Undercurrents

"Your Highness, Volvo supermarkets have now spread throughout Bulgaria's major cities. But because the domestic economy is sluggish, sales aren't very high. In several smaller cities, we're barely breaking even. The projected profits won't even match those of a single Vienna!" Franz said, somewhat glumly.

Ferdinand smiled. "Heh, don't be impatient, Franz. We need to be patient! Once Bulgaria's economy develops, the money will come pouring in!"

"Understood, Your Highness! Don't worry. I know what to do!" Franz immediately put his negative feelings aside and gave Ferdinand his assurance.

"Good!" Ferdinand nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Habit.

Habit said worriedly, "Your Highness, the machinery factory has just started production. The problem now is that we can't find a market for our machinery. Apart from our own purchases, we've received hardly any orders!"

"People in Bulgaria are on edge, and the capitalists have no desire to invest in building factories. The prospects for the future aren't bright, either. Quite a few people placed orders but never came to collect their goods! Still, sales of spare parts are pretty good. They're very popular!"

"Good! In that case, let's focus on the spare-parts market. While international capital hasn't noticed us yet, we'll first secure the market in the Balkans, then expand into Eastern Europe!" Ferdinand said after a moment's thought.

Greed really was human nature!

Ferdinand had originally planned to promote Bulgaria's industrial development; now, that plan had turned into state monopoly. However he dressed it up, he couldn't change the fact that he was profiting from it himself.

From the perspective of its resources, monopoly really was the best choice for Bulgaria. Especially in heavy industry—mineral-poor Bulgaria had no other option!

"Understood, Your Highness! Rest assured, we have no competitors in the Balkans at present!" Habit said confidently.

Ferdinand nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Good! Hoover, tell us about the situation in Bulgaria."

Hoover replied confidently, "Yes, Your Highness!"

"On the surface, Bulgaria is still calm. The Liberals have gained the upper hand and taken control of the government. Under the government's heavy-handed pressure, the Conservative Party, the Democratic Party, and the other political forces have all been suppressed."

"But this situation will soon be shattered! The Liberals have pushed the opposition to the brink. To survive, they have no choice but to fight to the death!"

"Mr. Petko Karavelov, how are things with the Russians?" Panitsa asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, gentlemen. Saint Petersburg loathes Stam's dictatorial government. They've agreed to support us and provide us with an interest-free loan of one million leva!" Petko Karavelov said confidently.

Of course, he left out the unimportant details, such as the new government's obligation to fully align itself with Russia in foreign policy after the coup succeeded, and so on...

Petko considered those minor matters, unimportant and not worth mentioning. Besides, he was pro-Russian and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

No one present was a fool. They knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. The Russians weren't philanthropists; they must want something in return.

They were all in the same boat now, and none of them could escape. They would overthrow the government first; they couldn't afford to worry about the price they would have to pay.

"Excellent! With Russian support, we won't have to worry about being isolated internationally once our new government is established!" Panitsa said happily.

"Major Panitsa, you're celebrating too soon. Let's wait until we've succeeded before discussing that. Right now, the hounds of the dictatorship are hunting people down everywhere. One careless move, and we'll be exposed!" Dragan Tsvetkov of the Democratic Party said calmly.

"Perhaps we could stage another major operation to divert their attention and create an opportunity for the uprising!" said Vasil Radoslavov, the future leader of the famous Radoslavovists.

"Oh, God! Are you suggesting another assassination? But they're already like startled birds. We won't get the chance!" Major Panitsa asked in shock.

Vasil Radoslavov said confidently, "You're right, Major Panitsa! But aside from assassination, do we have any other options?"

"That pack of cowards in the cabinet are practically hiding in their shells like turtles now, so we naturally have no chance to strike at them. But what about their families? They aren't nearly so well guarded."

"Oh, God! Mr. Vasil, are you possessed by the devil? No, quick, fetch a priest! He must be bewitched!" Konstantin Slobov, a supporter of the Democrats, said incredulously.

As the others stared at him in astonishment, Vasil Radoslavov said calmly, "No, I'm perfectly fine! Don't you think this is a good plan? Only by enraging that dictator Stam will we make him slip up and retaliate wildly, giving cover to our next move!"

Konstantin Slobov hesitated. "But, good God! Going after innocent people crosses the line for us!"

Vasil Radoslavov declared grandly, "Gentlemen, making some insignificant sacrifices for Bulgaria is worth it!"

Early one morning at Sofia Royal Palace, Ferdinand had just finished breakfast when the education minister, Chekhov, rushed in.

"Your Highness, there's been trouble at the school!" Chekhov said anxiously.

Ferdinand's expression changed. "What?"

Chekhov said tensely, "The police just surrounded the school and tried to arrest the anti-government elements. They're confronting the guards right now!"

Ferdinand asked in surprise, "How is that possible? Isn't the school closed to outsiders? How could there be anti-government elements there?"

Chekhov said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, the students do stay at the school every day, but the teachers are free to come and go. Many of them have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's actions."

"A number of them have published articles criticizing the government. And many of those who were arrested are their friends and relatives. They probably have been sheltering wanted men."

Ferdinand nodded. "I understand! Take a company of guards over there first. Tell those policemen that I've taken charge of the school. I'll handle what comes next. If they have a problem, they can come to me."

"Yes, Your Highness. I'll go at once!" Chekhov said happily. As soon as he finished speaking, he rushed out.

Ferdinand knew that the education minister had probably had a hand in this. Otherwise, even if he'd been asking for help, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry.

He had no intention of looking into it further. Ferdinand was satisfied with Chekhov as education minister. He was conscientious and responsible, and most importantly, he had already come over to Ferdinand's side.

Bulgaria really wasn't a large country, and there weren't many scholars and writers. Though they held different political views, they were still acquainted with one another. Now that some of Chekhov's friends had been implicated, it was only human for him to step in and help.