Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 99 Rifle and Bayonet
Amsterdam.

"How is the recent military training going?"

William IV changed the subject and asked Mark Rudd, the chief of general staff of the navy and army next to him.

“We win the respect of the world by the sharpness of our swords, not by the sharpness of our thoughts.”

This is the mantra of Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd!

He is an extremely serious soldier. After graduating from Leiden University at the age of 22, he went to the University of Paris for further studies with a diploma from the highest institution in the Netherlands. After graduating with honors at the age of 24, he went to Oxford University for further studies. Two years later, I returned to China after obtaining the certificate at the age of 26.

Just when everyone who knew him was full of longing for his future and thought he would choose a decent and lucrative job, he was shocked and chose to join the army as an ordinary person. The year he received military training was 1839, because that year the Netherlands was forced to recognize Belgium's independence. He was strongly patriotic and joined the army because he felt humiliated.

With his perseverance and wide range of professional knowledge, he was quickly promoted, with a small promotion in two years and a large promotion in five years. Now he has been in the military for 23 years. Climbed to the current position of number one in the Dutch Army.

23 years of Army career has created his steely will.

"Your Majesty, therefore, the Netherlands should vigorously develop military weapons. After promoting military reform, especially the army and navy need to innovate technology simultaneously. Look at the British Empire, because of its navy, it can travel across several oceans and establish countless colonies. We in the Netherlands once The glory fell under their sharp naval guns. Therefore, I strongly support the vigorous development of a superior navy in East India. The mainland should also increase naval construction, simultaneously attract the attention of the British, and increase cooperation with Sweden. to distract countries from their worries,”

After complaining, he said: "The army has manufactured semi-automatic rifles and matching bayonets according to the craftsmanship and technology provided by His Majesty, and has started training. The number of people currently trained, in units of [-], will take turns on the New Guinea Peninsula. If three If we can form an army in a few months, then we can complete the transformation of the two armies over there into an army very soon. By then, I am afraid that the title of the most elite soldier of the French army can be transferred."

At the same time, in the north is the house of Crown Prince Christian of the Kingdom of Denmark.

"Father, are you worried that the German Confederation will oppose your succession to the position of King of Denmark?"

King Frederick asked Crown Prince Christian. In addition to them, there was also Christian's friend and advisor Andersen. Her other identity was that of a famous European fairy tale master. The two had been close friends for decades.

At this time, a young woman outside the room happened to be passing by. To be precise, she was going to invite a few people to have lunch, but she was attracted by the topic they just talked about.

So she withdrew and was about to knock on the door of her father's office, tilted her ears and listened attentively.

She is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Christian, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who has just returned from the Netherlands.

I saw another voice coming from the room, but this time, it was her teacher, Andersen, who sighed and then spoke slowly.

"Prince Christian, you and I have known each other for many years. To be honest, I think the current situation in Denmark is more dangerous than you and I thought at the time. Prussia has tested our bottom line again and again. Holstein, originally thought that we could not His Majesty Landric VII's concession will be satisfied by Prussia, and he can choose to be more humble.

But I underestimated Bismarck's ambition and overestimated Denmark's weight.With our indifference and dissatisfaction with Sweden after the First Schleswig War in 1848, the relationship between the two countries has become extremely bad. Although Frederick VII is repairing these years, the two countries have already No longer close, the Nordic Alliance can be discontinued.

"Look at Sweden now actually preferring to sign a military and economic alliance with the Netherlands, rather than looking far away from the near. It is conceivable that Denmark's position in Swedish diplomacy is no longer the most important position in Sweden."

Netherlands?When she heard the word "Holland", Alexandra was shocked. She thought of her recent crazy behavior in the Netherlands. Oh my God, as a member of the royal family who had been trained by the royal family, she actually directly asked to talk to William in the Netherlands. That guy was having a private meeting. When he thought about how he appeared outside the Privy Council and walked out of it and looked at the Dutch ministers with strange looks, it was nothing at the time, but now his face heats up when he thinks about it.

What a shame!

A familiar voice finally came from the room. Her father, Crown Prince Christian, spoke.

"Well, your Majesty and I both understand this, but Sweden has always been on guard against our power in Norway. It has been almost 1815 years since Norway was confirmed by various countries to be in the hands of Denmark from Denmark in 50. Sweden's assimilation policy has failed so much. , actually gave Norway the determination to stand on its own feet, and it was us, Denmark, who suspected that we were supporting them. Therefore, they always maintained cooperation and vigilance. This is why it is difficult for us to reach the height of cooperation between Sweden and the Netherlands."

There was silence in the room.

"It turned out that I was talking about the recent impressions about the alliance between Sweden and the Netherlands in the Copenhagen Daily News."

Alexandra breathed a sigh of relief and thought they were talking about something, especially about the Netherlands.

Unexpectedly, she just breathed a sigh of relief,

But a piece of news about her came out of the room, causing her to lose consciousness instantly.

"The Netherlands has quickly completed various beautiful moves in Western Europe recently. Even His Majesty Frederick VII agreed with it. Franderick, you have to look carefully. His Majesty William IV is your age. In comparison, I am only three years older than you, but now I am in charge of a country and face the powerful politicians of the established powers no less favorably. I have even received benefits many times, stealing the show for the Netherlands.

By the way, what do you think about your marriage to your sister? "

marriage?

Actually talked about her marriage?
Although she was born into a royal family and had long known that the freedom of marriage had been automatically locked in the box, when she heard her father's tone and the idea of ​​asking Frederick's eldest brother instead of her, her heart was filled with excitement. depressed.

"Father, I think we should ask Alexandra for her opinion."

"Prince, indeed, you should understand that little Alexandra better than I do. She looks strong but is actually very emotional on the inside. If her marriage is confirmed silently, she may have a rebellious mentality."

Alexandra was stunned by Andersen's words. It seemed that the teacher knew her temperament very well.

"This is not the Tsarist Empire. Members of the royal family are free to choose whether to agree to a marriage appointed by the royal family, and they can take the initiative in their own marriage. However, this is Western Europe.

Forget it, maybe what you said is right, I'll ask the child."

After hearing this, Alexandra walked away briskly with a calm mood, because she heard the footsteps getting closer and closer coming here.

(ps: Chapter 2 will be sent tomorrow. It will be no less than 1 words. It is not yet certain whether it will be divided into three or four chapters. Thank you for your recent support.)
(End of this chapter)