Negotiations among the three countries over dealing with Italy proceeded with surprising smoothness. In the final analysis, it came down to everyone taking what they needed. Bulgaria's rise and the growing closeness between Bulgaria and France had made the British feel the crisis. To preserve their preeminent position in the Mediterranean Sea, they had no choice but to make concessions.
But Ferdinand was not pleased. The Salentina Peninsula was merely an unexpected gain. If Sicily could not be obtained, then the Salentina Peninsula would be of little significance.
Without any means of controlling the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea alone was not worth Bulgaria expending such great effort over. Were they supposed to simply return it to the Italians?
After giving it some thought, Ferdinand ultimately realized that taking the Salentina Peninsula would at most let them extort some money from the Italians. Its strategic position was not all that important, and as for economic value—surely they could not develop tourism in this era?
"Your Majesty, why not exchange it with the British for colonies along the Persian Gulf? Quite a few ports along the Persian Gulf are currently within Britain's sphere of influence. Our navy is still restricted from entering the Indian Ocean!" Naval Minister Petrov proposed.
Ferdinand smiled faintly. Petrov's proposal was highly constructive. This was the perfect time to pick up a bargain!
In terms of economic value, the entire Arabian Peninsula combined was currently not worth as much as a single Sicily. In terms of strategic value, the Persian Gulf of this era was no strategic stronghold either. The two were simply incomparable.
But for Bulgaria, it had already acquired a certain strategic value. It would help Bulgaria strengthen its control over the Arabian Peninsula.
At most, the British would suspect Bulgaria of wanting to expand