Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Would Queen Victoria oppose a marriage between England and the Netherlands?

The entire Dutch Privy Council looked thoughtful.

Those attending the Privy Council today are:

Prime Minister Johann Rudolf Tolbeck and his cabinet members: Foreign Minister Hesbert von, Interior Minister Jonler, Finance Minister Jan. von Capello, Dutch Justice Minister Ross, Industry Minister Wem Koe Special, 8 people including Education Secretary Lud Bales and Agriculture Secretary Gates.

As for the military outside the cabinet, it is led by Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd. Other members include Navy Minister Jan Peter, Army Minister Petter de Jong, Navy Chief of Staff Joseph Karls, and Army Chief of Staff Jopp. .El, and Arms Minister Louis Bell 6 people.

The remaining participants in the meeting were those directly under William IV, such as Bill Charlie, director of the Royal Dutch Intelligence Service, and McKay Sean, director of the Dutch International Intelligence Service.

In addition, there are four international security advisers of William IV: Cantur, director of the Dutch National Security Council and coordinator of Atlantic affairs, Akci, coordinator of the Indian Ocean and Pacific, Samuel, coordinator of Europe and Africa, and Felik, coordinator of the Americas. There are 6 people in Sri Lanka.

Including William IV and the entire Privy Council, a total of 21 people participated in the meeting today.

William IV looked at all the people in the Privy Council. They are all at the helmsman of the domestic and foreign affairs of the Netherlands. They are all elites. These people have contributed to the development of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the past eight years. They are indispensable for the development of the Netherlands to this year.

He said slowly:

“If the British Empire is like a middle-aged man, then the French Empire is like a frail old man.

As Queen Victoria chewed slowly, Britain gradually wanted to devour the interests of all parts of the world. It could have been achieved. However, due to the rise of the Netherlands, it seems that Britain suddenly has a fish bone in its mouth and it is difficult to swallow. pharynx.

Under the rule of Napoleon III, the French Empire was overeating and overeating. Although it looked beautiful on the outside, it could actually die at any time on the inside. "

William IV said:

“This is also the reason why I advocate sanctions against the French.

Following the principle that your illness will kill you, and knowing that the rising Kingdom of Prussia was going to take action against the French Empire, the Dutch's tough attitude towards France could actually eliminate the doubts of the Kingdom of Prussia to a certain extent and allow Bismarck to Prussia was more confident about the French Empire's attack than during the Three Kingdoms Alliance, when Prussia was worried that the guns of the Dutch-French Alliance would be aimed at him northward.

Prussia's war against Denmark in the past few years allowed the Netherlands to successfully capture Denmark and surrender to the Netherlands and Sweden.

Later, Prussia's war against the entire German Confederation made Prussia's minions appear on the European continent for the first time, making everyone wary of Prussia.

This is exactly what we need, because only this kind of Prussia can successfully make other countries turn their attention to Prussia, and the Netherlands will have more time to develop in silence.

Sure enough, Britain, France, Austria, Tsarist Russia, and even Sweden and other countries were attracted by Prussia.

The Netherlands has had three years of great development opportunities from 1865 to now.”

Everyone, including Prime Minister Tolbeck, had to admit that William IV was right. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Bismarck, Prussia caused a huge sensation in Europe. Bismarck was even called the iron-blooded prime minister. The word iron-blooded. , already makes people feel its definition.

"With this, the Netherlands has developed rapidly in the Far East. It can be said that the development there cannot take advantage of the opportunities provided by the chaos in Europe." William IV looked at everyone with sharp eyes, making everyone who looked at him look at him. Not daring to look at him, he smiled with satisfaction and said: Now, the Netherlands has gained a new opportunity, that is, the French Empire invaded the Kingdom of Siam. This gives us an opportunity to weaken it, and it is also the Netherlands. We enlisted other countries to launch the campaign together, and we succeeded. The Netherlands gained a huge reputation, to the point that even the United Kingdom was very afraid of it.

Prussia also has a clearer understanding of the Netherlands. As for the French Empire, it is getting weaker and weaker due to the struggle of the old man in his old age, and he is even more aggressive against the Netherlands."

"As a result, we have now become the latest country in recent decades to dare to confront the six major European countries since the establishment of the Vienna System, and there are more than one. Almost all of them have faced off against each other, including Britain, France and Prussia, allowing the Netherlands' great power status to be successfully recognized by the people of all countries."

Everyone here naturally agrees. The Netherlands is currently gaining increasing power in the world, and many people have already recognized the Netherlands' status as an international power.

Look at the Dutch allies in groups. This is a symbol of recognized strength.

"Next, the Netherlands will face challenges and opportunities at the same time. The greater the risk, the greater the opportunity. Prime Minister Tolbeck, please tell us how the Netherlands should take advantage of the third opportunity, and what should What risks are you guarding against?”

Tolbeck seems to have been waiting for a long time. Although he is 71 years old, he still maintains a fair face and beard, but he does not hide the majesty of his prime minister.

"The opportunity this time is that the latest European intelligence we got is that after three years of repairs, the Kingdom of Prussia has finally completely annexed the German Confederation. The current target that the Bismarck government seems to be interested in dealing with is the French Empire."

Many people present were suddenly shocked.

Although Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd, Overseas Minister Hesbert von and Prime Minister Tolbeck had already learned the news from William IV and made many plans, people like Industry Minister Wem Kotter, Agriculture Minister Minister Gates and others heard about it for the first time.

Interior Minister Joan Leer said loudly: "Prussia is actually trying to take advantage of the French Empire? If this news gets out, the European continent and the world will definitely be shocked.

There may even be huge dissent within Prussia. If the situation is serious, Prime Minister Bismarck may be ousted directly, especially those Prussians who have experienced the intimidation during the reign of Napoleon I. Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Bismarck and the people of the world. No, come and poke this hornet's nest? "

"Yes, I also doubt that Prussia can defeat the French Empire."

William IV saw that the person speaking was the Dutch Minister of Justice Ross, the leader of the International Hague Tribunal. Ross questioned: "I know that everyone seems to have an opportunity to take advantage of the French Empire's balanced military strength in the Far East, but there is no such thing." People would think that the French Empire would not have the national mobilization to deal with the consequences of a major power's invasion of France, so the Bismarck government should realize this, I have some doubts."

Tolbeck also did not directly explain the problem, but said elsewhere: "."