Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

February 4, 1870, Berlin.

“What we should do now is condemn the bloody actions of the Paris government, use this as a moral high ground, and launch a comprehensive public opinion counterattack.”

Bismarck said to William I.

However, Prince Karl raised a question: "Although public opinion attacks are effective, has the Prime Minister ever thought that newspapers in various countries now require official approval before being printed and sold? The current attitude of the 10 Pan-Prussian countries towards Prussia , have formed a united front, shouldn’t these countries support Prussia and the French Third Republic’s attack on Paris?”

Now that the overall situation of the Prussian army's invasion of France has been determined, it has almost reached the original pre-war plan of Bismarck and William I. What is left is the attack on Paris.

So this time General Karl Steinmetz, the commander of the First Army, Prince Karl, the commander of the Second Army, and Crown Prince Frederick, the commander of the Third Army, were all summoned back to Berlin.

"Prince Karl's statement is quite good," Moltke, a certain commander of the General Staff, said with concern: "The invasion of Prussia has already been led by the British, and the wariness of various countries towards Prussia has become apparent from the bottom of their hearts. This must be guarded against."

Crown Prince Frederick also said at this time: "If we don't prevent all countries from forming a united front against Prussia, I'm afraid." He raised his head and stared at a few people, and finally focused on Bismarck, who was still there, and said in a horrifying tone: "Napoleon The First French Empire during the period is a lesson we will face in the future.”

Hearing this, William I was frightened and couldn't help but look at Bismarck.

Yes, Napoleon I was so powerful back then. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc. were all under his rule and occupied almost the entire Western Europe. In the end, under siege by Britain, Austria, Sweden, Tsarist Russia, Prussia, etc., it was finally defeated and its status was not guaranteed in Waterloo.

Prussia is very strong, but it is only on the rise. Even if it were a single other great power, William I did not think that Prussia could now defeat Tsarist Russia on land and Britain on the sea.

Therefore, now facing the coercion of these countries, Prussia's current surrounding environment is definitely in a very serious crisis.

Seemingly understanding William I's concerns, Bismarck slowly said: "Britain always likes to maintain suppression of European powers and likes to balance us against each other. Prussia has risen too fast. It is beyond British expectations. The current formation of Pan-Prussian camp, but these countries have different interests and will not last long."

He looked at the few people confidently, then his eyes fell on William I respectfully, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I have found a breakthrough."

Moltke, General Karl Steinmetz, Prince Karl, and Crown Prince Frederick all immediately relaxed after hearing this. Based on their understanding of Bismarck, they knew that since Bismarck said this, then naturally he was really looking for a fight. The way to deal with it, but seeing that Bismarck kept silent, they also understood that this was a secret.

Shortly after the meeting, Wilhelm I left Bismarck alone.

Bismarck obviously understood what William I was thinking.

Facing the questions of William I.

Bismarck smiled slightly: "Has your Majesty forgotten that we still owe others something?"

William I looked at him in astonishment.

"Eastern Oman on the Arabian Sea," Bismarck prompted.

William I understood Bismarck's meaning instantly.

Seeing this, Bismarck said: "The Kingdom of the Netherlands has quietly joined the Pan-Prussian camp this time. Obviously this is a warning to us. If we stop, the Netherlands will definitely doubt our ability to deliver East Oman, but if Continuing to launch the attack on Paris, we are facing pressure from the Dutch and the Inner Pan-Prussian camp."

Bismarck said to Wilhelm I: "If I predict correctly, the Netherlands will provide us with their insights in the near future."

William I did not comment on Bismarck's speculation, but he was also a man who could afford to wait, and naturally he would not directly refute it, although he was very skeptical of the Dutch position from beginning to end.

Although he disdained William IV's approach of "sitting on both sides", it was currently the best way to settle down in the Netherlands, and he did not agree with it.

William I shrugged helplessly: "Then I'll wait and see."

As soon as he finished speaking, the chief of the palace guard knocked on the door and walked in. After receiving the consent of William I, he reported: "His Excellency Weesemann, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Prussia, sent a letter from His Majesty King William IV of the Netherlands to His Majesty personally."

Bismarck showed a little surprise, while William I looked at Bismarck in shock. William I admired the latter's calmness.

It’s so good to know things like a god!

William I couldn't wait to open the letter and read three lines.

After a moment, he raised his head, with surprise on his face, "The Prime Minister's guess was indeed right. The Netherlands sent the British the bottom line."

After speaking, he asked the captain of the guard to deliver the letter to Bismarck.

After Bismarck took it, his eyes fell on it. In the letter, after William IV greeted William I, he pointed out the bottom line listed by Britain in order to unify the Pan-Prussian camp.

It is clear that Bismarck and William I have it in their hands and can finally refer to it for C's next plan.

William I no longer worried as before and said with a smile: "It seems that William IV is very interested in East Oman."

Bismarck nodded and said: "Yes, it seems that we have underestimated the Netherlands' firm determination to move to the Far East. In order to obtain East Oman, William IV did not hesitate to use his internal status to make us realize our promise. However, this also indirectly proves that the Netherlands is not willing to cooperate with us. We are Prussia’s enemy. Perhaps, William IV’s mentality can be exploited by us.”

William I: "What do you mean?"

Bismarck: "Has your Majesty forgotten that since Britain can unite with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, can we also use it to resolve disputes?"

William I's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Application to join this organization?"

"Not bad," Bismarck said with a smile: "Instead of confronting these countries head-on, it would be better for us to go directly inside to resolve them and defeat them one by one. The attitude of William IV will be our first breakthrough."

William I laughed and said: "Then it will be hard work for the Prime Minister."

Bismarck naturally nodded in agreement and said secretly: "William IV, William IV, do you have any other plans?"

Obviously, Bismarck was not as optimistic as he told William I.

Everything the Netherlands is currently doing seems to be a long-term plan, and the plans are not small. I hope that William IV will not put his plan into a scene that Prussia does not want to see. Otherwise, even if Prussia is injured, it will not make it easier for the Netherlands.

Bismarck made up his mind secretly.