Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 52 Prussia’s Near and Far Worries

"Third, there is a lack of reliable allies. In recent years, apart from the trilateral agreement signed by the Netherlands, Prussia and France, the Netherlands and France have also signed a customs clearance agreement, allowing goods from Prussia's Southern Rhine Province to pass through the Dutch seaport. Sales of industrial products.

In addition to the two countries, Prussia also signed a non-aggression agreement with Sweden to stabilize the Nordic powers across the Baltic Sea.

These agreements provided Prussia with the same treatment as its equal allies in these countries.

However, when it came to Austria and Tsarist Russia, Prussia wanted to ensure its strategic independence, but it did not sign a military agreement with the two countries.

Therefore, once Prussia encounters military difficulties, it cannot obtain ally-like help and support from other countries, and the same is true for the Prussian-British partnership.

Therefore, since Prussia enjoys the flexible policy of having both sides in its diplomacy, it will inevitably lose a certain degree of reliability. After all, in general, Prussia benefits more from the diplomatic situation of having both sides.

I believe that as long as Bismarck does not play his good cards too badly, Prussia, an emerging power, is very likely to develop into a major European power that can keep pace with the five super-powerful empires: the British Empire, the Russian Empire, the French Empire, the Austrian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. . "

"His Majesty is so optimistic about Prussia. Can we invest more political capital in him?"

The speaker was former Prime Minister Rocusson, whose conservative characteristics were fully evident. "France is very ambitious. Having another Prussia will make the relationship with the Netherlands closer. It is always better for the Netherlands."

William responded: "Of course, our ambassador to Prussia, Mr. Ambassador Pearson, is now in Prussia and should be negotiating with Bismarck on behalf of the deep friendship between the two countries."

"Pearson has started"

Except for Prime Minister Tolbeck and Foreign Minister Hesbert von, everyone else was stunned.

Even the two of them, including Rocusson, looked astonished.

Pearson is no ordinary character.

He performed many miracles that shocked the Dutch.

In 1857, at the age of nearly 22, he graduated from Leiden University with the highest academic credits. He was an unrivaled leader.

Even the top leaders of Leiden University lamented that his departure was a huge loss to Leiden University.

Many people ask why?
Because the answer is that after he left, Leiden University disappeared from the national spotlight.

Sure enough, gold will shine wherever it goes.

In August of the same year, he passed the exam with high scores and entered the Dutch diplomatic community. He rose through the ranks. On February 8, 1858, at the age of 2, he broke the historical record of the Netherlands and became the Minister of the Principality of Württemberg at the age of 1. In charge of all affairs of the Netherlands in the Duchy of Württemberg.

At that time, the relationship between Württemberg and the Netherlands changed greatly, and the two countries even openly became allies. For a time, Pilsen's name began to spread throughout the South German Confederation.

A few months later, in December 1858, Pearson was transferred to the Grand Duchy of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach, but this time it was an open task, which was to improve relations between the two countries and to help the Netherlands and Saxony-Weimar at the same time. - Delivered messages between the royal family of the Grand Duke of Eisenach and worked as a postman.

It turns out that the Dutch royal family is the same as the Grand Duchy of Saxony. The then Queen Mother of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach, Maria Pavlovna, was also the daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia, but she was the third daughter in line, while the Dutch The then Queen Mother Anna Pavlovna was the sixth among the daughters of Paul I.

The two are biological sisters, and among Paul I's many children, they are the only surviving children of Paul I since the death of their brother Tsar Nicholas I in 1855.

Due to the close proximity of the two places, the two were the closest to many sisters and brothers. In the end, the two even got closer. Maria Pavlovna's son, Karl Alexander, married his sister-in-law Annapa in 1842. Wlovna's only daughter and the only Princess Sophie of the Netherlands, Carl Alexander inherited the position of Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in 1853.

For this reason, the relationship between the Netherlands and Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach, with the operation of Pilsen, reached the level of allies.

In 1860, he left the rank of minister of the principality and became the ambassador of the Dutch embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. That year he was only 25 years old.

He became the ambassador of a kingdom for the first time and became the focus of everyone in the Netherlands. However, it is not known what kind of tasks he has completed, except for a few people at the top of the Netherlands.

But since then, his legend has spread among the upper echelons of the British Empire.

In January 1862, he was promoted to the Dutch ambassador to Prussia by the new King William IV. Pearson became the ambassador of a large country for the first time.

Therefore, many people know that as long as he continues to make achievements, the Dutch Foreign Minister will be in his pocket soon.

However, he is not without opponents. Age is both an advantage and a disadvantage. However, being young always has more opportunities than others.

Michael Davis, ambassador to the British Empire, was born in 1830.

Calvin Colin, the ambassador to the Russian Empire, was born in 1825 and was also an opponent.

In short, Pearson is a person who even amazed the Dutch Privy Council. How could he keep a low profile in Prussia?
Kingdom of Prussia, Berlin!

"Your Majesty, Prussia lacks reliable and strong allies. Although Prussia has developed rapidly in recent years, especially compared with Austria, it is far behind.

Most of the latter countries in the German Confederation are supporting Austria and regard Prussia as an aloof rebel. They include the Kingdom of Saxony, the Kingdom of Bavaria, the Principality of Baden, the Kingdom of Hanover, the Principality of Hesse-Kassel, Hesse-Darmstadt

The only ones supporting Prussia were the Principalities of Oldenburg, Mechelenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Braunschweig.However, the attitude of the Netherlands is ambiguous, but some time ago, Württemberg and Luxembourg, the Netherlands' allies in the German Confederation, came out to support Prussia.

It shocked the German Confederation. Apparently, the influence of the Netherlands frightened the German Confederation.

In addition, the Kingdom of Italy, which recently changed its name from Sardinia, is also quarreling with Austria over the ownership of Venice. Therefore, the Kingdom of Italy has stated that it will maintain a close relationship with the Kingdom of Prussia. "

"Has there been a change in the positions of those big powers?" Proxy war is what the British Empire wants to see most. The German Confederation is densely populated. If any principality or kingdom is bribed by a big country and then sows discord within it, the consequences will be disastrous. William I was worried.

Bismarck could understand Wilhelm I's concerns.

Compared with other big countries, Prussia's national power is not as good as that of other big countries. If you say it is a big country, it is a bit like it, but if you say it is a medium power, it is far superior to the other country.

Therefore, what Prussia feared most at that time was that a big country would act as a drag on Prussia's growth.

One Austria has already caused them a headache, and another one will be devastating.

"According to our observation, except for Austria, no other big country has any intention of intervening in the fight between us and Austria,"

Speaking of this, Bismarck's serious face couldn't help but reveal a slight smile, and Bismarck said:

“Due to the failure of the Crimean War, the Tsarist Empire blamed Austria for not helping Tsarist Russia in the first place, so the relationship between the two countries is not good now.

Napoleon III of France believed that we were far from Austria's opponent, so he thought that France's help was redundant, so he didn't bother to pay attention to us.

France, in particular, has always liked tricks that benefit the fishermen. Maybe just waiting for us and Austria to suffer losses, he can take the opportunity to seize the territory near the Rhine River that he has coveted for a long time."

"But" Bismarck hesitated.

William I was very curious. Bismarck, who always did things without leaving any traces and was always personable and untroubled by problems in front of him, actually showed hesitation in front of him for the first time.

It seems that things are not simple.

He didn't push him, he could wait just like he didn't get discouraged after being rejected by Bismarck again and again, and he didn't feel any loss of face.

He believed in Bismarck, and the other party was his support.

Bismarck finally expressed his concerns and doubts.

"Your Majesty, the Netherlands has been too restless recently."

Seeing William I listening quietly, Bismarck knew that it was time for him to speak again, but he had no choice, so he said: "Since the new king William IV came to power, every time he did something, it was surprising, and his moves were always in the name of The unexpected method is used, which makes people feel a bit dazzled.”

"In the trilateral agreement between the Netherlands, France and Prussia, the outside world is saying that the Netherlands is just a foil, but only we know that the Netherlands is actually the leader. The effect is that it leads a big country. Has your Majesty seen it?"

William I shook his head: "Listening to your reminder, it does sound weird."

Bismarck's eyes shone with horror,
"Moreover, I suspect that we are all the focus of his diversion. In fact, he is secretly eating the results behind his back, such as the plundering of Pacific islands. There is also the war to resist Britain and aid the United States that has been advertised in the media recently.

This step by step has made me discover that the influence of the Netherlands has reached the point where it is not afraid of the British Empire, and its foundation is to shape us who are afraid to move under the British Empire. "

William I was not a simple person, but after listening to Bismarck's reminder just now, he had already figured out the ins and outs.

"What a trilateral agreement alliance. I have never suffered such a big loss when I was young. Except for the last time when Tsarist Russia helped Austria, my eldest brother Frederick William IV signed the Treaty of Olmitz, which made the entire Prussia Apart from being humiliated, I have never suffered such a big loss.

I didn’t expect that I would be plotted by a boy at such an old age. Well, what a great William IV, I want to see how the Netherlands can achieve anything without the support of Prussia.”

"Wait a minute." Seeing William I's dissatisfaction, Bismarck said: "Your Majesty, since we have discovered the problem, we might as well summon the representatives of the Netherlands here, or let the Netherlands give us an explanation and compensation. This is the solution. way"

William I's dissatisfaction disappeared in an instant, gone as quickly as it came, and there was a smile on his face.

Bismarck felt contempt in his heart for a while, and then reminded: "That Pearson is a person. Your Majesty, if you want to see him later, be careful."

"Originally I didn't want to see him, but now I have changed my mind. Wait a minute, I want to see what kind of character the person who even our Prussian Prime Minister is worried about is. I want to give him a try. "

Bismarck couldn't help but smile, so after ordering someone to invite Pearson, the two chatted about other issues while waiting.

Bismarck was vaguely looking forward to the next meeting, and for some reason, he was looking forward to it a little more.

Can that little guy withstand William I's moves?
　Chapter 2, please continue to vote if you have votes. I say shamelessly, even a reward of 100 starting coins is acceptable. There are too few fans.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)