Chapter 48 Military Service

"This is not a choice we can make actively. As a humiliated conquered nation, no matter what we do, we have to work harder to be recognized."

"We must be careful at all times and frequently prove our loyalty to the empire to the Sultan."

Anges's statement full of the sadness of foreign rule made everyone present silent.

Hearing this, everyone felt complicated and sympathetic.

Under the notice of the Ottoman Turks, the most painful nation was the Greeks.

Every bit of glory in the past was transformed into a heavy burden under the rule of the Ottoman Turks.

The Greeks living in Constantinople regarded themselves as the "last Romans", especially the wealthy families among the Phanariots, who kept the habits and etiquette of the Eastern Roman Empire in their lives.

Others contemptuously called them "Greeks".

I don't know how many people secretly ridiculed and mocked these "Greeks" who could only indulge in the glory of history and behaved "weirdly and absurdly".

Especially in the eyes of those Europeans who came to do business and travel.

Countless Greeks were forced to convert to Islam in order to pay less taxes and avoid discrimination.

"Okay, let's not discuss these historical issues anymore," Constantine said, seeing the dull atmosphere.

"Mr. Angelis, you Greeks living overseas do have the opportunity to buy shares."

"Just in exchange, I hope you can cooperate with Prime Minister Trikoupis to solve the land problem in Thessaly and reduce grain tariffs," Constantine said.

Speaking of the land in Thessaly, it is also a confusing account.

As the most suitable area for agricultural development in Greece, the powers made a resolution to give it to Greece at the Berlin Conference in 1881.

Thessaly has a rare plain in the Greek peninsula, surrounded by mountains, suitable for growing wheat and cotton.

It was such a piece of land that the original Ottoman Turkish landlords made a secret deal with overseas Greek wealthy businessmen. Before handing it over to the Greek government, the land in Thessaly was sold at a discount to overseas Greek wealthy businessmen.

The land recovered from the Ottoman Turks would have been nationalized by the Greek government and then distributed to farmers for free to stimulate their enthusiasm for production.

According to national sentiment and national identity in Greece, these Greeks living overseas are undoubtedly Greeks and should enjoy Greek citizenship.

Now these lands have been sold to Greeks, which has put the Greek government in an awkward position.

It is legal for the government to confiscate the land of the Turks, but now that these lands have become Greeks, it does not make sense in legal terms.

Moreover, these Greek overseas wealthy businessmen are wealthy and powerful, have extensive social connections, and have a great influence on Greek domestic politics, which enables them to firmly control the land of Thessaly.

These wealthy businessmen live abroad all year round and have no time to take care of these lands, so they rent them out to shepherds or tenants. In this way, this precious plain is covered with weeds and herds of cattle and sheep.

The tenants who originally worked on this land had to leave their homes and were forced to go far away.

For these farmers who originally lived in Thessaly, they did not get any benefits from returning to Greece, but lost their homeland where they had lived for generations.

Farmers in other parts of Greece planted a large number of wine grapes, and the wheat production decreased, so they needed to import a large amount of wheat.

Overseas wealthy businessmen who hold 50% of the land in Greece maintain high grain tariffs by supporting Greek politicians, so that their land output maintains low returns and is free from competition from cheap foreign grain.

They enjoy a lot of economic benefits from Greece, but they do not play a due role in the Greek economy. They are just like a parasite sucking blood from Greece.

After Thessaly, which is suitable for agricultural and animal husbandry development, was incorporated into Greece, it not only did not reduce the domestic grain prices in Greece, but also increased them.

This is simply a crime against the country and the nation.

So don't look at the infinitely sad words of Angelis, which reduced the hostility of the people present, as if they were so patriotic.

Once there is a profit, the national interests of Greece will be thrown behind their minds.

For people like Angelis, national and ethnic feelings are not as important as making money after all.

If you want to get benefits without offering chips that will make Constantine excited, you can only dream in the day.

"This... this, sir, we need to discuss this matter," hesitantly heard Constantine talking about the land issue in Thessaly.

"You big landowners in Thessaly should make a decision as soon as possible," Constantine said unhappily.

"In short, the Greek Education Foundation owns 30% of the shares of the Greek Congo Corporation, the royal family owns 20%, and the rest is up to you to divide," Constantine said to everyone present.

"Your Highness, what is the Greek Education Foundation?" Gao Borui asked puzzled.

"The Greek Education Foundation will be responsible for Greek education issues in the future," Constantine explained.

"Okay, you will discuss the next meeting, Nina will preside over the meeting," Constantine stood up and said to everyone.

Next, there will be a fierce struggle for interests, and all parties will keep arguing. Constantine has no intention of entangled with them.

Anyway, there are no large-scale companies or factories in Greece. It is nothing more than a competition among bankers, big families in Greece, and overseas businessmen.

After that, he walked out of the meeting room.

He happened to meet the butler Capet who came to inform the king and queen of the summons.

Constantine came to the tea room and saw Queen Olga and King George chatting.

The two saw Constantine enter and looked at each other, and King George spoke first.

"Constantine, you are already seventeen years old. Your mother and I have decided to let you serve in the Thessaly Legion," said the king.

Serving in the military is a tradition of European royal children.

Almost all royal children in various countries have served in the army.

Because the monarchs of various countries are the supreme commanders of the army, it is common for royal men to serve in the army and accumulate military experience.

In European history, it is a common thing for monarchs to lead the army in person.

For example, Emperor Napoleon of France and Frederick the Great of Prussia.

As the crown prince of Greece who has received a complete military education, Constantine is almost bound to participate in the war as long as there is a war.

After all, what can better guarantee the legitimacy and authority of the regime than military merit?

Constantine was mentally prepared for this.

The Thessaly Legion was one of the main armies of Greece, deployed in northern Thessaly to guard against the Turks.

"Once you have arranged the affairs in Congo, go to serve in the Thessaly Legion," George I said solemnly.