Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

London was already the most important financial center in the world at the end of the 18th century. It integrated the capital nature of Amsterdam and the industrial characteristics of Paris. In the combined operation of capital and industry, London stood at the most comprehensive and forefront position in Europe.

In particular, the world's first World Expo was held in 1851, with 8 million visitors. The British Isles and visitors from all over the world were shocked. Through word of mouth, London has become the most prosperous city in the world.

Even after experiencing the threat of Napoleon I, London is still standing and continues to maintain its status as the world's first industrialized city. The resources shipped back and the industrial products shipped out have accounted for more than 30% of the world's industrial products market.

Buckingham Palace.

"Your Majesty, what about that deal?"

Viscount Palmerston endured it for a long time, and finally he reminded Queen Victoria.

"What deal?"

Queen Victoria was stunned for a moment and then reacted.

When Viscount Palmerston was talking to William IV about the colonial trade between the Netherlands and Britain, although he was dissatisfied with him for making arbitrary decisions, he made an agreement with the other party without discussing such a big matter with her.

But after all, she agreed afterwards, but at that time she changed it to Queensland and the Northern Territory in exchange for the two Dutch colonies of West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.

"Now that our two countries have lost a good impression of the Netherlands because of the Belgian incident, the Prime Minister thinks that the transaction at this time will be inconsistent?" Victoria expressed doubts about this.

"Your Majesty, we have underestimated the Netherlands. Judging from the three-nation alliance against Belgium and South Africa in the south, the Netherlands seems to be marginalized and puts the French Empire first in everything. But if we combine it with our original bet with William IV, Judging from the above, we know that France does not know this. Obviously, after this series of events, the Netherlands is calculating and controlling step by step, binding the French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia to follow the plan they have set. Moving forward, such capabilities have obviously met the requirements of the British Empire for partners."

When Viscount Palmerston said this, he looked at Queen Victoria and said worriedly: "The British Empire currently has no trustworthy, sincere and important friends on the European continent, because big countries will be wary of us."

Queen Victoria looked gloomy.

The situation in Europe is becoming more and more confusing. In the past, when the British Empire gently tossed a bone, everyone was like an expected puppy, all jumping up and scrambling for the bone that was about to fall in the air. But now, a small Belgium, But it made all countries unite to fight against the majesty of the British Empire, which was very unthinkable in the past.

Thinking of the death of her uncle Leopold I, she was filled with doubts.

Netherlands? Or France?

I also thought that after the British Empire formed an alliance with the Netherlands, France and Prussia, I actually found that the British Isles were like being separated by a gauze mosquito net and could see through the European continent outside the gauze.

This made her feel helpless to start. At the same time, she also knew that Great Britain, where the British Isles are currently located, was in the same situation as the United Kingdom.

Viscount Palmerston saw that his words caused the Queen's expression to change, so he immediately said: "As I mentioned a few months ago, only the Netherlands is destined to have a large area in Europe and cannot threaten us. , and the biggest benefit we can get by making good friends with the other party is that we do not need to invest, and it will become our coastal defense line near our edge in Europe. The main thing is that we can come to the three-nation alliance of the Netherlands, Prussia and France. Although You can’t see the effect immediately, but you can plant a seed of doubt.”

Hearing this, the queen's expression softened, "The transaction can be completed, but"

She raised her head, with a chill in her majestic expression, and said coldly: "But I want Canada, it's a beautiful thought, and His Excellency the Viscount thinks he is very optimistic about him. Well, I will take a serious look at him to see how he is worthy of the Viscount." Look, let’s weigh him again and see how much he weighs.”

"What does the Queen mean?" Viscount Palmerston asked with a wry smile.

Before coming to Buckingham Palace from No. 10 Downing Street, he had already guessed that this deal would not be so easy to achieve.

The Queen's current stance is obviously not much different from what he thought.

"Since Viscount, you are optimistic about him, then why not choose Australia?"

Queen Victoria hesitated for a moment, then pretended to be generous and said: "Queensland, Northern Territory, if that guy William IV is willing to trade South Kalimantan, we can trade Western Australia. It doesn't matter. Alexander II is too ambitious. We really need to compress the scope of Tsarist Russia to the smallest possible space."

“What if he doesn’t agree to trade South Kalimantan?”

The Queen sneered again; "Not agreeing proves that he has no ambitions for the Australian continent. If he agrees, it proves that this person has ambitions for the Australian continent. Then, our two British fleets in the Indian subcontinent and the Australian fleet stationed in Sydney Two of the five fleets of the empire let the young king of the Netherlands know that the British Empire's position as maritime supremacy cannot be challenged."

This time, Viscount Palmerston stopped asking questions.

Because in fact, Canada was his first move to test the Netherlands, and it would be impossible to agree to it. After all, Canada is too close to the British Isles. If the French Empire attacks London from across the English Channel, and the Netherlands gains part of Canada's territory, he If we attack the British Isles from the west, we will be attacked from both sides. The most terrifying thing is that if the United States joins in because it hates Britain for supporting the south, then the British Isles may really be like a dumpling, surrounded by enemies. As long as the Mediterranean Sea If the Suez Canal is blocked, then the British fleet will be sliced ​​like sausages, and the Canadian fleet, the local North Sea Fleet, the Home Fleet, the Indian Fleet, and the Australian Fleet will be swallowed up and eradicated one by one.

Therefore, Canada must not make any mistakes, otherwise the British mainland will be unstable and the risk index will rise.

On May 25, 1862, Buckingham Palace, where London is located, announced the completion of the territorial transaction between the Netherlands and the British Empire. The Netherlands would exchange the Far East and East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan provinces for the British Empire. Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the portion of Western Australia from the Great Sandy Desert to the north.

William I of Prussia said, "That is the matter of other countries and the right of national independence. We have no way to interfere with the practices of the Netherlands and Britain."

Napoleon III of France was silent at first, and then said with a stiff tone: "I think France can actually be a good trading partner and can trade with other countries. Unfortunately, we have not found a trading partner yet."

Alexander of Tsarist Russia said with a relaxed face, "We will not interfere in other people's transactions. After all, we did the same thing last month."

But Karl XV of Nordic Sweden smiled and said: "The Netherlands has invited Sweden to participate in the construction of the mineral development center in East India. Our skilled miners are already gearing up for this."

As for Spain and Portugal, two countries with territories in the Far East, they are sharpening their knives. It is obvious that their eyes are following the actions of the Netherlands frequently, and they are also interested in trading overseas colonies in order to exchange for much-needed benefits.

amsterdam.

The weekly Privy Council meeting was once again held at the Royal Palace of the Netherlands.

William IV was seen looking deeply at the people in front of him, and all of them were staring at him with hopeful eyes.

"Your Majesty, the British are indeed too defensive. It seems that it will be twice as difficult for us to capture the southern part of Western Australia."

Hesbert Feng was a little disappointed.

Tolback smiled and said: "You are satisfied. Western Australia is almost divided into half from north to south. As for the overall pattern, we now have Northern Western Australia + Northern Territory + Queensland = the northern part of the Australian continent. The United Kingdom still occupies the southern part. We are equivalent to Divided from the north and south of the United Kingdom, don't forget that we are in the East Indian islands and New Guinea, and the sea between the northern Australian mainland and the East Indies has become our inland sea."

“Not bad,” William IV sighed; “From now on, we can truly launch the second local plan in the Far East. Whether its development is successful or not will determine whether the Netherlands can achieve the status of a top power in the world in the future. factor"

"Your Majesty, is Sweden also interested in the Far East?" Minister of Education Lud Bales asked worriedly.

"No matter who he is or what his ambitions are," William IV said confidently: "As long as he comes to Dutch territory, he is a Dutchman."

He asked Royal Intelligence Director Bill Charlie: "By the way, how is the Danish royal family doing?"