Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

"Prime Minister Bismarck has been working hard in the political arena for many years. Naturally, he should know how to be reluctant to let go of his children. Although the German Empire also wants to replace London as the most powerful financial city in Europe, the German Empire has already lost from the day it annexed the German Confederation. to replace London, England.”

William IV pointed out mercilessly: "Looking across Europe, the Netherlands can be said to be the most suitable financial choice for all countries. Can the Prime Minister agree?"

He waved his hand to stop Bismarck who wanted to speak, and said:

"The Organizational Meeting of the International Court of Justice in The Hague will be held in The Hague on June 20, where each member state will hold its first prime ministerial level summit. After years of procrastination, this meeting will be held between the German Empire and the Second French Empire this year. , and the two countries became official members of the organization at the same time, symbolizing that after the four countries of the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire became members in 1871, they took a step forward to include other countries in Europe. At this point, the entire Europe All countries have become members of the organization.

At present, this organization has become the most authoritative organization in the world. The addition of Germany will make Europe more balanced. The addition of the Second French Empire can also block the mouths of Britain and Austria-Hungary.

I think that after the German Empire joins, it will break the recent dominance of the United Kingdom within the organization. With the German Empire and the Nordic Alliance led by Spain as the core group, it will be quite different from the British Atlantic strategy that focuses on the sea. posture. "

"What does His Majesty William IV mean that the Netherlands is willing to push Spain and the Nordic countries to improve relations with the German Empire, and then go to restrict Britain's role in this organization?"

Bismarck first asked for a while, and then said with a smile: "In this way, the Netherlands can free up a lot of energy to deal with the dispute with the United Kingdom in the Indian Ocean, and the United Kingdom will have to put some of its energy back to Europe and fight with the United Kingdom. We, the German Empire, compete for influence in the organization of the International Court of Justice in The Hague?

Your Majesty is indeed very calculating! But this is good for the German Empire, so we don’t have any reason to refuse it.”

"Of course I won't exclusively enjoy the benefits," William IV said angrily: "The Netherlands has never exclusive benefits when cooperating with its allies. I think that although Germany is not an ally, after all, you are currently in Somalia and the Maldives in the western Indian Ocean. There are Anglo-German naval exercises taking place between the islands, but I think the Netherlands and Germany can become good strategic partners that take care of each other's core interests in rising. I wonder if the Prime Minister agrees with this?"

Bismarck pondered for a moment, and then after calculating the gains and losses, he nodded and said solemnly: "I also think that the Netherlands is a reliable partner of Germany, but the allies are restraining the relationship between the German Empire and the Netherlands, and are not in the interest of each other's development. I think your Majesty also thought of it. Regarding this, what I am even more curious about is, how can Your Majesty, the Netherlands, develop cooperation with the German Empire?"

Problem reversal?

William IV gave Bismarck a thoughtful look, and then said: "The Netherlands is willing to provide active submarine technology to the German Empire, but we need the German Empire not to impose a ban on the Netherlands in the industrial product market."

Bismarck did not hide his inner emotions again this time, and his face showed joy. The reason why he traveled thousands of miles to Melbourne, Australia, in the Far East this time was naturally with a mission, and the Netherlands' world-leading submarine technology is currently Germany's What the Empire wants most.

Ever since the Netherlands revealed the power of submarines in 1869, the British Empire was afraid that the Netherlands would challenge its maritime hegemony, so it convened top domestic naval experts to carry out the British submarine research and manufacturing plan. Although after nearly 9 years, the UK also developed A submarine with British characteristics has been produced, but it is difficult to compete with the Netherlands in terms of range and weapon carrying. It is said that the Dutch submarine technology has reached the third generation and the range has exceeded 500-1,000 nautical miles.

The UK is still between the first and second generations, and the range is still less than 100 nautical miles.

The submarines exported by the Netherlands are also of the same level as the British.

Almost all the submarines currently in service in the Netherlands have a range between 100 nautical miles and 300 nautical miles.

If the Netherlands can transfer this second-generation submarine technology to the German Empire, then faced with the difficulty of competing with the United Kingdom on surface warships, the Netherlands' initial concern at sea will be transferred to the United Kingdom and the German Empire.

"Currently, the British Empire is increasing the manufacturing of surface warships on a large scale, trying to make up for the gap with the Netherlands at sea, and using strengths to make up for weaknesses. If Your Majesty helps the German Empire to overwhelm the British Empire in submarines, it will face Germany, which is currently No. 6 in the world. Empire (after the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Tsarist Russia, France's north-south and south-west bilateral relations, and Spain), then the British navy cannot help but need to deploy more warships in the North Atlantic. In addition, Spain, which currently maintains the fifth-largest navy in the world, as well as nearby France and Tsarist Russia and even the UK are currently struggling."

Bismarck showed admiration on his face and praised: "Your Majesty, in this way, you have achieved three birds with one stone. Not only are you selling weapons to the German Empire, but you are also using the German Empire to continue to build the global reputation of Dutch submarines. Thirdly, you are making Britain even more famous." So sad”

William IV nodded and said: "I have just received news that the British House of Lords and the House of Commons are ready to review the proposal of the Creston cabinet government, which requires the British naval tonnage to be at least 70% of the combined tonnage of the second and third countries. In other words, The current public tonnage of the Dutch Navy is 350,000 tons, and the Tsarist Empire’s current tonnage is 250,000 tons. To achieve this goal, the UK must reach 420,000 tons. We are just afraid that our like-minded allies in Europe will not be able to withstand the British tonnage. The wave of surface battleships is expanding."

Bismarck's expression suddenly changed upon hearing this, and he hurriedly looked at William IV inquiringly.

"Don't look at me. I just learned that Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom has been willing to support the Whig Party's proposal. It is said that in order for the proposal to be passed by Cleese, the increased orders for warship manufacturing this time will break the previous order given to which party who comes to power. Behind the scenes was shipyard practice, with the proposal famously passing general orders to the Tory shipyard consortium."

William IV sighed: "Look, this time the two parties in the UK are united as one, ready to give up the gap between the two parties and act unanimously to maintain Britain's maritime hegemony."

Bismarck did not seem to have recovered from the news, and his face still showed surprise.

After a moment, he said: "In this case, it seems that the German Empire must thank the Netherlands for transferring submarine technology."

"So I have said that the Netherlands is a completely trustworthy strategic partner of the German Empire."

After saying that, William IV and Bismarck looked at each other for a moment, and then laughed. Obviously, at this moment, the two finally achieved a true strategic understanding on behalf of their respective countries.

On May 26, 1878, Dutch Prime Minister Gerrit de Vries visited Melbourne and German Imperial Prime Minister Bismarck formally signed the German Empire's order for 20 second-generation Dutch submarines from the Adelaide Shipbuilding Company, a subsidiary of the Dutch Far East Group.

At the same time, the Paradise Island Shipyard under the East India Company also received an order for more than 10 second-generation submarines from Bismarck.

The two also announced that 30 submarines were sold for a total of 2 million pounds (50 million guilders), with an average value of 6.66 pounds per submarine. At the same time, the German Empire also wanted to purchase second-generation submarine manufacturing technology from the Adelaide Shipyard in the Netherlands. , bidding £1 million (N25 million).

As word of the deal spread, the world once again set its sights on Melbourne.

"The 30 submarines are spot transactions, so we can sell them directly to the German Empire from the active forces, train German submarine personnel, etc., and it only takes three months to half a year to complete.

2 million pounds, which can directly become the research and development funds of the Adelaide Shipyard. Tell the Far East Group to let them continue to invest funds in the research and development of new technologies. Without new technologies, it will become visible and tangible. There are many targets to catch up with, but if we keep coming out with new technologies, those who are chasing after us will only be able to look up to us, forming a generational gap. At present, our submarines have developed the third generation. We are facing the German Empire and the Allies. Selling the second generation means that we are only one generation ahead of them, which is still not safe. We must maintain the advanced generation gap, that is, we are two generations ahead of them, so that we will not be threatened. clear? "

Standing in front of William IV was Dutch Prime Minister Gerrit de Vries.

This man was previously the Speaker of the Dutch House of Commons and was a political ally of former Prime Minister Tolbeck.

During the nine years when Tolbeck was in power, Gerrit de Vries was the reason why the Netherlands helped the former to pass the policy through the House of Commons, so this person can be said to be a veteran in the political arena.

When dealing with this person, you must understand that this kind of person actually cherishes feathers very much. William IV did not think this was a derogatory term. On the contrary, he absolutely believed that this was a qualified politician. Tolbeck is too strong. He doesn't look like a politician, but a political bully.

So, when William IV finished speaking, Gerrit De Vries nodded hastily and said: "Yes."

This is the benefit of snake oil.

It doesn't matter that Tolbeck from his previous life has gone and the obedient and sensible Gerrit De Vries has come.

Moreover, the Netherlands currently needs such an obedient person.

William IV asked: "What is the current reaction in Britain?"

"Crown Prince Edward of the British royal family is said to be very angry, but this is consistent. He and the Queen seem to have formed a royal rhythm of one good person and one bad person, and it seems to be working well. And Disraeli seems to have stopped now. The proposal put forward by Creston to put forward 70% of the British navy's tonnage, which is the second and third largest in the world, was formally passed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the British Parliament yesterday."