Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 1157 Germany can expand its influence in the Mediterranean
The Germans will definitely be interested in carving up Latin America. Even if there are now two regimes in France that are busy fighting internal battles, they still know that the Third French Republic cannot be absent from this feast that people in Latin America are currently having.

A unified France is now not in the interest of the German Empire, and a unified France is also not in the interest of the United Kingdom. The English Channel is too small, even the Atlantic Ocean is not big, and the European continent is a bit crowded and cannot accommodate so many powerful countries domineering on this road. .

If France is unified now, then Germany will immediately be France's first enemy to guard against. But now France is divided, so the German Empire should be very interested.

However, Messip also understood that Bismarck was not someone who could be speculated casually.

At least, the other party may not act according to your guess.

Because Bismarck's diplomatic style was unpredictable and elusive.

Messip also knows how difficult the opponent is.

Bismarck was moved when he heard that Mesip proposed increasing the entry of industrial products from the German Empire into the Republic of Southern France.

The German Empire is currently second only to the Netherlands and the British Empire in terms of comprehensive industrial strength. In terms of army, the country will not admit that it is lagging behind others, but in terms of naval strength, Germany has to admit that it is obviously lagging behind the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The performance of the Dutch naval warships is outstanding, and the updates are staggering. As an important official in the south after the division of France, the French Third Republic also has Mediterranean naval bases and fleets such as Corsica and the Port of Marseille, so it has a better understanding of how much the navy needs. Awesome industrial technology.

The British Empire leads the world in terms of tonnage, but it cannot match the Dutch Navy in terms of the latest warship and submarine technology.

But it's just a comparison with the Netherlands. The British navy is actually much more powerful than the warships of Germany, France and other navies.

Especially in terms of steam battleship performance, the two countries are much more advanced than other countries.

And the number of steam battleships is also more than other countries.

Therefore, the German Empire is a country with great ambitions. This is what President Thiers specifically told him before he came to Berlin. Bismarck is the chief organizer and the core figure in the implementation of the ambitions of the German Empire.

If you want to impress Bismarck, you must help the German Empire to become a strong country. The French Third Republic can only help the German Empire in this regard. The most important role is naturally to help the German Empire's warships carry out operations in the Mediterranean. Stop at Marseille and Corsica, but don’t go out at this step unless absolutely necessary. After all, it is difficult to lure a wolf into the house but to drive it away.

But ordinary French people are more disgusted with this.

So President Thiers told him this and would not make concessions at the moment.

Others, so negotiate, for example, Messip just proposed to lower the threshold for German industrial products to enter southern France and allow Germany to expand the export of industrial products. This is something that tempted Bismarck.

Now the world's largest exporter of industrial products is the Netherlands. The network of allies woven by the Netherlands has enabled the rapid sale of German industrial products in the Netherlands.

Countries impose very low import taxes on Dutch industrial products, allowing the Netherlands to account for more than 40% of global export trade.

The UK, which originally ranked first, has dropped to 17%, and Germany is third, but only 12%. If the Republic of South France opens its market to Germany, it will definitely be a huge gift for the German Empire. According to the predictions of "European Times" , if each country can open and occupy the southern French market, then each country's global export share will increase by 2-4 percentage points, which will allow Germany to challenge the United Kingdom's status as the second largest exporter of industrial products.

How could this dissuade Bismarck. Messip was not surprised that Thiers figured out Germany's reality.

Thiers has been involved in French politics for many years and has communicated with the German side for many years. As a figure who supports Germany, he has been communicating with Napoleon III in France for many years. Therefore, if he does not know everything about Germany, he at least knows the direction that Germany needs to develop now. Have some understanding.

Therefore, he was sent to Berlin this time with sincerity, but more importantly, he was prepared to use this to leverage Berlin's support for the Lyon government.

"Napoleon III is currently showing that he is determined to win in the south, and we are afraid that it will be difficult to stop him. As a wise man in Germany, the Prime Minister should understand that if we fail, it will represent a strategic failure for Germany, because Napoleon will not let go of revenge on the German prisoners. His shame.

On the contrary, the existence of the Lyon government can effectively offset the threat from Paris to Berlin. We can consume more energy from Paris, allowing Berlin to calmly make more actions in accordance with the Prime Minister's plan. "

Messip said with an unnatural tone on his face: "The Lyon government is willing to support the expansion of the German Empire's influence. One day in the future, we can even cooperate to expand the German Empire's presence in the Mediterranean."

Messip threw out the bait.

Bismarck's calm face finally showed emotion.

Of course, no one knows whether this is true or revealed intentionally.

Bismarck stared at Messip closely and said: "According to your government's wishes, what should we do to expand our influence in the Mediterranean."

Asking for it yourself is no better than having it delivered to your door automatically.

There is no European country that is not greedy for the Mediterranean. If it does not become a stakeholder in the Mediterranean, then it is false to say that it is a power in Europe.

Look at the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, France, and the British Empire after the British occupied Gibraltar. These countries undoubtedly rose to become great powers after they gained significant influence in the Mediterranean.

Although the Tsarist Empire was powerful, it was only on land. Like the German Empire, it was also locked in the Baltic Sea.

However, the Tsarist Empire spanned the Eurasian continent, while the German Empire was limited to Europe. Therefore, if it could appear in the Mediterranean, a arena where great powers compete intensively for influence, then the German Empire would be considered a complete power.

Thinking of this, Bismarck couldn't help but sigh. He was indeed not a simple person who could fight with Napoleon III for more than ten years. He was so aware of current affairs and knew how to make choices. This should not be underestimated.

Even Bismarck became wary of this guy.

If Napoleon III is overthrown and this guy completely unifies France, it may not be a good thing for the German Empire.

Even more difficult than the Second French Empire under Napoleon III.

However, Bismarck was not prepared to give up the immediate benefits.

Messip looked at the tempted Bismarck and said: "If the relationship between the two countries is closer and we gain more trust, we can allow German warships to dock in Corsica."