Chapter 51 Near East Issues

Greek wine was once glorious, but since the 15th century, the Ottoman Turks who ruled Greece did not drink alcohol for religious reasons.

Many vineyards were banned and destroyed.

The Greek wine industry fell into a slump.

Although wine is still allowed to be brewed, it is in a suppressed state and the authorities impose heavy taxes on the wine industry.

So far, Greek wine has a low reputation and there are almost no famous wines.

"I know, I will ask Butler Capet to pay attention to Greek wines on the market. As for whether to purchase, it depends on the quality of the wine. It is impossible for the royal family to use some inferior wines," Constantine said.

"If your highness is interested in wine, you can buy a vineyard. Use it for vacation in your spare time and experience the leisurely and quiet rural scenery. Brewing exclusive brand wines for collection or as gifts is very suitable."

It seems that Trikoupis is really concerned about the Greek wine industry.

"Well, if there is a chance, I will," Constantine said.

For a country like Greece that is suitable for growing grapes, the wine industry should indeed be taken seriously.

Constantine returned to the Tatoi Palace and finally arranged everything.

In the reception room, King George and Queen Olga looked at their son who was about to serve in the army.

"Constantine, you should train well in the army and accumulate enough military experience. The gunpowder smell in the Balkan Peninsula is getting stronger and stronger." George I came to Constantine, tidied Constantine's military uniform, and instructed.

"As the crown prince of Greece, as long as the war breaks out in the Balkan Peninsula, you will almost certainly go to the battlefield."

"If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. This is the test you must endure on your way to becoming a king."

"Who made Greece in such a powder keg in the Balkan Peninsula? The more the Ottoman Empire declines, the greater the possibility of war breaking out," George I said solemnly.

"Unfortunately, although I am the supreme commander of the Greek army, you know that I am not good at military affairs. I can't help you much on the battlefield."

At the end of the 19th century, the military and political balance of various countries in Europe was in balance. Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Russia were generally of similar strength. Since the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, Europe has been bathed in a rare peaceful time.

But there is no hidden worry about war.

That is the gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire.

The weakening of Ottoman Turkey can be seen by any European politician with a little vision.

Since the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire have been using the method of using barbarians to control barbarians, constantly wandering among the European powers to let them check and balance each other.

Under the pressure of various countries, they constantly compromised and signed agreements to cede interests to various countries, mainly Britain, France and Russia.

The most obvious example of the weakening of the Ottoman Empire is the Crimean War.

When mentioning this war, most people's impression is that it was a war for hegemony between Britain, France and Russia.

What is less known is that the protagonists of this war should have been Russia and Ottoman Turkey.

The Crimean War was also the ninth Russo-Turkish War.

It was precisely because Turkey was weak that it could only ask Britain and France for help in the face of the Russian army. As a result, after the outbreak of the war, the Ottoman Turkish army became a supporting role, and the millions of troops of Britain, France and Russia fought in full swing.

It was precisely because of the fear that Ottoman Turkey was not a match for the Russians that Russia's strength increased dramatically after annexing Ottoman territory, breaking the balance of power in Europe.

Therefore, Britain and France did not hesitate to personally go to the battlefield and fight a bloody battle with Russia on the shores of the Black Sea to crush its intention to expand to the Balkans and the Mediterranean.

For Europe in the late 19th century, the Near East issue was a difficult problem that troubled politicians in various countries.

(The Near East, the Middle East, and the Far East are nouns that describe the Eurasian continent with Western Europe as the center, roughly referring to today's Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia)

The essence of the Near East issue is what should the Ottoman Turkish Empire do?

The Ottoman Turkish national strength is getting weaker and weaker, and it is difficult to effectively control its original vast territory.

How should the Ottoman Empire divide up its vast territory across Asia, Europe and Africa?

Britain occupied Egypt and Sudan, France occupied Algeria, Italy coveted Libya, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire entrusted Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the Berlin Conference in 1881, Russia, which gave up its benefits under pressure from various countries, looked greedily at the Ottoman Empire.

However, the remaining territories of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans and Asia Minor are still huge.

People usually believe that the rise of a powerful country is likely to lead to war.

However, the rapid decline of an original powerful country is a threat to peace that cannot be underestimated.

Not only the major powers have ambitions for the Ottoman territory, but even the countries that have gained independence from the former Ottoman territories in the Balkans are salivating at the sight of the fat meat within reach.

Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece all have their own ambitions and are restless.

Montenegro wants to border Serbia. Montenegrins are actually Serbs. Their language, culture and even religion are almost the same, which is why the two countries were able to merge later.

Serbia's Greater Serbiaism and Bulgaria's Greater Bulgariaism, both countries want to expand their national territories to the largest extent in history.

Greece's great ideal is to completely take over the Ottoman Empire and restore the territory of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Based on these plans, the Balkan Peninsula in the next few decades will inevitably be turbulent and wars will be frequent.

Therefore, if Constantine wants to sit firmly on the throne, he must lead the Greeks to victory again and again.

"I will work hard, father," Constantine said.

"Colonel Constantine," King George suddenly said sharply.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Constantine raised his head and chest and said respectfully.

"Now, in the name of the Supreme Commander of the Greek Army, I will promote your rank to Brigadier General and appoint you as the commander of the First Division of the Thessalian Legion"

Originally, Constantine's rank was colonel after completing military training in Germany, and now he was directly promoted to Brigadier General.

The rank of Brigadier General can barely be called a general.

"Good luck, General Constantine, you can now go to Larissa to take office," said King George.

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Constantine, along with his attendants and several guards, rode out of the manor and headed for Larissa in Thessaly.

Standing in front of the window, watching Constantine's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Queen Olga worriedly said, "Can that child become an excellent commander?"

"Who knows? That depends on him. If you haven't really been on the battlefield, there will be no clear answer to the question of war," George said solemnly.

"May God bless my child and make him an excellent soldier," Queen Olga murmured.