Chapter 102

At the end of the 18th century, London was already the most important financial center in the world. It integrated the capital nature of Amsterdam and the industrial characteristics of Paris. In capital operation, it stood at the most comprehensive and forefront of Europe.

In particular, the first World Exposition of Quality was held in 1851, with 8 million people visiting. According to word of mouth from all over the British Isles, London has become the most prosperous city in the world.

Even after the threat of Napoleon I, London is still standing, and continues to maintain the process of becoming the world's first industrialized city. The resources shipped back and the industrial products shipped out have accounted for more than 30% of the world's industrial product market.

Buckingham Palace.

"Your Majesty, what about that deal?"

Viscount Palmerston endured for a long time, and finally he reminded Queen Victoria.

"What deal?"

Queen Victoria was taken aback for a moment, and then she reacted.

At that time, Viscount Palmerston and William IV had made an agreement with the other party without discussing such a big matter with her, even though they were dissatisfied with the matter of the Dutch and British trading colonies.

But after all, she agreed, but it was changed to Queensland and the Northern Territory in exchange for West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, two Dutch colonies.

"Now our two countries have lost a good impression of the Netherlands because of the Belgian incident. The Prime Minister thinks, will the transaction be inconsistent at this time?" Victoria expressed doubts about this.

"Your Majesty, we have underestimated them in the Netherlands. Judging from this tripartite alliance against Belgium and southern Africa, the Netherlands seems to be marginalized, with the French Empire as the first priority in everything, but if we combine our bet with William IV From the perspective of zhu, we know that France does not know about this. Obviously, after this series of things, the Netherlands is actuarial step by step with a rhythm, tying the French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia to their own setting. Step forward, such ability has obviously reached the requirements of the British Empire to want a partner"

Viscount Palmerston said this, looked at Queen Victoria, and said worriedly: "The British Empire has no reliable sincere and weighty friends on the European continent, because the big countries will be wary of us."

Queen Victoria was sombre.

The situation in Europe is becoming more and more complicated. In the past, the British Empire gently threw a bone down, and all of them, like the expected puppies, all raised their heads to fight for the bones that were about to fall in the air. But now, a small Belgium, But it is to make all countries unite against the majesty of the British Empire, which was very incredible in the past.

The thought of the cause of her uncle Leopold I's death filled her with suspicion.

Netherlands? Or France?

He also thought that after the British Empire had formed an alliance between the Netherlands, France, and Prussia, they found that the British Isles were as satisfied as they could see through the European continent outside the gauze net.

This made her feel powerless, and at the same time, she also knew that Great Britain, where the British Isles were currently located, had encountered a situation of unity.

When Viscount Palmerston saw his words, the Queen's expression changed, and he continued: "As I mentioned a few months ago, only the Netherlands, they are doomed in Europe and cannot threaten us. , and befriending the other party, the biggest advantage you will get is that he will become our coastal defense line in the European continent close to our edge without investing, and the main thing is that we can come here in the Hop-Prussian-French alliance, although You can't see the effect right away, but you can plant a seed of doubt."

Hearing this, the Queen's face softened, "The transaction can be completed, but"

She raised her head, her majestic expression with a chill, and said coldly: "But if I want Canada, I want to be beautiful, the Viscount actually thinks that he is very optimistic about him, well, I will take a serious look at him, how is he worthy of such a Viscount? Look good, let's weigh again how many pounds and how much he weighs"

"What does the Queen mean?" Viscount Palmerston asked with a wry smile.

Before coming to Buckingham Palace from 10 Downing Street, he had guessed that the deal was not so easy to get.

The Queen's current position is obviously not much different from what he thought.

"Since you are optimistic about him, Viscount, why don't you choose Australia?"

Queen Victoria hesitated, then pretended to be generous: "Queensland, Northern Territory, if the guy from William IV is willing to trade South Kalimantan, it doesn't matter if we can trade Western Australia, Alexander II is too ambitious, We really want to compress the scope of Tsarist Russia to the smallest possible space"

"What if he doesn't agree to the South Kalimantan deal?"

The Queen sneered again; "If he doesn't agree, it proves that he has no ambitions for the Australian continent. If he agrees, it proves that the person has ambitions for the Australian continent. Then, our two British fleets, the Indian fleet in the Indian subcontinent and the Australian fleet stationed in Sydney. The two fleets of the five fleets of the Empire let the young king of the Netherlands know that the position of the British Empire's maritime hegemony cannot be challenged."

This time, Viscount Palmerston stopped asking questions.

Because in fact, Canada was also his attempt to test the Netherlands at the beginning. It is impossible to promise. After all, Canada is too close to the British Isles. If the French Empire attacks London from the other side of the English Channel, and the Netherlands, which gains part of Canada's territory, will If they attack the British Isles from the west, they will be attacked from both sides. The most terrifying thing is that if the United States joins in because of the hatred of the British for supporting the South, then the British Isles may really be made dumplings. If the Suez Canal is blocked, then the British will be cut into sausages. The Canadian fleet, the mainland North Sea fleet, the mainland fleet, the Indian fleet, and the Australian fleet will be devoured and eliminated one by one.

Therefore, Canada absolutely cannot afford to lose, otherwise the British mainland will become unstable and the risk index will rise.

On May 25, 1862, Buckingham Palace, where London is located, announced the completion of the territorial transaction between the Netherlands and the British Empire. The Netherlands would exchange Far East Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan for the British Empire. Queensland and the Northern Territory, the part of Western Australia north of the Great Sands Desert.

.....

William I of Prussia said, "That is the matter of other countries, and it is also the right of national autonomy. We have no way to interfere with the practices of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom."

Napoleon III of France was silent at first, and then said with a stiff tone: "I think France can actually be a good trading partner and can trade with other countries, but unfortunately we have not yet found a trading partner."

Tsarist Russian Empire Alexander said with a relaxed expression, "We will not interfere in other people's transactions. After all, we were doing the same thing last month."

Karl XV of Sweden in Northern Europe smiled and said, "The Netherlands has invited you to participate in the construction of the mine development in East India. Our skilled miners are already gearing up for this."

As for Spain and Portugal, the two countries with territory in the Far East are sharpening their knives. Obviously, their eyes follow the Netherlands' frequent actions, and they are also interested in trading with overseas colonies in exchange for much-needed benefits.

...

Amsterdam.

The weekly Privy Council meeting is again held at the Royal Palace of the Netherlands.

I saw William IV staring at the people in front of him with deep eyes, and all of them were staring at him with hopeful eyes.

"Your Majesty~www.mtlnovel.com~ The British are really too defensive. If they want to win the southern part of Western Australia, it seems that we have doubled the difficulty."

Hesbet Feng was a little pity to be right.

Tolbeck smiled and said: "You are content, almost halve Western Australia from north to south, and the overall pattern, we now have North Western Australia + Northern Territory + Queensland = the northern part of the Australian mainland, the United Kingdom still occupies the southern part, we are equivalent to Separated from the north and south of the United Kingdom, don't forget that the sea between our islands in the East Indies and New Guinea, between the mainland of North Australia and the East Indies has become our inland sea."

"Yes," William IV sighed; "From now on, we can really launch a second homeland plan in the Far East. Whether his development is successful or not will determine the future, whether the Netherlands can reach the status of a top power in the world is very important. factor"

"Your Majesty, is Sweden also interested in the Far East?" Education Minister Rude Bells asked worriedly.

"No matter who it is, how ambitious it is," William IV said confidently: "As long as he comes to the Dutch territory, then he is a Dutchman."

He asked Bill Charlie, Director of Royal Intelligence: "By the way, what about the Danish royal family?"