Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Britain, Buckingham Palace, the internal political game continues.

At this time, British Prime Minister Gladstone knew that he should stand up and refute. He said: "What the UK has to do now is to safeguard our interests, rather than confront the Netherlands head-on. This will make Bismarck or Gorchakov, Even Napoleon III in Paris benefited, and both we and the Netherlands suffered losses. If they grow in power, it is definitely something that we in the UK cannot accept. Your Excellency Cecil, just now, you have gone too far. Maybe you have not done diplomacy. Minister and other foreign affairs affairs, so I can understand it, but I hope that next time you speak, you can understand the pressure and precious ethics of the minister. "

This is obviously a criticism of Cecil, the third Marquess of Salisbury, who does not know how to respect British officials who work hard at their posts, and does not believe in the integrity of their colleagues. It is immoral to question someone's character casually. things.

Although Disraeli was unhappy that he was being pressured by the aristocratic forces in the party and had to withdraw if he failed in another election, and although he was willing to see Cecil defeated, he knew that he would lose points with the Queen and spread the word. If you lose support among the Tories and even the entire British aristocratic faction of the Whigs, you will suffer a big loss.

"I don't agree with what the Prime Minister said. Since our noble Majesty the Queen allowed us two members of the opposition party to appear here today, it shows that we have the right to speak, rather than being here to listen to lectures and listen to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. The two current cabinet members delivered the government's policy address. Since Lord Cecil has suggestions and opinions, then speaking out can reveal the shortcomings of the Whig cabinet government. This is the origin of the invention of democratic politics in the UK. It will be a matter of fact."

Gladstone immediately had a headache when facing Disraeli, his opponent for more than twenty years.

So he walked down the steps and said, "That's true, but I still say it very strictly. We are also serving our national interests."

Disraeli looked at the other party with contempt, and then said to himself: "You are serving Britain, but you are also serving yourself and the Whig Party first, and the country second."

Of course, he would not say this, because this was also the case when he was in power.

Queen Victoria had been slowly drinking tea from a teacup, with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

She has always stayed out of the disputes between the two parties, and has even adopted a laissez-faire attitude. She only needs to clean up the mess. This is her past practice. But today, before he took action to stop it, the two parties stopped fighting. This somewhat surprised her.

But Crown Prince Edward, who had been restrained by Queen Victoria's eyes, couldn't help it anymore, "Britain has been challenged by the Netherlands, and its international status has dropped significantly. Everyone here is the pillar of the British nation and the mainstay of our country. We should think of a way." , how to improve our country’s strength and influence in the international community, instead of having too many disputes due to domestic party forces, which will make the Netherlands laugh at the same time, and our own strength will also weaken.”

It seemed that Prince Edward's words had an effect, and several people couldn't help but tighten their expressions.

Then Foreign Minister Greville said in a strong voice: "The current diplomatic expulsion storm in the Netherlands due to German intelligence collection continues to get more and more intense."

Crown Prince Edward asked: "What measures have the Netherlands taken?"

Greville said: "Lead the team to expel the German diplomats"

Cecil asked: "Is this the only trick the Netherlands has?"

Greville: "No, the Netherlands will naturally not give up like this. Currently, the information sent back by our MI6 found that the Seven Eyes Intelligence Alliance, which was created by the Netherlands in 1865, is already in rapid operation."

Seeing a look that was familiar to everyone else, Cecil looked at Gravell with a questioning expression.

Greville was straightforward and explained the organization's purpose: "This Dutch intelligence member country includes the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, the Kingdom of Siam, Spain, and Ecuador. Each member of the alliance is responsible for a specific region of the world. The intelligence collection and analysis are finally gathered at the headquarters in the Netherlands for analysis and the results of the analysis are returned to various countries."

Cecil was shocked when he heard this, "In this case, wouldn't the world's intelligence be completely controlled by the Netherlands?"

Cecil's words caused a silence in the conference room.

Even Queen Victoria is like this.

Even she, the king who has ruled Britain for 44 years, was frightened by Holland's massive intelligence collection.

There is a reason why everyone, including Cecil, the third Marquess of Salisbury, has to lament the rise of the Netherlands.

"Do we know how this intelligence alliance is divided?" Cecil interrupted everyone's thoughts with another question.

Gladstone said at this time: "Let me put it this way: Sweden oversees the Russian Empire and the Baltic Sea and the Norwegian Sea; Denmark oversees the German Empire and the North Sea and the eastern United Kingdom; Spain oversees the southern United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Italy, and the English Channel. and the western Mediterranean; the Greek fleet in the Balkans, Italy, the Ottoman Empire, and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; the Kingdom of Siam (today's Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia) oversees British Burma, French North and South Vietnam, and parts of French-occupied Laos, Cambodia, and Cambodia. Village; Ecuador is the center for collecting intelligence from the entire Americas, while the Netherlands is the most important big eye in the world, keeping a close eye on the world.

Although there is a division of labor, mutual cooperation is at the core, and final intelligence is shared with every member. Mutual help is an important part of this agreement. The Netherlands plays an extraordinary role in this, in fact it is in a leading position.”

Gladstone sighed: "Currently, the Seven Eyes Intelligence Alliance is collecting and fabricating evidence, planning to concoct a series of so-called rumors about 'Germany, Austria and Britain conducting intelligence and political penetration of the Netherlands and its allies' to discredit them. The international image of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria-Hungary has in turn created resistance and vigilance towards our three countries. They are opposed to forming an alliance with us, and even opposing contact with us. The latest discovery is that many countries that are not in the Seven Eyes Alliance are also trying to join. This organization obtains first-hand intelligence and uses it. The countries in it include the Russian Empire and other allies in the Thirteen-Nation Group of Latin America. It is even said that the Qing Dynasty, the semi-ally partner of the Netherlands in the Far East, is also in contact with the Netherlands, trying to get closer. Contact with Western government operations to improve the development model of the Qing Dynasty."

As Gladstone spoke, the conference room fell silent again.

Crown Prince Edward was also secretly surprised. In the past, he had never expected that the Netherlands would dominate such a large intelligence force. He even thought that if the Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty joined in, it would be very difficult for Britain and Germany. How big the impact of Austria-Hungary was, it was not difficult for him to imagine that by that time, Britain's strength and power would have declined again.