Toppling the Pavilion

Hoover let out a deep sigh, looked at Sava-Mutkurov, and said, "Bulgaria has reached a moment of life and death. We are surrounded by powerful enemies, and the interior is like a powder keg—ready to ignite at the slightest spark!"

"His Highness the Prince is deeply concerned about this. He feels the Stambolov cabinet is no longer capable of controlling the situation and is preparing to dismiss the cabinet!"

Although he had been somewhat prepared, Sava-Mutkurov was still shocked, as if struck by a bolt of lightning or doused from head to toe in icy water, leaving his entire body numb.

After a moment of silence, Sava slowly recovered. He forced himself to muster some energy, stared fixedly at Hoover, and asked in disbelief, "What?"

Hoover nodded solemnly, confirming it was true. He then pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a drag. He then said, "Mr. Sava, would you like one?"

Without waiting for Sava-Mutkurov to answer, he lit another and handed it over. Sava-Mutkurov took it numbly and inhaled deeply. Smoke curled around them as the cigarette burned quietly; it seemed so simple, a way to avoid thinking.

Soon, the short cigarette was finished. Hoover looked at the still-silent Sava-Mutkurov and asked, "Would you like another?"

"Oh, thank you! No, I'm fine!" Sava-Mutkurov suddenly snapped out of it, answering with some agitation.

Hoover said nothing more, just watched Sava-Mutkurov quietly. He knew that everything that needed to be said had been said; further words were unnecessary.

As for coercion or bribery, neither was appropriate here. At this level, the consequences of any choice made were perfectly clear.

Sava-Mutkurov stood up and paced back and forth in the office. After a moment, he sighed deeply and asked with some concern, "How does His Highness intend to handle the cabinet?"

Hoover knew he was worried about future liquidation. After all, the Stambolov government had performed so poorly that there were countless people in Bulgaria who wanted their heads.

"Due to excessive work stress, the cabinet members have been diagnosed by doctors with potential mental illness and are unable to continue serving the government. His Highness has already arranged for a hospital in Vienna and intends to send them there for treatment for a period of time!" Hoover said calmly.

Sava-Mutkurov's heart, which had been hanging in his throat, finally settled. He knew Ferdinand intended to let them off the hook.

After all, the reputation of the Stambolov cabinet was truly foul; once they lost power, they would inevitably face liquidation later.

Sending them abroad seemed to be the best option at present. As long as the cabinet members were not convicted, they, the Liberals, would not be subjected to a great purge in the future!

Looking at the recent actions of the Stambolov cabinet, he even began to wonder if they really were mentally ill.

If Stambolov were to know his thoughts, he would surely cry out in injustice! Things were simply not like that at all—who knew that his group of idiots would make such a mess of things!

"Very well! Mr. Hoover, whatever instructions His Highness has, I shall carry them out!" Having said this, Sava-Mutkurov seemed to have drained all his strength, collapsing back into his chair.

Having handled Sava-Mutkurov, Hoover had completed the majority of the tasks entrusted to him by Ferdinand.

The other Liberal factions within the military were far away from Sofia, completely out of reach. Once the Stambolov cabinet was dismissed, it would be difficult for them to act even if they wanted to.

Ferdinand was not some naive youth; as long as he didn't resort to total extermination, even if the high-ranking officers wanted to act, they would need the cooperation of the rank-and-file soldiers.

Upon receiving the news from Hoover, Ferdinand prepared to cut the Gordian knot, taking the Stambolov cabinet by surprise before the news could spread.

Ferdinand changed his original plan, sending people overnight to notify the members of parliament to convene the assembly early. Although he knew the parliament was currently fully controlled by the Liberal Party, he still intended to go through the motions.

Because Ferdinand intentionally delayed the news, the Stambolov cabinet only received notification the next day, which greatly displeased Stambolov, who held the reins of power.

However, before he could vent his frustration, he was interrupted by the hurriedly arriving Jonas, and he no longer had the heart to care.

Jonas brought news that shocked the world: a list of executed prisoners. That was right—prisoners executed the night before. Seeing that long list, Stambolov knew the sky was falling.

His thick lips were bloodless, trembling slightly like two willow leaves, as if he were anxious but unable to speak.

Michael, Wilson, and the others who arrived shortly after saw the list and also turned pale, realizing they were finished.

The dispirited cabinet members walked into the parliament building, not knowing how they got there. They sat in their respective seats, stunned and silent, ignoring the greetings of others. Even when Ferdinand walked in, they remained unchanged.

Ferdinand knew the situation was settled; the news was simply too shocking. The Stambolov cabinet would find it difficult to react in a short time, and they would have no time to devise a countermeasure.

The parliament session began. Ferdinand did not follow the usual procedure and spoke directly: "Gentlemen, I regret to inform you of some bad news!"

"Our Mr. Stambolov and several other cabinet ministers have likely developed mental illnesses and are now unable to continue presiding over the government's work!"

The people below immediately erupted into a heated discussion.

"What? How is this possible?"

However, looking at the cabinet members who were currently dazed, they did seem to be ill. When everyone went to greet them earlier, they hadn't responded.

In fact, Stambolov and the others were quite clear-headed now, but they didn't know how to handle the upcoming questions. Since Ferdinand had said they were ill, they immediately decided to play the part.

After all, the massacre had already occurred, and they had no way to explain it to the outside world. Executing tens of thousands of people without a court trial was truly horrific. Once the news spread, they would be like rats crossing the street in Bulgaria, chased by everyone.

Ferdinand's explanation seemed to be the only way for them to escape unscathed. As long as it was established that they were mentally ill, the law would not hold them responsible on the surface.

Karl, who had been appointed as the Palace Chamberlain, shouted, "Quiet!"

After a moment, seeing that everyone had calmed down, Ferdinand continued, "Very well, as you can all see, their current state makes it impossible for them to continue working for Bulgaria. I have already contacted a hospital in Vienna for them and will send them there this afternoon. Guards, take them home now to pack their things!"

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