The Netherlands is generally called the Lowlands by Europeans because the terrain here is very low and there are many swamps, lakes, and rivers. Because of its geographical environment and location, it has been a battleground for powerful European countries since ancient times.
Historically, this area has been successively ruled by France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, etc. At the same time, due to the dispersed aristocratic system in Europe, it has often remained independent.
The geographical location here is very important. Whoever occupies this place can attack many countries under the Holy Roman Empire to the east, and to the west is the English Channel, and can attack England.
To the north, you can directly chat with the Vikings in Northern Europe and discuss how to fish; to the south, you will find rich France, and you will directly face the rich Paris Basin of France.
It is close to the sea and the mainland, and water transportation is extremely convenient. It can be said to be the cross center area in Western Europe. Powerful monarchs in Europe have always coveted this place.
The Spanish Empire was no exception. Through complex royal marriages, the Spanish Empire successfully incorporated this land into its own territory. The current King of Spain, Charles V, was born in the Netherlands and grew up speaking French.
However, at this moment, with the beginning of the reform of the Spanish Empire by Charles V, he imitated the Ming Empire to implement centralization of power and concentrated all kinds of power in the hands of the monarch.
This greatly touched the long-standing traditions and interests of nobles in various places. Not only did many princes in the Holy Roman Empire announce the abolition of Charles V's title of Holy Roman Emperor, but the Netherlands also announced its separation from Spain.
The rule of empire.
Several major nobles and grand dukes in the lowlands united with many nobles here to form the Udel Alliance, and officially announced the establishment of the Republic of the Netherlands to get rid of the Spanish Empire's rule here.
The newly established Republic of the Netherlands encountered strong opposition from the Spanish Empire, and Charles V even declared that all rebels in the Netherlands would be guillotined.
However, the establishment of the Republic of the Netherlands was supported and recognized by England, France and the Holy Roman Empire. They wanted Spain to be divided. What's more, others also coveted the lowlands, which was a fertile land.
The two sides are at odds with each other, and the whole of Europe is like a powder keg. If there is just the slightest spark, war will break out again.
And everyone knows that this day will not last long.
In the castle of the Grand Duke of the Netherlands, Duke William was discussing with other nobles how to deal with the Spanish army's attack.
According to the news from France, Charles V has been preparing for war. Since Spain began to reform last year, the powerful Charles V has not only carried out drastic reforms in Spain.
Holding all the power of Spain in his hands, through the entire huge Spanish Empire, the strength of the Spanish Empire has become unprecedentedly powerful.
The tax revenue that Charles V could receive was more than ten times that of before. There was money in his hands, and he had all the power in his hands.
Charles V also aggressively expanded his new army. Originally there were more than 200,000 strong troops, and now it has expanded to 500,000 troops in one go.
In addition, Charles V also hired a large number of retired Ming soldiers to train his army and purchased advanced arms and weapons from the Ming people.
With such a high-profile military expansion and preparations for war, countries throughout Europe are trembling.
Not only the Netherlands is under tremendous pressure, but England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, etc. are constantly preparing for war and purchasing large quantities of arms and weapons.
Everyone knows that when Charles V brought out such a powerful army, he definitely did not do it for the sake of looking good. It must have a purpose.
"Your Excellency, according to the latest news, Charles V has sent 100,000 troops and 20,000 navy ships to the north, and their destination is our Netherlands."
"Is the news reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable. This is information we purchased from the people of Ming Dynasty at a huge price."
"With a hundred thousand army and twenty thousand navy, we in the Netherlands can't defeat it at all. With the tens of thousands of makeshift troops in our hands, we don't even have decent arms and weapons. How can we fight?"
"The people of Ming Dynasty promised us that as long as we have money, they can transport arms and weapons from Hong Kong or Houzhao City at any time."
"The arms and weapons of the Ming Dynasty are very good, but the prices are really expensive. Buying tens of thousands of muskets costs millions of taels of silver. How can we have so much silver in our hands?"
"Now we can only see if France, England and the Holy Roman Empire are willing to help us, otherwise we will definitely lose."
William looked at the map, his face darkening.
In fact, the Netherlands has never been willing to be ruled by Spain. It was only through complex royal marriages that Spain finally succeeded in ruling here.
However, the Netherlands still maintains a high degree of autonomy. Now Spain directly wants to turn the Netherlands into several Spanish provinces. In the future, these great nobles will lose a lot of power, land, etc. in their hands. Naturally, they are
Won't agree.
But when they really had to face the powerful army of the Spanish Empire, everyone had a headache again.
The Spanish Empire is now at its peak and extremely powerful in itself.
In addition, it has won two foreign wars in succession, gained a lot of benefits from France and England, and has huge colonies overseas, and can plunder a large amount of wealth from the colonies every year.
Externally, the relationship between the Spanish Empire and the Ming Empire is very good, and they can always get a lot of support from the Ming Empire.
If they wanted arms and weapons, they would sell them to Spain, and if they wanted loans, they would give loans. Even when Spain was about to be defeated, the Ming Empire would personally send troops to help Spain.
For many years, Spain has also relied on trade with the Ming Empire. As a second-tier dealer in Europe, the Spanish Empire has earned huge wealth and huge benefits from it.
In the past, Spain was relatively dispersed within the country. The power in the hands of the king was not very great, and he was unable to integrate his own forces.
But now Charles V's reforms have concentrated power in the hands of the king, established a large number of provincial systems, taken away taxation and conscription rights, etc.
The scattered forces were concentrated, and the power of the Spanish Empire became unprecedentedly powerful.
The Spanish Empire was so powerful that it casually sent a hundred thousand troops to attack the Netherlands.
"Immediately inform Henry VIII of England and Francois I of France, as well as the many states of the Holy Roman Empire, telling them that we need their support now."
"yes!"
.....
Inside the Royal Palace of the Spanish Empire.
Charles V was carefully studying the regions and cities in the Netherlands. He would never forgive the betrayal of the Netherlands.
I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where I spent a happy childhood. I have long regarded the Netherlands as the most inseparable part of me.
Now these people in the Netherlands have rebelled against themselves, which is unforgivable.
"Francesca is really in the way!"
"When I capture the Netherlands, I will attack France from the north and the south. The first one will annex you."
Charles V was so ambitious that the map of France was an eyesore.
In the future, I will attack the Holy Roman Empire and deal with the nobles of the countries, but France and Italy are separated in the middle, making it difficult for the army to pass through, so it is best to capture France first.
France not only hindered Charles V's efforts to unify Europe, but was also the biggest obstacle.
France's strength is still very strong, because France is relatively unified, has a large population, fertile land, and strong strength. Although it has been defeated in several wars, it has never suffered much losses.
If France can be captured, it will not only solve the biggest problem, but also gain a large population and fertile land. This will be a very crucial step for the unification of the entire Europe.
However, France has heavy troops stationed in the border area with Spain, that is, the Pyrenees Mountains, and has also built strict defenses based on the terrain.
If we attack from the south, we will definitely suffer heavy losses and it will be difficult to achieve results.
Therefore, Charles V planned to deal with the Netherlands first, and then attack France from the north to the south. In this way, it would be relatively easy.
Regarding the unification of Europe, Charles V was prepared to adopt a difficult-first-easy strategy. The first thing to be killed was France. After chewing off this hard nut, what was left was just a piece of loose sand. It would be much easier to clean up.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, good news, good news."
At this time, Pelos rushed in with excitement and said: "Your Majesty, I just received a telegram from the Ming Empire. The Emperor of the Ming Empire expressed his willingness to strongly support our Spanish Empire. He wants arms and weapons for military households and loans for loans.
.”
"Haha, great!"
When Charles V heard this, he laughed happily.
"With the support of the Ming Empire, it will be easier for us to unify Europe."
"Where is Alfred?"
Charles V looked at the map and asked.
"The army led by Alfred has successfully passed the English Channel and will arrive in the Netherlands soon."
Perez quickly replied.
"Very good. It seems that no matter Henry VIII or Big Nose, they don't want to provoke our powerful Spain now. This will give us opportunities to defeat each other."
Charles V immediately nodded with satisfaction, thought for a while and ordered: "Send the order to Alfred, asking him to make a quick decision, take over the Netherlands as soon as possible, and complete the cleanup of the Netherlands."