Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

A meeting of the Privy Council of the Netherlands was held.

"The United Kingdom has scored diplomatically and gained support from many Pan-Prussian countries, but what they didn't expect is that the United Kingdom has been bound by me within the framework of Prussia."

William IV said to the entire Privy Council: "The Netherlands has laid a big net, but we have transferred the power of pulling the net from ourselves to the hands of the entire 10 Pan-Prussian countries."

He said: "Therefore, this is both pressure and opportunity for Prussia, and the same is true for the United Kingdom. As for the Netherlands, we can slowly sell European affairs to other countries. "

"Selling the power of European affairs?" Prime Minister Tolbeck's eyes lit up, "Does Your Majesty want to?"

Mark Rudd, Chief of the General Staff of the Netherlands, also thought of something after a moment, and his heart suddenly moved.

Others did not understand the detailed meaning of William IV, but they understood that it must be very interesting.

William IV nodded towards Tolbeck and said: "Yes, I am ready to invite the Kingdom of Spain to become the Nordic Alliance. And let Spain become the leading country of this organization?"

Everyone was shocked and looked at William IV in disbelief.

Although I know that it is a bit big to say that William IV is selling power, but is it too big to sell the leadership of an international organization?

You must know that the reason why the Netherlands has become more and more consolidated in the world is because the Netherlands has the leadership of many international organizations and is the founding country. This also makes major countries very afraid of the Netherlands. If the Netherlands now gives up the Nordic Alliance to Spain , will this make major countries less fearful of the Netherlands, thereby endangering the strategic significance of the Netherlands?

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Hesbert von naturally took the lead and stepped forward to ask everyone's concerns.

William IV seemed to have known everyone's concerns for a long time. He smiled calmly: "Currently, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden are members of the Nordic Alliance. The other partner countries are Tsarist Russia, Austria-Hungary, Spain, and the United Kingdom some time ago. We have already submitted the application to become a partner country. There are four partner countries.”

William IV said: "The relationship between Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands cannot be changed, but it will fade after a long time. This is the way people's hearts are."

Speaking of this, William IV corrected himself: "Spain's national power in Europe ranks behind Britain, Prussia, Tsarist Russia, and Austria-Hungary, almost on the same level as the Ottoman Empire. Of course, the Netherlands is not among them in other calculations. After all, the power of the three countries of the Nordic Alliance is still It's a little smaller, which happens to be what Denmark and Redan are worried about. In addition, we are spending more and more energy in the Far East. These two countries are afraid that we will not take care of the Three Kingdoms Alliance, so they are also trying their best to win over Spain to supplement us. Of course, Also check and balance what I mean.

You guys tell me, when we get to this farmland, it would be more cost-effective for us to get together and part ways, and sell it at a good price. This is in line with the way Europe's earliest and largest capital country does things, isn't it? "

Education Minister Lud Bales couldn't help but ask: "What is your Majesty's selling price?"

Everyone else showed curiosity when they heard this?

Leader power of the Nordic Alliance? How much will Spain bid?

"Spain is willing to be on the Philippine Islands"

Everyone was attracted.

"Of course I won't suffer easily." William IV said cheerfully without selling out: "Her Majesty Isabel II has privately agreed with me to promote the construction of Puerto Princesa (also known as Puerto Princesa) on Palawan Island. During the 20 years since the two major seaports of Quezon Port have been opened to us free of charge, Dutch warships will freely enter the two major ports on the island to berth. At the same time, the port of General Santos City in the southernmost part of Mindanao will also be open to our warships and merchant ships. access"

William IV told everyone: "This means that Spain's southern hinterland of the Philippines will be open to our military power. To be more specific, Spain is willing to follow the steps of the Netherlands in the Far East and be the follower of the Netherlands. Everyone, you are qualified. What’s the selling price?”

“What a deal”

Akchi, coordinator of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, praised: "His Majesty sells the dominance of a Nordic alliance to the other party. It seems to have great power, but it also requires Sweden and Denmark to agree. Since Denmark and Sweden have different intentions, then It has become useless to the Netherlands, and it is a pity to throw it away if it cannot be used. Now that your Majesty has given such a real benefit, it is very wise."

This horse-butt shot is really powerful!

Everyone feels that they are not as good as Akchi in this regard.

Naturally, William IV would not refuse such praise. Since ancient times, there is no emperor who does not like to be shouted "Long Live Long Live".

Therefore, he also likes to hear this approach that makes him feel happier inside.

William IV smiled back at Akci and said: "Spain was actually put in a position by me, because originally Northern Europe was calm, but now with the expansion of Prussia, this calm has been destroyed. , returning to the issue that the three countries are not strong enough. Spain’s participation is indeed enough to make up for the gap in this area. We will slowly withdraw our forces on the mainland. In order to maintain the power it has just gained, Spain will slowly We are sending a large number of ships from southern Europe to northern Europe. What do you think will be the consequences of this?"

Tolbeck and Mark Rudd were silent, but Joseph Karls, the chief of naval staff next to him, said in surprise; "If Spain sends warships to roam the North Atlantic as His Majesty said, then not only Prussia will be disturbed by this, but France and France will also be uneasy." Britain would also be unhappy. At that time, Britain and Spain had a feud. If Spanish warships circled the British Isles all day long, London would be very annoyed. In the end, even if it did not cause a maritime accident, London would still feel Being mocked.

At this stage, the United Kingdom may counterattack, and the direction of the counterattack is the mainland where Madrid is located. You come and I go down. The Spanish and British warships form a constraint between the mainland, but the Netherlands has won the reduction in the Far East. The strategic significance of the Anglo-Spanish warships, at least in terms of the Philippine ports that His Majesty Isabella II has just agreed upon to give to the Netherlands, we in the Netherlands will use them more advantageously instead of occupying space with Spanish warships."

"Bah, bang, bang, bang!" As soon as Joseph Karls finished speaking, the entire Privy Council burst into applause. Obviously, his detailed analysis has won everyone's approval, just look at the top figures applauding now including William IV, Tolbeck and Mark Rudd.

"What a good Chief of Naval Staff, Joseph Karls." William IV praised: "You have said it clearly, but you have also forgotten one thing, that is, in fact, doing this is mainly because it dilutes the size of the navies of the Netherlands and Sweden. .Making them dependent on our navy.”

Seeing everyone's confusion, William IV asked: "Have you forgotten the positioning of Sweden and Denmark in my plan a few years ago?"