Although Italy and the Netherlands are facing a dark cloud in Southeast Asia, a storm is about to come.
But both countries know that the final outcome can only be decided in Europe.
Therefore, Italy and the Netherlands attach great importance to this negotiation. The Netherlands has brought Britain, France, Germany and a Spanish to make up the numbers, while Italy has brought... um... Germany?
Well, Italy has not attracted a single country. Of course, this is on the surface. Who knows the actual situation? After all, the current international relations have changed. Maybe the treaty signed yesterday will be torn up tomorrow.
Due to the urgency of the matter, negotiations between the two parties began quickly.
In the large conference room of the Prime Minister's Office, the Dutch side, represented by Dutch Foreign Minister Becchio, and the Italian side, represented by Italian Foreign Minister Bacona, stood ready at the negotiation table.
As for representatives from the four countries, Britain, France, Germany and Spain, they sat aside to witness the negotiations between the two parties.
"Our country strongly condemns the siege of Batavia by your fleet, which has caused losses to merchants in many countries. Your country's behavior has threatened the stability of Southeast Asia and is of a very bad nature."
At the beginning, the Dutch Plenipotentiary Foreign Minister Becchio stood up and expressed his attitude.
“Are we threatening the security of Southeast Asia?”
In response to the Dutch's remarks, Bacona, the Italian representative, gave the other party a contemptuous look. "If your country had not shamelessly killed two missionaries from our country, then this situation would not have happened at all. This is all expensive."
The blame for the country lies with oneself."
"I protest that your country's accusations are completely unreasonable. Our country will not accept such groundless accusations until the truth of the matter is found out."
Obviously, it is impossible for the Dutch representatives to admit this matter. Even if it was really done by the Dutch army, they would not admit it. Although the religious power in this era is not what it used to be, it will cause huge damage to the reputation of the Netherlands. If
In the era of coachmen, this damage was nothing to the Netherlands. But now that the Netherlands has weakened too much, it can cause considerable damage.
So Becchio directly skipped the missionary issue and started directly from the other side. "Your country's protection of Lanfang violates the agreement between various countries on the security of Southeast Asia. Countries are not allowed to invade forces belonging to other European countries. Therefore, our country strongly
Request your country to withdraw from the protection of Lanfang."
Facing the words of the Dutch representative, Bacona couldn't help laughing. "Hahahaha, Mr. Becchio, your words really made me unable to help myself, hahaha."
Facing the Italian representatives who laughed wildly, Becchio's face turned ugly.
"Your Excellency Bacona, can you please restrain yourself?"
The British representative who was watching the negotiations between the two countries saw that the atmosphere was not quite right and couldn't help but give a warning.
Faced with the reminder from the British representative, Bacona stopped laughing. "I'm sorry, I really couldn't hold it back, because Mr. Becchio's joke was too funny."
The black-faced Becchio said angrily, "Are what I said funny? Can you please tell me the reason?"
Faced with Becchio's words, Bacona asked seriously. "Excuse me, your Excellency, do vassal countries need to sign a treaty of annexation?"
Bacona's words made Becchio think of something, and his face turned a little pale, but in full view of everyone, he had to answer. "Most of them should be like this."
Faced with Becchio's ambiguous words, Bacona immediately refuted him righteously. "What do you mean, most of them should be like this. I doubt your diplomatic level."
After belittling the other party, Bacona continued, "All satellite countries need to sign a satellite treaty, so that they can be recognized by all countries. But your country has never signed such a treaty with Lanfang, and there is no subsidiary relationship at all in theory and law. So, then
There is no way to talk about your responsibilities. This is a conflict between your country and the Lanfang Republic. It is not, as you said, an internal matter of your country. Our country has been killed because of the missionaries, so why can't we intervene."
Bacona's words left Becchio speechless. It's all to blame for the Dutch being too cautious. After Lanfang claimed that he belonged to the Qing vassal, the Netherlands had never dared to sign an affiliation treaty with Lanfang openly.
.
"But Chief Lanfang has always been a Kapitan appointed by our country. Logically speaking, he should be a subsidiary of our country."
Becchio did not have other options. He directly stated that the leader of Lanfang was a colonial official appointed by himself, and proposed that Lanfang was a vassal state.
Facing the reasons given by Becchio, Bacona asked back with interest.
"Does Mr. Becchio mean that as long as he appoints officials, he can claim his own sphere of influence?"
Becchio's heart trembled, and he regretted saying this, because he knew that if he admitted it, it would bring endless troubles.
The reason is simple. As long as he admits it, Italy will have countless ways to get the indigenous kingdoms of the Dutch colonies to accept its appointment the next day. At that time, Italy can also use this reason to seal its mouth.
So he quickly defended. "This is different. Our country has appointed Lanfang Kapitan for decades."
At this time, Bacona said seriously to the Dutch representative in front of him.
"This cannot be a reason, Mr. Becchio. I think you also know that this reason is simply untenable, so please don't come up with these ridiculous reasons."
At this time, the British representative suddenly interrupted and said something.
"Your Excellency Bacona is right. If you still can't give a convincing reason, then please say something more practical."
Faced with the sudden comments from the British, representatives from other countries were a little confused, especially Becchio, who was the representative of the Netherlands. His heart skipped a beat. He had a very bad premonition.
Faced with the British representative's speech, Bacona, as the Italian representative, was not surprised at all, because Italy had already made a secret deal with the British. Italy assured the British that Italy would only expand to the Dutch colonies in Borneo. Of course.
There is also a reason why the fleet sent by Italy this time is too powerful and it is difficult for Britain to intervene.
Another reason that cannot be said is that Italy's performance in the Sino-French war as a force that contained the French navy made Britain feel that it should give appropriate support to Italy. In this era, Britain paid unusual attention to the French navy. Who ranked the French navy?
Second in the world, as the basis for ensuring hegemony, the Royal Navy of the British Empire is always paying attention to the actions of the French. The British are willing to give it another opponent. Of course, wait until the Germans show enough interest in overseas
Only then will the British eyes turn to them.
As Britain's support for Italy, Italy promised to exert its influence when the Qing Dynasty wanted to purchase foreign weapons, especially in the navy, allowing it to give priority to British warships.
Yes, Italy was using the influence of the Qing Dynasty to make deals, and Britain happened to be worried about the decline of its influence in the Qing Dynasty, so the two hit it off. After giving guarantees to the British colonies, the two countries reached a unanimous decision.
With the support of the British behind him, Bacona can naturally feel confident. "Mr. Fulam is right, Becchio please recognize the facts."
Facing Bacona's words, Becchio couldn't help but look at the representatives of other countries sitting aside as intermediaries.
The French representative was hesitant to speak, but in the end he shrank back. The German representative kept looking back and forth at the British and Italian representatives, as if he wanted to see something from them, and completely ignored Becchio's expectant gaze. As for the
Spanish representative, well, let's ignore him.
Unable to get support from the side, Becchio felt that he could not continue talking like this and that he needed to take a break. At the same time, he pressed the pause button on the negotiations.
"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well today and need to take a rest."
"No problem, we can wait. But I hope your health will get better soon, because if the time is prolonged, uncontrollable accidents may easily occur, and the results of our negotiations may be overturned by then."
"Maybe the result will be better."
"It's possible, but I think the chance is too small. It's more likely that you will lose more."
After the two bickered for a while, they both left.
Becchio was anxious to go back to find out the situation and report to Amsterdam at the same time. Bacona also needed to report the results of today's negotiations to the Prime Minister and King Carlo.
