Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Russian Empire.

Saint Petersburg, summer palace.

Alexander II looked at Crown Prince Alexandrovich and said dissatisfiedly: "None of the figures entrusted to you recently can satisfy me. Tell me, how dare I hand over this country to you to manage in the future, 豼How do you manage this huge country, and how do you face those old foxes in Britain?"

Multiple events struck, and Crown Prince Alexandrovich felt unprecedented pressure.

Alexander II suffered from psychological problems since he lost a foot in a failed assassination attempt in 1876.

So I feel dissatisfied when I look at many things, and I don’t like anything I look at.

From 1877 to 1878, the Tsarist Empire won the Tenth Russo-Turkish War and obtained favorable peace conditions. However, due to the interference of other powers, especially the support of Britain and France, the German Empire and Austria-Hungary suppressed them. Although at that time The Netherlands helped him, but the Netherlands and Britain were still in full conflict at the time. The Netherlands was outnumbered. In the end, the Russian Empire was forced to accept the mediation in Berlin in June 1878, which also made Alexander II's original plan to use the Slavic people The offensive stopped the Tsarist Empire's ambitions in the Balkans, but it was all in vain.

This extremely extreme the psychology of Alexander II.

On the advice of his doctor, Alexander II moved behind the scenes, seemingly handing over some of his power to the crown prince.

For this reason, Crown Prince Alexandrovich became the de facto state administrator.

However, Alexander II still maintained ruthless suppression of the domestic revolutionary movements in the Tsarist Russian Empire, resulting in an increasing number of revolutionary group activities. After 1874, the revolutionaries' terrorism increased rapidly, and they repeatedly tried to assassinate the tsar. In 1876, blowing off a leg was the worst act.

Alexandrovich also had a lot of grievances in his heart, but he had nowhere to appeal.

Just at the beginning of this month, on February 20, his father Alexander II publicly stated in St. Petersburg that he was ready to sign a decree, announcing the reorganization of the State Council and launching the political reform process of a constitutional monarchy in the Tsarist Russian Empire. However, on this day he was assassinated again.

Alexandrovich felt a lot in his heart.

But he looked at his father who still had a fierce look on his face. His mouth moved and finally fell silent.

Alexander II looked at his speechless and meek second son.

Originally he wanted to criticize the other party more, but when he thought that his eldest son had passed away and now his second son had been pushed to the position of crown prince, he finally waved his hand and said: "You go ahead and start managing national affairs as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow, you Just follow Prime Minister Gorchakov to familiarize yourself with foreign affairs and government affairs. Next week, go to the Ministry of National Defense to find Milyutin, the Minister of War, and follow his knowledge to manage the Ministry of National Defense."

The latter nodded, then bowed and left slowly.

Alexander II touched his lost left leg and sighed involuntarily.

Not long after, Prime Minister Gorchakov and Defense Minister Milyutin arrived.

"Alexander II said with an unhappy expression: "Recently, the revolution within the Tsarist Russian Empire has become more and more violent. Don't you know that the chaos within the Tsarist Russian Empire has disrupted our layout on international issues?"

Prime Minister Gorchakov said at this time: "Your Majesty, the British are behind this situation with great force. We jointly promoted the Pan-Slavic movement in the Balkans, and eventually in Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Turkey, Britain, France, etc. Dissatisfied, Germany quietly stood on their side, which made the two of them dare not start a war there. They originally thought of direct war between Britain and the Netherlands, but William IV and Queen Victoria were so tenacious. Five years later, there was still thunder and rain. It's a bit small, and I haven't even fought a small war. Or it's a proxy war."

“The Netherlands won the Chilean-British-Dutch proxy war in the end, but Argentina’s rebellion against the Netherlands caused Dutch diplomacy to lose face.

So in the end, everyone gets something. "

Alexander II: “But this is far from what we expected for the Tsarist Empire.

The Netherlands is such a waste. It actually boils a frog in warm water. It wants to challenge the UK, but it doesn't do anything ruthless, which makes our chances so slim."

Alexander II was so angry that Gorchakov and Milyutin did not dare to answer the question.

Alexander II's eyes fell on Milyutin and said: "Tell us about the recent deployment of our country's army."

Milyutin: “At present, Tsarist Russia has a total of 1.3 million regular troops.

Among them, 300,000 are stationed in the St. Petersburg Military District of the Balkan Peninsula.

There are 100,000 people stationed in Lithuania and Poland; 100,000 people are stationed in the Moscow Military District to support all parties.

Ukraine and Romania together also have 100,000 people to deal with the Balkans.

The Sochi Military District facing the Ottoman Empire and the Persian Empire also had 200,000 people, and the Nordic Military District had 200,000 people.

Siberia and Central Asia each have 100,000 people.

The Far East has a population of 50,000.

There are 50,000 people in overseas territories and other areas.

As for the Navy"

Alexander II frowned and said to Milyutin: "From the 200,000 troops in the Nordic Military District to intimidate Sweden, send 50,000 to the Far East."

Gorchakov raised his head and asked with sharp eyes: "Your Majesty, are you targeting the Qing country there?"

"Looking around our Tsarist Empire, Europe has now entered a peaceful environment. Whoever strikes first will fall into a group attack. Just look at the Balkans. As for the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire has now returned to the British Empire. Well, it’s hard for us to start.

The Persian Empire is notoriously difficult to deal with. The British did not dare to deal with those lunatics and chose to omit them. Naturally, we will not touch them. So the Far East is where we will attack next. "

Milyutin and Gorchakov agreed very much.

Mi Liujing showed a smile and said: "The Qing Dynasty has many problems now. Two women with small feet are in power now. It is very funny to say that they listen to politics behind the curtain. There is a saying that long hair is short of knowledge. Two women will never A woman who has been abroad actually instructs the governance of a country of 400 million people and makes a mess.

But it just so happens that such a country is the place for us to conquer. However, Your Majesty, it is said that Japan and other European and American countries are eyeing it. Where we start is the easiest place with the least loss, but also has the value of use."

Alexander II looked at Gorchakov, who understood and said: "The 10 armies in Central Asia are on standby at any time. It is said that the Qing general Zuo Zhongtang there will be recalled to their capital. We can We will tire the other side again and cause trouble in Central Asia for the Qing Dynasty, but our target is their northeastern region. Your Majesty and I hope that in addition to Hai Cun Wei, we will have more ice-free deep-water ports there."

Alexander II said with satisfaction: "Not bad"

All three of them smiled, but will it really go as they wish?

There are always surprises in everything, and Alexander II was such an unlucky guy.