My Italy

Although Italy and the Netherlands are facing a dark cloud in Southeast Asia, a storm is about to come.

But the two countries know that the final outcome can only be decided in Europe.

Therefore, Italy and the Netherlands attach great importance to this negotiation. The Netherlands has brought Britain, France, Germany and Spain to make up the numbers, while Italy has brought... um... Germany?

Well, Italy has not attracted a single country. Of course, this is on the surface. Who knows the actual situation? After all, international relations are now changing. Maybe the treaty signed yesterday will be torn up tomorrow.

Due to the urgency of the matter, negotiations between the two parties began quickly.

In the large conference room of the Prime Minister's Office, the Dutch side, represented by Dutch Foreign Minister Becchio, and the Italian side, represented by Italian Foreign Minister Bacona, stood ready at the negotiating table.

As for representatives from the four countries, Britain, France, Germany and Spain, they sat aside to witness the negotiations between the two parties.

"Our country strongly condemns the siege of Batavia by your fleet, which has caused losses to merchants in many countries. Your country's behavior has threatened the stability of Southeast Asia and is of a very bad nature."

At the beginning, the Dutch Plenipotentiary Foreign Minister Becchio stood up and expressed his attitude.

“Are we threatening the security of Southeast Asia?”

In response to the Dutch's remarks, Bacona, the Italian representative, gave the other party a contemptuous look. "Had it not been for your country's shameless killing of two missionaries from our country, this situation would not have happened at all. This is your country's own fault."

"I protest that your country's accusations are completely unreasonable. Our country will not accept such groundless accusations until the truth of the matter is found out."

It was obvious that there was no way the Dutch representatives would admit this, even if it was really done by the Dutch army. Although the religious power in this era is not what it used to be, it will cause huge damage to the reputation of the Netherlands. In the era of coachmen, this damage would be nothing at all. But the Netherlands, which has weakened too much now, can cause considerable damage.

So Becchio skipped the missionary issue and went straight to the other side. "Your country's protection of Lanfang violates the agreements between various countries on the security of Southeast Asia. Countries are not allowed to invade forces belonging to other European countries. Therefore, our country strongly requests that your country withdraw from its protection of Lanfang."

Faced with the words of the Dutch representative, Bacona couldn't help laughing. "Hahahaha, Sir Becchio, your words really make me unable to bear it, hahaha."

Facing a burst of laughter from the Italian representatives, Becchio's face turned ugly.

"Your Excellency Bacona, can you please restrain yourself?"

The British representative who was watching the negotiations between the two countries saw that the atmosphere was not quite right and couldn't help but give a warning.

Faced with the reminder from the British representative, Bacona stopped laughing. "I'm sorry, I really couldn't hold it back, because Mr. Becchio's joke was so funny."

The black-faced Becchio said angrily. "Are what I said funny? Can you please tell me why?"

Faced with Becchio's words, Bacona asked seriously. "Excuse me, your Excellency, do vassal countries need to sign annexation treaties?"

Bacona's words made Becchio think of something, and his face turned a little pale, but in full view of the public, he had to answer. "Most of it should be like that."

Faced with Becchio's ambiguous words, Bacona immediately refuted him righteously. "What do you mean, most of them should be like this. I doubt your diplomatic level."

After a disparaging remark, Bacona continued. "Subsidiary countries need to sign a subsidiary treaty in order to be recognized by all countries. However, your country has never signed such a treaty with Lanfang, and there is no subsidiary relationship at all in theory and law. Then there is no way to talk about your responsibilities. This is between your country and Lanfang. The conflict in the Lanfang Republic is not, as Your Excellency said, it is an internal matter of your country. Our country has been killed because of the missionaries, so why can't we intervene."

Bacona's words left Becchio speechless. It all comes down to the fact that the Dutch were too cautious. After Lanfang claimed that it belonged to the Qing vassal, the Netherlands had never dared to sign an affiliation treaty with Lanfang openly.

"But Chief Lanfang has always been a Kapitan appointed by our country. Logically speaking, he should be a subsidiary of our country."

Becchio did not have other options. He directly stated that the leader of Lanfang was a colonial official appointed by himself, and proposed that Lanfang was a vassal state.

Facing the reason given by Becchio, Bacona asked back with interest.

"Does Mr. Becchio mean that as long as he appoints officials, he can claim his own sphere of influence?"

Becchio's heart thumped, and he regretted saying this, because he knew that if he admitted it, it would bring endless troubles.

The reason is simple. As long as he admits it, Italy will have countless ways to get the indigenous kingdoms of the Dutch colonies to accept its appointment the next day. At that time, Italy can also use this reason to seal its mouth.

So he quickly defended. "This is different. Our country has appointed Lanfang Kapitan for decades."

At this time, Bacona said seriously to the Dutch representative in front of him.

"This cannot be a reason, Mr. Becchio. I think you also know that this reason is simply untenable, so please don't come up with these ridiculous reasons."

At this time, the British representative suddenly interrupted.

"Your Excellency Bacona is right. If you still can't give a convincing reason, then please say something more practical."

Faced with the sudden comments from the British, representatives from other countries were a little confused, especially Becchio, who was the representative of the Netherlands. His heart skipped a beat. He had a very bad premonition.

Faced with the British representative's speech, Bacona, as the Italian representative, was not surprised at all, because Italy had previously made a secret deal with the British. Italy assured the British that Italy would only expand to the Dutch colonies in Borneo. Of course, there is also the reason why the fleet sent by Italy this time is too powerful and it is difficult for Britain to intervene.

Another reason that cannot be said is that Italy's performance in the Sino-French War as a force that contained the French navy made Britain feel that it was giving appropriate support to Italy. In this era, the United Kingdom pays extraordinary attention to the French navy. The French navy ranks second in the world. As the basis for ensuring hegemony, the Royal Navy of the British Empire is always paying attention to the actions of the French. The whole of Britain is eager to give it another opponent. Willing to see success. Of course, the British will not turn their attention to them until the Germans show sufficient interest overseas.

As Britain's support for Italy, Italy promised to exert its influence when the Qing Dynasty wanted to purchase foreign weapons, especially in the navy, allowing it to give priority to British warships.

It is true that Italy was using the influence of the Qing Dynasty to make deals, and Britain happened to be worried about the reduction of its influence in the Qing Dynasty, so the two hit it off. After giving guarantees to the British colonies, the two countries reached a unanimous decision.

With the support of the British behind him, Bakona can naturally feel confident. "Mr. Flamm is right, Becchio please recognize the facts."

Facing Bacona's words, Becchio couldn't help but look at the representatives of other countries sitting aside as intermediaries.

The French representative was hesitant to speak, but finally shrank back. The German representative kept looking back and forth at the British and Italian representatives, as if he wanted to see something from them, and completely ignored Becchio's expectant gaze. As for the Spanish representative, well, let's ignore him.

Unable to find support from the side, Becchio felt that he could not continue talking like this and that he needed to take a break. At the same time, press the pause button on the negotiations.

"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well today and need to take a rest."

Facing Becchio's pause button, Bacona looked indifferent.

"No problem, we can wait. But I hope your health will get better soon, because if the time is prolonged, uncontrollable accidents may easily occur, and the results of our negotiations may be overturned by then."

"Maybe the result will be better."

"It's possible, but I think the chance is too small. It's more likely that you will lose more."

After the two bickered for a while, they both left.

Becchio was anxious to go back to find out the situation and report to Amsterdam at the same time. Bacona also needs to report the results of today's negotiations to the Prime Minister and King Carlo.

Please recommend and collect...forget it, I won’t ask for collection. Now it drops to dozens a day, which is really hard.