Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

On October 9, 1869, King William IV of the Netherlands and Queen Isabella II of Spain held a secret meeting in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

After the meeting, Spain announced that it would send four warships to the north to join the Nordic Alliance fleet composed of the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden.

The Dutch government announced that Spain had become a new partner of the Nordic Alliance, with the same status as the Russian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Netherlands did not directly confront France, but the movements on their hands were continuous.

On October 10, 1869, the Italian royal family, which had just received William IV in Sicily, announced that Italy would become the most powerful organization in the Far East Pacific region, the Deep Blue Pacific Partnership, following the Tsarist Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. "Partner countries, the organization's members include the Netherlands, Spain, the Commonwealth of America, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. Together with Spain, the organization also has three partner countries: the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Plus the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

With this widening net, it seems that Britain, like France, is about to be isolated from the world. It is no wonder that Britain has been anxious recently and sent Foreign Secretary Russell to visit Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, to seek the Netherlands' support for Britain to join the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Italy, Sicily, temporary palace of the King of Italy in Catania, the capital.

Sitting in front of King Emmanuel II of Italy were Italian Prime Minister Marco Minghetti and Italian Crown Prince Prince Umberto.

Crown Prince Umberto said in surprise: "Perhaps 10 years ago, no one could have imagined that a medium-sized European country like the Netherlands would one day be of such importance to a major European country. France is now struggling. Many people in France now I hate the Netherlands so much.”

Prime Minister Marco Minghetti also lamented: "At present, the Netherlands is obviously on the side of Prussia, and behind the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark are of the same mind as the Netherlands. The most surprising thing is that Denmark is willing to put aside its prejudices and support Prussia in attacking France. , this is the most puzzling. Perhaps the Netherlands’ role in it is far more important than we thought.”

Crown Prince Umberto, born in 1844: "What the Netherlands has done has threatened France. Will France ignore Prussia's threat and insist on retaliating against the Netherlands?"

Emmanuel II suddenly asked: "If you were Napoleon III, how would you take revenge on the Netherlands at this time?"

Crown Prince Umberto seemed to have a clue, and blurted out: "The army will mobilize and go all out to fight against Prussia in the east. If possible, we will even use this as an excuse to directly send troops to occupy Luxembourg, which is not bordering the Netherlands, when we defeat Prussia." Principality.

In addition, the French navy can be dispatched from the sea to directly bombard the coastal areas of Belgium, or even go north to carry out oppressive bombardment of the Dutch mainland. In this way, I think the Netherlands will eventually taste failure and regret.”

Marco, Prime Minister Minghetti and Emperor Emmanuel II looked at each other and secretly sighed that the crown prince was still a bit immature.

Crown Prince Umberto looked at the two people in front of him with confusion. He was very puzzled that they seemed to have forgotten to comment. But being smart, he understood after a moment that his answer didn't seem to be in line with what they wanted.

However, he was still unconvinced and thinking: "I don't believe what I did was wrong."

Emmanuel II suddenly asked again: "If King William IV of the Netherlands is going to lend us a land route through Italy, do you think you will agree?"

Marco Minghetti heard this and kept a close eye on Crown Prince Umberto.

The latter was shocked when he heard this and looked at Emmanuel II in disbelief.

Emmanuel II said again: "To avoid French interception, the King of the Netherlands wants to pass directly through our territory, passing through the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, and finally returning to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Are you willing to make Italy one of the stops? ?"

Crown Prince Umberto said hesitantly:

"After passing through Italy, France will settle accounts later. Italy seems to lose more than the gain. However, helping William IV when he encounters difficulties seems to make the Dutch royal family owe us a favor, and the Dutch will be full of favor towards the Italians. . This choice depends on Italy’s attitude towards post-war France in the future.”

He continued: "At the same time, it also depends on what we estimate will be the outcome of the war between France and Prussia before we can treat William IV."

Marco Minghetti said in a timely manner: "The Crown Prince is right to be worried. I think other parties should be worried in the same way."

However, the words of the two people did not dispel Emmanuel II's doubts. He always felt that things were not that simple, because this was not like the William IV in his impression.

On October 11, 1869, Dutch Foreign Minister Hesbert von announced the cancellation of the embassy in France. At the same time, for the sake of safety, he called on all Dutch descendants or Dutch people currently in the French Empire to return to the Netherlands. He called for at least leaving French territory. Keep yourself safe.

William IV, who was preparing to land in the port of Athens in Greece, was content to accept his brother, Prince Frederik, the Crown Prince of Greece and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Greece, Demetrios Vu, who were the protagonists of this wedding. Galaris met him at the port.

Looking at the Greek Crown Prince Frederick, who was about the same height as himself, William IV suddenly had a smile on his face due to the blood connection between his relatives, so he pulled Prince Albert out of the boat.

The two brothers, William IV and Crown Prince Frederik, gave a firm hug without saying a word.

The words of Crown Prince Frederi reached William IV's ears.

"My brother is getting stronger and stronger. No wonder the Kingdom of the Netherlands has shocked the entire European countries even more than it did during my father's reign."

William IV still hugged him and said: "There is no way, it's due to the mission, but the future stage of the Kingdom of Greece can also allow you to display your ambitions."

After saying that, they loosened their hands, and the two men looked at each other gentlemanly and laughed. From a distance, the whispers between the two brothers just now revealed a deep brotherhood.

But only two people knew that they meant what they said.

"Uncle Frederick"

Prince Albert stepped forward and used a new European etiquette like a gentleman, which made Crown Prince Frederic laugh. He picked up the little guy who was only 4 years old and turned to point to William IV. Prime Minister Demetrios Vulgaris introduced: “This is our Prime Minister of Greece”

But what he didn't notice was that William IV and Demetrios Vulgaris showed mysterious smiles at the same time. It seemed that the two of them were very familiar.