Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

German Empire, Berlin Palace.

"The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, and now the Second French Empire are all expanding their presence in the Far East. Your Majesty, should we also open up the situation there?"

"But, how do you think we can go in now? Don't forget that all four parties have huge interests and location advantages in the Far East."

"But don't forget, Your Majesty, we also have many interests there. For example, we have economic interests with the Kingdom of Siam in the Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand), and with the Far Eastern powers, Japan-Ben and other local economic interests. There, our current The interests can almost compete with those of Britain, the Netherlands, France and Spain.”

"Haha, but can our navy there compare to theirs?"

William I smiled. He was not timid, just a little worried. During this period of time, the surrounding situation was rarely calm, which made the German Empire's national power even stronger. After annexing various countries and defeating the Second French Empire, its reputation was even more intense. It can be said that the only country in Europe that can currently threaten the German Empire is the Tsarist Russian Empire in the east, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire is just a surviving defeated general.

But for some reason, there was always a voice in his mind telling him not to be too aggressive.

However, the current situation of the Anglo-Dutch competition for influence in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian Peninsula makes it difficult for him not to be radical. After all, in his eyes, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is weaker than the empire, has become more aggressive in recent years because of its more radical methods. Whether it is economic development or the development of overseas sites, they are changing rapidly and expanding.

And look at the German Empire. Although the emergency has been growing rapidly in recent years, and the military construction is getting stronger day by day, however, it seems that the overseas territory except defeating France 8 years ago and obtaining French Guyana in South America. In addition, they just added a few poor colonies in Africa. There are really no overseas territories that can be used.

Even the acquired colony of Guyana in South America had to face daily protests from imperialists from various countries in South America, demanding that the German Empire leave South America and allow Guyana to become autonomous. It's really ridiculous. Why didn't they ask them to leave when the French Empire ruled? These guys must have been scared because the North German Empire took turns defeating other countries in Europe.

Thinking of this, William I was very proud, and the corner of his mouth curled up to the right corner.

The current dispute between Britain and the Netherlands has made the situation very unstable. If it weren't for fear of arousing common hostility between the two countries, he really wouldn't mind directly using violence to plunder in the Far East. Well, he was referring to the Kingdom of Siam in the Far East. The weakest person in the place.

Prime Minister Bismarck in front of him seemed unwilling to give in, and continued to persuade: "Even if it is as your Majesty said, we may really not be able to compare with them, but your Majesty, don't forget that a country like the Netherlands is still under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands. The East Indies has taken over such a large territory, not to mention that our empire is one of the top powers in the world. And we don’t really have to participate directly, we just need to be able to obtain the final distribution of benefits."

"No," William I's eyes lit up and he looked at Bismarck, waiting for him to continue.

When Bismarck saw the 81-year-old old man in front of him, he suddenly turned into the energetic William I. He shouted in his heart, "Your Majesty, you finally can't bear it any longer," but he didn't pause: "Now that the Indochina Peninsula has been occupied by Britain, Burma was conquered and divided into British India and British Malaya Colony, while France occupied North and South Vietnam and eastern Cambodia and northern Laos. The Netherlands and Spain also intervened from time to time in the south to stir up the situation. This surrounded Siam Luo Kingdom, Your Majesty, please look at the map."

"This is Burma, this is Malaya, these are the territory of the British. And here is the island of Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies. To the west is the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands that the UK and the Netherlands are now fighting for. Both countries want to control the entrance and exit of the Malacca Strait into the Indian Ocean. After all, the British-controlled Singapore Islands in the east and the Dutch-controlled Linga Islands in the east of Sumatra control the entrance and exit on the other side. So the Andaman Islands and Nepal on the Indian Ocean side The Coba Islands have become a flashpoint in disputes between the two countries."

Bismarck, who was 63 years old and in the prime of his political life, may have been considerate of the 81-year-old William I, so he stood up and continued to point to the map on the wall:

“Further west is British India, south of the Malacca Strait is the Dutch East Indies, then east is the Philippines, which is the Spanish one, and then south is the Australian mainland and the South Pacific Islands within the Dutch sphere of influence.

To the north are the Kingdom of Siam and North and South Vietnam controlled by France in the east, followed by the ancient powers of the Far East. So looking at this map of the Far East comprehensively, the independence of the Kingdom of Siam has attracted everyone's attention. "

"Look at the area and the position of the battle line to which it belongs. As long as the Kingdom of Siam is firmly in our hands, no big move in Indochina can be hidden from us. Of course, after saying so much, I actually want to What I am saying is that since Britain, France, the Netherlands and other countries are the future and present enemies of the German Empire from any angle, then we might as well activate the buffer zone between them and let them worry about it.

Especially if the current overlord of the Far East, the Netherlands, joins in, it would be even better. By then, Britain, France, the West and the Netherlands will be the four-nation melee, which is the easiest thing for us to see. As long as there is a fight, no matter who wins in the end, we will be the big ones. One of the winners, and when the Far East is in chaos, it is the best time for us to seize the opportunity to occupy the territory."

"But Prime Minister, have you ever thought about whether the Netherlands will fight with the United Kingdom? Don't forget, especially Britain and France, are currently forming allies in Europe to deal with us and the French Third Republic in the south. They know that in Europe The biggest enemy is us. Will they be willing to let us take advantage of it? Sorry, I am just curious about how high the probability is. Buying is offensive, and Your Majesty, it is really rude to come in without asking for permission."

"It's good to know. Don't do it next time. Otherwise, I won't let you go as easily as this time."

Even so, Bismarck still understood that this was just William I's way of saying that he raised the military minister Ron high and put it down gently.

Bismarck was not displeased by Ron's sudden arrival and questions. In his opinion, this was normal, because in his impression, the military and political minister of the German Empire in front of him had always been known for this kind of character.

Honest, frank, and fond of conspiracy, not just conspiracy.

It is the most comfortable and reassuring thing to work with such a person. As for another imperial heavyweight, Chief of Staff Mao Qi, he also has the same view.

"Since His Majesty has said so, doesn't it make it difficult for me to do this if you ask me this?" Bismarck glared at Ron angrily.

"Haha, okay, the two of them don't have to argue about this issue anymore, let's talk about the situation in the Far East." William I interrupted the two of them and greeted them not with enthusiasm but with brotherhood.

Before Bismarck grew up, the intermediary between William I and Bismarck was actually Ron, the military minister in front of him. The latter had always been his best partner when he was a prince. It was he who introduced Bismarck to him, and the connection between them made him what he is now. The German Iron Triangle formed by Bismarck and Moltke gave rise to the current German Empire. It can be said that Ron contributed a lot to Germany's achievements today. Therefore, the person William I trusted the most was Ron. .

Ron laughed twice, but the reason why his beard was too long made people feel weird. But speaking of it, the beards of the three of them were similar.

"Your Majesty, I think that although I objected to the Prime Minister's opinion just now, I do agree that we should intervene in the affairs of Indochina, but it is indirect. Since the Netherlands and Britain are quarreling there, the Netherlands obviously also wants to make a fuss. So why don’t we just give them a hand and let them do what they want to do, what do you think, Prime Minister?"

"You mean" asked Bismarck. William I also looked at him, obviously not understanding what Ron was referring to.

"Since all countries want to go to the Southeast Asian peninsula, the Kingdom of Siam there is obviously a hurdle that cannot be bypassed. At present, King Chula Longkorn has stabilized his position. He has close relations with the Netherlands, alienated relations with the British, and with the French Empire. They are rivals. They have no connection with Spain.

In this case, why don't we take advantage of the fact that the Kingdom of Siam needs to make friends with us, increase our 'friendliness' towards the Kingdom of Siam, make false gestures to win over the other party, and cultivate our strength? We only need to use the support of the Kingdom of Siam to stir up trouble and help them at the critical juncture, that is, when the dispute between Britain and the Netherlands worsens in vain and even turns into a war, making it more difficult for the Netherlands and Britain to escape, or even diverting the war. On the Indochina Peninsula, it is best to burn to Burma, the Malayan Peninsula, the Bay of Bengal and other places supported by the British. Then it will be a good opportunity for us in the end, a good opportunity to weaken several of them. Of course, for this , Ron needs to try his best to stick their plans and conditions together."

"For example, France's forces from North and South Vietnam have penetrated to the east of the Mekong River, and Britain has also begun to penetrate the Malayan Peninsula along the Indian Ocean into the Malayan Peninsula of the Kingdom of Siam, trying to plunder the Malayan Peninsula. Territory on the Malayan Peninsula. In this case, how should the Netherlands deal with itself on the Southeast Asian Peninsula? This makes people doubt the ambitions of the Netherlands?

No one would think that the Netherlands is just doing good deeds without profit for themselves, so I think everyone knows what the Netherlands is planning, but it is not clear yet. "