Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

"The Netherlands must use clever means to take away the arms business of various countries from their hands, so that it will trigger the desire of various countries to purchase weapons. When countries want to increase their weapons purchases in an unstable situation, the Netherlands' arms The merchants will have a steady stream of orders.

At that time, the Netherlands will be more affordable, so it can perfectly achieve the purpose of exporting weapons in large quantities without spending a single soldier. The Netherlands can even be involved in the South American Union issue. The war will promote these countries to unite more around the Netherlands. Venezuela, which was originally alienated from Germany, will be more affordable. -Colombia, when the time comes, will naturally follow the weapons of the Netherlands and become a gun under the Dutch.

As long as these countries in South America are stable, we can start planning to deal with Britain's allies Chile and New Zealand. As long as they are captured, the Netherlands' century-old plan to dominate the South Pacific will be completed."

The thought of the South Pacific being placed under Dutch rule, and then the Netherlands becoming the overlord there, would be the backing for the Netherlands to move into the status of a global power in the future.

So many people don't understand why the Netherlands is so keen on South America, and that lies here.

In fact, according to the historical process, the North American Civil War will end in 1866, and it will end when the Lincoln government defeats the South and agrees with America.

But in this life, under the operation of William IV, this situation was almost broken. Because of the civil war, Millikin was divided into two.

The comprehensive potential has been reduced a lot, and there is no longer the unique natural environment that dominated North America in the previous life.

Canada to the north and the hostile Confederacy to the south, plus Mexico, as well as the Dutch Alaskans and Alexander II, all complicated the situation in North America.

Although the American Confederacy still captured the coastal areas of California and Washington, they lost some of the Confederate territory and their economic development potential, especially the 9.1 million people in the South, which was almost three million less. one part.

There are also the treasures of Texas and Florida in the Gulf of Mexico, which will be America's largest oil storage areas in the future. It can be said that the economic development potential will also be reduced a lot, not to mention that the capital of the Confederate States is Richmond, Virginia.

It borders Maryland to the north and south, where Washington, the capital of the Northern Confederacy, is located, and both lie to the north and south of the Chesapeake Bay.

This narrowed the strategic depth of the Northern American Commonwealth.

Looking at the map, the scope of the rule becomes shorter from north to south and longer from east to west.

If this was attacked by Canada in the north or the Confederate States in the south, it would make it easy for the Federation to be cut off.

The South occupies two-thirds of the Atlantic coastal zone, and the North only owns the remaining one-third, which makes the Northern Navy timid in its use.

Therefore, William IV discovered that if the United States of America wanted to develop its economy according to this map, it would be difficult to achieve a breakthrough in the Atlantic direction. After all, their Atlantic economy had already entered the ranks of developed European countries, and if they wanted to improve again, they could only In the Midwest, and the western coastal zone is their future focus.

"If that happens, it will inevitably increase the economic weight of the Commonwealth of the United States in the west, and the development of the west will also be a factor in the post-stabilization process of the Lincoln administration.

By that time, America's economic interests will inevitably have more contact with the Netherlands, and the strategic location of the Hawaiian Islands will be extremely critical, and may even become a point of conflict between the two countries.

Moreover, in the domestic market of the big countries in the Far East, the Federal Republic of America will get deeper involved at that time. This will be a big challenge for Dutch industrial products. Therefore, the war there cannot be stopped in the short term. . "

When William IV thought of this, he couldn't help but start thinking about how to continue this war without stopping.

Thinking of this, his eyes fell on the row of safes in his private office, and his eyes fell on the word Milligan.

Suddenly, he remembered Washburn's letter a few days ago, saying that the Lincoln administration requested the Netherlands to increase arms exports, and hinted that the Commonwealth of America was very eager for Dutch steam battleships. Both words and expressions showed that they wanted to purchase them. This new Dutch battleship.

Apparently Milician himself didn't think the war would end quickly.

While William IV was deep in thought, one of his intelligence chiefs, McKay Sean, knocked on the door and interrupted him.

William IV soon saw the manager in charge of Dutch international intelligence walking in with a solemn expression.

"What's wrong?" William IV knew that the matter must be serious, because McKay Sean's face was very solemn.

McKay Sean said: "Your Majesty, the latest news came from North America. The Confederate States of America has assembled 50,000 soldiers in Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. The Confederate States of the South believe that the North will attack Arizona, which has just joined the South, so they are gathering There are 30,000 troops, and now both sides seem to be on the verge of breaking out."

"50,000 Northern troops and 30,000 Southern troops?" William IV wondered why McShane's face would be so serious if that were the case.

He stared at McKay Sean with some confusion, "Is there something weird in there?"

"As expected of our great Majesty"

After quietly flattering him, McKay Sean said seriously:

"Our people sent back the news that in fact, the Northern American Confederacy not only stationed 50,000 troops in Salt Lake City, but the Lincoln government also ordered General Grant to send another 30,000 troops to follow these 50,000 troops and arrived in northern Utah. Idaho”

"Idaho?"

William IV frowned and came to the wall next to him. In addition to looking at maps, the entire wall was almost covered with maps of all countries in the world. Of course, there were also simple maps of various continents.

His eyes fell on North America, shooting to the United States, first looking for Arizona, the westernmost part of the Confederate States' current territory, and then finding Salt Lake City, Utah, in the north.

Finally, he glanced up and saw it. His eyes moved to Idaho. Inadvertently, he looked towards the north of it.

His eyes immediately narrowed, as if he had discovered something.

Turning around, he stared at McKay Sean.

Under the gaze of William IV, McKay Sean said:

"Our people speculate that the goal of the Confederate States of America this time is to steal a dragon and turn it into a phoenix, preparing to attack the east and west. The target is not Arizona, but to send these 30,000 soldiers all the way north to Spokane, Washington. zh Prepare to attack the British territory of Canada in the north and capture British Columbia in the west."

"Is the news accurate?"

As he guessed, although William IV did not understand why the Lincoln government was so bold all of a sudden, it did not prevent William IV from starting to plan what benefits the Netherlands could gain from it.

"This news was revealed by the Vice President's secretary to the Honorable Andrew Johnson."

If it was him, he was right.

But obviously, Washburn did not remind him that this was something that William IV should think deeply about.

Sure enough, the ancients have not deceived me. People who are not of my race will have different hearts. Andrew Johnson, the vice president of the American Confederacy, is of Dutch descent, while Washburn and Lincoln are of Irish descent. As for Seward, It's of German origin.

The Secretary of the Treasury, James Speed, was also of Dutch descent, and the Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, was of German descent.

In Lincoln's cabinet government, Irish people had the greatest influence, followed by Dutch people and Germans.

This is related to the national conditions of America, because in the Commonwealth of America, the most taboo issue is the influence of European powers in America. The Monroe Doctrine was originally established to cut off this, and it was even extended to South America.

Therefore, this is a three-party circle of balance.