Bulgarian Empire

Chapter 17: Five-Year Plan

To Ferdinand's surprise, Stambolov's cabinet was much better than expected. Ferdinand was already prepared for his own Five-Year Plan to be rejected and for the cabinet to make a new one.

There is no thought that this group of liberals are so politically naive that they gave away the control with their hands.

Once this plan is passed by the National Assembly again, then the one in charge is Ferdinand. It is logical that he will be able to get some of the power from the Liberal Party.

If it succeeds, Ferdinand's position will become solid, and if it fails, he can let the cabinet take the blame. If he leads people to question the cabinet's ability to govern, he can escape in one piece.

The methods are cheap but effective. After a few years living in the aristocracy, the former loser has now transformed into a politician. However, the tactics are still a bit childish.

After being busy for most of the month, Stambolov's cabinet finally refined the five-year plan. In order to satisfy the interests of all parties, there are becoming many articles covering all aspects of Bulgaria.

By the time it reached Ferdinand, there were already more than 300 articles, both large and small. This plan is still good, to be frank, but the biggest problem is that it is too extreme.

In Ferdinand's view, this is a complete leap of faith. It is possible in theory to complete, but the government has too much to do!

It is a common problem of idealism, always wanting to do everything at once. Ferdinand did not raise his voice against it. If they really completed this plan, Bulgaria would be the hegemon of the Balkans.

Now it is better not to come out and pour cold water. From the change in Stambolov's attitude, he should have now understood his plans. However, they are forced by the situation in Bulgaria, unable to come out against it.

On January 5, 1888, the day that future historians will call the "Day of Bulgarian Revival". Stambolov's cabinet submitted the world-shaking Five-Year Plan to the National Assembly, which laid the foundation for the rise of Bulgaria.

The National Assembly, dominated by the Liberals, voted to pass the draft without any problems. Ferdinand also signed the bill on the spot, declaring it in force. The Bulgarian "Five-Year Plan" started with a great impact.

The articles were too many but just perfect for Ferdinand to seize power. Ferdinand, whose moral integrity was shattered, immediately convened a cabinet meeting.

Looking at the joyful cabinet members, Ferdinand naturally smiled and asked, "Prime Minister, now that the plan has been made. Where do you plan to start next?"

Stambolov was instantly baffled. He was so focused on making a plan, but there was no way to execute it.

It is important to know that Ferdinand only mentioned five articles. If everyone works hard, it can still be done! Now the additional perfect size of more than 300 articles, how to accomplish? How many people are needed? Where do we start?

It's all a problem! But as the prime minister, Stambolov cannot play dumb and say that he has not thought of anything, right? Everyone is watching. If he can't come up with a viable proposal, it will be too damaging to the prestige.

Stambolov knows that the trouble is big. He is not without competitors. If he cannot show a certain ability, it means that these cabinet members will also have ideas about the prime minister's seat!

After a moment of silence, Stambolov said stiffly, "Your Highness, please believe that our cabinet will certainly come up with a way to satisfy people!"

"Yes, of course I believe in the ability of the cabinet. But this is a critical time for Bulgaria's future and the nation is watching us. I hope you can come up with a workable plan within three days!" Ferdinand said with false hope.

Stambolov knew he had been tricked. He also didn't know how he had gotten out of the palace, so he returned home in a daze.

What happened today has upset everyone. Like most Liberals, the lack of vision is a common problem among revolutionaries all over the world!

He called his staff to discuss it, and everyone agreed that the king had tricked him. But this plan was completed by Stambolov with the cabinet members. Ferdinand only mentioned a mere five articles, and they made more than 300 articles by themselves. Who would not believe it if they said it out loud!

"So what should I do now? I have to do something about this matter. I can't answer for it otherwise?" Stambolov said with a headache.

"Your Excellency, this plan has been passed, and the opposition parties are praising us! It's impossible to give up. We have to finish at least most of it to be able justify it!" said Kobylov - Stambolov's most trusted advisor.

"Well, you're right. It's not just about me anymore, no one can get away without getting results for the whole cabinet. The Liberals can't get away with it!" Stambolov grasped Kobylov's meaning. He was pulling people into trouble. If he succeeded, everyone would be happy, and if he failed, no one would get away.

Disregard the cabinet's thoughts, Ferdinand knew that this matter tricky to say, challenging, and easy to say simply. It's just a program. Whether or not, it is impossible to complete all the tasks. As long as the main five are completed, Ferdinand will be satisfied!

If the cabinet can make an outburst and all done, he will only be happier. He will get less merit anyway.

After three days, as Ferdinand expected, Stambolov's cabinet really came up with a plan. Although in Ferdinand's opinion, it was full of loopholes!

Ferdinand still nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good! But with so much going on, can you guys handle it all? Why not split it up? Wouldn't it be better if each one of the ministries was responsible for some, and the cabinet was responsible for arranging and coordinating?"

Seeing the crowd brighten up, Stambolov looked dark. It is a flawed figure, and the point is that it also makes it impossible to refute.

Yes, Ferdinand's ultimate goal is to split the power. It will be a problem to take it back as soon as the power is in the party.

It strengthened the ministries, and it weakened the cabinet. It was mainly aimed at Prime Minister Stambolov, whose cabinet members mostly also served as ministers, with a slight loss of power.

Ferdinand could not tolerate the existence of a powerful minister. If Stambolov had indeed been a genius, then he would have accepted it. It is a pity that history has already told him that Stambolov did not have the ability as an Iron Chancellor1).

In addition to Prime Minister Stambolov, the Bulgarian cabinet also has Economic Minister Mihail, Industry Minister Wilson, Defense Minister Sava, and Interior Minister Ionas. That makes a total of five people.

The cabinet would have been a lot of things. It is simply impossible to manage hundreds of projects. The most efficient way is to delegate power.

Stambolov and a few others looked at each other. He then knew that the four had agreed, and he could no longer refuse.

But Stambolov still had to make a stand and said, "Your Highness has a point. It is necessary to divide the tasks, and several of us have to divide the work. Each of us is responsible for a part of it."

After saying that, Stambolov's face paled. After today, the cabinet will not be one of his words. Everyone else's position will gradually move closer to him.

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1) It refers to Bismarck's nickname, of course what author means is his ability.