Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 78 How could this be it!

"What! Shepstone commanded a mixture of 1 regular troops and 1000 indigenous troops. They were defeated when they attacked the Zulu Kingdom. Less than 2000 people escaped back to the British colonies.

Except for the remaining 4300 people who were captured, all the others died in the war. Shep Stone is really a waste. It was in vain that we arranged such a lucrative job for him. Now, it has caused us great harm. "

Queen Victoria now wants to kill Shep Stone. The Governor of the Cape of Good Hope actually did this. This is not to give people who are dissatisfied with the current government cabinet and the royal family an excuse to expel him and him. Attack them?

"Things are getting more and more confusing now. Russell and Your Majesty the Viscount, how can you say that the Zulu Kingdom is so bold and dares to challenge the British?

What is he planning to do? Aren't they afraid of arousing our anger and causing the entire UK to use all its strength to directly wipe out all their citizens from the entire world? "

The 43-year-old Queen Victoria was slightly plump because she had given birth to nine children, so when she slapped the table angrily, she showed a hint of coquettishness, and said angrily with a red face on her round face.

During this period of time, she was overwhelmed by the civil strife in Belgium, the alliance between France and the Netherlands, and the Dutch-Russian territorial trade. These had already forced her to stand up and face these challenges less than three months after losing her husband.

These things originally made her dissatisfied, but now even a small indigenous country has the courage to declare war on the majestic British Empire. All British people, including her, have used up the anger they had been holding back during this period. It exploded at this moment.

So Shep Stone's attack was agreed to at that time, but in less than 10 days, the 11000 British soldiers formed an army, and it was as if they were sent to be massacred, and they were easily destroyed.

It is a disgrace to the British Empire.

What also made her dissatisfied was that other European countries treated the British disastrous defeat in southern Africa with a mocking tone in their news reports. This was something that Queen Victoria had been promoting It is inconsistent with European policies.

This was another blow to her.

She absolutely does not want to see a connected and united continental alliance, because this is the biggest threat and nightmare for the isolated British Isles overseas.

In short, when she thinks about this now, she feels a headache.

Now that I think about what happened recently, it seems that William IV has a lot to do with it, so my previous favorable impression of the Netherlands has also diminished.

As Her Majesty the Queen of the British Empire, Queen Victoria could only complain. She thought for a moment, looked at Defense Secretary William Mitt next to her, and said, "How is our military strength in southern Africa now?"

Mitte had already memorized this by heart. Listening to Queen Victoria's question, he responded with a solemn expression unique to soldiers: "Originally there were 1 regular troops and 5 indigenous troops, but now there are only 3000 left behind. There are about 5000 people who escaped from Minghe, a total of 2000 regular troops, plus 7000 indigenous troops, a total of 2000 troops."

"Where are the indigenous troops of the Zulu Kingdom?"

Hearing the Queen's question, Mitte sighed: "The Zulu Kingdom lost less than 1500 people in this battle."

Speaking of this, the Queen, Prime Minister Palmerston and Foreign Secretary Russell all looked unhappy.

He silently mourned his comrades in the army, and continued to sigh: "The Zulu Kingdom's army has 3 people, and they all participated in the war this time."

"In other words, we lost the war when it was 1 to 3?"

Queen Victoria finally looked better after hearing the comparison of the number of people participating in the war. Fortunately, it was one to three, so it was not too embarrassing to lose.

However, when she thought that Southern Africa had suddenly lost its military strength, her anger did not weaken at all.

But she was helpless, because when she thought about it for a moment, she thought of the mood of the British people. What the people of the British Empire now want most is to win a big victory, so as to restore the country's prestige and prevent the British from being ridiculed by people from all over Europe. .

Originally, the British had been the object of envy, the object of flattery, and the object of treatment with caution when they walked on the soil of various European countries over the years. Now, with the feedback she received, Europeans began to no longer respect the British as before. , has been delegated to an equal position.

"If this incident in the Zulu Kingdom is not handled well, the government may collapse, and our royal family will also suffer a huge risk of reputational damage. Everyone, here are the most far-sighted people in our British Empire. Now is the time It’s time for you to serve me and the country, please tell me what you think.”

"Your Majesty, I think there is something fishy about this incident."

It was Russell who spoke, and Russell's gloomy face said:

"The Zulu Kingdom actually chose to kill all the negotiators when we sent people to negotiate with him. It's such a contradiction. It's unreasonable to think about it. , full of contradictions.”

"What do you mean?" The angry Queen Victoria was suddenly awakened and realized something was wrong.Yes, the Zulu Kingdom has always been respectful to the British before, fearing that the British would destroy them. Now, surprisingly, it is surprising that it has taken the initiative to attack the British. This is really an incredible move.

"Your Majesty, I think there must be something inside this. It's not that we know the inside story."

John Russell: "Many people are dissatisfied with us. Maybe our opponents will provoke the Zulu Kingdom to challenge the authority of the British Empire. It is not impossible."

Suck!
Suck!

Everyone was shocked by Russell's idea. Is there a country that has secretly attacked Britain?

is it possible?Who doesn't know that Britain is the most powerful country in the world? If that country dares to be so presumptuous and provoke Britain, isn't that looking for death?

Only an indigenous kingdom like the Zulu Kingdom would do such a thing.

How dare European countries do this?

So these questions were all asked in front of Russell.

However, he replied: "Of course one country would not dare, but what if there are three countries?"

Hearing this, everyone including Queen Victoria was shocked by his guess.

France, Prussia and the Netherlands in the Tripartite Agreement?

"They actually cooperated to this extent?" Queen Victoria asked gloomily.

But who is Russell? He is a famous British politician who once served as the British Prime Minister. He, Palmerston, Stanley and Peel of the Tory Party are known as the Four Kings of Britain, and they are the trendsetters in British politics in the past 30 years. , they controlled the development path of Britain. Even Queen Victoria could only learn politics from them. These four people could be called her real mentors. Russell was famous for his political sensitivity.

Viscount Palmerston spoke slowly at this time: "Nothing is impossible in this world. Even a figure like Napoleon I has been defeated, let alone a contract that has been signed in black and white."

"Your Majesty, we'd better prepare as soon as possible. These three countries will be the challenge for Britain in the next period of time."

"Then I don't know how your Excellency, the Viscount, is going to respond?"

Palmerston did not answer, but gave the opportunity to Russell next to him.

Russell understood, "British balance of power diplomacy will not change. This has been the basis of the Tories and Whigs' foreign policy for decades, and we should naturally continue to uphold it.

However, since these three countries have formed an alliance, in order to check and balance them, we in the UK can also let other alliances deal with them, fight fire with fire, and continue to balance the power of the European continent."

"Then I don't know who Mr. Russell's balance of power partner is. You must know that these three countries are not weak in strength?" The speaker was Defense Minister Mitt.

Russell asked: "How about Austria?"

Mitte: "Austria is naturally good, but there are more advantages than the disadvantages. Austria is stronger than Prussia, but France is slightly better."

Russell smiled and said: "Then there is also Italy, which relies on the support of our British Empire and has changed its name from the Kingdom of Sardinia this year, and has almost unified the Apennine Peninsula."

"It remains to be seen how powerful Italy is, but I guess it won't be as good as Prussia. But don't forget Mr. Russell, Italy and Austria are still quarreling over Venice.

Based on my many years of experience in the military, I estimate that the Kingdom of Italy should be about the same strength as the Netherlands. If it wants to defeat this tripartite agreement, it still needs a country that can defeat France."

When Russell heard this, his eyes became stern, and he said the name of the third country in an astonishing way. Everyone present was shocked after hearing this.

How could it be it!

(End of this chapter)