Chapter 31 - The Logic of Power

Bulgaria is so backward.

When it is so backward, the suffering of others is a kind of pity to this land.

certainly.

The suffering inflicted on this land is far from over.

but.

Hilde did not stay in Bulgaria any longer.

war time.

No matter how Hilde messes up, it doesn't matter. Not only General Kutinchev has to tolerate Hilde, but even King Ferdinand I has to tolerate Hilde. They need Hilde to save Bulgaria.

The war is over.

Bulgaria doesn't need Hield.

What Bulgaria needs is stability.

If Hilde made trouble at this time, it would incur Bulgaria's disgust. Just like Hilde's promotion in military rank, it would require a sufficient price to be paid.

Now Hilde needs to go to Vienna.

Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Vienna.

Hofburg Imperial Palace.

Compared to the beige palace like the Berlin Palace, the Hofburg Palace does not look that yellow, but it is still a bit yellow and not as good-looking as the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

Conference in Vienna on the Balkans.

Hilde didn't want to come. If she came as a representative of Germany, she would inevitably be involved in the factional struggles among the German top leaders and the complex diplomatic systems of various countries.

Hield doesn't want to get involved, at least not yet.

The reason why I came here.

This is because Francis Joseph I sent invitations to emperors and kings of various countries. As the oldest emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the whole of Europe, others had to give him this face.

Including George V of England.

Wilhelm II of Germany.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.

French President Poincaré.

Alexander, Prince Regent of Serbia.

Constantine I, King of Greece.

King Nicholas I of Montenegro.

King Carol I of Romania.

King Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.

etc.

The last time there was such a large gathering of nations was in 1910 when King Edward VII of England died.

Of course, Hilde was not qualified to be invited by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I.

He was simply called here by William II.

In the Hofburg Palace, Hilde also changed out of her military uniform.

Instead, she wore a black evening gown, revealing her flawless back and black silk handkerchief.

As always, you can see your armpits and side breasts by just raising your hands.

The lower body is a black long skirt with layers of overlapping layers, and under the skirt, only occasionally can you see the slender feet wrapped in black high heels.

Standing next to Hilde was naturally William II, who had a horn beard and was wearing a military uniform.

The two walked together in the Hofburg Palace.

"General Bello and I have already talked about the Bulgarian situation. It is not easy for you to sideline Ferdinand."

"If it were easy I wouldn't do it."

Hilde was quite direct.

After all, Ferdinand I was the monarch of Bulgaria. Whether in terms of legal power or honorary power, Ferdinand I was the highest.

William II continued to ask.

"I'm more curious, now that the Balkan War is over, how do you plan to sideline him in the future?"

"Do nothing... Well, I can't say nothing. Maybe we can develop Bulgaria's economy. This war has made the already poor Balkans even poorer."

"If you do nothing, your influence in Bulgaria will gradually decrease, and Ferdinand's influence will gradually recover."

What William II said was not without reason.

Even if we remove the high-level political struggles involving the military and the government.

In the minds of the Bulgarian people, Bulgaria was almost destroyed again because it took the initiative to provoke the war, which led to the siege of five countries.

This made the Bulgarian people doubt the quality of Ferdinand I's handling of diplomatic relations and his personal ability.

In contrast, Hilde appeared in Silistra, the most difficult part of the war, helped Bulgaria to hold on to Silistra, and obtained aid from Germany, thus winning this almost impossible-to-win war.

It can be said that Hilde's reputation was at its peak in Bulgaria.

Coupled with her support for the army and the pro-German Prime Minister Radoslavov, it can be said that Hilde completely sidelined Ferdinand I.

The Bulgarians will eventually realize that Hilde is actually a German. Hilde is not a Bulgarian princess.

but.

If Hield doesn't take further action.

Ferdinand I's reputation will slowly recover over time.

Legal powers are even more real.

That time.

It would be difficult for Hilde to exert such a great influence in Bulgaria.

Hilde shook her head.

"If I want to maintain full control of power in Bulgaria, I must create more conflicts, more

But now the war is over, all that remains is politics. But politics has nothing to do with morality, justice, or

It is not evil, politics is simply the pursuit of stability."

"So you're going to give them stability and then wait until the next war to actually get Bulgaria?"

"Yes, now I am just a princess given to them by God. I am theirs. As long as we wait for the next crisis, they will yearn for me from the bottom of their hearts. Only then will they give everything to me, and they will be mine."

"How long do we have to wait?"

"Patience is always a virtue."

About that.

William II was really speechless. Hilde was still a minor. Given the instability in the Balkans, it was not a big deal.

How much patience is needed.

"Well, Hilde, you can play however you like, but I really want to see you get into trouble and then come to me for help."

"I will not make mistakes!" William II smiled.

This is why he likes Hilde, he likes Hilde's unruly look.

As a girl, Hilde would discuss politics seriously with William II, and would not make him angry like Crown Prince William and Prince Eitel did. As long as Hilde did not find a young boy and say she wanted to marry him, it would be fine.

"What do you want as a reward for taking care of Bulgaria?"

"Anything is okay?"

"Tell me first."

"I want a military rank, a major general will do."

"You're dreaming. I can only give you the honorary rank of colonel at best."

William II was delighted.

His daughter Victoria Louise holds the honorary military rank of colonel. There is no way William II would give Hilde the rank of general. Hilde is still a minor, and it is not outrageous to describe a minor as a general.

"Then I don't want it."

"You don't want the manor, the land, the title?"

"Not interested."

"If you only want military rank, then the title means more to you."

"In that case, I do want a place."

"Where?"

"Give me Alsace-Lorraine."

"It'll be fine if you can convince Ethel."

Alsace-Lorraine.

The German Empire ceded territory from France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. It is a little different from other German regions.

After all, it had been ruled by France for so long, the local political situation was complicated, and there were conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.

There was once a proposal within the empire to make Prince Eitel the King of Alsace-Lorraine.

However, Prince Eitel's military identity was too prominent, and his political identity was weakened, so this proposal was shelved.

That's why William II told Hilde.

It's no problem for Hilde to claim Alsace-Lorraine, as long as Prince Eitel agrees.

Hilde asked back.

*really?*

"I'll have to think about it."

"You don't keep your word, do you?

"......Just wait until the right time. I am the emperor, but I cannot do whatever I want."

William II was really afraid that Prince Eitel would go crazy and agree.

Of course he understood his own son.

Even if he really wanted to give it to Hilde, the claim of Alsace Lorraine would be a bit troublesome. According to Salic succession law, women

Cannot inherit the throne.

But it's not impossible for William II to consider it.

If Hilde is given the title of Princess of Alsace-Lorraine, then Hilde's future husband can obtain the title of Princess of Alsace-Lorraine.

After all, William II would not allow Hilde to marry a non-Prussian.

Hilde shrugged.

"In the end, there is nothing left?"

"I will find you the best husband."

"Forget it. With my beauty, I'd be unhappy if anyone gave me a bargain."

William II was amused by Hilde.

"Well, Hilde, it's okay if you don't want to get married, or it's better if you don't get married."

Hilde and William II never shied away from talking about politics.

Or perhaps it was precisely because Hilde was a little girl who was outspoken but extremely talented that William II opened his heart to talk politics with Hilde.

Hilde's marriage is a political cost.

With Hilde's beauty and talent, countless Germans would flock to her, and if one wanted to marry Hilde, one had to prove his loyalty and value to the empire.

This is also the reason why Hilde was able to obtain authority from William II.

Power is given.

Not taken.

All German people gave William II supreme power, and William II dispersed it to form a German power system with him as the core.

Hilde was an extension of William II's power and would in turn maintain William II's power.

This is also the reason why William II was willing to give the title of Princess Hilde, and even Alsace-Lorraine, but was unwilling to give her the rank of major general.

There is a complete system of military ranks. William II gave Hilde the rank of General, which was to undermine his own authority.

But not the princess.

"I have to tell you something."

William II looked into the distance.

He bent his arms and gestured to Hilde.

"You are not a Bulgarian princess."

Hilde smiled.

He reached out and took William II's arm.

"Yes, I am yours."

The reason for doing this.

As long as you follow William II's line of sight, you will see that it is a man wearing a military uniform and a horn beard like William II. With him is a white-haired, green-eyed girl about twelve or thirteen years old.

You can tell at a glance that he is of German descent.

certainly.

It couldn't be German.

Tsar Nicholas II.

and his youngest daughter Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova

William II called Hilde over from Bulgaria.

It's nothing big.

There is

no political intention either.

He just wanted to bring Hilde out so that he could show off in front of his relatives such as the emperor and the king.

Down

"Isn't this my little niece Anya? You have grown up so much, and now you must be the most beautiful little princess in Russia.

host.