Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Beginning at 9 a.m. in Berlin on February 5, 1869, Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Nicholas Pierson met with Prime Minister Bismarck, who also held the position of Prussian Foreign Minister, on behalf of Foreign Minister Hesbert von.

However, what many people don't know is that Nicholas Pearson and the host Bismarck were in a meeting room with no one else, holding newspapers in their hands and reading with gusto, but the conversation continued.

Bismarck put his eyes on the front page of the first page. Like Nicholas Pearson, it was also the first page of the "European Times". He sarcastically said: "All international media like to watch the excitement. If there is no excitement one day, then the media It's okay. The undertaker will be completely unemployed. I think your Majesty will be unhappy at that time."

sharp!

This Bismarck is always looking to attack others. What seems like an ordinary chat is actually a hidden secret.

Nicholas Pearson said with a smile: "Our Majesty will definitely be unhappy, but your citizens should also be a little sad."

Bismarck moved the newspaper slightly away and let his eyes fall on Nicholas Pearson's face again. The latter's calmness made Bismarck unable to see any difference from before. However, there is an old saying that the calmer the sea, the more calm it means. There are more ghosts inside.

So I couldn't help but ask: "How to say?"

amsterdam.

.

Education Minister Lüde Bales asked worriedly: "Currently, our newspapers have branches all over the world, and they seem prosperous, but I'm afraid that governments will find out later and block them and cut off our influence. power, even annihilation”

William IV confidently continued in the Privy Council: "Don't forget, the current positioning of "European Times" in Europe"

Seeing many people looking over, William IV made a gesture to Foreign Minister Hesbert von, who then explained:

"Although this worry is good, His Majesty has already resolved this crisis. Now organizations with huge influence in various countries, including the International Labor Organization and the International Red Cross, are partners of "European Times". The recognition of these organizations, It represents the recognition of the bottom members of society all over the world. This is a huge force. If countries want to take action, they will face the public opinion of these newspapers leading them to anti-government areas. By then, regardless of Who is it that will welcome the people’s angry counterattack?”

After hearing this, everyone, including the Minister of Education Lud Bales who raised the question, finally relaxed and secretly praised His Majesty's foresight.

Return to the Chancellery in Berlin.

With Bismarck staring closely at him, Nicholas Pearson slowly revealed the 'truth' and said: "Currently in Berlin, the number of subscriptions to "European Times" exceeds 100,000, and the entire Kingdom of Prussia sells more than 100,000 copies every day. 500,000 copies”

These days, having enough to eat and nothing to do, reading newspapers has become the best symbol of intellectuals and white-collar workers, and it is also the life that people yearn for.

Therefore, it has become a trend in Berlin for newly emerging countries like Prussia to learn from the lifestyles of the citizens of advanced countries such as the Netherlands, Britain and France.

100,000 copies in Berlin? Prussia 500,000 copies?

There are so many newspapers in the Netherlands, but there are other newspapers in the Netherlands. These newspapers are all exciting and attractive. Even Bismarck liked them very much, let alone others.

Unexpectedly, the Netherlands penetrated so deeply into Prussia.

He couldn't help but feel more vigilant in his heart, and secretly made up his mind to suppress Dutch newspapers in the future, but he should not act too violently.

Thinking of this, he lamented the rapid development of the Netherlands in recent years, such as its economy, cultural influence and political influence. On the other hand, Prussia, although its military rise was equally rapid, it also occupied the territory of the small German Confederation, making Prussia originally The area has more than doubled.

But compared with the Netherlands, it is still a big witch versus a small witch.

You must know that the difference between the area of ​​the Netherlands before and now is more than five times. In the Far East alone, the Dutch East Indies originally covered 2 million square kilometers, but now it exceeds 10 million square kilometers. This does not include the areas in Africa and Las Vegas. If places such as Gass were added, it would definitely increase by another 50%.

Nicholas Pearson was speechless when he saw Bismarck. He said: "The Netherlands does not think that Prussia will do anything to hurt the feelings of its own people, especially after it has just melted the small countries. If speech is suppressed at this time, then Prime Minister Bismarck and His Majesty William I will All the efforts made before will be defeated by the resistance under the strong struggle."

"Your Excellency is so powerful." Bismarck smiled slightly and sneered: "But the Dutch influence in Prussia seems to be a very powerful threat to Prussia."

Nicholas Pearson said disapprovingly: "Don't the Prime Minister think this is a good thing for Prussia?"

"What's the meaning"

"What do you mean? Haha, the Prime Minister doesn't even know." Nicholas Pearson secretly squeezed his sweat and laughed: "If the Netherlands uses this to help Berlin guide dissidents who don't like Berlin's rule - people publish themselves in "European Times" I think the Prime Minister is naturally dissatisfied with this view, but how can the newspaper use this as a platform to reflect on the Berlin government that those people are bulls, ghosts, snakes, gods, so that the Prime Minister knows that those people are disloyal to Prussia, then is it right? What would be more beneficial to the rule of the Kingdom of Prussia?"

Bismarck looked at Nicholas Pearson in astonishment. He had seen such nonsense before, but he had never seen such a fool.

"According to your statement, Berlin can deploy its troops to Amsterdam, so that Britain and France can feel more at ease with the Netherlands, because the Netherlands is unable to protect itself at this time, and it still has the energy to threaten London and Paris."

Bismarck retorted.

Nicholas Pearson shook his head, "It's different. We are doing it secretly, but what you said is to invade the Netherlands. We Dutch citizens, like Sweden, are all men, women and children. If Berlin doesn't believe it, give it a try."

Give it a try? Still speaking so steadily, Bismarck was a little amazed at the rapid improvement of the other party's diplomatic skills. Although the other party's status was much lower than his, he believed that Nicholas Pearson in front of him would sooner or later become the prime minister of the Netherlands with one person and more than ten million people.

"Even if you can help Berlin, won't Berlin come up with its own share?"

Nicholas Pearson said with a wry smile: "But the European Times is currently the largest newspaper in the world. I think if Berlin suppresses it, then those people will choose to publish it at the newspaper's headquarters in Luxembourg, or in branches in various countries. , at that time, I thought that when this newspaper was suppressed in Prussia including Berlin, it would be happy to see the Kingdom of Prussia suffer."

Bismarck stared at Nicholas Pearson with a red face and said dissatisfied: "You"

Is this still the iron-blooded Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck who dominated the European continent?

Weesemann, the Dutch ambassador to Prussia, who accompanied the Dutch Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicholas Pearson to meet Bismarck, was stunned.