July 12, 1887, was a memorable day as Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria was crowned Prince of Bulgaria at Vrana Palace.
Thanks to Ferdinand's meticulous planning, the ceremony was much grander than in history, with significantly more influential guests attending.
Crown Prince Edward of the British Empire, Crown Prince Rudolf of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the King of Greece, among others, personally attended the ceremony, signifying the great powers' support.
Ferdinand achieved his goal: with external help, he temporarily intimidated the various factions within Bulgaria, laying the groundwork for future reforms.
Bulgaria boasts superior natural conditions, featuring diverse terrains like mountains, hills, and plains, crisscrossed by lakes and rivers, with the Danube and Maritsa being the main ones.
However, it is also poor in natural resources, with its main mineral deposits being coal, lead, zinc, copper, iron, uranium, manganese, chromium, rock salt, and a small amount of oil.
"Overall, it's suitable for a beginner's phase. Having been under Ottoman rule for a long time and just gaining independence, there are no major aristocrats or capitalists domestically. Initial development is quite good, but the potential is not great!" Ferdinand couldn't help but comment, even though he had long been prepared.
"Stambolov, do you have any good suggestions regarding personnel appointments?" Ferdinand asked calmly.
Stambolov, a Bulgarian politician and powerful Prime Minister (1887-1894), was regarded as Bulgaria's Bismarck.
From 1870 to 1872, he studied at the seminary in Odessa. In his early years, he participated in the Bulgarian underground revolutionary movement against Turkish rule.
He led small-scale anti-Turkish uprisings in 1875 and 1876. In 1878, Bulgaria gained autonomy, and he was elected to the newly formed parliament, becoming its speaker in 1884.
After Prince Alexander I abdicated in 1886, he thwarted Russian interference and supported Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as the Prince of Bulgaria.
After the new Prince ascended the throne, Stambolov formed the cabinet. During his tenure, he continued to oppose Russia, fostered good relations with Turkey, and expanded Bulgaria's sphere of influence in Macedonia.
He employed terror tactics against the incessant anti-government conspiracies and military coups. When Prince Ferdinand I regained monarchical power, he was forced to resign as Prime Minister (May 31, 1894).
Ferdinand had no intention of replacing him now. He had just ascended the throne, and the most important thing was to stabilize the situation, and there were no suitable candidates anyway.
"Your Highness, after careful consideration, this is the list of cabinet members and key government officials. Please review it," Stambolov said, handing over the document.
"Hmm, alright, so be it! Let them take office as soon as possible! We'll hold a cabinet meeting next week, and you all need to present your policy platform. You may leave now, I need to rest," Ferdinand said, somewhat displeased, issuing an order for him to leave.
"So, he wants to be a powerful minister already, a bit too eager, isn't he! At least make it look decent, provide a few more candidates! Everything's already decided, treating me like a rubber stamp!" Ferdinand thought to himself.
"...Bulgaria's development still has its advantages. First: there are no strong industrial competitors, the industrial base is relatively poor, so it's entirely possible to monopolize operations, and there are almost no government-related troubles. Second: I am very rich, and there's no such thing as a technology blockade now, so I can get the technology I want!"
"Let the government focus on agricultural development! What's with industry, we're still waiting for loans to pay salaries! Oh, and we need to develop education, but for now, literacy classes will do. Spiritually encourage patriotic youth to spread cultural knowledge, give them some rewards, and save some money..." Ferdinand was busy making plans.
"Your Highness, the cabinet ministers have all arrived and are waiting in the great hall. Shall we begin the meeting?" the attendant reminded him.
"Alright, I'll be right there."
"...Excuse me, Mr. Stambolov," Ferdinand interjected.
"Alright, Your Highness, please speak!" Stambolov said with some displeasure.
"Mr. Stambolov, how was this plan put together? What is Bulgaria's current population? How many of them are agricultural, how many industrial? What is the educational situation like? What about the distribution of domestic resources?" Ferdinand unceremoniously exposed the problems within it, giving Stambolov a warning and rejecting the hollow plan.
"This... Your esteemed Highness, Bulgaria currently has a population of 3.1045 million, most of whom are agricultural. The educational situation and the distribution of domestic resources have not been surveyed. Well, I admit this plan was put together rather hastily," Stambolov paused before saying.
"It seems historical figures are never simple; he reacted so quickly," Ferdinand thought. Out loud, he said, "Mr. Prime Minister, we must be responsible to the Bulgarian people and understand the actual situation before formulating a policy platform!"
"Regarding personnel salaries, I approve! The rest, send it back and redo it. The grand industrial plan—hell, I haven't even heard of Bulgaria having any industry. Be specific, understand?"
"From the perspective of population structure, I suggest you first focus on agricultural development. We must consider the interests of the majority! Also, education reform should lean towards the sciences, and we can start by establishing literacy classes. For industrial development, first ascertain the distribution of resources, then formulate plans based on local conditions. I don't want to see any more grand industrial plans that have nothing!"
"My apologies, Your esteemed Highness, we will go back and redo it immediately!" Stambolov said, bowing his head.
Stambolov was left dizzy and disoriented by Ferdinand. His meticulously prepared plan was deemed worthless, and he had no way to refute it.
In Ferdinand's view, the current Bulgarian government was much like the Tongmenghui during the Xinhai Revolution—a group of idealists who could talk big, but when it came to concrete policy strategies, they were completely amateur.
"Go now, gentlemen, for the future of Bulgaria, I thank you for your hard work!" Seeing the cabinet, led by Stambolov, bow their heads, Ferdinand, of course, knew when to stop.
"For Bulgaria!" The few who had been dejected moments ago immediately perked up.
"Fight for Bulgaria!"
"Hmm, not bad, patriotic youth are easy to fool!" Ferdinand muttered to himself, looking at the cabinet members, whose average age didn't exceed thirty-five.
The Stambolov government was later characterized as a police terror regime. They gained the support of a segment of the emerging bourgeoisie, fully siding with the bourgeoisie and vigorously promoting factories and trade.
However, the vast majority of farmers and workers were excluded, making their ruling foundation extremely weak.
Most missionaries and some intellectuals, including a portion of the petty bourgeoisie, opposed the government's radical anti-Russian policy.