Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1819 Europa Universalis ([-])

"Envoy Gao, I'm glad to see you come to see me, although I seem to be in a mess recently." In a villa on the outskirts of Amsterdam, Konrad Van Beuningen said with a wry smile.

This is his home, but he will only live there for a short time.Because in about a month, he may have to pack his bags and go to Berlin to serve as an ambassador, leaving the power center completely, which is also a very bitter thing to say.However, he could not refuse the appointment, because the Prince of Orange had a good reason: as the traditional ally Sweden and the United Provinces moved further and further, the importance of Brandenburg-Prussia, a very active thug, was increasing day by day, so Berlin There is an urgent need for a veteran diplomat to fight for the interests of the United Provinces.

With this big hat off, even if Van Boyningen is reluctant in his heart, he has nothing to say on the bright side.The country needs you now, if you continue to push back, then the Orange faction will naturally make a big publicity, and your reputation will plummet, so you think that whatever you do or say, the effect will not be as great as before.Therefore, knowing that going to serve as the ambassador to Berlin would be detrimental to his future, Van Beuningen still had to go.

"We recently searched for the East India Company's 17-member committee again, but failed again." After finding a chair, Gao Wen just sat down, spread his hands towards Van Boyningen, and said: " I don’t remember how many times I’ve approached the East India Company, but each time I’ve had little success. Personally, I think it’s not that the East India Company didn’t help. My business partners made insinuations, but they were rejected every time. I heard that the biggest resistance to this matter was the Prince of Orange. Well, to be honest, I don’t know where he got so much resentment. Speaker Vitte, let him return to the United Provinces, and he did not hesitate to offend many people."

"Then there is no way. Moreover, I am afraid that Mr. John DeWitt does not want to return to the United Provinces by being pardoned. Because that means that his charges have not been cleared, but he has only been pardoned from punishment. What's more, the only person who has the right to pardon him is his lifelong enemy, and he will not agree to such an unseemly way." Konrad van Beuningen said: "Now, the only way is to mobilize the provincial courts and let It submitted a motion to retry the case."

"Is it possible? If seven provinces send at least two judges at the same time, I don't think there is any chance. Friesland, Groningen and other Orange factions have a great advantage, so I'm afraid they won't agree to do so." ?" Gao Wengang signaled to the secretary to light a cigarette for himself with a match, and after spitting out a smoke circle leisurely, he said: "If there is really no chance, what are you going to do? You can't let the Orange faction get it. You now have an advantage in the councils of many cities, and the power in the provincial councils is also increasing, so you should work hard in this direction. If you need anything, you can come to I, you know our position, the East Coast Republic of China likes to deal with a government dominated by republicans, and we can provide necessary help for this."

Konrad van Beuningen thanked him politely.However, when he heard that he could seek help from the East Bank, he inexplicably thought of the scene of "help" flying bayonets at the gate of Gwanpot Prison, and couldn't help shivering for a while.Of course, he also knows that the republicans now need the help of the people on the east coast, especially in the next war that may break out, if the army from the east coast republic of China can stand by their side without hesitation, it will be a great favor for the republicans Merit, which is very helpful in improving their situation.

"Shall we have dinner together?" Van Boyningen also asked the servant to bring matches, shredded tobacco and a pipe, intending to have a good time.Since the East and the Netherlands signed an agreement on the sale of the Dutch South African Colony (the Netherlands sold it to the East Bank at a price of 20 guilders), the political climate between the two countries has eased, and non-governmental technical exchanges and commercial cooperation have also resumed , although the scale is still very limited, but it has indeed recovered somewhat. For example, the matches that Van Boyningen took out at the moment were imported from the east coast in the past year. After all, there is no second company on this planet that can provide such things as matches. .

"No, thank you." Gao Wen just waved his hand and said, "Actually, I just came to see you. At this time when I'm about to leave the country, I think it's more appropriate to spend more of your time with your family. As for my arrangements for the afternoon and evening, I will entertain a few distinguished guests from Russia in the embassy, ​​if you are interested, you can also come over."

Speaking of which, since the normalization of the relationship with the Netherlands—it was only a normalization, and if you think about it with your toes, you know that you can’t go back to the past—Gao Wen has just set up his office in Amsterdam, after all, here It is the center of Europe, where people of all colors gather, and it is very convenient to negotiate business and inquire about news.

For example, Gao Wengang only spent less than 3 yuan from the accounts, and obtained a lot of first-hand information about the "Hino Peace Treaty": "Hino Peace Treaty" was signed at the beginning of this year (1680), It was aimed at ending the great melee on the European continent caused by the Franco-Dutch War.In this peace treaty, the French won a big victory. Not only did Franche-Comté, Lorraine and other places get into their hands, but also the Southern Netherlands, which had been coveted for many years, was also eaten by them. In terms of the territory obtained during the last inheritance transfer war, the ten provinces of the Southern Netherlands have been eaten away by the French a lot, and it may be swallowed up at any time—it is worth mentioning that, as the Eastern Route The main force of the German coalition at a certain stage (before the Prussians arrived on the front line), Charles V, Duke of Lorraine, had also obtained the power to take back the principality, but because he couldn't bear the French's right to garrison troops, he refused to sign the peace treaty. Therefore, the Principality of Lorraine continued to be occupied by the French army, and it was also interesting that Charles V became the famous "Landless King".

The Dutch were not without gains in this war.Although its land was severely damaged during the war, King Louis XIV of France gave the Dutch a low tariff and preferential tax rate that they had not been willing to pay for many years before the war broke out, and opened the door to the import of Dutch goods, which made Dutch businessmen They were overjoyed, and then continued to push the government to agree to various conditions of the French and reach a peace treaty as soon as possible. Of course, this is also one of the goals of the French. It seems that both sides get what they need, which is a win-win situation.

In other countries, Sweden, an army powerhouse, was shamefully defeated at the feet of the Prussians during the war (Felbeling War), Skåne was also recovered by Denmark, and the weak navy was completely wiped out on the island of Åland.Although they returned the territory occupied by the Prussian army during the war through the peace agreement (this part of the territory was also the land that Prussia was forced to cede when Sweden beat Prussia 30 years ago), they also took back Skåne through the threat of war, but the weak situation It's already clear at a glance, but they still have a lot of interests in this country, and I'm afraid they will have to bear it in the future. Prussia and Russia are not good troubles.

It was undoubtedly the Spaniards who suffered the most in the war.They almost lost Franche-Comté, Lorraine and other places completely, and the tax-heavy southern Netherlands continued to shrink. Sicily was also ravaged by the French army.Gao Wengang was very strange sometimes. Doesn’t Spain understand what it means to “hide your strengths and bide your time”?Constantly dying all day, constantly teasing the French, constantly being rioted, and constantly losing land, is simply a model of death and a synonym for mental retardation.

In addition to the Kingdom of Spain, the interests of some participating countries were ignored.For example, Brandenburg-Kingdom of Prussia, they participated in most of the wars, killed and injured many soldiers, spent a lot of money (the little money provided by the Dutch was not enough to spend), and in the end they failed to recover West Pomeranian Asian homeland.The German princes also opposed the peace negotiation because the war was not carried out on their own territory and the losses were not large. In addition, they were afraid of the threat of Louis XIV.Denmark, disaffected by their failure to regain their homeland of Skåne, was disappointed to join the Dutch alliance.

These three countries were very angry at the behavior of the Dutch who only cared about their own commercial interests and betrayed their allies, but in the face of pressure from the French, they could only smash their teeth and swallow their blood.At this time, the British took the opportunity to step in, and their envoys went around in the courts of several countries, and gained a lot of goodwill, including the benefits of opening up the market. It was said that it also ate away the business interests of the Dutch to enrich the UK. , who made the Dutch look so ugly by themselves?

To the surprise of the people on the east coast, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia, while increasing the entry of British goods into their own markets, are also open to the entry of goods from the east coast, and have given a very fair tariff level, which makes Some domestic merchants began to seek agency rights for goods from the east coast—especially Sweden, after the Dutch withdrew most of their investment in copper and iron smelting and processing industries, their country was already flooded with a large number of goods from the east coast. High-quality ironware. This time, the Netherlands and the East Bank are hostile, and the trade between the two countries is almost cut off. The Swedes naturally try to find ways to directly contact the East Bank and start bilateral trade. This is not only good for themselves, but also can slowly get rid of the grip of Dutch businessmen. .

Gao Wengang did not expect that the people on the east coast of the war could get so many benefits without doing anything. It was simply unimaginable, so he happily sent many business representatives to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin to discuss bilateral trade matters. .Although Dutch businessmen will definitely launch a counterattack in the commercial markets of these three Baltic countries in the future, they can make money for a while now, right?The money leaked from the fingers of the Dutch, if you don't take it, don't take it for nothing!

Van Beuningen is also keenly aware of the East Coasters' recent tricks in the Baltic.But now that the republicans have such virtues, they rely on the east coast a lot, so naturally they have no interest and no energy to start business competition with the east coast people at this time.These business matters should be discussed after the restoration of the position of speaker of the three-level parliament, so that the dominant position of the republicans in the government will be more obvious. The Baltic Sea is close at hand, like a back garden, and cannot escape the palm of the Dutch.

"The Russians are slowly rising, and the business market is also gradually expanding." Konrad Van Beuningen was a little surprised that Gao Wengang hosted Russians, but he was not too disturbed, because most of the Russian businesses were run by Orange. This can be seen from the fact that merchant ships basically set off from ports such as Holen and Enkhuizen.

"In fact, we and the English have made a lot of money in Russia in recent years. The rye from Poland and Russia has greatly stabilized the grain market in Amsterdam in the past few years. Even ordinary citizens know this ...Moreover, their population is very large, but the country is very backward, and their thirst for advanced technology and commodities is very high. You have deepened your relationship with them, and you have really done a good business. But thank you, Special Envoy Gao, just like you As I said, I think it is more appropriate to leave more time for my family. There will be opportunities to interact with Russians in the future." Van Boyningen said: "Maybe in the next war, when we meet Inviting the Russians to war is a very good idea when there is trouble in Sweden or Brandenburg-Prussia."

Gao Wengang was a little surprised when he heard the words, and he was assessing the credibility of Van Beuningen's words in his heart.If the Dutch are really willing to spend certain resources and costs to help the Russian Empire, then this will be another major change in the situation in Europe.You must know that Russia can easily mobilize an army of 20 to 30 people, no less than the French. Once it marches westward, it will definitely scare many countries including Poland, Sweden, and Prussia, thereby indirectly affecting these countries. policy.

Gao Wen just knew that the Dutch are very likely to do this!You know, the Prussians were slowly supported by the Dutch because Sweden was not very obedient (of course, their own efforts are also a major reason), and now Prussia is also showing signs of disobedience, so once again support a new thug , seems to be a matter of course.

"If the Dutch really invest resources in wooing and buying Russia, then our country also has to increase investment? Otherwise, the influence brought about by so many years of investment in Russia will be greatly weakened .” Gao Wengang thought silently.Before, he just invited Van Beuningen to the meeting politely, but now it seems that it is just right that he does not come, so as to save these Russians from getting on line with the Dutch so quickly, although their purpose of coming to Amsterdam is not pure.

(End of this chapter)