Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 1178 Queen Victoria's Troubles

“The situation in Argentina is evolving more and more violently.”

"On the battlefield in Mexico, the Austro-Hungarian Empire seems to be beginning to encounter real trouble. The Thirteen-Nation Group actually publicly expressed its increased support, but this was done in a low-key manner in Prince Yi's Palace.

The Netherlands took the lead in making it public this time, hoping that they would make more attempts on Austria-Hungary and even Germany and us behind the scenes. Your Majesty, you must be on guard. "

"The Netherlands is not only targeting Austria-Hungary this time, but Britain's interests will also be further damaged. We should unite against the Netherlands and protect our interests."

"As a great country, Britain should not be bullied by the Netherlands. We support Britain's expansion of influence in Latin America, and we also hope that Britain can support our interests."

The news of Franz Joseph I's visit to London had spread throughout Europe a few days earlier and caused a sensation around the world.

Everyone knows that the Austro-Hungarian Empire is now facing a difficult situation. The collective opposition of the Thirteen-Nation Group to Austria-Hungary's actions has made it difficult for Vienna to remain calm.

Franz Joseph I's recent trip to Berlin, Germany, did not seem to bring him satisfactory results, so the announcement of his plan to visit London a week ago attracted attention.

Will Britain support Vienna?
Also, how did Berlin feel when it saw Vienna spare its ally and seek help from Britain?
Will it cause changes in the relationship between the alliances?

This idea was not only prevalent in society, but also in Queen Victoria's mind.

She thought to herself, "William I will not give up the alliance with Austria-Hungary. By then, Bismarck is a man of deep thoughts and cunning. He actually asked Austria-Hungary to seek support from Britain. It is clear that Germany does not want to be completely tied to the chariot of the war between Austria-Hungary and Mexico, or at least does not want to face the Thirteen-Nation Group alone. Why not tie Britain to the chariot and ride on it together to relieve the pressure?"

Queen Victoria frowned, her mind full of thoughts.

With a calm but elegant expression, he said to Franz Joseph I: "Britain will naturally support Austria-Hungary, but we need to understand the role of the Netherlands in the high-profile context of this Thirteen-Nation Group."

"Dear guests from Vienna, the relationship between London and Vienna cannot be shaken by anyone. We will continue to support your actions, but..."

Seeing Franz Joseph I's expression stagnated, he immediately said, "But we need more preparations. I think it should be the same in Berlin, right?"

Berlin?

Franz Joseph I's face turned gloomy. Queen Victoria, who had been keeping an eye on him, immediately realized that Franz Joseph I was not satisfied with the result of his trip to Berlin and probably did not get the result he wanted.

Bismarck must have been trying to keep him company to come to London.
Franz Joseph I was ambitious and arbitrary. More than a decade ago, he was defeated by the Kingdom of Prussia led by William I and Bismarck and was driven out of the German Confederation in disgrace. Instead, Prussia took the top position in the Confederation.

The former high-spirited and commanding leader was overtaken by his former subordinate kingdom. His status was reversed, and now he needs to see the color and form of Berlin. Any normal person would feel unwilling.

Queen Victoria stared at Franz Joseph I, and at this moment she did not forget to sprinkle some eye drops on him, making him jealous of the Vienna and Berlin alliances.

There was no other way. Britain was independent of the European continental system and had to prevent the emergence of a major European alliance at all times. The rise of the Netherlands occurred during Britain's most prosperous period, when Queen Victoria was at her most ambitious.

In 1862, she was 43 years old.

The little Dutch King William IV thought he would be the son-in-law of his third daughter, Princess Eliza, but he turned out to be the love rival and inner demon of his son, Crown Prince Edward. In the end, he led the Netherlands to rise rapidly. In 1865, he secretly competed with Britain in South Africa. Britain lost face, but the Netherlands was defeated but still glorious.

South Africa belonged to Britain, but its entire population moved to the Netherlands. Even Australia and New Zealand in the Far East were sold to the Netherlands at a low price as compensation to the Netherlands and a measure to save Britain's last bit of face.

In 1876, 10 years later, after silent development, the Netherlands became increasingly powerful, at least its economic and military industrial territories had expanded to the point where it could compete with Britain. However, the Netherlands once again made trouble, at least that was the case with Queen Victoria. This year, the Netherlands finally could not help but take action.

Chile, a British semi-colony on the southeastern Pacific coast, had its caretaker government overthrown and the British troops stationed there driven out by the Netherlands.

The Netherlands openly replaced Britain as the protectorate of Chile.

The British army was finally defeated and retreated to Chile, becoming an international laughing stock once again.

Although Britain finally instigated Argentina to use its own tactics to retaliate against Chile by stationing troops in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego, the Dutch army finally supported Chile in occupying the entire Tierra del Fuego. The British troops were welcomed by Argentina and stationed in Argentina's Falkland Islands.

Well, Argentina must be afraid that the Netherlands will take advantage of its strong navy to attack the Argentine coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

In short, Queen Victoria took advantage of Mitre's fear and successfully allowed the British army to continue to exist in South America, which also saved Britain's face.

The rise of the Netherlands gave Queen Victoria a headache, and the rise of Prussia also gave her a lot of worries.

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The Netherlands "wisely" left Europe and went to the Far East to develop. However, Prussia, under the leadership of William I and Bismarck, took root in Western Europe, defeated France, balanced Tsarist Russia, and radiated across the globe.

The Netherlands in the Far East and Germany in Europe are both suppressing and containing Britain's global interests.
Tsarist Russia, a northern behemoth, was eyeing the south from the north of the Eurasian continent, whether it was Europe, the Middle East or Asia.

The UK feels it most deeply, especially in the Middle East.

Tsarist Russia challenged British interests many times in the northern Persian Gulf and Central Asia. Although Britain used various soft and hard measures to defeat it, including Paul I, Alexander I and Alexander II lost their lives for this. However, Alexander III still seemed unwilling to give up.

One or two of them are not worry-free.

Queen Victoria never felt comfortable with these ambitious guys.

The eldest son Edward was still a little immature in front of them.

Although Franz Joseph I has been in power in Vienna for many years, he seems to have not made much progress compared to Edward.

Alas, no wonder that despite guarding such a great country, it was finally William I and Bismarck who took away the position of leader of the German Confederation, and the country became a follower of the German Empire.

However, this is also a good thing. Britain can shift its energy from supporting Prussia to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Vienna, which seems to be easier to control.

(End of this chapter)