Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

French Foreign Minister Edmond Drouin de Ruy's visit to Amsterdam attracted world attention. After holding closed-door talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Hesbert von, he expressed his support for the agreement between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, which wowed the world. Of course.

As one of the parties involved, it aroused both joy and curses in Brussels.

The former Belgian Prime Minister and current leader of the opposition Catholic Party, Valvater Ferrer Orbon, recently criticized the Anglo-Dutch Agreement as invalid. Belgium will not agree to this agreement.

"Belgium is a country with autonomy. I do not support the United Kingdom in making decisions on our behalf. I will even oppose the Dutch seizure of Belgian territory. The Catholic-Catholic Party is sworn to defend the territory of Belgium and is loyal to the royal family. I appeal to the great Belgian people Join me in opposing the emptiness of national sovereignty.”

However, although Alban screamed fiercely, very few responded. Even people in his own party chose to remain silent because they were worried about Britain, France and other countries.

At this time, no one knew that Belgium was in danger.

On March 13, 1869, Leopold II convened a meeting with four Belgian Prime Minister Jules Danetant, President of the Senate Mari Philippe, Speaker of the House of Representatives Joseph Beit, and President of the Supreme Court of Justice Hester. In addition to the powerful Dutch people in the cabinet government, the Senate and the Supreme House of Representatives, Leopold II also summoned East Flanders, West Flanders, and Flanders-Brabant at the same time. Senior officials from the three provinces and local assembly speakers held a state meeting.

In the end, with an overwhelming advantage, these three provinces chose to return to the Netherlands.

Leopold II finally had to accept this fact and held a press conference on March 15, 1869, stating that the royal family had no objection to the provinces' departure.

"I just hope that the Dutch people in these three provinces can get better development in the Netherlands, at least more happily than in Belgium."

Leopold II's statement of maintaining the royal gentleman's demeanor made people feel refreshed.

I also felt sympathy for the Belgian king who had his land taken over by neighboring powers again and again.

On March 20, 1869, William IV and Leopold II formally met in the province of Antwerp, which had returned to the Netherlands earlier.

"Leopold II was born in 1835. He inherited the position of King of Belgium after the death of the former King Leopold I in 1865. He was just 30 years old at the time. He was also the first native-born King of Belgium. His rule It is considered to be relatively successful in adopting a policy of "concession" to the workers' movement and allowing trade unions to exist legally, thus easing domestic class contradictions."

This time William IV was accompanied by Venus, the Chief Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, who accompanied William IV to the Province of Antwerp. He was also followed by the Chief Deputy Ministers of other cabinet governments and deputies from various military ministries.

On the way to a meeting with King Leopold II of Belgium, Venus was riding a horse and explaining information about Leopold II outside William IV's carriage.

Venus paused after talking about this, "Unfortunately, with the rapid rise of the Netherlands in recent years, the space of Belgium has been sharply compressed, turning this buffer country that was originally a buffer country for several neighboring big countries into a battleground, and eventually became riddled with holes. .Belgium’s current buffer state status has lost its role.”

The voice of William IV came from the carriage and asked: "In other words, now that Britain and France have confirmed that Belgium has lost its status, can the Netherlands take further measures to obtain more benefits?"

Venus: "Yes, that's the principle. However, Queen Victoria may hope that we don't go too far."

After he finished speaking, there was no more sound coming from the carriage.

Seeing this, Venus could only ride a horse and follow the luxurious royal carriage to the city council in Antwerp, where the talks were held.

When William IV arrived there, Leopold II was already waiting there.

William IV looked at Leopold II who was waiting for him at the door of the city council in the distance. Looking at the big beard and the slicked-back hair, William IV disliked him in his heart, but There is nothing wrong with it, this is how almost aristocrats in Europe dress now.

Looking at myself and Leopold II, both of them were wearing royal military uniforms. It seemed that only military uniforms were most suitable for this occasion.

William IV stepped forward, gave the other party a hug, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty seems a little unaccustomed to hugs, and his body is a little stiff."

Leopold II laughed when he heard this, "Your Majesty is joking. I just feel that after so many years, His Majesty is still so easy-going, which is surprising."

"Really?" William IV pursed his lips and said, "It's just that I've eaten too much during this period and I feel a little relaxed. Please don't take offense."

Too full?

The expressions of many people in Belgium changed drastically. There is something in this statement.

Looking at William IV's smiling face, Leopold II's expression changed slightly, and he secretly scolded the other party for being a villain.

He understood that now the opponent was stronger and he was weaker, and Britain, France and other countries had compromised, so what else could he do.

So he forced out a smile and said: "That's true. It's easy to lose energy after eating. Unfortunately, I also want to, but I don't have the chance now."

"How could there be no chance?" William IV was not as lazy as he just said. He stared at Leopold II with a cannibalistic look and said seductively: "Following the Netherlands, I think the chance is great. Very good”

After saying that, he ignored Leopold II's expression and said with a smile as he walked: "Let's go to our local council in the province of Antwerp in the Netherlands for the purpose of today's meeting."

Alban said dissatisfied: "It's too much. William IV doesn't take us seriously."

The only person Leopold II brought this time was Alban, leader of the opposition Catholic Party. Alban turned to seek to continue his political career after losing to Jules Danetant after seeking re-election a few years ago. , was actually elected as the mayor of the capital Brussels in 1867, which can be said to have maintained his status in Belgium. Of course, people of French and British descent contributed a lot here, and the Germans also wanted to prevent the Dutch from gaining support. the other party.

The reason why I only brought him with me this time and not a few other people was that Indanetan and others had clearly supported returning to the Netherlands. Under such circumstances, Leopold II no longer had the meaning to bribe a few people. Instead, he used Alban to better consolidate his royal status.

With these three provinces taken away by the Netherlands, Belgium's national power has been extremely weak. In terms of territorial area, it is even worse than the Principality of Nassau and the Principality of Luxembourg under the Netherlands. In less than 5 years, it could have competed with the Netherlands. For the area to be reduced to this, Leopold II would feel very heavy.