Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 45 The first confrontation
In the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, the confrontation between the King of the Netherlands and the Prime Minister of the British Empire continues to take place in the Royal Palace of the Netherlands.

"Believe it, why don't you believe it? I am now fighting for a way to become friends with the Prime Minister."

William I followed closely and said: "But I also need the Prime Minister's guidance as to how I should take this path."

An old man with a broad forehead, sparse hair, narrow eyes, and a half-smiling expression. Although he is sitting, he has a compelling aura.

Palmerston was like this. He said confidently: "The British Empire has always regarded the Netherlands as a friend, but the Netherlands has always been on guard against our British Empire. This is a bit unfair, isn't it, Your Majesty?"

"But the British Empire has always supported the barbaric growth of our enemies. For the Netherlands, this is undoubtedly a kind of confusion from deep inside. Is this friend worthy of trust? Prime Minister, please help us understand this. Huh?" William asked with a look of pity on his face.

"The British Empire treats the Netherlands just like it did when our two countries shared the same king. There is a feeling of brotherhood and kinship.
It's just that we were provoked by France and caused the disaster of Xiao Qiang.

Thinking about the deep brotherhood between Britain and the Netherlands back then, I feel very regretful. Just like a couple, after breaking up, there is still a chance to reunite and live together. Your Majesty, am I right? " British Prime Minister Palmerston said.

There were hidden mysteries and abstract metaphors in the banter between the two, but it made Hesbertvon and Tolbeck feel that the two were chatting about home life like an old man and a young grandson. They seemed extremely warm. , In fact, the sword is shining, and if you make a mistake, you will make mistakes every step of the way. When you are at a disadvantage, that is when your opponent takes out a dagger and stabs you deeply.

William IV did not answer, but said almost mockingly:

"But the British Empire, no matter whether it is the ex-husband or the ex-wife, has done too much and has broken the other half's heart."

"The fact that the Netherlands, a neutral and moderate country with such a key strategic position for the British Empire, can be pushed into a strategic alliance with Prussia and France is worthy of reflection by the British Empire.

Before the formation of the trilateral alliance between France, Prussia and the Netherlands, as long as one understands the strategic pattern of the European region, one can find that although the British Empire also belongs to European countries, in the European continent, it has traditionally relied mainly on the so-called English Channel and the huge sea level of the North Sea. As well as the various disputes created by the British Empire on the European continent, which affected the tense relations between the major powers, so that these major powers had no extra energy and put it on the sea to threaten the security of the British Empire, thereby consolidating British hegemony.

Not to mention the far-reaching ones, within the German Confederation alone, the British Empire created and cultivated the rapid growth of Prussia, which in turn threatened the Austrian Empire's leadership position in it, so that the Austrian Empire could no longer focus on the Mediterranean. In the struggle for hegemony, the British Empire occupied the Suez Canal alone. It must be said that the British Empire was superior."

Palmerston's color changed slightly and he stared at William IV with a burning gaze. After a long time, he said, "Your Majesty has good eyesight. Yes, the British Empire did have this plan at the beginning, and thanks to their compliments, they cooperated and ended up with me." The result of the designed path is as everyone can see now. The British Empire achieved a diplomatic victory, but speaking of which, Prussia rose.

Although relations with Austria have deteriorated, I think at this moment, William I and Prime Minister Bismarck will not complain about us giving them a chance."

"Of course not"

William IV said, "Who cares? This is just taking advantage of the situation, but when it comes to taking advantage of the situation, Viscount Palmerston is the master of taking advantage of the situation."

"Haha, you are talking about it, why are you talking about me again?" Palmerston looked like a kind old man with a smile on his face, but his heart sank slightly.

The young king in front of him was many times more powerful and more difficult to deal with than his father or even his great-grandfather.

I remember that before Belgium became independent, he and William IV's great-grandfather were negotiating in the palace in Brussels, one old and one young, like a tug-of-war, fighting for Belgium's future position. At that time, he only had He was in his early 40s, and the great-grandfather of William IV in front of him was nearly 59 years old. The latter was defeated steadily, and finally he completed the first time in his life to build a country with his own hands, and became famous in this way. He became famous in Europe in the first battle. shock the world.

Stepping on his great-grandfather and the Kingdom of the Netherlands to ascend to power has been his pride for many years, and it is also his battle to become famous.

Unexpectedly, more than 30 years later, when I returned to the Netherlands, I was 78 years old and faced a 22-year-old descendant of William I.

And in this face-to-face confrontation, it seems that he did not take any advantage.

This is not surprising. Destiny is impermanent and the world reincarnates. Is this what it is said to be?

"France, Prussia and the Netherlands officially announced the strategic alliance of the three-country agreement. This has strong geopolitical strategic significance and has a profound and far-reaching impact. It will definitely reshape the development pattern of the European continent and even the world."

William IV did not seem to see Palmerston, nor did he notice that his face was getting ugly.

"I have carefully studied traditional European political theories in the past, especially those of Napoleon I, which focused on emphasizing the strategic position of the European continent. I believe that grasping the European continent means grasping the lifeblood of the world. But using this continent as a The traditional thinking of the center is becoming increasingly outdated in the face of the emerging maritime fame, especially the maritime hegemony of the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the British Empire.
If before the 18th century, the well-known development axis of the Mediterranean had far surpassed the strength of the European continent, then starting from the 19th century, the prosperity and stability on both sides of the Atlantic must be the strongest progress and development in the entire world in this century or even the next century. engine. "

Palmerston was seen listening quietly, and Hesbert Feng and others were also listening carefully.

William IV pointed directly at the British Empire and said: “For this reason, the Netherlands was defeated by Britain at sea in the 17th and 18th centuries, and France was defeated by Britain in the English Channel and the Mediterranean.

Prussia will probably learn from these lessons and clearly predict what kind of difficulties it will encounter in the future. Although the three countries have occasional disputes and conflicts, in terms of overall geostrategy, the three countries have undoubtedly made the right decision. , that is, the strategic focus and center of gravity will be decisively shifted to the direction of the western Atlantic and Baltic Sea. This does not mean that the European continent is not important, but that when facing major strategic decisions, the three countries will put the first priority in maritime development and expand maritime security. The first, and the first, of the sea against the hegemony of other nations. "

As William IV's firsts hit one after another, Palmerston's heart was filled with emotions. This huge wave suddenly came so fast that it suffocated him.

Hesbert and Feng also heard this with excitement.That's it, this kind of Dutch king is so similar to the king whose national anthem is "Ode to William".

(End of this chapter)