Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

"The situation in Argentina is getting more and more intense."

"On the battlefield in Mexico, the Austro-Hungarian Empire seems to be in real trouble. The Thirteen-Nation Group has publicly expressed its support, which is done in a low-key manner in the Prince Yi's Palace.

This time, the Netherlands took the lead in making it public without any concealment. They want to make more tentative moves against the Austro-Hungarian Empire and even Germany and us behind it. Your Majesty, you have to be on guard."

"The Netherlands is not only targeting the Austro-Hungarian Empire this time, but also the interests of Britain will be further damaged. We should unite against the Netherlands and protect our interests."

"As a great country, Britain should not be bullied by the Netherlands. We support Britain's expansion of influence in Latin America, and we also hope that Britain can support our interests."

The news of Franz Joseph I's visit to London spread in Europe a few days ago and caused a sensation in the world.

Everyone knows that the Austro-Hungarian Empire is facing a difficult situation now. The collective opposition of the Thirteen-Nation Group to Austria-Hungary makes it difficult for Vienna to remain calm.

The recent trip to Berlin, Germany, seemed to have left Franz Joseph I with unsatisfactory results, so the public visit to London a week ago attracted attention.

Will Britain support Vienna?

Also, how does Berlin feel when it sees Vienna spare its ally and ask for help from Britain?

Will it cause a change in the alliance relationship?

Not only is this idea circulating in society, but Queen Victoria also has this thought in her mind.

She secretly said, "William I should not give up the alliance with Austria-Hungary. By then, Bismarck, who is very thoughtful and cunning, actually asked Austria-Hungary to seek support from Britain. It is clear that Germany does not want to be completely tied to the chariot of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Mexican War, at least it does not want to face the Thirteen-Nation Group alone. Tie Britain and sit on the chariot together to reduce the pressure?"

Queen Victoria frowned, and her mind was full of thoughts.

With a calm but elegant face, he said to Franz Joseph I: "Britain naturally supports the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but we need to understand the role of the Netherlands in the high-profile background of this Thirteen-Nation Group."

"Dear guest from Vienna, the relationship between London and Vienna cannot be shaken by anyone. We will continue to support your actions, but..."

Seeing Franz Joseph I's expression stagnate, he immediately said: "But we need more preparations. I think it should be the same in Berlin, right?"

Berlin?

Franz Joseph I's face turned gloomy. Queen Victoria, who had been staring at him for a long time, immediately knew that Franz Joseph I was not satisfied with the result of the trip to Berlin and should not get the result he wanted.

Bismarck must have been hanging him to come to London.

This Franz Joseph I was ambitious and arbitrary. More than a decade ago, he was defeated by the Kingdom of Prussia led by William I and Bismarck and others. He was driven out of the German Confederation with a disgraced face. Instead, Prussia took the top position in their original Confederation.

The former high-spirited and commanding leader was overtaken by his former subordinate kingdom. His status was reversed. He now needed to see the color and form of Berlin. Any normal person would be unwilling to accept it.

Queen Victoria stared at Franz Joseph I, and at this moment, people did not forget to sprinkle some eye drops on him. Let him be jealous of the Vienna and Berlin alliances.

There is no way. Britain is independent of the European continental system and must always prevent the emergence of a European alliance. The rise of the Netherlands was at its most prosperous period in Britain, and it was when Queen Victoria was most high-spirited.

In 1862, she was 43 years old that year.

The little Dutch William IV thought he would be the son-in-law of her third daughter Princess Elisa, but he was the lifelong love rival and inner demon of his Crown Prince Edward.

In the end, he led the Netherlands to rise rapidly. In 1865, he secretly competed with Britain in South Africa. Britain lost face, and the Netherlands was defeated but still glorious.

South Africa was returned to Britain, but the population was all moved to the Netherlands. Even Australia and New Zealand in the far southeast were sold to the Netherlands at a low price as compensation to the Netherlands and to save Britain's last face.

In 1876, 10 years later, after the Netherlands had developed quietly and became stronger, at least when its economic and military industrial territory expanded to compete with Britain, the Netherlands was making trouble again, at least in the eyes of Queen Victoria. This year, the Netherlands finally couldn't help but take action.

Chile, a British semi-colony on the southeastern Pacific coast, the caretaker government was overthrown, and the British troops stationed there were driven away by the Netherlands.

The Netherlands openly replaced Britain as the protectorate of Chile.

The British army could only be defeated in Chile and became an international joke again.

Although Britain finally instigated Argentina to treat its own people in their own way and stationed troops in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the Dutch army finally supported Chile to occupy the entire Tierra del Fuego, and the British army was welcomed by Argentina to station troops in the Falkland Islands of Argentina.

Well, Argentina should be afraid that the Netherlands will take advantage of its strong navy to roam the Argentine coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

In short, Queen Victoria took advantage of Mitre's fear and successfully allowed the British army to continue to exist in South America, which also saved Britain's face.

The rise of the Netherlands gave Queen Victoria a headache, and the rise of Prussia also made her worry.

The Netherlands "wisely" left Europe to develop in the Far East, while Prussia, under the leadership of William I and Bismarck, took root in Western Europe, defeated France, balanced Tsarist Russia, and radiated the world.

The Netherlands in the Far East and Germany in Europe were suppressing and containing Britain's global interests.

Tsarist Russia, a northern behemoth, was eyeing the south in the north of Eurasia, whether in Europe, the Middle East or Asia.

Especially in the Middle East, Britain felt the most deeply.

Tsarist Russia challenged British interests many times in the north of the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. Although it was defeated by Britain using various soft and hard measures, including Paul I, Alexander I and Alexander II, all lost their lives for this, but Alexander III seemed unwilling to accept it.

One or two of them are not worrying.

Queen Victoria has never been relieved about these ambitious guys.

The eldest son Edward is still a little immature in front of them.

Although Franz Joseph I in front of him has been in power in Vienna for many years, he seems to have not improved much compared to Edward.

Alas, no wonder that despite guarding such a great country, it was William I and Bismarck who took away the leadership of the German Confederation, and the country became a follower of the German Empire.

However, this is also a good thing. Britain has transferred the energy it used to support Prussia to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Vienna, which seems to be easier to control.