The annual budget conference began. Ferdinand very wisely chose to bow out. By past custom, no result would emerge without three to five days of bickering.
In any case, Ferdinand already had a clear idea in mind. He had fixed figures for the general expenses of each department, but those were only the bottom line. As for how much each department could ultimately secure, that depended on their own abilities.
For example, the military budget range Ferdinand set for this year was no less than 30 percent and no more than 42 percent.
As the actual executor, Konstantin had to keep military spending within that range. Yet this bottom line was kept strictly confidential from them. How much military funding they could win at the budget conference depended on their own capabilities.
This was neither a matter of force nor influence. They had to reason things out, produce solid evidence, persuade the cabinet and the heads of every department, and make everyone acknowledge their case.
Bulgaria's annual budget was decided at the end of the preceding year. It usually began in early December, and a decision had to be reached before the end of the month so every department could draw up detailed plans for the coming year's administration.
Wartime was naturally an exception. Because of the World War, Bulgaria's annual budget process had effectively been suspended for two years. Now, it was being resumed once again.
As prime minister, Konstantin chaired the meeting according to custom. He did not waste words, saying directly, "The 1918 annual budget conference now begins. The old rules still apply: department heads will speak in the order of their seating, list their plans and approved expenditures for the coming year, then submit to everyone's questioning. If they earn everyone's approval, their proposals will pass!"