Ferdinand’s agricultural reform plan did not harm the interests of the landlord class.
Therefore, it received the support of enlightened landlords, while others mostly looked on coldly.
Promoting it in rural areas went very smoothly.
Seeing the progress, Ferdinand was very satisfied.
As long as results could be produced this year, further steps could be taken next year.
As his understanding of Bulgaria deepened, Ferdinand did not intend to build water conservancy projects before obtaining ruling power.
Currently, the Bulgarian peasant class was already living in difficulty and was unable to bear the burden of water conservancy projects.
Some might say that the Government could pay, or the landlord class could pay.
In fact, this was impossible to achieve; the Bulgarian treasury could not afford it.
Moreover, before the large-scale land consolidation, the Bulgarian landlord class had not yet adopted mechanized production on a large scale, and they were not as wealthy as one might imagine.
Unlike the Qing Dynasty, where a hundred or eighty mu of land was called a landlord and a thousand mu of fertile land was a big landlord.
In fact, in Bulgaria, it was common for an ordinary peasant family to have several hundred mu of land; one would be embarrassed to call oneself a landlord without tens of thousands of mu of land.
The land was vast and sparsely populated.
In this era, there was no such thing as ecological protection; as long as one was willing, one could completely continue to reclaim wasteland.
This was also the reason why the Stambolov Cabinet dared to increase taxes.
Even if farmers went bankrupt, they could run into the mountains to continue reclaiming wasteland, and the Government could not control them.
Unless pushed to a dead end, farmers would not rebel.
Historically, in order to develop industry, Bulgaria repeatedly increased agricultural taxes, yet peasant uprisings rarely occurred.
Having understood the current state of Bulgarian agriculture, Ferdinand was temporarily reassured.
Now, agricultural production, while meeting domestic demand, was still being exported abroad; the demand for increased production was not very urgent in the short term.
In June, the simple Bulgarian University was completed.
As for the decoration, in that era, who would be so picky?
Cement floors and a layer of lime on the walls were enough.
Historically, Sofia University was also established this year.
It was founded through the generous donations of two brothers, Hristo Georgiev and Evlogi Georgiev, and the main building was not completed until 1934.
Now, naturally, that was not the case, as Bulgaria’s resources were limited.
Due to Ferdinand’s intervention, the Bulgarian Government took the lead, with strong support from all walks of life.
These conditions were probably comparable to a rural elementary school from twenty or thirty years ago.
Ferdinand had to put his energy into the school.
Historically, Sofia University also had the title of “Red Cradle,” so he could not help but attach importance to it.
Although he did not know much about the inside story of the Bulgarian revolution, Ferdinand remembered one thing.
The mass unemployment of Sofia University graduates laid the foundation for the spread of the revolution.
Ferdinand decided to nip the problem in the bud by directly implementing a job placement scheme.
If everyone had a job, they wouldn’t have time to make a revolution!
On July 2, 1888, Ferdinand held a school management meeting to determine the enrollment numbers for the first batch of students and the division of departments.
“Mr.
Minister, is the Grand Duke really coming to attend the meeting?” Aleko-Constantine asked in surprise (a famous Bulgarian writer, currently a literature teacher at Bulgarian University).
Others also pricked up their ears, showing concern.
Although everyone present was a celebrity in the field of education, the highest-ranking official they usually came into contact with was someone from the Ministry of Education.
They had no concept of Ferdinand as a high-profile principal; electing him at the time was just to secure funding.
“Of course, the Grand Duke attaches great importance to education.
Isn’t there still half an hour before it starts?
Just wait patiently!” Chekhov said with a smile.
…
After a few polite words, Ferdinand waved his hand to signal and said: “Alright, let’s start the meeting!”
“Very well, Your Highness!
Let us, the Ministry of Education, begin first!” Chekhov said in a good mood.
“The Ministry of Education began preparing for this entrance examination three months ago, and the preparations are ready.
Now, the main task is to determine the number of admissions and the number of students for each major!” Chekhov finished very concisely.
Ferdinand liked his pragmatic work attitude; there were no long-winded speeches and no trace of bureaucratic style.
“Well, now everyone, please express your opinions!” Ferdinand nodded with satisfaction and said.
“Our Mechanical Engineering Department needs two hundred people!
As everyone knows, Bulgaria is undergoing industrialization, and there is a shortage of such talent!” The head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Alan, said first.
Everyone remained silent, apparently acknowledging Alan’s reasoning, but since it involved a dispute over quotas, no one spoke.
Ferdinand nodded, signaling his entourage to record it.
“Our Literature Department needs three hundred people.
This requires a large amount of manpower.
We also urgently need excellent literary works to enrich the spiritual life of the people!” Aleko said immediately afterward.
Next, the History Department…
Physics Department…
Chemistry Department…
Architecture Department…
The small Bulgarian University actually had more than thirty large and small departments, and the total number of students to be admitted added up to more than five thousand.
Ferdinand listened with a smile throughout the whole process.
Frankly speaking, is five thousand people a lot?
In Ferdinand’s view, it was not much at all, but it depends on the place; in later generations, any university would have tens of thousands of students.
But now, that was simply impossible; it was estimated that the number of applicants for the first batch in Bulgaria might not even reach five thousand.
Ferdinand looked at Chekhov and asked: “My Minister, how many applicants does your Ministry of Education estimate for the first batch of Bulgarian University?”
“Your Highness, according to preliminary investigations, the total number of eligible applicants is expected to fluctuate between 4,500 and 5,200!” Chekhov said cautiously.
Ferdinand said cautiously: “Hmm!
You are all elites in the Bulgarian education sector, and everyone understands the current situation.
Based on the current situation, everyone understands that we cannot meet everyone’s requirements!”
“Therefore, for the better development of Bulgaria, many majors must make sacrifices!”
Everyone’s face changed greatly.
In fact, they were also frightened by this data.
How many people were there in the University of Vienna?
Less than three thousand, right?
If the Bulgarian University really recruited five thousand students at once, everyone would probably become a laughingstock in the education world.
The number of students must be reduced, but which major should be reduced more and which should be reduced less was a problem!
Seeing that everyone was still deep in thought, Ferdinand spoke again, saying: “Everyone knows that the establishment of the university in Bulgaria is for national development, so the quality of university students must be guaranteed.
Therefore, the first batch of admissions should be quality over quantity, and in principle, it will not exceed five hundred people!”
“In fact, it will only be fewer.
The current number of admissions at the University of Vienna is just like this, and the number at Oxford University is even smaller!
Internationally renowned universities have already set an example for us!”