Greece within the scope of his authority.

The Kingdom of Greece has always hoped to recapture Constantinople and restore the glory of the Roman Empire.

George would not give Constantinople to the Kingdom of Greece, but in the distribution of post-war benefits, as long as George was slightly biased towards the Kingdom of Greece, the benefits of the Kingdom of Greece would be greatly increased.

"I'm sorry George, I'm afraid I can't be of any help."

Georgi knows his own limitations and does not want to get involved in disputes between major powers.

When Princess Bonaparte married George, she hoped that George and Princess Bonaparte would live in France after their marriage.

Although Georgy is not liked by his father and brother, as a member of the Greek royal family, he still has to fulfill his royal duties.

Fortunately, Princess Bonaparte sympathized with Georgie's situation, and the two got married.

If it were someone else, the marriage would probably have been canceled because there are many princes who want to marry Princess Bonaparte.

"Don't rush to reject it. Do you think Greece can remain immune from the upcoming major changes?"

George is not in a hurry. Even without Georgi's cooperation, George can achieve his goal.

Of course it would be better if there is one.

The location of the Kingdom of Greece is too important. If the Russian Navy can obtain a supply base in the Aegean Sea, then even if it does not control the outlet to the Black Sea, the Russian Imperial Navy will be able to break out of the Black Sea.

It’s actually not difficult to do this.

In 1897, a massacre against Christians broke out on Crete. The Greek government sent troops to land on Crete, took over the island in the name of the Greek king, and announced that Crete would be merged with Greece.

In response to the rebellion on Crete and the aid offered by Greece, the Ottoman Empire redeployed most of its troops in the Balkans to northern Thessaly, and the First Greco-Turkish War broke out.

Since the strength of the Kingdom of Greece was far inferior to that of the Ottoman Empire, Greece was defeated, resulting in the cession of several small but strategically important areas along the northern border of Thessaly to the Ottoman Empire, and it had to bear huge economic compensation.

In order to prevent larger-scale conflicts, European powers led by Britain and France decided to jointly take over Crete by the four countries of Britain, France, Russia and Italy.

The Kingdom of Greece did not give up Crete, and the representative sent to Crete was precisely Georgy's brother, Crown Prince Constantine.

During the First Greco-Turkish War, Crown Prince Constantine was the supreme commander of the Greek army.

At the beginning of this year, a coup of moderate scale broke out in Greece. Constantine was removed from all military posts and his prestige plummeted.

If George fails to persuade Georgi, he will go to Constantine and get a supply point in the Aegean Sea through Constantine.

This will definitely involve some exchange of interests.

Compared with the benefits gained, it is worth paying some price.

Georgi did not respond to George immediately.

George was patient and gave Georgi enough time to think.

(End of this chapter)