April 3rd, a sunny morning.
Tangning stopped working, put down the art knife used to cut tulip balls, and extracted what Wilhelmina said just now to summarize what she meant.
"Wilhelmina, listen to what you say, are you going to give me the Dutch Caribbean Islands?"
After putting down the knife in her hand, Tang Ning spoke lightly while taking a look at Wilhelmina, who was wearing a pure white dress today, simple and clean and beautiful.
Wilhelmina was quite beautiful, and with her queenly temperament, Tangning liked her very much even though she was dressed simply today.
People do change. After spending time together, Tang Ning returned to her original passionate love for the beautiful Queen of the Netherlands.
"Well, dear Tangning, I am going to give those small islands in the Caribbean to Brazil." Wilhelmina said.
"Wilhelmina, was this a decision you made privately? Did you discuss it with Prime Minister Jane Himskirk if you wanted to send it to the island?"
The current Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Himskerk, is a counter-revolutionary and has a good relationship with the royal family.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a country with a strong sense of liberal capitalism, and the power of the royal monarch is not too great. Especially in Wilhelmina's generation, the Dutch royal family lost its father when she was young and was regent by her mother who was not good at politics. The various forces in the country further increased.
The Netherlands currently has constant domestic party disputes, with the three-legged opposition of the Counter-Revolutionary Party, the Liberal Party, and the Socialist Party. Except for the Counter-Revolutionary Party, which is considered a royalist party and a supporter of the royal family, the others do not support the royal family very much, and most people even advocate its abolition.
"I haven't discussed it with Jane Himskirk, but I don't think he would object."
The Netherlands has a bunch of colonial islands in the Caribbean, namely Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, southern Sint Maarten and Saba, among which Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are close to Venezuela.
These islands are small in area, sparsely populated, poor in products, and economically deficient. Apart from sugar production, they do not have much value. They are dispensable to the Netherlands.
If the Netherlands sends these useless products to Brazil, it will definitely gain the favor of the Brazilian government, and it may be able to get more preferential treatment on trade tariffs.
Wilhelmina said in a nonchalant tone: "The few islands that the Netherlands currently has in the Caribbean are not of much value except for producing some sugar. I believe that he will not object to me sending the islands."
After listening to Wilhelmina's words, Tangning knew that this love-minded queen was courting her in order to gain more favor from her.
"Wilhelmina, you still need to discuss more matters with the Prime Minister on matters related to national territory. It is better that you do less of this kind of thing in the future. Although these islands are indeed of little value, you cannot decide on them lightly."
Tangning said to Wilhelmina in a sincere tone: "The current social situation in the Netherlands is not ideal. You must think twice before doing anything and don't do anything unnecessary. I don't want you to get into trouble because of me.
Jane Himscock should not object to your sending these islands, but not everyone will agree with you. If there are careerists who deliberately operate it, this will become a good tool to damage the reputation of the Dutch royal family.
If you want to get involved in matters concerning the country in the future, you must not come forward yourself. You must know how to use the royalists in the parliament to do so. "
"Wilhelmina, I am very happy that you are giving the island away this time. But I don't want it to be a gift. It should be in the form of a sale, and other people must propose the sale of the island, otherwise it will be caught by ambitious people. live."
Due to historical reasons, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France have a bunch of small islands in the Caribbean. However, the value of these small islands is limited. Even if they are integrated, they do not pose much threat to the United States and Brazil.
Although these islands can be used as naval bases, they do not have many checks and balances on American powers such as Brazil and the United States. After all, these are not Pacific island chains, and their locations are not so dangerous.
Tangning had also thought about these small islands in the Caribbean, but he was not in a hurry. He could buy them back when the time was right.
As for the colonies of European countries, before World War I, Tangning did not want to touch them. At present, Brazil's image is still mainly about confronting the United States and should not conflict with Europe.
The current development of Brazil cannot be separated from the support of Europe. For a small profit, if the greed is too strong, it will arouse Europe's resentment and vigilance, which is not worth the gain.
"Sorry, I was negligent. Thank you for reminding me." Wilhelmina thanked Tangning with emotion.
"Tangning, it's a pity that I don't have the power of the Emperor of Russia or the Kaiser, otherwise I would never let you down."
Wilhelmina still has a basic political acumen, because she knows that her own level is too poor, and she knows that the more she interferes in politics, the more likely it is that problems will arise. After becoming queen, apart from praising the counter-revolutionary royalists and supporting them overtly and covertly, she did not interfere much in other matters.
This time, Wilhelmina wanted to show her love to her lover more. She was simple-minded for a while and made a decision without thinking too much.
After Tangning reminded her, she quickly realized her mistake.
"Wilhelmina, there is nothing to be sorry for. I understand you. The political environment in the Netherlands prevents you, as the Queen, from doing too much political work. I understand your love for me."
The royal family of the Netherlands, Orange-Nassau, is closely related to the history of the Netherlands. It has considerable prestige in the Netherlands. The independence of the Netherlands cannot be separated from the support of this family.
After independence, the Netherlands entered a long republican period. Orange-Nassau, which had great prestige, ruled the country and had solid influence in several provinces of the Netherlands.
However, it is precisely because of the huge influence of Orange-Nassau that the liberals are afraid that the Netherlands will move toward a monarchy. Therefore, the Republican Speaker in power strictly guards this family and strikes hard at the opportunity.
If not, Bourbon France invaded the Netherlands, and the Republicans needed Orange-Nassau military capabilities. The Republicans would have wiped out this family long ago. Orange-Nassau has saved Holland many times in history, so it has huge influence, and the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is also based on this.
Since the independence of the Netherlands, whether in the republican period or the kingdom period, royalists and liberals have been fighting each other for a long time. Nowadays, socialists have emerged in the political arena, and the current political situation in the Netherlands is very serious.
“Wilhelmina, in the current situation of the Dutch royal family, it is not a good thing to be too involved in politics, but those political parties are not completely needed to exert influence on the country.
What other ways can you impact the people of the country? "
"Other ways? Is it to establish more welfare charity foundations?" Wilhelmina asked.
The European royal families are not fools. They still know how to win over the lower class. In addition to the most common publicity of the importance of the royal family to the country, they also set up many welfare and charity foundations.
"Yes, but it's more than that."
Tangning said the expanded form to Wilhelmina.
“Welfare charity foundations can actually be set up, but it is best to have a general leader to lead them. With too many charities running without effective supervision, you will never know their darkness.
In addition to welfare charity foundations, education funds can also be established to build Hope Primary Schools and Hope Middle Schools, using the wealth and power of the royal family to give the children of the lower classes the education they most desire. "
"Tangning, what you said is very good, but it will cost a lot of money. The Helan royal family doesn't have that much money."
Wilhelmina certainly knows that this approach can win a lot of support for the royal family, and this support is very long-lasting and stable.
However, this education fund and the establishment of schools cost a lot of money. The royal family of Orange-Nassau is not poor, but it is not as rich as the emperors of France, Russia, and Austria. They do not have the capital to do this.
"Well, I know, this can be done slowly. We can first set up a group of hope primary schools and establish a poverty scholarship. Although this costs a lot, it can be supported."
"The Dutch royal family is also engaged in some industries, right?" Tangning asked Wilhelmina.
"I have run some industries, but not much."
European royal families and nobles are more or less involved in some industrial operations, and the Netherlands is a commercial kingdom. Of course, the Orange-Nassau royal family also has some business activities.
"Wilhelmina, I will invest for you and guide you on how to expand the royal family's industry and form a chaebol.
Regarding the economy of the Netherlands, it is best for the royal family to control the economic lifeline of the country. In this way, when the royal family has money, it can do more things and have a better influence on the country.
Brazil has a lot of trade with the Netherlands. With me here, the Dutch royal family can absorb a lot of benefits here.
In addition to international trade, the royal family in China also tries to take stock and control many companies. It is best to monopolize the two industries of people's daily necessities and newspapers and public opinion, and then penetrate into all aspects. Of course, others do not necessarily have to be controlled, but they must Be influential.
In fact, when you control the country's economy, education, public opinion, etc., the Netherlands will be under your control, and those so-called politicians will become your loyal dogs.
Compared with noisy political bickering, the people hope more to have the right to education and job stability..."
Chapter 177 Royal Power
