Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

While the world was discussing this combined fleet, the three commanders on this combined fleet were glaring at each other with contempt, especially the commanders of the French Empire and Prussia. commander.

"I want to ask you two, can you please stop being hostile to each other? We are all in the same boat now."

The person who spoke was Leon Booker, deputy chief of staff of the Dutch General Staff, and the current Dutch Navy Rear Admiral Theo Jane Linden of the Dutch East Indies was his successor.

Looking at the two people in front of him who were now equal to him on the ship, he felt a headache but also felt funny at the same time. I don’t know if France and Prussia were doing this on purpose or because they were competing. This time they actually sent two former rivals and enemies on the battlefield as partners to co-host this joint fleet mission.

Can such a team work together?

Is he doubtful?

Patrice McMahon is an interesting person, but I didn't expect Napoleon to value him so much.

He knew quite a bit about this person. This French officer named McMahon had a great background.

He is of Irish descent, born in Saône-Loire in 1808, and graduated from the French Military Academy in 1827 with a junior college degree.

In 1830, he went to France's overseas colonies for training. In 1837, seven years later, at the age of 29, he participated in the Battle of Constantine and received the Medal of Honor for his military merit.

In 1855, only one division was valued and participated in the Crimean War. In September, it led its troops to capture the Malakhov Heights in Sevastopol.

In 1859, as a military commander, he participated in the Second Italian War of Independence to support the Kingdom of Sardinia against the Austrian Empire, helping Italy successfully complete and become independent. It can be said that France gained a lot of points in the establishment of the New Kingdom of Italy. Unfortunately, in the end, due to the death of Napoleon III, He was ambitious towards Italy, but in the end, the two countries parted ways. Britain took advantage of the situation and reaped the fruits of victory, but his fight was in vain.

There was also a person sent by Prussia, which made him even more solemn, because this person was called Prince Friedrich Karl.

Yes, he was Frederick Karl of Prussia, the grandson of King Frederick William III of Prussia and the nephew of William I.

Born in Berlin in 1828, he received military education at an early age. He was awarded the rank of Zhongwei at the age of 16. At the age of 18, he entered the University of Bonn for two years. After graduation, he became William I's right-hand man and military minister (i.e. War Minister Brecht von Rohn, Later aide-de-camp to the Minister of War), he traveled around the world and returned to Pulis a few years later, where William I gave him command of an infantry regiment. Later, in 1848, they brutally suppressed the uprising against the Prussian government. These experiences gave him courage and unshakable determination.

He became a colonel in 1852 and a major general in 1854 and commanded a cavalry brigade. In 1857, he became commander of the First Division of the Guards. In 1858 he visited the French Empire,

During this period he carefully observed the country and his army. Soon after, Prussia mobilized to help Austria in the war when France and Sardinia became independent and became Italy. Frederick Karl was appointed as the first general. Second Army Commander.

After the war, he attacked the French army and its training methods in many speeches in Prussia. Unexpectedly, after being translated by the French media, it caused a huge backlash in France. So under pressure, William I could only Unexpectedly, the two enemies met in such a situation this time.

"Leon Booker, what you said is nice. If your limbs were hacked and their heads were bleeding in front of you, let's see if you would still be so calm." It was Frederick Carl who spoke. Staring at McMahon with a cold look on his face.

"I don't know the elegant look on my face when I shot my lieutenant in front of him in Sardinia," McMahon even fought back.

"I say you two, you are now discussing fighting for them, but now they are allies of the United Kingdom. Is such a country worth discussing here?

I think we should complete the tasks you have accepted in various countries and return to the previous state after this cooperation. I am interested in watching the show with a bench by then. I only hope that the two of you will be more capable. Wonderful performance”

"you"

Both of them glared at Leon Booker.

In the end, the two chose to wave their hands.

Looking at the two of them, Booker sneered in his heart. He never believed that an officer would be brooding over the death of his comrades. Even if the memory was deep, it was because too many people died without merit and were punished. .

Therefore, he would not suspect that these two people were acting up.

Two strong men with tough styles in their respective countries just found a way out.

But Booker brought them to this level.

When Booker arrived, he had already ordered people to put it on

“Where we are now is in the Madeira Islands in Portugal.”

Seeing that both of them were looking up and concentrating on each other, I secretly thought that they were both acting just now.

He continued: "If there is no plan, I don't mind entering the Mediterranean, having a nice swim, and showing off to the British from the newly built Suez Canal."

"However, because of this human mission, I can only follow the instructions above. Both of them are elites in the military of various countries. I don't think I need to say that everyone understands that this time is not so much support. In the Transvaal Republic of South Africa, everyone is very clear about what we are actually doing. Here in the Transvaal Republic, everyone is clear and will not speak secretly. Our goal in the Netherlands this time is here, here, and here."

The two people looked over and their expressions changed drastically, because they did not expect that Holland had such a big appetite.

"Forget the Kingdom of Congo, no matter how big the Netherlands is, it is still an uninhabited place. We in France accept it, but you, the Netherlands, are also interested in Madagascar, which is a bit disapproving, because we are also interested in it. Some have a strong interest." McMahon followed: "We have been interacting with the local indigenous kingdoms there for several years."

"Yes, the Netherlands is actually interested in Tanzania, and Prussia is actually also interested there." Frederick Karl proposed Prussia's idea.

It's just a matter of asking for directions.

"Oh? If you two are really interested in them, the Netherlands won't mind giving it up, but we are also interested in Southwest Africa on the Atlantic side. After all, our own fleet can reach here by traveling north and south on the Atlantic Ocean. , it is also more convenient to transport resources, etc. How about we give eastern Tanzania to Prussia, and you admit that southwest Africa belongs to the Netherlands?"

Looking at the smiling Booker, no matter how they looked at it, they both felt that the other party had just deliberately taken out a random place, intending to use it to pry open the real money behind it.

"Booker, although I am interested in Tanzania, Southwest Africa on the Atlantic is indeed more closely related to Prussia," Frederick Karl said hurriedly.

Booker saw that McMahon had no objection, so he said: "Does that mean we, the Netherlands, got Tanzania?"

"We in France will not object, but for the sake of fairness, what do we get?" McMahon did not propose it himself, but asked Booker and the two to discuss what territory France should take.

This old fox!

Booker and Prince Carl looked at each other, and both saw the fear in the other's eyes.

No one here is simple. It can be said that everyone is the best in the military, and they are also talents that various countries believe can stand alone. Therefore, no one will look down on each other.

Even if it seems like the shortcomings sometimes shown by the other party, it may be a trap deliberately revealed by the other party.

Booker looked at Prince Carl, who said: "The French Empire now occupies Algeria in Africa. I think France can occupy a colony in Central Africa. How about here?"

I saw Prince Carl standing up, holding a pen, and pointed at Nigeria, "It is said that this place has a large population, and it is quite close to Algeria, which is in line with France's long-term strategy of opening up North and South Africa."

"Yes, this is a good idea, but France needs to add a colony next to it. I think Cote d'Ivoire is good. And, in this way, France can take over the entire Central and West Africa, almost except for Spain's Morocco. "under its banner"

McMahon's hand holding the pen shook and he looked at the two people in surprise. At this moment, he understood the reason why Napoleon III warned him to be careful about these two people before he came. These two people are not easy to get along with, but they are Because everyone is smart, it saves a lot of trouble.

To put it simply, something will happen.

In this case, he did not refuse, but reciprocated politely: "Since the Netherlands likes Madagascar, then our two countries have been neighbors for hundreds of years. Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. If the Netherlands wants it, we in France naturally have the beauty of adults." Virtue, then we recognized the Dutch rights and interests in the Kingdom of Congo, Tanzania and Madagascar. As for Prussia,"

After glaring at Prince Carl, McMahon said: "As you said before, we in France are willing to support Prussia in Southwest Africa (i.e. Namibia) and..."

"Somalia and Cameroon" Prince Carl directly stated the places he wanted regardless of face.

"In this case, we think that Kenya and Gabon are destined to us, and the Netherlands can govern them well."

"Since you two are so shameless, France is not lagging behind others, but we are very interested in the whole of Central Africa and West Africa. When the time comes, will the three countries support each other?"

“Nature supports each other.”

In this way, the three commanders of the United Fleet completed the private carve-up of Africa on this level 4 sailing battleship. As for the remaining territory, they all understood that it was left to the British. Other countries in the country, because with their strength, they really can’t eat so much.

Chapter 3, continue to ask for support!