Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne Chapter 359

The situation in Europe, with the enmity between Prussia and the Netherlands, caused Denmark and Sweden to be pulled into a vortex, which greatly shocked the European countries.

Tsarist Empire, St. Petersburg.

"The governments of Denmark and Sweden have decided to apply to the Union of South America, respectively, but there have been public protests against joining the Union of South America in these two countries recently. What do you think of the European situation in which Sweden and Denmark joined the Union?"

The Prime Minister of the Russian Empire Gorchakov met with Calvin Colin, the Dutch ambassador to the Russian Empire a day ago, and asked as soon as they met.

"It is reported that Prussia is very angry"

After the airy answer, Calvin Colin's eyes flashed, and he looked at the Tsarist Russian Prime Minister with a half-smile, and asked, "What impact does the Prime Minister think this will have on the Tsarist Empire?"

Gorchakov secretly said: From the beginning to the present, this guy has remained flattered, which is rare. It is said that there are many diplomatic talents in the Netherlands. From the previous rumors, this Calvin Colin is not bad.

With his face unchanged, Gorchakov said: "The Tsarist Russian Empire does not mind the increased influence of Sweden and Denmark overseas, but I feel that if these two countries increase their overseas expansion, the two countries will have a bad relationship with Prussia, and they will not be interested in Tsarist Russia. The ambassador should know that the countries in the western Baltic Sea are still too friendly, which is not conducive to the strategy of Tsarist Russia.”

Calvin Colin's eyelids jumped, and although his expression remained the same, his heart was shocked, and he looked at Gorchakov with a light face.

Sure enough, he is indeed the most discerning diplomatic leader in the Russian Empire. Since 1856, he has been the helmsman of the Russian Empire's diplomacy, and his vision is unique.

I thought to myself: I don't finally understand why in Amsterdam's order, he was asked to meet Prime Minister Gorchakov instead of Alexander II this time. Obviously, Alexander II, who weighed too much, had always been anti-Prussian Gorchakov. Cove is the best partner for the Netherlands at present.

Thinking of this, Calvin Colin said with a smile: "The same is true for us in the Netherlands. The Baltic Sea is a sea of ​​peace, and monopoly behavior is not allowed. The Netherlands has close contacts with the Baltic countries, so we hope that the Baltic Sea will always maintain a certain degree of balance. Not only the Netherlands, And the UK and other countries should also think the same way, even because I think the talented diplomatic strategists of Tsarist Russia will have this idea, which is the reason why I asked the Prime Minister this time.”

"Oh" Gorchakov smiled noncommittally: "Although it sounds very pleasant, I still can't figure out the purpose of the ambassador's request to see me. Please tell me the following."

Calvin Colin said: "Well, it seems that I really forgot. Just as the Prime Minister said just now, I think the surrounding environment of Prussia has deteriorated, and it may be better for the surrounding countries. After all, Prussia's war potential is too great."

Seeing that Gorchakov's face changed slightly, Calvin Colin had already understood the other party's heartbeat, and obviously agreed with him.

So he pursued the victory and said: "Originally, the organization of the German Confederation was the object of scruples of countries including the Netherlands. At that time, many people were glad that Austria still had Prussia to restrict it. Now that Austria has been defeated, they have to form a new empire together with Hungary. Fight against Prussia for self-preservation.

Under such circumstances, we in the Netherlands believe that the Tsarist Russian Empire should be equally worried about this. After all, the wild wolf who has just grown up to defeat the small prey for the first time, after the food is digested, the stronger prey next to him will also become the food he desires. , to this end, this is why we, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, formed the Nordic Tri-Nation Alliance. "

Gorchakov looked at Calvin Colin sarcastically, "Although the ambassador's statement is pleasant, it cannot eliminate the threat posed by the Russian Empire to the Nordic Alliance of the Three Kingdoms. After all, Mr. Ambassador knows that we and Sweden fought the Nordic hegemony in the 17th and 18th centuries and the first decade of the century.”

"But hasn't the Tsarist Russian Empire already defeated Sweden?" Calvin Colin said, "I don't think the Tsarist Russian Empire has annexed Finland for more than 50 years, and across the Baltic Sea, they are still afraid that Sweden's counterattack will fail. If that's the case. , then, I doubt whether the Tsarist Russian Empire has been able to maintain the supreme honor of the empire for so long, whether it deserves its name.”

"You" stared at Calvin Colin for a long time, sighing in his heart that the other party was bold and difficult to deal with, Gorchakov finally shrugged and said solemnly: "Even if the Russian Empire is not afraid of Sweden's counterattack, why do we have no reason for it? Interfering in the grievances between your three countries and Prussia is useless. Although we are a little worried about Prussia, I don't think Prussia is a threat to us at this stage.”

"But it's very important to take precautions before it happens. The prime minister should understand that when Prussia really grows up, the Tsarist Empire will pay a much higher price to defeat the opponent than it is now."

Gorchakov squinted and pointed out: "But the Netherlands is more dangerous than the threat faced by Tsarist Russia"

"That is, but the Prime Minister should know that the Netherlands has made a huge new home on the Australian mainland and the Dutch East Indies between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Far East."

Calvin Colin proudly said: "We can take the first blow in Europe, because we can rise again in the Far East"

Gorchakov was no longer slightly discolored this time, but his face changed greatly.

He couldn't help thinking: The Netherlands can face the attack of Prussia, but in the end it can't resist, and can flee to the Far East. As the current top three navy in the world, after all, the Dutch navy has this strength, just as the Dutch ambassador said. At present, the population ratio between the Dutch mainland and the Far East Dutch is 4 to 6. This will change rapidly in the future. In the end, the Dutch mainland will become an ordinary European stronghold of the Netherlands, and the Far East is the base camp.

Calvin Colin took the opportunity to continue: "In the face of such a hollowed-out Netherlands, Prussia will not regard it as a threat. On the contrary, other countries such as France, AustriHungary, Tsarist Russia and the United Kingdom are Prussia's thorns in the eyes~www. mtlnovel.com~ If the western Prussia attacks, it may face the attack of various countries in the north and southwest. However, if it is impossible to attack the west, no one can say for sure. After all, the British navy is there, and Prussia has seen Napoleon I. The power to dominate western Europe was still defeated by the British navy.

What's more, Prussia's navy is far inferior to that of France during Napoleon I's time. Therefore, for Prussia with a strong army, I think it is the correct plan to make up for its shortcomings, rather than continue to follow the old path of failure of predecessors. Your Excellency, if you were Prime Minister Bismarck, would you agree with me?"

sharp!

Gorchakov looked at Calvin Colin in amazement. He really couldn't imagine that the guy in front of him had such insight. The most striking thing was that Calvin finally asked him to play Bismarck and enter the role to think about problems. . Under this sense of substitution, it seems that it is wrong for Prussia to attack France, AustriHungary and the Netherlands. On the contrary, if the Russian Empire is defeated, Prussia has the most potential in the future.

Thinking about it, Gorchakov was shocked again, and he almost said it. Those were all speculations just now. He deceived himself into Bismarck's position, and instantly made this assumption almost hinder his judgment.

What a great Dutch ambassador!

Chapter end