Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Behind the convening of the Paris Conference, many people believe that it is the largest European conference after the Vienna Conference held in 1815. In this conference, all the heads of state from European countries gathered, and all of them were royal families, kings, emperors, etc. No longer the prime ministers and other heads of government cabinets in Europe, many people think this is a symbol that European royal power is once again concentrated in the royal family.

But there are also different opinions. They believe that this is because the six major countries all have strong kings participating, and it is not appropriate to send cabinet heads. Therefore, the presence of kings from small and medium-sized countries will increase the chances of reaching an agreement among the countries.

Among them is Queen Isabel II, who is not very powerful in the country.

It turned out that after the meeting, she held a secret meeting between the two countries with William IV of the Netherlands, and finally reached an agreement on military cooperation and commercial cooperation between the two countries in the Far East, including the two countries holding a quarterly conference of varying sizes in the Pacific region. Acting, and at the same time announcing that in the Far East, the two countries will understand each other's positions and coordinate the advancement and retreat of common resistance.

To put it simply, there will be an alliance between the two countries in the Far East.

This made many countries frown, especially the United Kingdom and France, where the United Kingdom was encroaching on Myanmar bit by bit. After France captured South Vietnam this year, it also began to advance towards the central Baiyue, and even began to attack from time to time. To test the Kingdom of Siam, Spain on the opposite sea actually chose the Netherlands to form an alliance. This was a signal for both countries. Obviously, the two countries expressed dissatisfaction with Britain and France.

But I don’t know if it was intentional, but Spain and the Netherlands later accepted Prussia as a member of the alliance. Prussia even announced that it had reached an agreement with the Kingdom of Siam at a price of 100,000 pounds per year. Lease the southeastern port of Kampot in Siam for 50 years.

With the announcement of this news, the Far East has received more attention from Europe.

However, this was short-lived, because William III, who was selected by the major powers to succeed the King of Greece, occupied the front page.

Most people believe that the powerful countries have lost hope in rebuilding the situation in the Balkans. Napoleon III did not seem to have done anything at this Paris Conference. In fact, inviting all countries to attend has already balanced the interests of the major powers. This is from the British Tsarist Russia, Ottomans, Austrian Prussia, etc. will all be present at the meeting.

Moreover, after this meeting, the relations between the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and Italy became worse and worse, and the Greek issue was not even satisfactorily resolved.

This is something that countries have already foreseen.

After all, after centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria and several Orthodox Slavs also began to awaken. After this meeting, they no longer satisfied their principality status and began to ask Tsarist Russia and Austria to establish a nation. nation.

This caused headaches for both countries.

But what was even more troublesome for Tsarist Russia was that after this meeting, other countries, Britain, France and even Italy, began to extend olive branches to the Ottoman Empire Sultan and expressed support for the Ottoman Empire's economic and industrial development.

At a glance, this discerning person knew that the intention of these countries was to allow a powerful Ottoman Empire to continue to prevent Tsarist Russia from going south, and the idea of ​​​​expanding to the Balkans and south to the Indian Ocean was shattered.

In short, during and after the Paris Conference, agreements between countries were scattered everywhere.

On December 20, 1862, Spain developed eastward in Western Sahara, but there were many battles with France in Mauritania over Shega.

“This location is so important because the Western Sahara desert is huge, but Shega is a key place from Western Sahara to the east and penetrates into various places, including Western Sahara in the west, Mauritania in the south, French Mali in the southeast, and French Algeria in the north.

Therefore, this place is a key location for both Spain and France to win. "

Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd sighed.

After William IV returned to Amsterdam, he couldn't wait to convene a meeting of the Privy Council.

Since the Minister of Industry, Wem Cote, the Minister of Education, Rudd Bales, the Army Chief of Staff, Jopp Iyer, and others are currently carrying out the Far East mini-cabinet process in Melbourne, the Far East, and at the same time increasing efforts for the construction of the Far East, so now this The Dutch cabinet is temporarily short of staff and has not been supplemented.

Therefore, in this meeting, in addition to Prime Minister Tolbeck, Interior Minister Jonler, Finance Minister Jan. P. Capellor, Foreign Minister Hesbert von, and Agriculture Minister Ernest Bevin, these civil servants were included.

In addition, there are also the military's Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd, Navy Minister Jan Peter, Navy Chief of Staff Joseph, and Army Minister Pedro de Jong.

Dutch Director of International Intelligence McKay Sean, Director of Royal Dutch Intelligence Bill Charlie.

Agriculture Minister Ernest Bevin: "Haisbet, Spain is now cooperating with us in the Far East, and France is cooperating with us in the Indian Ocean. Will this cause conflicts in the Dutch position?"

Hesbert Feng was stunned for a moment, and then said professionally: "No."

"Why?" Owen Bene continued to ask.

"Because all European countries are doing the same thing. Britain has had power politics with France many times in the Mediterranean and the English Channel, but in the Far East, both countries are conducting joint operations, especially in the direction of the Qing Dynasty.

In North America and Mexico, the two countries have also taken joint actions against the United States. Therefore, they cooperate locally and compete in other local areas. This is a common thing for big countries."

Following Hesbert von's explanation, many people also understood that the diplomacy of European countries is really not the same.

Haysbet Feng said worriedly: "But in comparison, the current situation in Spain is not stable. There are many factions in this country, including those who are pro-French, pro-Portugal, and pro-British.

There are also pro-Austrian factions that have severe ties with Austria. These forces are beyond the control of Isabel II. If the Netherlands is allied with Spain, can Spain help us? "

No one in Europe who cares about Spain's domestic situation doesn't understand it.

Hesbert von added: "Since Isabel II came to power in 1843, it was the time of France's great revolution, and the waves were coming one after another.

Spain's liberal opponents became increasingly powerful, and during this period, palace intrigues and changes in the Kingdom of Spain emerged one after another.

The queen had to rely on frequent changes of government to cope. In the past 20 years, Spain has changed more than 20 governments, promulgated 5 constitutions, launched 13 riots, and various sycophant groups came to power one after another.

Isabel II herself also lived an absurd and decadent life, and sometimes interfered in cabinet politics in a willful and irrational way.

Moreover, the female queen seems to have a special favor for the rebels in the army and church, which makes her even more dissatisfied in the hearts of the Spaniards and looks hateful. She has even been assassinated many times, but she narrowly escaped.

However, after experiencing military rule, the reformist Espartero came to power in 1854. Soon after, the liberals came to power due to internal discord. Anyway, these parties kept rotating, with the warlords, reformists, and liberals Once in two or three years, Spain's political ecology is stunned.

Throughout her reign, the life of the Spanish did not improve. Because the rebellious ministers and the army controlled the Spanish government, everyone was cautious about their own interests, which lowered people's expectations for Isabella II to the lowest level.

Many people hope that her reign will end soon, and that the 6-year-old Prince Alfonso will grow up quickly, inherit Spain, and lead Spain out of its predicament as soon as possible. "

Hesbertvon said to William IV: "Your Majesty, allies like this may be a burden to the Netherlands. After all, many alliance agreements between the two countries will be shaken due to the chaotic situation in the country. In terms of execution, this will also delay good opportunities.”

"That means you don't agree with the alliance between the Netherlands and Spain." William IV asked Heisbertvon and looked to the side.

In addition to Tolbeck, Mark Rudd's expression did not change. Well, there were also two intelligence directors. They knew some of William IV's situation, so they knew more inside information.

William IV smiled and looked at Mark Rudd, "My Chief of General Staff, how about you tell me what you think?"

After Mark Rudd stood up and performed the standard salute to military superiors, he said to Hesbert Feng: "Everything has good and bad. It is wrong to only see the bad side or the good side of many things. of.

I remember that when I was just a low-level officer, I once led two personal guards. One was very diligent, but not very talented in marksmanship, and the other was very talented in marksmanship, but not diligent.

The Guardsman I was looking for at that time was originally the one with excellent marksmanship, but then I chose the one with poor talent. Why, because the person with good talent likes to be tricky and compare, but in this profession , which is not consistent, although his marksmanship gives him bonus points.

People with poor talents later asked me why I chose him, and I only told him that diligence is his strongest status talent, and your ability to behave yourself is also one of my choices. "

"The Netherlands needs strong allies, which will bring us great help, but it will also create threats. On the contrary, if the Netherlands has weak allies, it will actually be a kind of protection for us. I have studied Britain, what Britain likes most is that it likes people from all walks of life. It likes to make allies in various places and help these allies deeply. It’s okay to have a strong and stable regime. Britain is very friendly.

But when it is weak, Britain will show its claws, tear this fragile ally into pieces, and seize the benefits that it has long been interested in.

Therefore, I think that His Majesty still wants to form an alliance with Spain despite knowing that Spain is in internal chaos. Even if this is not his intention, it is still the same. "

Bang bang bang bang!

Tolbeck was the first to applaud, apparently having similar ideas.

Others just woke up.

"Love and kill each other!"

William IV sighed: “Europe has never had true allies, only eternal interests.

The Philippines is great, especially the south.”

"Your Majesty, will this cause dissatisfaction from other countries, especially Spain?" Hesbertvon worried.

William IV smiled and said, "Who said we should take action first?"

"Then who will do it?"

Everyone looked at him curiously, even Tolbeck and Mark Rudd.