Chapter 186 Elder Bloom

"Your Highness, this morning the Dutch ambassador came to see me, inquiring about when we would continue advancing to the east." Foreign Minister Ribbentrop reported some official matters and mentioned this incident. "He phrased it discreetly, but that was the gist. I pretended not to understand and ignored him."

Wilhelm sneered. "That must be at the behest of England and France." After England and France declared war on Germany, diplomatic relations between the two sides were severed, and ambassadors were expelled.

England and France were foolishly hoping that Germany would continue advancing eastward, confronting the Soviet Union. The German army was already close to the Soviet doorstep, seemingly on the verge of a major conflict.

Wilhelm had been somewhat indecisive before. With the Soviet Union initiating another major purge and the entire country descending into chaos, it seemed like a good opportunity to strike. However, after careful consideration, he abandoned this plan. He didn't want to risk a two-front war; the Western Front needed to be secured first.

"The Dutch ambassador? Hmph, a pitiful fellow who doesn't even realize he's walking into a trap."

In the early 17th century, the Netherlands played a major role in maritime trade, earning it the nickname "wagoner of the seas." At its zenith, the Dutch navy could challenge the British Royal Navy. Unfortunately, in the late 17th century and early 18th century, wars erupted between Britain and the Netherlands, vying for maritime trade dominance. Years of war weakened the Dutch economic power, gradually reducing it to a second-rate nation. Britain replaced the Netherlands as the most powerful country in Europe and globally.

By the beginning of World War I, Dutch strength had declined significantly, with a considerable gap between them and the world's major powers. During World War I, the Netherlands declared neutrality, conducting business with both sides.

However, neutrality was something Wilhelm dismissed. Taking the example of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in ancient China, there was no such thing as a neutral country. Even the paramount ruler, the Zhou emperor, was conquered by the Qin state. Neutrality meant nothing; it depended on whether others recognized it and whether they would attack. In World War II Europe, many neutral countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Norway, Denmark, etc., were invaded by Germany. Finland was invaded twice by the Soviet Union and forced to join forces with Germany to fight against the Soviets.

As for internationally recognized permanently neutral countries like Sweden and Switzerland, most of them were pro-German. Take Sweden and Switzerland, for instance. Despite their nominal neutrality, Sweden secretly provided Germany with mineral resources and weapons. They even lent their railways to transport German troops. On the other hand, they significantly reduced trade with Britain and forcefully blocked the British Navy from entering the Baltic Sea, indirectly assisting the German navy.

Switzerland's situation was similar to Sweden's. Throughout World War II, Switzerland exported a significant amount of electricity, precision parts, and even weapons to Germany. Its robust banking system provided crucial financial support to Germany.

In this scenario, there was no difference for Germany whether or not they occupied the Netherlands, Sweden, or Switzerland. Not occupying them could earn a good reputation, win the favor of the people in those countries, and make it easier to manage. However, from a practical standpoint, the difference was minimal.

Furthermore, the Netherlands' neutrality was not like that of Sweden or Switzerland, recognized as permanent neutral countries. The Netherlands' neutral policy was often wavering and suspected of opportunism. The Dutch royal family had close ties with the French government, and the Dutch contributed significantly to the construction of the Maginot Line, a defensive line built by the French. Logically, if the Netherlands maintained neutrality, the Anglo-French coalition couldn't enter the Netherlands. Still, once the Netherlands abandoned neutrality, the Anglo-French coalition would immediately deploy troops for defense. For Germany, not occupying the Netherlands meant creating a potential threat right at its doorstep.

So, the Netherlands had to be taken.

As Ribbentrop left, Elder Bloom from the Jewish Association came to pay a visit.

"Hail to you, Your Highness Wilhelm. I intended to visit you a few days ago but refrained, considering your busy schedule. I hope I am not disturbing you today."

Wilhelm smiled. "I was actually looking for you, Elder Bloom. I heard that the Jewish youth in the army fought bravely, comparable to true German soldiers, thanks to your assistance."

"It's my pleasure, Your Highness." Elder Bloom humbly replied, taking out a piece of paper from his pocket. "A small token of appreciation from our Jewish Association for your great victory."

Glancing at the paper, Wilhelm raised an eyebrow. "Heh, this 'small' token is quite substantial. I wonder how much wealth your Jewish Association has accumulated. If I were to seize everything from you, would the spoils be enough to squander for several years?" It's known that during World War II, Germany looted and confiscated nearly 120 billion Reichsmarks from the Jews. To put it into perspective, the cost of one Bismarck-class battleship was about 200 million Reichsmarks.

Elder Bloom showed a somewhat embarrassed smile. "Your Highness jests. Compared to your wealth, we're just dealing in coffins." He wasn't a fool. Although they put their hopes on Wilhelm, he knew Wilhelm wouldn't help without expecting something in return. When the time came for their successful return, they were well aware that they would have to pay a price.

More importantly, they heard about the plight of the Jews in the Soviet Union. The Soviets were actively rounding up Jews, confiscating their properties, and gathering them together for forced labor.

Even Stalin's daughter's boyfriend didn't escape. When Stalin found out that his daughter, Svetlana, was in love with a Jew, he erupted in anger, berating his daughter. The next day, the man who would have become Stalin's son-in-law, Morozov, was arrested, accused of unauthorized contact with foreigners, and promptly executed.

Other surrounding countries were no better. Anti-Semitic sentiments were widespread in countries like England and France, with occasional protests calling on the government to resist Jews.

All this made the German Jews uneasy. If the Soviet Union overturned Europe, they wouldn't just lose their chance to return home; their lives would be in jeopardy. Although the current Soviet Union seemed incapable of doing so temporarily, England and France in Europe were formidable foes. If Germany lost this war, it would undoubtedly be thoroughly dismembered by England and France. When that happened, the fate of these Jews could be easily imagined.

So, the Jewish elders unanimously decided to spare no effort in supporting Wilhelm to increase his chances of success. "Your Highness, I heard that you've decided to conquer France within eight weeks?"

"Yes." Wilhelm smiled. "Why, don't you believe it?"

"I dare not, I dare not. If you really manage to conquer France in eight weeks, it would be a huge relief for us." Elder Bloom quickly shook his head, cautiously asking, "And what about England?"

"...," Wilhelm found it hard to say. After all, in the original timeline, England held on until the end of the war, and Germany couldn't carry out a cross-sea invasion. "England, well, it's hard to say. If the United States doesn't intervene, maybe six months; if the United States does intervene, it might take some time. Elder Bloom, as the elder of the German Jewish Association, can you influence the Jewish community in the United States?"

Elder Bloom sighed. "Your Highness, you're overestimating me. Although I know some people on the American side, I can't influence them to that extent. They belong to another Jewish group."

Wilhelm nodded silently. "So, you mean the Jewish group in the United States or any other place won't sit idly by, watching you lead in the process of restoring our nation. They will try to find a way to benefit from your path, even pull you into troubled waters."

Elder Bloom, somewhat helplessly, said, "After all, these are businessmen we're talking about."

Wilhelm smiled faintly. "Elder Bloom, I suppose you wouldn't want to see such a thing happen? Regardless, there needs to be a principle of 'first come, first served', right?"

Elder Bloom hesitated for a moment but firmly affirmed, "Yes, Your Highness. This is my lifelong ideal, and I won't allow others to snatch it away from me!"