After Edel arranged for Volkswagen to develop new models, Austria-Hungary finally couldn't stand the two countries, which had been secretly manipulating the Bosnia-Herzegovina issue.
With the support of Germany, Austria-Hungary will announce semi-mobilization in early March. At the same time, Germany also issued a threatening note to Russia, announcing that Russia must recognize Austria-Hungary's sovereignty over Bosnia and Herzegovina. If Russia continues to support Serbia in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
If there is a dispute over the issue, then Germany and Austria will take military action against Russia.
While Edel was watching the play, a telegram from Germany pulled him into this crisis.
"His Royal Highness, Your Majesty, please come over." Edel was at work that day. Chief Adli came over and told the crown prince that the king wanted to see him for something. After hearing this, Edel thought to himself that there has been nothing major recently.
It alarmed his father. In the past two years, in order to train the crown prince, Carol I gave most of the work to Edel. Now the king rarely interferes in political affairs except major matters. This time his father's invitation naturally made Edel
I thought there was something going on in the country.
After thinking for a moment that nothing happened, Edel asked "Who is now where is my father?"
"The German Ambassador Baslob is with His Majesty."
After hearing what the steward said, Edel thought in his mind that he was seeking our diplomatic support because of the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The crown prince didn't think much about it. He walked to the room of old King Carol and saw that only his father and the German ambassador were in the room.
, even the steward Adri closed the door after the crown prince entered the room.
"Father, what do you want from me?" Although Edel was very confused, he asked the old king first.
"Edel has one thing now, and I think I need to seek your opinion." Carol I said.
"Father, please tell me, I will think about it seriously." The crown prince saw that this was not a simple matter, so he had to listen first before talking about it. Unexpectedly, the next person to talk about this matter was German Ambassador Baslob.
"Your Highness, in order to ensure the accuracy of this matter, let me explain it to the Crown Prince."
Seeing that the old king had no objection, Edel motioned for Baslob to continue.
"I came here this time hoping to get your country's support for the Bosnia and Herzegovina issue. Your Highness should know the relationship between our Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This time the ultimatum was issued to Russia because they were too unscrupulous in the Balkans. This is for everyone
It is intolerable to those who love peace.”
After hearing Ambassador Baslob's account, Eder asked, "What kind of support do you need?"
Faced with the Crown Prince's interruptive questioning, the ambassador was not upset and continued. "We hope that when Russia persists, Romania can join us in punishing Russia, and in return we can forgive your country's debts. At the same time, we believe that Moldavi
Asian people have the right to choose the country they like."
After hearing this, Edel basically understood what Germany meant. If Germany and Austria-Hungary declare war on Russia and Romania participates, Germany can forgive its debt of more than 200 million marks and give it to Romania's Moldavia region (because most of the local area
are all Latin-speaking Romanians).
After hearing this shocking news, Edel did not respond immediately, and the old king and Ambassador Baslob also did not ask immediately. They were all waiting for the crown prince's reply. After he carefully recalled that there was no war between Germany and Russia before World War I, this
How could Romania be involved this time?
In fact, in history, the Bosnia and Herzegovina crisis has nothing to do with Romania. The reason why Romania is implicated this time is Edel himself. After borrowing a lot from Germany, Germany believed that Romania was about to fall to the Allies. Plus Romania was involved.
After returning home, Dendorff told Moltke about the strength of the Romanian army. During the Bosnian crisis, the Kaiser also wanted to see if Romania was really willing to follow Germany's footsteps. That's why he took this military action to win over Romania.
action.
"Mr. Ambassador, can you give us two days first? This matter is too big and we need to discuss it." The Crown Prince can only delay it for a while. The matter is too sudden and he needs to relax and clear his mind.
"Okay, Your Highness, I'll come back in two days." Ambassador Baslob never thought that Romania would agree. Two days is enough to discuss such a major matter.
After seeing the German Ambassador Baslob walking out, the old king asked Edel, "Edel is now facing Germany's request, what should we do?"
"My father asked me to think about it first. I don't dare to make such a big decision easily."
After the Crown Prince returned to his office, he asked not to disturb him. In a quiet environment, Edel carefully analyzed the impact of this crisis on Romania.
Now the Kaiser's request to participate in the war is giving Edel a headache. Although in the memory of his previous life, the First World War broke out in 1914. But nothing is absolute. What if Nicholas II in this life knocks his head and refuses the German request?
, the requirements of Austria and France. France will not let Russia face Germany and Austria alone. This will lead to Germany and Austria declaring war on Russia, France declaring war on Germany and Austria, and Britain will follow suit, so that the war will be advanced.
Erupted.
This was unacceptable to Edel, who wanted to make a lot of war money in the early stages of World War I. However, if the Kaiser's request was rejected, World War I would still break out as planned. Then it is certain that there is a high probability that German capital will evacuate.
If there is a problem, the payment will also be required to be paid off in advance.
Romania's industrial construction is now at a critical juncture, and the reorganization of the army has not been completed. Where is the money to repay the debt? Even if Edel sells himself, it will not be enough to repay the debt, so this is a dilemma. Now we can only carefully analyze the current situation and choose one
A decision that is less prone to unexpected situations.
"Bring me the current information on Russia." Edel shouted to the guard outside the door. Thanks to the fact that Romania now attaches great importance to Russian intelligence, the guard walked in after a while holding a lot of information on current Russia.
"Send it on the desk and go out. Don't let anyone disturb me." Edel ordered the guard. After seeing the guard walk out and close the door, Edel picked up various materials about Russia and started to check them.
During this time, Edel consulted various information about Russia's politics, economy, public security, etc. After reviewing it, Edel concluded that despite the French blood transfusion, he judged that the Russian economy had not fully recovered to the state before the Russo-Japanese War, and the war potential was also great.
discount.
Under such circumstances, the chance of Russia rejecting the demands of Germany and Austria was very small. Even if Tsar Nicholas II refused, he would be dissuaded by his ministers from coming back. After all, no one is a fool.
After getting the answer, Edel walked out of the room and found the captain of the guard and a group of guards anxiously waiting for him outside.
"Your Highness, you are finally out. You have been in there for five hours." Seeing the crown prince opening the door, the captain of the guard, Carlust, stepped forward and said with concern.
"I have nothing to do and let them go. I'm a little hungry when I bring something to eat." Edel ordered his captain of the bodyguard. After eating, Edel came to Carol I's office and saw that he was also there.
An old father thinking about the same problem.
"Father, I have thought about it. We can agree to Germany's request this time."
"Tell me the reason." Carol asked her crown prince with interest.
"The reason is very simple. The Russian economy has not yet fully recovered, and even if it wants to finance its finances, there is not enough money. Politically, the activities of the socialists have not completely subsided, and there are still various small riots among the people. These data show that
Russia is not yet capable of fighting a major war."
After talking about Russia's problems, Edel talked about the country. "Germany now has a great influence on us, and we cannot do without their economic and military support. We now have no ability to refuse the Kaiser's request."
After listening to Edel's analysis, Carol I began to think. He knew what the crown prince meant. Now that Russia did not dare to fight, plus Romania now needed Germany, it could be a speculation. Carol himself did not think of it.
After Edel asked about this plan, he said, "I can do as you say."
Two days later, the German Ambassador Baslob came to the palace, still in the old king's office, with the same three people as before. But this time Edel, who had already made a decision, said to the German Ambassador. "Thank you Germany for your love. If
Germany and Austria took military action against Russia during this crisis, and Romania is willing to follow Germany's footsteps and join this action."
