Undercurrents Surge

"Your Highness, Volvo supermarkets have now spread across all the major cities in Bulgaria. However, due to the domestic economic downturn, the turnover is not very high; in a few small cities, we are barely breaking even. The estimated profit doesn't even compare to a single Vienna!" Franz said with a hint of frustration.

Ferdinand smiled and said, "Haha, Franz, don't be impatient. We must have patience! Once Bulgaria's economy develops, the wealth will come rolling in!"

"Understood, Your Highness! Rest assured, I know what to do!" Franz immediately cast aside his negative emotions and gave Ferdinand his word.

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

Habit said with concern, "Your Highness, the machinery plant has just begun production, but the problem now is that we cannot find a market for our machinery. Aside from our own internal procurement, there are basically no orders!"

"The people of Bulgaria are currently in a state of panic; capitalists have no desire to invest in building factories, and the future outlook is not optimistic. There are even quite a few people who placed orders but never came to collect the goods! However, the sales of spare parts are quite good and very popular!"

"Hmm! Since that is the case, let us focus on the spare parts market! While the international capital has not yet taken notice, we shall first seize the market in the Balkans and then expand into Eastern Europe!" Ferdinand thought for a moment and said.

Greed is truly human nature!

Ferdinand's original plan was to promote Bulgaria's industrial development; now, it has turned into state monopoly capitalism. No matter how it is whitewashed, it cannot change the fact that he himself is profiting from it.

From the perspective of resources, monopoly is indeed the most suitable choice for Bulgaria. Especially in heavy industry; for a Bulgaria poor in mineral resources, there is simply no other choice!

"Understood, Your Highness! Please rest assured, currently in the Balkans, we have no competitors!" Habit said confidently.

Ferdinand nodded to show his satisfaction, then said, "Hmm! Hoover, tell us about the current situation in Bulgaria!"

Hoover said with confidence, "Yes, Your Highness!"

"At present, Bulgaria appears calm on the surface. The Liberal Party has gained the upper hand and controls the government. Under the high-pressure tactics of the government, the Conservative Party, the Democratic Party, and other political forces have all been suppressed."

"However, this situation will soon be broken! The Liberal Party has pushed the opposition to the limit; for the sake of survival, they have no choice but to fight to the death!"

"Mr. Petko Karavelov, how did the contact with the Russians go?" Panitsa asked anxiously.

"Rest assured, gentlemen. Saint Petersburg has a deep hatred for the Stambolov dictatorial government, and they have already agreed to support us. Furthermore, they have provided us with an interest-free loan of one million Lev!" Petko Karavelov said confidently.

Of course, he omitted the irrelevant issues, such as the fact that after a successful coup, the new government would have to lean entirely toward Russia in its foreign policy; or, for instance...

In Petko's view, these were all minor matters, insignificant and not worth mentioning. In any case, he was pro-Russian and did not feel there was anything wrong with that.

None of those present were fools; they naturally knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. The Russians were not philanthropists and must have their own demands.

Now everyone was a grasshopper on the same string; no one could escape. Let us overthrow the government first, and as for what price must be paid, that was a secondary concern.

"That is excellent! With the support of the Russians, we won't have to worry about being isolated internationally once our new government is established!" Panitsa said happily.

"Major Panitsa, you are rejoicing too early. Let's wait until we succeed before discussing these things! Right now, the hounds of the dictatorial government are arresting people everywhere; one careless move and we will be exposed!" Dragan Tsankov (Democratic Party) said calmly.

"Perhaps we could launch another major operation to divert their attention and create conditions for an uprising!" Vasil Radoslavov (the future famous leader of the Radoslavovists) suggested.

"Oh, God! Are you suggesting we carry out another assassination? But they are already like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow; there is simply no opportunity left!" Major Panitsa asked in shock.

Vasil Radoslavov said with conviction, "Major Panitsa, what you say is true! But aside from assassination, do we have any other methods?"

"That bunch of cowards in the cabinet are acting like turtles now, so naturally, we have no chance to strike at them! But what about their families? The security there is not nearly as tight, is it?"

"Oh, God! Mr. Vasil, have you been possessed by the devil? No, quickly call a priest to come and see; he must be bewitched!" Konstantin Stoilov (Democratic figure) said in disbelief.

Facing the surprised gazes of the crowd, Vasil Radoslavov said calmly, "No, I am fine! Don't you think this is a good idea? Only by infuriating that dictator Stambolov will he make mistakes, and then, in his frantic retaliation, provide cover for our subsequent actions!"

Konstantin Stoilov said hesitantly, "But, God! Attacking innocent people is truly crossing our bottom line!"

Vasil Radoslavov said with high spirits, "Gentlemen, for the sake of Bulgaria, paying some insignificant price is worth it!"

Early in the morning at the Sofia Palace, Ferdinand had just finished breakfast when the Minister of Education, Chekhov, burst in.

"Your Highness, something has happened at the school!" Chekhov said anxiously.

Ferdinand's expression changed, and he asked, "What?"

Chekhov said nervously, "The police have surrounded the school to arrest anti-government elements, and they are currently in a standoff with the guards!"

Ferdinand said in surprise, "How is that possible? Isn't the school a closed-campus environment? How could there be anti-government elements!"

Chekhov said with a bitter smile, "Your Highness, the students do indeed stay at the school every day, but the faculty can come and go freely, and many of them have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's actions!"

"Quite a few have published articles criticizing the government, and on top of that, many of those being arrested are their friends and relatives; harboring suspects is something they would certainly do."

Ferdinand nodded and said, "I understand! Take a company of the palace guard and go there first. Tell those police: the school has been taken over by me, I will handle the rest, and if they have any problems, they can come to me."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will go immediately!" Chekhov said happily, and as soon as the words left his lips, he ran out.

Ferdinand knew that this Minister of Education likely had a hand in this, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so anxious even when seeking help.

He had no intention of digging deeper; Ferdinand was still satisfied with Chekhov as Minister of Education. He was diligent and responsible, and most importantly, he had already defected to his side.

Bulgaria was truly not large, and the number of intellectuals was not high; although their political views differed, they all had some degree of friendship with one another. Now that Chekhov had friends involved, it was only human nature for him to reach out and help.