Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1204 The Worry of the Dutch

Van Beuningen galloped up a hill.

The clouds were so low that they could be touched by hand, and the distant horizon seemed to be surrounded by a thick veil. Van Boyningen sorted out his mood and quickly followed the speed of the horse team ahead.

Before departure, Mo San had a rough exchange of opinions with him, and the hidden meaning still surprised him, a diplomat from a famous Dutch family: the people on the east bank actually wanted to intervene in the peace negotiations between France and Spain, and even wanted to Together with the United Provinces, the United States and other countries, they put pressure on King Philip IV of Spain, asking him to refuse to marry Princess Teresa to Louis XIV—well, in this matter, the interests of Austria Opold I also seemed to be a great help, after all, Princess Maria Theresa was originally "booked" for his wife.

The thoughts of the people on the east coast are understandable. After all, their interests in Peru and New Spain are too great, and they hold a debt of more than 1000 million pesos in the Kingdom of Spain. Their opinions, in the eyes of the Spaniards, really have to be considered , although they will give more priority to the opinions of the French.

In fact, putting aside the original intention of the United Provinces, they are also worried about the peace talks between Spain and France-they wish that the two countries will continue to fight for 100 years, of course this is impossible-because once the two countries reach a peace agreement, it means France can be completely free, because he has no enemies in the south.

France, which has freed up its hand, only needs to rest for a few years, and then it can easily threaten the land border security of the United Provinces with its huge national strength formed by a population of more than 2000 million.The reason is simple. After the peace, the Spaniards will inevitably withdraw the remaining troops deployed in the Southern Netherlands to deal with the Catalan and Aragonese nobles who are about to move. Of course, they will also invest in the war with the Portuguese.In short, the military strength of the Southern Netherland will be extremely empty, and the French army can easily cross the Spanish Netherland and enter the United Provinces. Of course, what they are more afraid of is that the Spanish Netherland will be used as the dowry of Princess Teresa Incorporated into France, then the United Provinces and France will become neighbors. This is simply a nightmare!

Therefore, the United Provinces also had good reason to intervene in this peace negotiation.Van Beuningen learned from letters sent by friends in China that since 1656, when the West and France first held peace negotiations in the Southern Netherlands, The Hague has been watching the situation with uneasy eyes. .Especially after several large-scale battles in the southern Netherlands ended (Spain won less and lost more), the anxiety of the three-level parliament in The Hague reached its peak, because they believed that the possibility of the Spaniards ceding land and begging for peace reached its peak. At the apex—of course, the reality is that Spain, with the assistance of the East Bank, the Communist Party, the Netherlands, Lucca and some Jewish businessmen, did not surrender to France, but persisted for another three years, but it was only a few years. After persisting for three years, now it seems that everything seems to be back to the original point.

"Conrad, why are you so worried? Today's weather is very good, suitable for hunting." Mo San, wearing a red hunting suit, turned his horse back and walked side by side with Van Boyningen, only to hear him laughing He said: "Look, the breeze is blowing gently everywhere, and I seem to smell the fragrance of grass leaves and wild flowers."

The two rode for dozens of meters, and after turning around a mound, the fragrance in the air became more intense, turning into a refreshing fragrance, which was an invitation enough to make people stop .

"Sit down and rest." Mo San got off his horse, threw the reins to his followers, and pointed to a meadow full of wild flowers in front of him, and said.Van Beuningen nodded and followed lightly.

"I heard that France increased import tariffs on products from your country at the beginning of this year. This is a bad phenomenon." Mo San took out a small glass jug from his waist, pulled out the stopper and took a sip. , Said: "This means that France has gradually diverted its energy away from Spain, and the United Provinces may be its next target."

Konrad Van Beuningen couldn't refute this, because France really doesn't care much about the feelings of the United Provinces now-to put it bluntly, France no longer conceals its malice towards the United Provinces.Do not believe?Van Beuningen didn't believe it at first!However, the damage caused by French privateers to Dutch merchant ships on the Mediterranean Sea has to make people believe that this country is really over-expanded now, just like the Kingdom of Spain back then.

The Dutch retaliated, of course, and the retaliatory actions of the Dutch naval fleet led by Michel de Ruyter shocked even the bigwigs in Paris - even in the Strait of Messina. A French merchant ship hired by the east coast was mistakenly shot nearby, causing hundreds of Transylvanian prisoners of war to be buried in the belly of the fish-but in any case, this mutual attack caused the relationship between France and the Netherlands to deteriorate sharply. One of the consequences was France brazenly raising the import tariffs on Dutch goods.The three levels of parliament in The Hague are still carefully evaluating the possible follow-up actions of the French, and they are having a headache.

"Therefore, our two countries should unite - and perhaps call on the Communists - to firmly put pressure on the Kingdom of Spain, even if it does not completely disrupt the marriage between the Yellow Bourbons and the Habsburgs. Attempting to ask the French to confirm that Princess Maria Teresa gave up all her rights in Spain in the peace agreement, how about it? You know, King Philip of Spain does not have any male heirs yet, if this situation continues Go on, then Princess Maria Theresa will probably inherit the throne in the future, which is extremely detrimental to both your country and our country, and we must make a decision as soon as possible!" Mo San put away the jug, looked at Van Boyningen, and asked.

"If Princess Maria marries into the Bourbon royal family and renounces her rights in Spain, the future Spanish throne will be inherited by Princess Marguerite Theresa, who is destined to be the wife of Leopold I of Austria (Replacing his sister and marrying into the Austrian Habsburg royal family), will there be any problems?" Van Beuningen was a little uncertain.

"The best outcome is of course that King Philip gives birth to a male heir, so that the Spanish Habsburg royal family will maintain great independence, and it is also the most beneficial to our two countries. But we have to do well. The preparation of male heirs, once this happens, it is extremely necessary to push Princess Margaret to the throne and prevent the French from extending their black hands into Spain, isn't it?" Mo San said persuasively.

"Yes, it is our common interest to suppress the Bourbon royal family's ambitions for Spain." Van Beuningen quickly confirmed this, "There can no longer be a land power in the Old World. The merger of France and Spain is disastrous. Not only the United Provinces will not agree, but civilized countries such as England, Austria, and Sweden will not agree, and this cannot be discussed."

"Then, we need to launch diplomatic action next, and the sooner this matter is done, the better." Mo San said with a smile, "By the way, what do you think about the situation in England?"

"England?" Van Boyningen frowned and thought for a while before he said, "The sons of Charles I in exile? Oh, yes, they are currently staying in Breda, living with the relatives of the Orange family. Together. Well, his sister Mary Stuart was the mother of William III, but that's all. Have you heard any rumors? Rumors that the British Parliament intends to restore the monarchy?"

"Yes, that's the thing. I heard that the members of the Orange faction are very keen to send this exile into London to serve as king? I want to know what the attitude of the three-level parliament is about this? Now is a golden opportunity, Does your country have a plan for meddling in the internal affairs of the UK?" Mo San knew that his question was rather deep, but he really wanted to hear the Dutch's views on the political situation in the UK, after all, they are the most likely country to successfully interfere in the internal affairs of the UK up.

Van Beuningen obviously hesitated to answer this question, perhaps because he had concerns, or because he had been away from the Old World for a long time and had no information, in short, he brought this question over vaguely.However, Mo San also deduced from his words that the United Provinces may be inclined to send the son of the dead Charles I to the throne of England's king, hoping that the king will change his course significantly after returning to London and replace Cromway The Anglo-Dutch hostile relationship in the Ernesto era should be improved—especially those members of the Orange faction, who have always followed the lead of the Orange family. A relative of the family was sent back to England as king, and that might win a worthy ally for the United Provinces.

Of course, Charlie's son was so popular that not only the Orange faction MPs liked him, but even many Republicans expected him to improve relations with the United Provinces and deal with France together after he returned.Well, it seems that even the French royal family is wooing this guy now, what a lucky man!

After learning that the Dutch had placed their bets, Mo San was silent for a moment. He was originally interested in the navy's proposal, that is, in the name of the republic, to assist the officer corps headed by Major General Lambert and support them and the royalists. , Members of Congress (these two have a tendency to merge recently) are fighting in the ring.It’s just that the asking price of these people is too high. The aid of more than 300 million yuan a year cannot be afforded by the East Coast, and only the Netherlands or France are likely to be taken advantage of. If you don't catch a cold, then there is no need to discuss this issue again. People on the east coast completely give up assistance to Major General Lambert, and completely give up the opportunity to interfere in the British political situation.

Just do your own thing!Mo San sighed.

(End of this chapter)