Grand Duke, educators need to eat too!
Have you noticed that since Bulgaria’s independence, education funding has never been sufficient?
Basically, every Government has been in arrears with funding, and a while ago, you just happened to pay off the back wages.
Ferdinand exclaimed, “That really opened my eyes!
So, they have set their sights on me.”
“However, this is exactly what I wanted.
It was originally difficult to intervene in the school, but now that I’m the legitimate principal, intervening couldn’t be simpler.”
Having understood the reason, Ferdinand naturally would not continue to refuse.
However, Ferdinand also knew that he was just a titular principal and could not devote all his energy to the school.
The daily management work of the school would still have to be handed over to others.
“Karl, call Chekhov back and tell him I agree,” Ferdinand said with a smile.
“Very well, Your Highness!” Karl said, and then left the room.
A moment later, Chekhov walked in and greeted Ferdinand.
“Alright, for God’s sake, I agree to take the position of principal.
However, the other faculty and staff will have to be left to your Ministry of Education.
Also, you must do a good job with the enrollment work for the second half of the year!” Ferdinand said earnestly.
“Very well, Your Highness, our Ministry of Education will definitely do our best, I can swear to God!” Chekhov promised.
Ferdinand nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, “Hmm, tell me about your plan?”
Chekhov pondered for a moment and said, “Grand Duke, you know that this is the first time Bulgaria is establishing a university, and we lack relevant experience.
Our Ministry of Education plans to hire management personnel and some teachers from Austria-Hungary and the German Empire!”
Ferdinand pondered for a moment and thought to himself, “It seems the Liberal Party has a very good impression of the Central Powers!
Russia’s education itself is not very good, so it’s normal to ignore it; but they didn’t even mention Britain and France, which is not a good sign!”
Thinking this, Ferdinand was not a novice, so he naturally would not say it directly, as this was not advisable politically.
“Submit your plan to me as soon as possible, along with the departmental and major divisions of the Bulgarian University, and the number of students to be enrolled!” Ferdinand said, looking at Chekhov.
“Very well, Your Highness!” Chekhov said sonorously. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Hmm, go get busy!” Ferdinand said, looking at the high-spirited Chekhov.
“Yes,” Chekhov said, and left the palace.
On the other side, in the Sofia Government building, it was currently noisy and chaotic.
Stambolov shook his head helplessly and slammed the table hard.
He said, “For God’s sake, stop arguing!
It’s all because of that damn money; even if you argue until the sky falls, you won’t be able to conjure up any money!”
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Stambolov continued, “You all know the fiscal situation of Bulgaria.
If we didn’t do anything, we could achieve a balanced budget, but is that possible?”
“If we don’t do anything, then what are we here for?
Instead of fighting over the budget here, why don’t you think about how to get money!”
“We should consider taking out loans from foreign banks!” Minister of Industry Wilson suggested.
“No, bankers are not philanthropists; they will definitely take advantage of our plight, and the price we pay will likely be high.
Besides, the funding gap is so large, what do we have to offer as collateral?” Minister of Economy Michael objected.
“Then let’s increase taxes!” Minister of Interior Yunas suggested.
“That is absolutely out of the question!
The domestic economy is in a downturn, and the lives of the Capitalists are not easy either!” Stambolov opposed.
He knew very well that the Liberal Party was supported by the Capitalists to come to power, and taxing them now would be cutting off his own foundation!
“Prime Minister, I also know that the lives of the Capitalists are not easy, but I am talking about taxing the farmers!” Yunas explained.
“This…” Everyone fell into silence, and no one directly objected.
A moment later, Stambolov said, “How about we convene a ministerial meeting to discuss it?”
“Good!” everyone said in unison.
Everyone knew that increasing taxes was not a good job, and being scolded was inevitable.
The peasant class did not have much influence, but although the feudal landlords were weak, they were not pushovers.
As expected, one’s position determines one’s perspective.
Faced with a fiscal crisis, just like in history, the knife was still aimed at the farmers.
Land annexation intensified, and a large number of farmers went bankrupt and lost their land, forcing them to go to the city to make a living.
The separation of families was naturally inevitable, and blood and tears were spilled all over Bulgaria.
Although a large amount of labor entered the city, which promoted the development of industry, the nascent working class did not benefit from it; they worked up to 14-16 hours a day, but received less than half the wages.
It also provided a foundation for the development of communism.
Later, the failure of the World War exacerbated domestic conflicts, eventually triggering a proletarian revolution.
Knowing the causes and consequences, Ferdinand naturally had to think twice before acting.
Although he urgently needed to develop industry, Ferdinand was still worried that his butterfly effect would cause adverse consequences, so he finally decided to intervene to a limited extent.
Ferdinand directly vetoed the tax increase bill submitted by the Cabinet.
He had made up his mind that no matter what, he could not let a large number of farmers go bankrupt as in history.
“Your Highness, the Government is currently in a fiscal crisis, and we have no choice but to resort to this last resort!” Stambolov said with dissatisfaction.
“I know!
But for God’s sake, I cannot agree!
You know, once this bill is passed, thousands of families will go bankrupt because of it, families will be torn apart, and the crying will drown out the entire Bulgaria!” Ferdinand said righteously.
“No, Your Highness.
It’s not as bad as you imagine.
The lives of the farmers will be a bit harder in the coming days, but we have to sacrifice them for the development of Bulgaria.
Besides, they can go to work as laborers, it won’t be as bad as you say!” Stambolov said angrily.
Ferdinand sneered and said, “Is that so?
Don’t take me for a fool.
If we follow the new tax law you formulated, what will follow is large-scale land annexation and a large number of farmers going bankrupt.
Don’t tell me that Bulgaria can provide so many jobs?”
“At that time, a large number of farmers will lose their livelihoods, and then the Capitalists can continue to cut wages and unscrupulously make workers work overtime, right, Stambolov, my Prime Minister?”
“Remember, you are the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, not the Prime Minister of the bourgeoisie!
A qualified Government must take into account the interests of the majority, otherwise we will face endless enemies.
A group of people who are about to starve to death will use their lives to demand justice from you!”