December 23rd.
London, England.
After the Portuguese ambassador left, there was cheer and laughter in the Prime Minister's Office in Downing Street.
"Spain has completely declined. Now the ruler of the Imbilia Peninsula is Portugal. Portugal is reviving really fast."
Herbert Henry Asquith, speaking cheerfully to Lloyd George.
“Fortunately, Portugal has been a century-old traditional ally with the United Kingdom. Portugal’s ruler Pedro III is not a pro-German party like his father, Prince Francisco, and he has a lot of dislike for Germany.
During the period of Brazil's industrial development, Kaiser Wilhelm II often used industrial and technical support to pressure him; even though Germany later tried to win over them, Pedro III still kept a considerable distance from them.
Pedro III, although not currently in any camp, is acceptable to us.
In terms of economic exchanges, Portugal has the deepest relationship with our Allied Powers. If there is a war one day, even if Portugal does not participate in the war, the smart Pedro III should know which side to stand on? "
"Prime Minister, you are right, Pedro III is a smart man." Laoji Qiaohe said in agreement.
"Just now, the Portuguese Ambassador Viscount Real came over. Not only did he take the initiative to express to us that Portugal and the Imbilia Alliance will not annex Murcia and Cantabria in Castile, he also represented the upcoming King John of Andalusia. II recognizes British sovereignty in Gibraltar."
"Yes, Portugal can still recognize its own rights. Compared to Spain, Portugal is more pragmatic. Not only does Portugal know that we will not allow Spain to lose the coastal area of Castile, it also further recognizes our rights and interests in Gibraltar. "Herbert Henry Asquith was very satisfied with Portugal's attitude.
Although the change of hegemony on the Imbilia Peninsula is a big event.
However, for the United Kingdom, it is acceptable for Portugal, its traditional ally, to dominate Imbilia compared to Spain's disgusting situation.
"Oh, by the way, there will be no Spain anymore, only Castile now." Herbert Henry Asquith laughed heartily.
Under the threat of Pedro III, there would be no ceasefire and negotiations unless the Kingdom of Spain was changed to the Kingdom of Castile.
Forced by the reality of the army approaching the city, being besieged on all sides, and the army pressing on the capital, Spain announced on December 22 that it would change the name of the country to Castile.
After Spain was renamed Castile, the Portuguese kept their promise and stopped to garrison in Getafe, a suburb of Madrid.
Laoge George also did not like the Castilians, and he naturally gloated about the disintegration of Spain.
"There is a reason for the decline of these Castilians. They always think that they are still a great power and that they are still a powerful country. They have no self-knowledge at all.
For the sake of Gibraltar, they dare to keep biting us without looking at their own strength.
Now it's better. It was directly beaten back to its original shape by the Portuguese. From now on, Castile will be a small country in Europe, and it will still be the kind of small country that must rely on our great powers to exist. "
…
Paris France.
"Dear Prime Minister Joseph Cayo, our conditions in Portugal are quite satisfactory to you," said Powell, the Portuguese ambassador to France.
In order to encourage the great powers to stand on their side, Portugal's strategies for the great powers are similar, and they implement various benefits while promising to maintain the main body of Castile.
"I have no objections to anything else, but there is one thing I want to change. Portugal, can you turn the independent Navarre system into a republic?" Joseph Cayo said.
The Castilians were defeated and Spain was completely disintegrated. Now France naturally changed its position and took advantage of this negotiation to get a little more.
After independence, the Navarre region is composed of three main bodies: Navarre, Basque Country, and La Rioja. It covers an area of about 30,000 square miles, which is smaller than Catalonia plus Aragon.
Although Navarre is small, it has mining resources that France lacks. The iron ore reserves explored in the area are hundreds of millions of tons. Although the coal mines explored are small, they are still 5 million tons.
Portugal gave up the independent Navarre, established the royal family of Braganza, and found the French royal family of Orleans. Its sincerity towards France is still very obvious.
But for Joseph Caillaux, prime minister of the Third French Republic, he wanted Navarre to be a republic.
Navarre becoming a republic can strengthen France's control, and it can also greatly increase Joseph Caillot's influence and increase the possibility of winning the next election.
During the second Moroccan crisis, under siege by the opposition, the credibility of the moderate Joseph Cayo was severely damaged and he was almost called a traitor.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, your idea is very bad and dangerous. No country in Europe wants another republic to appear."
Powell was a staunch royalist and was very angry at Joseph Caillot's request. He refuted it without any anger.
"Mr. Joseph Caillot, except for France and Switzerland, which for historical reasons united many cantons to protect their independence, every country in Europe has a royal family.
And originally, the Third French Republic should not have existed for a long time. If Bourbon had not been a fool, France should have a royal family.
The three regions that became independent from Spain cannot be republics, and if Mr. Joseph Cayo can convince the European countries, then we in Portugal don't mind. "
"Mr. Powell, that's no need. I just made a small suggestion." Joseph Cayo said decisively.
Although republics have a long history in Europe and have been resurrected in Europe and spread to the world in modern times, Europe is still dominated by royal power and there are only two republics. These two are caused by various reasons.
…
Berlin, Germany.
"Mr. Anthony, I hope you can convey our German voice to His Majesty Pedro Hill for me.
Can the royal family of independent Andalusia be chosen from our German Empire? "
After receiving instructions from Wilhelm II, Prime Minister Theobaden von Bateman-Hollweg, at the end of negotiations with Antony, the Portuguese ambassador to Germany, proposed the replacement of the King of Andalusia.
Anthony was a little confused when he heard this request.
Now that everything has been discussed, Germany actually has different opinions on the most unproblematic candidate for king.
Is it because the previous crisis in Morocco took advantage of it and its confidence has soared, so it wants to expand further in other places?
"Dear Mr. Prime Minister, although John II is not from the German Empire, his mother is undoubtedly German, and he has also received approval from Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Italy and other countries.
His Majesty John II is the candidate for King of Andalusia that many European countries prefer. If there is a sudden change, we Portugal need you, Germany, to make a reasonable request, otherwise we will not be able to convince other countries. "
Theobaden von Bateman-Hollweg was actually very helpless. He had no objection to John II being King of Andalusia.
But his immediate boss, Wilhelm II, the undoubted authority of the mother of the German Empire, somehow got confused and actually wanted to arrange a king with a German Empire background in Andalusia.
During the Moroccan crisis, Britain and France took some steps back, and Germany took advantage. However, Theobaden von Bateman-Hollweg knew very well that this did not mean that Britain and France were cowed.
Andalusia, guarding the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, how could Britain and France allow a man from the German Empire to be the king here.
Theobaden von Bateman-Hollweg originally did not want to come forward, but Wilhelm II could not speak out, but he had a strong will, and in the end he had to let the Prime Minister take the blame.
"Mr. Ambassador, as long as the King of Andalusia belongs to our Empire, our German Empire is willing..."
