New Shun 1730

The Netherlands can be defeated.

But the image of the Orange family as "always right" and "the savior of the Netherlands" must be destroyed.

Moreover, the maritime smuggling group, an important part of the regent faction, is not so hostile to France.

France, that's it.

Even if they occupied the Austrian Netherlands and became a vassal of France in culture, it would not have much impact on them.

They mainly smuggled money to America. Where is the money to be made from France's colonies in America? Of course, they smuggled to the British colonies.

It's just that the inextricable and complicated relationship between the Netherlands and Britain has prevented them from occupying the mainstream of public opinion in recent years.

The Dutch ruling party has been the king of Britain. The Orange family has ruled London. Under such circumstances, the Anglo-Dutch relationship has always been in a very delicate state, and the alliance with Britain is almost a subconscious correctness.

But now, with the end of the Battle of Fontenoy, those "anti-British" voices that have been suppressed for a long time have begun to rise.

As the premise of "anti-British", the first thing is to question the decision of the consul: openly standing on the side of Britain and openly declaring war on France, is it for the interests of the Dutch people? Or for the interests of your wife's family?

Are you the consul of the Dutch people?

Or the son-in-law of the British king?

This emotional questioning, coupled with the threat of the direction of the war, made many Dutch people begin to think about this issue.

"There is something wrong with the consul's governing strategy."

Such thoughts began to brew and ferment along with a large number of rumors that emerged after the Battle of Fontenoy. Finally, on August 12, the news that Dashun "declared war on the Netherlands and seized almost all of Southeast Asia because the consul insulted the emperor of the Celestial Empire and refused to trade with the Kanhe" reached the Netherlands, and this brewing and fermentation finally exploded.

The Hague.

William IV was in a state of panic.

He never thought that he would face such a situation as a consul.

Internal and external troubles.

Externally, the Netherlands faced the threat of France opening the southern gate and being able to march straight in.

Internally, the financial market was in chaos due to financial collapse, stock market turmoil, and a large number of citizens demanding the redemption of stock principal.

None of these things could be solved by his ability.

Not to mention these terrible situations that seemed like the sky was falling, if he had some ability, he would not have needed Liu Yu to push him to become the consul when the Netherlands was extremely disappointed with the regents and his own golden signboard of the Orange family was so useful.

His most trusted adviser, Count Bentinck, handed a tabloid full of despicable routines to William IV with a gloomy face.

William IV took a look at it and tore the tabloid to pieces.

"It's obvious that it's the Chinese style. That's how the marquis promoted it in Amsterdam!"

It's no wonder that William IV saw it at a glance. In fact, the whole Netherlands saw it. When Liu Yu ran a tabloid here, the dagger was revealed. Before the final blow, he learned the standard "shocking style".

Just like the tabloid in the United States back then, the headlines were such as "Shock! Cuba's Joan of Arc was raped by four Spanish soldiers..."

The pamphlets that are spreading in the Netherlands now are basically of this style.

Just like the tabloid just now, it was so outrageous that it even described the sleeping positions of William IV and his wife, and how his wife threatened him in bed that he should support Britain, otherwise he could only do this, and if he supported it, he could do that... It was vivid and popular.

If it is true, most smart people would not believe it.

If it is false, his wife is indeed the eldest princess of the United Kingdom, what's wrong with supporting the motherland?

Earl Bentinck quietly put away the torn tabloids and reminded: "Your Highness, as an archon, what you should consider is not the Chinese slander against you. Instead, you should consider the purpose behind these slanders."

"Now, the situation is very difficult. You must do something. Otherwise, I am afraid that the public's emotions will become more serious."

"The Chinese attacked Southeast Asia, their goals have been achieved, and there is no need to continue to incite emotions here."

"You should consider whether the Chinese are for the purpose of helping their French allies? Or is it the personal revenge of the Marquis against you?"

William IV was smart for once and asked back: "What difference does it make?"

"Whether it is for his personal revenge against me or to help their French allies, He achieved his goal. "

"The Dutch people are the most ignorant. What they are best at is finding scapegoats."

"Hanging De Witte; sentencing the defeated naval commander guilty... They don't need the truth, they just need to vent their emotions."

William IV sighed for a long time and said, "The position of consul is tempting and dangerous. When the Prussians withdrew from the war, it seemed that everything was in our favor, so of course we had to declare war. However, Frederick broke his promise and fought again without declaring war, which we did not expect; the French, led by the Saxons, fought so bravely, which we did not expect; the Chinese were so shameless, did not declare war, and suddenly attacked Southeast Asia, which we did not expect. "

"If, all this had not happened. "

"If Prussia had stopped going to war after the armistice, if the French had not won this victory, if the Chinese had not raided Southeast Asia...and I had not declared war on France and not strongly supported Austria, Britain would have won in the end and we would be held accountable. Responsibility, or even go to war against us, won’t the regent oligarchs incite the people to hold me accountable?”

After mocking the Dutch people in anguish, he finally came to a shocking conclusion.

"A weak country has no diplomatic initiative. Everything depends on choosing a side. However, it seems that we made the wrong choice. What did I do wrong?"

"It is not my fault that the regent oligarchs mistaken me and the Netherlands!"

Earl Bentinck thought to himself, it’s already this time, what’s the use of these sentiments?

"Your Highness the Consul, one point where people's emotions can easily be detonated now is the minor usurper of the throne of the Stuart Dynasty."

"If he really lands in Scotland, the British will definitely transport the Duke of Cumberland's army in the Netherlands away."

"And in this case, the public's anger will be really difficult to stop!"

"We joined forces with the British, and as a result, France reached the doorstep of the Netherlands, but the British pulled the Dutch garrison away to defend themselves, regardless of the threat that France could invade Amsterdam at any time."

"Once this happens, people's anger will be unstoppable."

"You...you should resolve this matter through Her Royal Highness the Princess. No matter what, the Duke of Cumberland's army cannot be withdrawn from the Netherlands."

Bentinck got to the most critical point.

Now, although people's emotions are on the verge of exploding, they are still controllable for the time being.

Dashun's voyage to Nanyang had the greatest impact on Amsterdam.

As for Amsterdam, it was originally the base camp of the anti-consul faction. Whatever chaos there was, it would not affect the rule of the Orange family for the time being.

However, if Britain really pulls back the Duke of Cumberland's garrison in the Netherlands to protect Britain itself, then the last bit of sanity among the people will collapse.

The Netherlands sent people, guns, and money, but the "firm ally" ran away immediately.

The identity of William IV, the son-in-law of the British King, will become the most disgusting thing among the people, and will also become the final disappointment of those people in the Netherlands who can still support William IV for the time being.

When you no longer expect, you will no longer be disappointed.

Originally, the policy of the Dutch parliamentary faction from the beginning was to play both ends.

Even if we have to support Austria and the United Kingdom due to various pressures, treaties, international reputation, etc., we will say hello to France: We are also forced to do so, please forgive us.

Originally, if the Prussians withdrew from the war, the parliamentary faction would immediately be tough on France, thinking that they would take advantage of it.

The problem is that under Liu Yu's operation, this inevitable was betrayed by William IV.

As a result, the Dutch policy that seemed "childish, vacillating, and unpalatable to both sides" before became a "smart, far-sighted, and both-sided" policy under the threat of France.

And William IV carried this big pot, and behind this big pot were the eyes of many Dutch people.

If Britain does not evacuate the Duke of Cumberland, it will continue to stand firmly with its Dutch allies in the Austrian Netherlands.

Although the people are dissatisfied, they can basically understand: You see, although we chose the wrong allies and made wrong decisions, our allies are still very firm. We should not betray our allies and should try to keep the Netherlands standing.

But if the British ran away first, no one could suppress the public's emotions.

And it's not just anger, it's fear.

Once the British ran away, how could the Netherlands hold on?

Even the British and Dutch forces couldn't defeat the French. If the British ran away, of course they couldn't defeat the Dutch alone.

Anger and fear are the emotions that burst out, but no one can control them.

Count Bentinck could even imagine that in this desperate situation, maybe the people would drive away the Orange family just like they drove away the parliamentarians last time.

Once that happens, the Orange family's rule in the Netherlands will come to an end.

William IV was not ignorant of the danger of this situation, but he asked Count Bentinck.

"What should I do? Once the little throne usurper lands in Scotland, he will directly threaten my father-in-law's throne. In this case, even if my father-in-law agrees, will the British Parliament agree? Will they allow the restoration of Catholicism? Will the Jacobites be allowed to occupy London?"

"Instead of thinking about this unrealistic problem, we should think about what we will do when this happens."

Earl Bentinck frowned, feeling that William IV really lacked the quality and temperament to become a consul.

Judging from his tone, it was clear that he felt that there was nothing he could do, and he didn't want to do anything at all.