Chapter 212: Balkan Back Garden
Even great powers like Britain and France had begun to ally and cooperate beneath Germany's iron heel.
Naturally, the small nations of the Balkan Peninsula could also sense the clouds gathering overhead and see the storm taking shape.
How to choose a side had become their greatest challenge.
Yugoslavia maintained the pro-Italian foreign policy it had followed since 1935. After Poland was fully occupied, King Peter II of Yugoslavia traveled to Rome. Although no treaty was signed, such a high-profile visit almost certainly indicated that Yugoslavia would side with Italy.
Hungary was the same.
Because Germany had repeatedly advocated for the reorganization of Austria-Hungary on the international stage, Hungary and Yugoslavia, both unwilling to be ruled by the Habsburg monarchy again, had become an anti-German fortress in the Balkans.
Meanwhile, the already fallen Albanian government in exile and Greece had placed all their hopes on Germany.
On the day after Poland's annexation, both countries issued statements supporting Germany's legitimate demands.
Compared with these four nations, whose positions were already clear, Romania and Bulgaria still hesitated. Neither issued a statement, choosing instead to wait and observe.
But such an attitude could not last for many days.
With the railway from Warsaw to Germany repaired, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly became active again.
In Berlin, Jörg put down his teacup after reviewing the latest news from Britain. His finger tapped lightly against Greece's distress letter, making a crisp clicking sound.
Soon, Leah came over and reported softly, "Führer, Romania has agreed to grant us military transit rights. Bulgaria says it is still considering. As for Italy, the Sixth Army Group is already on high alert in Hungary."
This was good news.
But Jörg's expression did not improve. He still wore his characteristic coldness.
"It is not enough."
His voice was calm, but there was no warmth in it.
"There is no room for neutrals in the Balkans. A backyard does not need a blade of grass swaying with the wind."
He looked up.
"Have Boris III, King of Bulgaria, and Antonescu, Romania's Minister of War, come to Berlin before Christmas."
"The Balkans are a large garden. One may embrace Italy's daisies, or Germany's cornflowers. But anyone who wants both will find only destruction waiting."
His finger stopped tapping.
"Everyone must choose a side."
Three days later, Boris III and Antonescu did not go to Berlin.
Instead, they were invited to Danzig.
This city, destroyed at the beginning of the economic crisis, had been completely revitalized. Its urban area had expanded several times over. Naval factories stood everywhere, and cargo ships moved in and out without interruption.
Germany currently possessed three major naval cities.
The first was Hamburg.
Because Hamburg was not directly on the open sea, it did not host many naval forces. But as the cradle of the Navy after Germany's military reforms, it possessed the largest ship research center in Europe and countless component production shipyards.
The second was Wilhelmshaven.
Its terrain and the large-scale construction carried out after the economic crisis had given it the densest concentration of military bases. It faced the heavy task of breaking through the British Royal Navy.
The third was Danzig.
In Raeder's vision, Danzig's strategic purpose was to control the entire Baltic Sea.
After boarding the car, the bulletproof Imperial Eagle sped along the coastal road.
Antonescu could not help marveling at German efficiency.
The city was orderly in its construction, and the roads were unbelievably wide. He knew he had once seen photographs of Danzig after it had been bombarded by artillery.
That Danzig, covered in rubble and ruins, bore no resemblance to the satellite city before his eyes, one of the finest ports on the Baltic Sea.
Military vehicles rolled everywhere along the roads.
It seemed they were transporting supplies for Poland's reconstruction.
Boris III, who sat in the same row, had visited Danzig before, so he was not especially surprised. His mind was occupied by the conversation that was about to begin.
In his ideal vision, Bulgaria would be best as a neutral country, like Switzerland.
They could not afford to offend Germany, a power capable of conquering Poland in just over two weeks. Nor could they afford to offend Britain and France, who still sat upon the thrones of world power.
At the same time, Boris III had his own private ambitions.
He wanted to reclaim South Dobruja from Romania.
Britain and France could not give him that.
That was why he had agreed to meet Jörg.
Antonescu's thoughts were not as complicated as those of Boris III, who sat upon a throne.
As a soldier, he had a good impression of Germany. More importantly, he saw the possibility that Germany might help Romania recover the lands it had lost to Soviet Russia.
While he was deep in thought, the car drove into a naval base.
On the observation deck, Jörg stood with binoculars in hand, watching the third aircraft carrier, the Wilhelm, conduct departure drills as it sailed out of port.
The sea breeze swept across his coat.
A moment later, Ethan said softly, "Führer, Mr. Boris III of Bulgaria and Mr. Antonescu of Romania have arrived."
Jörg lowered the binoculars.
His gaze lingered one last time on the ascending Bf 109B carrier-based fighters before he nodded.
"Let Mr. Antonescu come in. As for Mr. Boris III, let him wait outside the door for now."
According to traditional diplomatic etiquette, Boris III, as King of Bulgaria, should have received the highest treatment.
But Jörg did not do so.
Because Boris III had too many hidden intentions.
He enjoyed dancing between the three eggs of Britain, Soviet Russia, and Germany. Such a person had to be treated firmly enough for him to understand the pressure and choose concession.
For now, Boris III was still needed to grant military transit rights.
Once those transit rights were secured, Jörg would directly replace the King of Bulgaria.
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey were the land hubs connecting Germany to the Middle East. They were the fuel nozzles feeding the war machine.
Among these four countries, Jörg could allow Turkey to remain neutral.
But the other three had to be unconditionally loyal.
There was no room for wavering.
Ethan nodded, showing no objection to the arrangement.
After delivering the message, he remained with Boris III beneath the observation deck, drinking cold tea.
Antonescu, on the other hand, looked pleasantly surprised.
He pushed open the door. The moment he caught sight of Jörg's face, he immediately said, "Mr. Jörg, on behalf of Romania, I extend my most loyal greetings to you."
Jörg gestured for him to sit.
Then he spoke directly.
"I know what Romania needs, Mr. Antonescu. You want to reclaim the land lost in Ukraine. I also very much wish to fulfill the long-cherished desire of the Ukrainian people, to free them from the control of other nations."
"On this point, we are in agreement."
He looked at Antonescu calmly.
"To make a long story short, I will help you deal with Soviet Russia. In return, Romania must help Germany create a peaceful Balkans."
Antonescu understood the deeper meaning of those words.
Recalling the recent reduction of Hungarian troops along the border, he initially guessed that Germany was preparing to deploy a large number of troops into the Balkans, then launch an offensive toward Italy.
After weighing the gains and losses, Antonescu nodded.
"What do you need me to do?"
"If we launch military action against Hungary, you need to apply pressure on Hungary's rear."
Jörg's voice remained steady.
"After that, I need you to legally recognize South Dobruja as part of Bulgaria."
At these words, Antonescu showed obvious difficulty.
"Mr. Jörg, I am only the Minister of War. Such a major matter, I cannot..."
Jörg raised his right hand and interrupted him.
In truth, Antonescu's domestic prestige already made him Romania's de facto leader. His refusal was not because he lacked authority, but because he did not want to lose territory.
"Do not worry, Mr. Antonescu."
Jörg's tone was calm.
"I only require legal recognition."
He looked at Antonescu and smiled faintly.
"The actual ownership will still belong to Romania."
.....
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