My Italian: Chapter 105 Batavia under the muzzle below
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, how should we deal with the blackmail by the Italians?"
In the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, King William III of the Netherlands is asking the Prime Minister Himskirk's opinion.
The 68-year-old old king is also tragic to say it. The three sons he gave birth to have already passed away, and only his five-year-old daughter, Princess Wilhelmina, is alive. However, to be able to have a daughter at the age of 63, I have to admit that old age is better.
"Your Majesty, there are not many things we can do at the moment."
The Prime Minister of the Christian sect said something depressing with a helpless expression on his face.
Some people will definitely say that at this time, we should ask Britain, France and Germany for help, especially since the Netherlands has relations with Britain and Germany, it is easier to obtain their support.
This is quite right. Asking for help from the two countries can indeed get the support of the two countries, but then what?
Will Britain and Germany force Italy to withdraw from the fleet for the Netherlands?
If not, what's the point?
Besides, there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. If you ask others to help you, do you need to be paid? Don't forget that the Spice Islands owned by the Netherlands, but even the British Empire is jealous. The two countries have fought many times for this before, and finally the Dutch managed to save this treasure. Although the British became more and more powerful later, the Netherlands finally opened an opening to allow British ships to obtain trading licenses.
If the Netherlands asks for help, the United Kingdom will definitely go further to seek its interests in the Spice Islands, so will the Dutch agree or not?
Of course, it is inevitable to seek help from Britain, France and Germany on this issue, but how much help is needed will only be known after talking to the Italians.
Prime Minister Himskirk has already had a preliminary idea for this.
"Your Majesty, I have sent Foreign Minister Becchio as a plenipotentiary to go to Rome to discuss with the Italians."
But then his voice changed. "However, it's impossible to just let Italy out, and we're going to pay some price."
Obviously, Prime Minister Himskirk knows very well that the Italians are so aggressive that it is impossible to send them away without paying some benefits.
As for how much to pay, it depends on the results of Foreign Minister Becchio.
Of course, as the Prime Minister, he didn't do nothing, and he still had to send telegrams to Britain, France and Germany for help. It is believed that Britain and France, which have huge interests in Southeast Asia, will not want more power there.
As for Germany, which has no interests there, Germany is also a very suitable mediator because of its good relations with the two countries involved.
As for the Spaniards occupying the Philippines, Prime Minister Himskirk has no hope for them. Now that Spain is in great decline, it would be good to be able to hold on to its few colonies. It is completely powerless to express one's opinions to the outside world.
Of course, before that, in order to avoid uncontrollable situations caused by any accident, Prime Minister Himskirk also sent a telegram to the Netherlands Spice Islands, asking them to exercise restraint.
In fact, there is no need for Himskirk to worry, Governor Luton has done a good job in this regard.
"Are you all ready?"
Standing in the loading and unloading area of the port, Governor Luton asked a Dutch official.
"It's already been packed. There are a total of more than 300 tons of various fruits, vegetables and meat. I have personally inspected them and they have been carefully selected."
Facing the official's answer in front of him, Governor Luton nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, then send it to the Italian fleet, don't let the Italians wait too fast."
Does this scene look funny? Governor Luton actually sent supplies to the Italians who threatened him, and he was afraid that things would be bad and the Italians would not be satisfied.
Speaking of which, this was just the helpless action of the Batavia officials. The order from Amsterdam made them unable to deal with it at all. They had to argue with reasons and avoid conflicts, so after thinking for a long time, the Batavia officials decided to do Two-handed preparation, the first is to mobilize troops from the surrounding area to gather outside the city to prevent possible conflicts with the Italians, and the other is to appease the Italian fleet and show that he is not malicious, so he sent some living materials to the Italian officers and soldiers.
Of course, the Dutch officials have no idea whether this two-handed preparation will be effective.
Many of the troops who first gathered around Batavia were indigenous soldiers, and their combat effectiveness was truly doubtful. The current white army around Batavia numbered no more than three thousand men. And sending some living materials, how much effect this can have is unknown.
Of course, in this case, Governor Luton made a wise decision.
In the Lanfang camp by the Kun River, Liu Enguan, the chief of Lanfang, is listening to the report of the brothers below.
"Commander, the Dutch people in the Natu River really evacuated. I took my brother all the way for nearly a hundred miles, and the Dutch people didn't see anyone at all."
"The same is true of our investigation in Quenting Village. The Dutch have already retreated."
"It's the same thing we saw in Biller Hill."
Several spies sent out to report the situation one after another, making the leaders who were stranded here smile with joy.
After the spies reported the situation, they saw Zheng Zhengxin, leader Zheng, and stood up.
"The commander-in-chief is really wise. With the help of the Italians, he allowed the Dutch to slip away obediently without a single shot. It's really like that...that...that Zhuge is still alive."
Leader Zheng racked his brains and finally got the flattery out of the way.
And as Chief Zheng opened his head, a rainbow fart sang the praises of virtue immediately.
"Old Zheng is right. I'm waiting for the boss's great support for the decision of the chief. As long as the chief opens his mouth, let me go west, never east."
"That's right, I will admire the chief's decision. From now on, everything will be up to the chief."
"…"
Liu Enguan looked at the scene in front of him and felt very interesting. You must know that these people complained of all kinds of yin and yang in the first two days, and today they immediately showed all kinds of loyalty.
If anyone really believed them, they would have to count the money when they were sold.
"Okay, everyone knows the news, so everyone doesn't have to worry about the Dutch. After a couple of days, everyone can go back. After all, everyone needs you to support them."
Liu Enguan's words didn't stop these people from flattering. UU Reading www.uukanshu.com immediately rushed towards him with even more turbulent flattery.
"Commander, where is it, it's a blessing for me to be able to watch the commander drink the Dutch back here."
"Yes, yes, I admire the commander very much, and hope to be able to follow the commander for a few days."
That's how this person is. When he is not allowed to go, he wants to go all the time, but he is not willing to let them go one by one.
It's not that these leaders are confused, these people are like monkeys. It should have been unclear in form before, not safe enough here. Now that everything is clear, they want to keep it here and see what benefits they can get. President Liu had already seen through these tricks.
After sending all these leaders away, Liu Enguan asked a person beside him. "Is Chief Liang back?"
"Just came back, rest in his room."
"I see, go get busy."
After leaving the others, Liu Enguan came to Liang Luyi's house alone.
"Who?"
"it's me."
Liang Luyi, who opened the door, opened the door with a tired face. After President Liu closed the door, he thanked him in a low voice. "Lu Er, you and the brothers below have worked hard this time. You have made great contributions to our Lanfang, and I will not forget it."
"Chief, if anything, it's all for the future of the big guy. The only thing is, it's a pity for the people of that village and two foreigners."
"Lu Er, this time it's going to rot in my stomach, don't let anyone know."
"Don't worry, Chief, I know this in Liang Lu'er's mind, and I will never tell anyone."
"Then you can rest first, I'll go first."
After receiving a satisfactory answer, Chief Liu left, leaving only Chief Liang with a tired face.