The end of the nineteenth century was an age of surging winds and gathering clouds, an age when the old gave way to the new. It was imperialism's golden age, and also the finest age for territorial expansion!
Even now, the Balkan region still lacked a complete historical record. Ferdinand had ordered the compilation of History of the Balkans, and its greatest advantage was that no one would compete with him for the right to interpret history!
Ever since the Ottoman Empire occupied the Balkans, the original system of civilization had been severed. As for history? Would the various Balkan peoples accept records written by the Ottomans?
Whether others believed it or not, a general history of the Balkan region was about to burst forth with a bang. How long it would actually take to complete was no longer something Ferdinand could control.
Scholars of this era still possessed a shred of integrity. Even if they were going to fabricate something, they would fabricate it professionally! It had to withstand scholarly scrutiny; excessively obvious loopholes were not permitted to exist.
Besides artistically embellishing historical events, they also had to produce sufficient historical documents or artifacts as supporting evidence. This was no small undertaking!
Ferdinand supported this demand from the scholars. This was the standard of professionals! Even forgery had to be a complete package—if anyone questioned it in the future, it would amount to nothing more than a war of words!
These artifacts would all be placed in Bulgaria's newly begun museum for public viewing. Even if someone raised doubts, they would have no ability to verify them!
Do not misunderstand—the artifacts were all genuine. They had merely been given new stories.
As for the documents? Naturally, the originals no longer existed; they had all been destroyed by the Ottomans!