Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Just like William IV thought, in the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

Empress Eugenie, the regent of the Second French Empire, took a deep breath, and then said to Napoleon III, who was lying on the hospital bed feeling cold and cold: "Today," there is only one diplomatic matter that France can independently achieve, and that is to repair relations with the Netherlands. So why should we restore relations with the Netherlands, a hateful country that we see allies all over the world but is still challenging Britain's maritime position and seems to be bolder than our uncle Napoleon (Napoleon I)? And why now? The first thing we need to do is build a consensus around this issue."

Napoleon III blinked and then nodded, indicating that he was listening carefully.

Queen Eugenie said: “Britain is now a little anxious, believing that it is in the fastest-changing period of foreign policy transformation since the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) in this century. This is recognized by Queen Victoria and Her Majesty.

Your Majesty once fancied that Britain would help us deal with Germany, help us conquer the Lyon government in the south, and complete the unification of the Second French Empire. However, the British government in London ignored him every time and was obviously unwilling to see a unified French Empire. Your Majesty I definitely know what and why.

Naturally, they are afraid that we will threaten them, and at the same time they will use us to threaten Germany and sow discord between us. Britain will profit from hiding behind it. "

Napoleon III was silent. He once visited London in person and tried to persuade Queen Victoria to help fight the domestic war. Britain only needed to contain Germany, but in the end he failed. Britain was unwilling to offend Berlin, let alone help France regain the continent. Dominance.

Remembering how he and Bismarck, who was still Prime Minister of Prussia, took a bath in a hot spring in Paris together and arrogantly gave alms to each other, I feel my face getting hot just thinking about it now.

This only resulted in him trying his best to incite France to hate the Germans Qing Fengxu and finally sided with the British.

But obviously, the effect of standing on the British side is far from what he wants.

So he couldn't help but said: "Now the honeymoon era between Britain and France has begun to fade."

Queen Eugenie said: "Over the years, Queen Victoria has never publicly complained about her eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, marrying Crown Prince Frederick of Germany, and William I has never suppressed his daughter-in-law.

It is obvious that both countries are avoiding direct confrontation with each other. On the contrary, Prussia expanded abroad many times in 1870, and Britain always remained silent before trying to persuade them to make peace.

On the contrary, after the maritime confrontation between Britain and the Netherlands on the Chilean issue in 1878, France tried its best to side with Britain and showed its "loyalty", but received no return. Now France's diplomatic route has become narrower and narrower. The UK doesn't give us anything to see. Do we still need such an ally? "

When Eugenie said this, she even showed dissatisfaction. Paris was occupied by Germany during her regency, which greatly embarrassed her. Now the resources of the countries before German integration are stronger, but Britain is still indifferent and even flirts with Germany. This is absolutely unfair to France.

Coupled with the recent wooing of Isabella II from Spain and the Netherlands' strength towards Britain, she no longer has confidence in the alliance between Britain and France.

The greater fear comes from the Netherlands.

“Currently, 77% of Parisians believe that the Netherlands’ provocation against the UK will affect the UK’s future support for the use of force to go to war with France and Germany.

France owns North and South Vietnam, South Laos, and eastern Cambodia in the Far East. France only has a few hundred thousand soldiers and white residents there, while the Netherlands has more than 20 million. If the Netherlands has ideas about France's colonies in the Far East, then France Absolutely hard to resist.

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are separated by the Strait of Malacca and rule the island of Kalimantan. The border areas are not peaceful either.

The United Kingdom is now a little timid in the face of the rising Netherlands. Its previous strong maritime dominance seems to be gone forever.

Therefore, the British experience of national security is completely different from that of the French. At present, the British have begun to station more troops, weapons and warships in the Malay Peninsula where there is a dispute with the Netherlands.

Since our defeat in the war with Germany in 1870, in the past 10 years we have enjoyed the peace of mind that Britain supported us against Germany, or that France led the "British-led spear diplomacy and we supported a shield-only" free peace and fully developed its own economic and military power. It’s time to rapidly transform into ‘realist diplomacy in the new era.’”

Queen Eugenie: “We have become a country that needs to be able to balance Britain and actually participate in the European diplomatic balance. This is the path we should return to. Currently, 65% of the people in Paris agree with this.

The people also plan to carry out trade customs clearance activities with the Netherlands that were considered taboo in the past, hoping to open up a new pattern of our economic development and military diplomacy."

Napoleon III looked at his wife who was chatting. After a moment of silence, you wanted to say: "What countries are most concerned about right now is the current security situation, and whether we are in Europe or the Far East, our territory is surrounded by At the forefront of the battle of wits between the Netherlands and England. Isn’t this the perfect alliance for France?”

Queen Ou Renni nodded and said: "Yes, the mainstream media in European countries that are currently making irresponsible remarks about the Netherlands have generally changed their direction. Obviously, the Dutch round-the-island exercise has greatly touched the nerves of various countries. The strength and toughness of the Netherlands have made people feel Don’t mess with each other casually anymore.”

She raised her head: "In terms of France's diplomatic interests, Your Majesty, since the UK is no longer the dominant country in gunboat diplomacy, it is time for us to thoroughly strengthen cooperation with the circle of allies led by the Netherlands. The premise is to improve French-Dutch relations.”

Upon hearing this, Napoleon III closed his eyes for the last time, then opened them and said: "That's right, just do what the Queen said."

"Supporting the efforts of the French Second Empire government to improve relations with the Netherlands" - "Le Figaro" on November 17, 1880. The opening article of this newspaper opened a new chapter in the Paris government's diplomacy.

Then the newspaper reported: “Dignitaries from the Dutch government and the French Second Empire government are welcome to explore ways to resolve bilateral disputes at an early date. They should hold regular talks and sincerely discuss ways to resolve various international, regional and bilateral conflicts between the two countries. "Problem Solutions"

Faced with the news revealed by Le Figaro, France's largest newspaper, various countries expressed their excitement. Among them, London, England, even angrily summoned the person in charge of the French Second Empire's embassy in London to express dissatisfaction.