Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

William IV, who was meeting with Franz Joseph I in Vienna of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, did not know that Bismarck, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia, had formally proposed the idea of ​​establishing a German Empire in Berlin, and had also received the support of King William I and Moltke of Prussia. The approval of the Prussian Chief of General Staff.

After this meeting, William IV and Franz Joseph I determined that the relationship between the two parties needed to be further developed, especially that the two countries would cooperate in the Mediterranean and Africa. Moreover, the two countries will also coordinate on continental affairs to prevent other countries from taking actions that are not conducive to the two countries.

At the same time, William IV and Franz Joseph I formally signed a document. William IV proposed to increase economic exchanges between the two countries. The Netherlands had obvious advantages.

However, Joseph I obviously also liked the benefits brought by the developed economy of the Netherlands and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but he did not object.

Joseph I proposed cultural dissemination. Because Vienna is the most famous music mecca in Europe and even the world, Joseph I wanted to rely on music and culture to influence people.

The two also agreed to lower each other's investment restrictions, which would help the economic development of both parties.

In the end, the two agreed to conduct more coordination in the diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Austria-Hungary and third countries.

The Netherlands called it a strategic relationship, and Austria-Hungary later called it a semi-alliance.

On October 29, 1869, the Prussian Second Army led by Prince Carl Friedrich of Prussia moved directly south from Sedan to attack Verdun after being replenished with 150,000 troops.

Paris was shocked after hearing the news.

On November 1, 1869, French Prime Minister Charles, under the pressure of aristocratic forces, proposed a bill in parliament to support Reims.

The proposal was approved immediately.

After Eugenie, who was regent of France in Paris, signed it into effect on November 2, the Paris Guard Corps immediately sent 50,000 regular troops to Reims to support Napoleon III.

But it was too late at this time because on November 3, when Napoleon III had just made the decision to send 50,000 French troops to support Verdun, the army had not yet left. Verdun had already been destroyed by Prince Carl Friedrich. The second largest legion of the army was occupied.

In this battle, the Prussian Second Army of Sedan retained 80,000 of its 150,000 troops, and the remaining 70,000 attacked the 20,000 French troops in Verdun. The Prussians suffered 18,000 casualties, with 52,000 remaining. The French suffered 12,000 casualties, 4,000 escaped, and nearly 4,000 surrendered.

The result of another rapid defeat came. For a moment, Napoleon III was furious and insisted on sending troops to Verdun regardless of the obstruction of his left and right staff.

This time it was no longer 50,000, but the same 70,000 French troops.

On November 5, French Emperor Napoleon III, who was stationing 150,000 troops in Reims, launched a counterattack. He sent 70,000 troops to break into Verdun, but they were immediately attacked head-on by the Prussian army. Finally, 70,000 French troops invaded Verdun. The army faced 52,000 Prussian troops and was repulsed, with 48,000 remaining and a loss of 22,000.

The Prussian army suffered more than 26,000 casualties, with only half remaining.

On November 6, the Prussian army turned to counterattack. After receiving the support of 80,000 troops from Crown Prince Frederick of the Prussian Third Army in the South, Prince Carl Frederick immediately launched a fierce offensive against the French army. However, the offensive failed. It was Haltermann, commander of the Second Bavarian Army of the Third Army under Crown Prince Frederick.

Haltmann led the Bavarian Second Army from Lorraine and the Alsace Plateau, which had just been occupied for a long time, and directly followed the trend of the westward attack into the city of Nancy in the Moselle Province of France. With everyone looking north, Lanlan At St. Louis, Sedan and Verdun, Nancy, which was defended by less than 5,000 French troops, fell into the hands of the Bavarian Second Army in less than 5 hours.

After the army captured Nancy, Commander Tann of the Bavarian First Army quickly joined in to help the Bavarian Second Army block the news.

At the same time, the 11th Army led by Commander Bose of Crown Prince Frederick's Third Army quickly moved south and captured Epinal, the capital of Vosges Province, before 9 a.m. on November 7. Mplinger of the Sixth Army even secured Colmar in the Upper Rhine Province in two hours before sunset on November 6, like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

When news of the fall of these places spread throughout France on the night of November 7, 1869, Napoleon III was furious. A hurried telegram ordered Radmiro, the temporary commander of the 4th and 5th Army, the remaining main force of the Metz Army, to regain his lost position.

On November 8, 1869, Commander Radmiro led his 4th and 5th corps from Chaumont in the Haute-Marne province eastward to Thule in the Moselle province, but they were already defeated. Intercepting the prepared Bavarian Second Army and the Bavarian First Army, the two sides launched a fierce battle. As a result, Radmiro's Metz Army's 4th Bottom Army was completely defeated and continued to retreat. The Bavarian First and Second Army took advantage of the victory to pursue it, and finally pulled out General De Millo led only one-third of the remnant army when he left, and retreated to the rear of Chaumont to take advantage of the terrain and the remaining troops. The Prussian army stopped in the eastern part of the Haute-Marne department.

In Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, the northernmost part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, William IV's visit to the Austro-Hungarian Empire came to an end. In two days, his delegation will enter Prussia.

Alas, the Prague garrison arranged by Joseph I was a royal palace and a summer resort for the Austrian Habsburg royal family. This time Joseph I paid too much attention to William IV and even used the palace as a hotel for William IV and his party to enter and spend the night.

In the rooms of William IV,

All the important Dutch people accompanying this trip gathered.

Of course, there is no need to mention William IV. In addition to him, there are also Cantur, Director of the Dutch National Security Council and Atlantic Affairs Coordinator, McKay Sean, Director of the Dutch International Intelligence Agency, Joseph Karls, Chief of Staff of the Dutch Navy, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Nicholas Pearson and others.

“Because the Haute-Marne department has a very unique geographical location, with it as the center, whether it is to the north to Brussels, or to the south to the Swiss-French border, to the east to the Lorraine-Alsace region, or to the west to Paris .

The Haute-Marne department is an equidistant central point. As of now in the war, Prussia has occupied half of the entire eastern part of the north east of Paris.

This signifies that Prussia has successfully moved the Franco-Prussian War into France. Bismarck is preparing to use war to support the war and consume the regenerative blood of the French Empire."

As the former Dutch ambassador to Prussia, Nicholas Pierson's performance in the post of ambassador to Prussia was shocking. During this Franco-Prussian War, William IV specified that he should be accompanied by only the third deputy minister of foreign affairs. Obviously He also liked his connections in Prussia and his understanding of Prussia.

Therefore, every time the Franco-Prussian War is mentioned, everyone present will give him the first opportunity to speak.

It has become a habit over time.

"No, as the Franco-Prussian War becomes more and more tragic, we can now fully predict that Prussia has completed the first stage of the future war, that is, the tragic war will end within the empire, and Prussia can live and develop its economy normally. It's just that With this approach, if nothing unexpected happens, Prussia will already be in an invincible position where it can advance or retreat."

He raised his head and saw that William IV did not make any statement, but just listened calmly, making it difficult for people to understand what he was thinking.

Chief of Naval Staff Joseph Karls suddenly asked in surprise: "Your Majesty, I see that Prussia under the leadership of Bismarck has prepared a complete plan to encroach step by step. We need to prepare for this."

William IV still did not express his position. He looked at the director of the Dutch International Intelligence Agency, McKay Sean, next to him and said, "Tell them your information."

intelligence?

Nicholas Pearson and Joseph Karls knew that there might be an accident that they didn't know about.

At the same time, I also know that maybe I guessed in the wrong direction.

"The French Empire is currently at a disadvantage. It is almost trying to resist, but to no avail." McKay Sean revealed the so-called intelligence report: "You may not know that just yesterday (November 8, 1869) , British Foreign Secretary Russell’s low-key visit to Berlin ended. Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire also summoned the Prussian Ambassador to Prussia.”

Are Britain and Russia launching a diplomatic offensive against Prussia these days?

Naturally, these two countries would not support Prussia's proposal to launch a war and occupy France, so what was left was that Prussia might make some concessions.

Thinking of this, they immediately knew that the following Franco-Prussian War might have factors other than war.

At this time, William IV looked at Cantur, director of the Dutch National Security Council and Atlantic Affairs Coordinator, who pointed out knowingly:

"If this is the case, then Prussia's current momentum of high morale will have to be adjusted due to the intervention of various countries. However, I guess Prussia will not stop in a short time."

Chief of Naval Staff Joseph Karls: "Why?"

Campbell: "Because this is not only a self-destruction of martial arts, making Prussia's efforts these days in vain, but also accidentally becoming the target of the anger of the Prussian people. Bismarck is so smart, he will naturally not let himself become such a useless loser."

Campbell seemed to be able to see through the hidden political information that many people could not understand: "More importantly, Bismarck may not have intended to take over the entire French Empire from the beginning."

Inspired by this, Nicholas Pearson suddenly came to his senses. He faintly touched some doorways, but they seemed to be blocked by a layer of membrane.

Joseph Carles is worthy of being a soldier's whetstone: "What does Mr. Campbell mean?"

"Bismarck is waiting for a price," Campbell said with a smile, "However, His Majesty has already anticipated all this. Next, it depends on whether Bismarck follows the script we gave him."

Follow His Majesty's script?

Nicholas Pearson and Joseph Karls couldn't help but raise their heads and look at William IV.

William IV said solemnly: "Bismarck is very slippery, it is always right that we all have to be careful."

"Also, we are about to enter Prussia. Some Prussians were dissatisfied when we closed the passage to the Principality of Luxembourg some time ago. Be careful of those who have lost their minds."