Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 96 Danetang’s Highlights
Since 1862, violent incidents have broken out in various provinces of Belgium due to floods that have continuously caused losses to the people, causing hundreds of casualties to the people and police. This is an unprecedented challenge for Belgium, and is currently being "invaded" by the armies of the Netherlands and France. Entering the country to support the rebels caused panic in the Belgian government.

Belgium has a land area of ​​more than 3 square kilometers. Now after two sides and three sides have been occupied, only 40% of the area remains.

The population is about 270 million, but as the five provinces broke away from Belgian management, the population loss has now reached 60%, leaving only 40%.

Only about 40% of the area is left. In particular, the three French-speaking provinces in the south broke away from Belgium, leaving only the province of Liege. And because half of the eastern half of the province has declared its surrender to Prussia, only half of the province is left. .

There are two provinces in the northern Dutch-speaking area. Although they are small in area, their population accounts for 30% of Belgium. Nearly 90 people directly become the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, thus turning the Netherlands into a country with a population of 700 million.

Since breaking away from the Kingdom of Belgium and establishing itself as a kingdom in 1830, Leopold I has been king and has been in charge of the Kingdom of Belgium for 32 years. Even though he recently intended to cultivate his son Crown Prince Leopold and gradually delegated power to him, he still persisted. Military power and diplomatic affairs are in personal control.

However, as the floods aroused the anger of the people, he arrogantly did not take them seriously. In order to restore peace, Leopold I even claimed that these people were caused by external forces. On the other hand, he even wanted to It is necessary to dissolve many local governments and use a direct management model to manage the country.

Since most of the people's anger was directed at Prime Minister Alban in front of the stage, and even slowly turned towards the Leopold family due to inaction, Leopold I became nervous, so he started to "show off" at that time, The intention was to restore public opinion, but by this time it was already too late.

In the end, he was killed by the people.

After Leopold II came to the throne, he had not yet started to sit in the hot seat. Now there is an acute problem of five provinces seceding from Belgium almost at the same time, and the three surrounding powers are all beneficiaries. Although the British Empire supports Belgium, it is far away from Belgium. Unable to save the situation, Belgium finally compromised.

Especially when Harmony and the Russian Empire chose to support the Netherlands, he already knew that there was nothing he could do.

On May 1862, 5, Leopold II began to send envoys to the three countries to seek a compromise on foreign policy, expressing conditional agreement that the eastern part of Liege, a five-province country, would withdraw from Belgium. The condition was that the three countries would no longer interfere in Belgium's domestic affairs. .

Although the UK initially disagreed, when the Belgian protagonists finally made concessions, the UK had no choice but to push forward the negotiations.

Finally, including the new King of Belgium Leopold II, French Prime Minister Olivier, Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck, Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck, British Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston, and the new King and Interim Prime Minister of Belgium Leopold The Five IIs, on May 1862, 5, officially announced the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris on May 10, [-], which stipulated that the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, and Luxembourg in the Kingdom of Belgium would become French territory, and the eastern part of Liège Province would become Prussian territory. The provinces of Antwerp and Limburg are Dutch territories.

Belgium's current land area is West Flanders (Dutch), East Flanders (Dutch), Flanders Brabant (Dutch), Walloon Brabant (French), Western Liege Province (French) and Brussels-Capital Region (Dutch-French).

The combined population structure of the French-speaking population was originally about 40%, but now only 25% remains.Dutch has further reached 60%, and the rest are other languages ​​or bilingual.

In order to stabilize the domestic situation, Leopold II stated that Belgium's general election would continue and directly stated that he would not interfere in their campaign.However, compared to the previous one, Merant's advantage instantly became a strange reversal in the eyes of the people. Joseph Beit shrank by almost one-third, because the only province that supported him was Flanders Brabant. the eastern part of the province and the western part of the province of Liège.Merant originally said that out of the four provinces, only Walongbant Province was left.

As for Journe Danetant's original disadvantage, only the provinces of West Flanders, East Flanders and Flanders Brabant competed with Joseph Beit at half and half. Danetant only had to maintain With the current basic support, he has already locked in the results of the general election on May 5 in advance, and the position of prime minister is already within his grasp.

As the five countries signed the contract, no one would have thought of this scene, but now it is strange. The winner, besides the French Empire, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Prussia, the biggest winner turned out to be Jules Dardenne. Don?
In fact, while everyone was still wondering whether Merante, the second most popular candidate, had a chance to make a comeback, Danetang was still not satisfied. He actually acted preemptively and contacted Joseph Beit's campaign team in private. On May 5, they jointly held a press conference and announced that Joseph Beit would give up running for the Belgian Prime Minister this term. In order to unite the Belgian Liberal Party and prevent the Catholic Party's Merant from taking advantage of the situation due to the scattered votes, he would seize the position. As the Liberal Party was in power, he fully supported Jules Danetang's candidacy for prime minister.

Danetang strongly supports Joseph Beit's candidacy for the position of Senate President on August 8. The two said they would work closely to maintain domestic stability in the Kingdom of Belgium and expressed support for Leopold II. The king's position was secure.

Leopold II also expressed his gratitude and expressed congratulations. After the election results come out, a major state meeting will be held.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the royal family has chosen a side.The election of Giorda Netang is already a certainty.

Merante was helpless.

"My son, he is indeed getting better and better."

In the palace of the Duke of Luxembourg, the former King of the Netherlands and the current Grand Duke of Luxembourg, William III, looked towards the west, where it seemed to be Amsterdam. He seemed to see the office where he once sat, with his eldest son Henry sitting on it. Derek, now His Majesty William IV, is discussing the future development of the Netherlands with many Dutch ministers. At the same time, he is also celebrating the recent progress of the Netherlands, winning many times.

But his joy was only momentary.

Although his son had only succeeded to the throne for half a year, and his achievements made him envious, it also reflected from the side that Hendrick was too outstanding, and as a result, others would be jealous.

"However, if you are not envied by others, you are a mediocre person. This does not need to be taken to heart. However, the British Empire has suffered such a big loss this time. Based on my temper towards Queen Victoria and the important ministers in London, I will definitely participate this time. There will be no good fruits to eat if Hendrik can withstand the anger of Britain, only then will he be sure that the Netherlands and he will truly form a general trend. Otherwise, it will be in vain. However, he actually chose to form an alliance with Sweden. , are there any considerations?"

William III was thinking puzzledly, but he just didn't quite understand. He smiled bitterly and said: "I also heard that he is still pushing me to become the king of the Kingdom of Greece. This kid, it seems, doesn't want to see me idle. What a bastard. Unfilial little guy, but I like it."

(PS: The first volume of the Belgian Storm is over, the next chapter of the second volume begins)
(End of this chapter)