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What can the Netherlands do to help Prussia? Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck visited the Netherlands secretly. What kind of request was he prepared to make? Will William IV agree? If yes, what conditions will the Netherlands be prepared to offer after agreeing to support Prussia?

This is a question that people as far away as William I in Berlin and Prime Minister Tolbeck of the Netherlands in Amsterdam are thinking about.

The outcome of the secret negotiations between Wilhelm IV and Bismarck would have a major impact on Tolbek and Wilhelm I, for better or for worse.

In the Royal Palace of the Netherlands, William IV bluntly asked what Bismarck wanted the support of the Netherlands, and what the Netherlands could obtain, which was not unexpected by Bismarck.

Bismarck: "Besides the previously negotiated Belgian port that can temporarily lease the Prussian navy to dock, Prussia also needs to go to His Majesty's Principality of Luxembourg"

Luxembourg?

William IV sneered in his heart, Bismarck had a good idea.

"Your Excellency has an idea for Luxembourg?" William IV stared at Bismarck for a long time. He didn't directly reject it, but he didn't agree. He just asked, "I'm curious, what can Prussia give me?"

Before 1700, Luxembourg was under the jurisdiction of the Spanish Habsburg dynasty, but in 1700 the Spanish family died out, and the 13-year War of Spanish Succession broke out, which eventually led to the Spanish Netherlands belonging to Austria in 1714. The House of Busburg, which ruled the area under the Austrian Empire until 1795, was annexed by Napoleon I's France in 1795 during the French Revolution.

In 1813, a small part of Luxembourg's territory was acquired by the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1815, Napoleon I was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. After the Vienna Conference, a new United Kingdom of the Netherlands was established. (great-grandfather of William IV), Luxembourg and Belgium were elevated to Grand Duchy, and the King of Nassau-Orange as Grand Duke.

Unlike the Netherlands and Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was also recognized as a member of the German Confederation in 1815. The Kingdom of Prussia was still stationed there before, but with the departure of Belgium, under the strong request of William II and the fear of various countries, Prussia Withdrawal, the Dutch army moved in.

However, the United Kingdom also helped Belgium to win the western part of Luxembourg and became the territory of the Luxembourg Province of Belgium. As a result, the territory of Luxembourg only included the eastern part of the original Grand Duchy, which was only one-third of the original face. It is far from the Netherlands mainland, with the Netherlands to the north, Prussia to the east, and France to the south.

"The Principality of Luxembourg, as the principality of the Nassau-Orange family, is my great-grandfather's territory from the beginning," William IV sneered: "If Luxembourg agrees to let the Prussian army cross the border, then it has undoubtedly declared to the world that the Netherlands has The royal family has agreed to Prussia's war against France, and has become Prussia's accomplice. The Netherlands has also been successfully tied to the Prussian chariot by His Excellency.

This is no different from directly declaring war on the French Empire. I am really curious about what our reward will be for the Netherlands for making such a huge bet.”

Bismarck never thought that Bismarck would be fooled by himself, and Huhu Tutu stood with Prussia. He also never thought that William IV did not know the strategic significance of the loan of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Prussia.

What is William IV now asking for the price of Prussia wanting to pass through Luxembourg? He and William I had expected it for a long time, so facing the curiosity of William IV at this moment, he did not rush to answer: "After Prussia defeated the French Empire and took over the French Empire's overseas territories and colonies, we I am willing to let the Kingdom of the Netherlands choose any one of these overseas territories and colonies as compensation.”

As Bismarck's condition just fell, the eye socket next to William IV's eyeball was stretched to the extreme.

If Bismarck's compensation is true, the price is not too big. You must know that there are many overseas colonies of the French Empire.

At present, the French colonies in Africa have Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Gabon, and Côte d'Ivoire.

The Far East contains South Vietnam, North Vietnam and central and eastern Cambodia and southern Laos.

Has Saint Pierre and Miquelon in North America.

The Caribbean Sea has Saint Martin, Martinique, and Saint Barthelemy.

French Guiana in South America.

In the Indian Ocean, the Kerguelen Islands in the south, the Mauritius Islands in the west, and the Oman region in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea in the northern Indian Ocean not long ago, it can be said that although the area is not large, its vast scope reflects the status of France as a global power. foundation.

If Prussia really took over these colonies and territories after taking over the French mainland, then the Netherlands could choose among them at will, and it would not be a loss. After all, according to the historical process, Prussia will indeed fight in the next war~lightnovelpub.net~ Napoleon III that was under the rule of the French Empire was defeated, and finally Napoleon III had to surrender and be arrested, and most let France feel At the time of shame-humiliation, William I of Prussia declared the establishment of the German Empire directly as the victor at the Palace of Versailles in France, which represented the future status of Prussia. The German Empire replaced France as the hegemon of the European continent. The beginning of power.

In other words, his Holland, if he helps Prussia, is sure to make a profit.

However, the future may face the fall of the French Empire, but that is also after the failure of the German Empire. If it is the same as history, then it is almost 50 years away from now. How far the Netherlands has developed at that time, who knows.

Under its own leadership, will the Netherlands fear the French Empire in 50 years?

It seems that now the Netherlands is not very afraid of facing the French Empire.

In this case, accepting Bismarck's proposal does not seem to be too difficult?

But despite this thought, William IV's face remained silent.

Bismarck was very observant, but William IV hid it very well, and he couldn't see what attitude William IV held.

For a long time, William IV seemed undecided and hesitated: "Really let the Netherlands choose between the French overseas territories and colonies as compensation?"

Bismarck nodded.

William IV was not sure and asked again: "including the French overseas territories, not just the colonies"

Bismarck was stunned for a moment, and then came to his senses. The Dutch king in front of him seemed to be afraid of Prussia's tricks, and just let the Netherlands choose among the colonies?