Campelen straightened up immediately when he heard the word “Brabant” and gave a sign to the Dutch diplomat beside him.
The latter quickly gestured for all the servants to leave and tightly closed the main gate.
Only then did Campelen carefully say, “Marquis, in fact, the Brabant uprising has nothing to do with the Netherlands.”
The British Foreign Minister nodded, “Yes, it has nothing to do with it. Vandernoot did not get the support of the Dutch Parliament.”
The Vandernoot he mentioned was the leader of the Brabant uprising.
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Brabant was a core region of the Southern Netherlands, which is modern-day Belgium, where a large-scale rebellion was currently taking place.
At that time, the Southern Netherlands was still Austrian territory, but it had been practicing a relatively autonomous political model, managed by the States-General of the Netherlands.
Emperor Joseph II of Holy Rome had started implementing a series of reforms a few years earlier, among which were strengthening centralization and weakening noble privileges.
This offended nearly all the powers in the Southern Netherlands—the Liberals opposed centralization and demanded to maintain the Congress’s rights while the Conservative nobles were extremely discontent with the weakening of their privileges.
Thus, both sides joined forces, started to organize the power of the Southern Netherlands, planning to drive Austrian influence out of the area and establish their own country.
This event in history is known as the Brabant Uprising.
The other name for the Netherlands is “Northern Netherlands.” As a country of the same origin as the Southern Netherlands, the Dutch naturally hoped that their brethren could break free from Austrian rule, and so they secretly provided considerable support to the rebels.
Marquess Wellesley glanced at the demeanor of the Speaker of the Dutch Parliament and continued, “There is no need for you to be nervous. I have come here to convey to you the British Parliament’s attitude.
“We believe that the Southern Netherlands has every right to choose its own allegiance.
“However, you also know that Vandernoot alone does not have the power to contend with the mighty Austria.”
Campelen stared intently at the Englishman, “Please continue.”
“They need their own compatriots as their support,” stated Marquess Wellesley, clasping his hands together, “to resist the Austrians as ‘the Republic of the Netherlands.’
Campelen’s breathing became rapid, “Are you saying that England supports the unification of the Netherlands and the Southern Netherlands?”
Marquess Wellesley nodded, “We have always been the most loyal ally of the Netherlands and naturally hope that the Netherlands will become stronger. Therefore, the unification of the Low Countries is the first step.”
He completely omitted to mention the Anglo-Dutch War that had just occurred a few years ago, during which the British Navy had almost annihilated the Dutch Fleet.
In reality, England had always seen the Netherlands and Belgium as springboards for attacks on the British mainland from the European continent, and hence pursued a policy of firmly controlling the area.
Previously, the French people supported the Dutch Patriot Party in deposing William V, after which the Netherlands began to lean towards France, causing the British considerable discomfort.
Now with the Brabant Uprising taking place, England immediately used this as a leverage to persuade the Netherlands.
“Unification?” Campelen seemed somewhat hesitant, “Would the South Netherlanders agree to that?”
Marquess Wellesley smiled, “If they wish to break free from Austria, they would have no choice but to merge with the Netherlands.
“Vandernoot has been seeking the help of Prussia—indeed, without the entry of the Prussian Army into the Southern Netherlands, Austria could easily suppress the rebellion. And I have already discussed this matter with His Majesty William II, who is very supportive of the unification of the Netherlands.”
Campelen immediately stood up, excitedly placing his hand over his chest, “Thank you and His Majesty William II. The Dutch people will forever remember the solid friendship between our three nations!”
However, Marquess Wellesley abruptly changed the subject, “I have heard that the Dutch East India Company is preparing to cooperate with the French and form a United East India Company?”
Campelen immediately shook his head, “This is just what the French people wishful thinking; we have never indicated agreement.”
Marquess of Wellesley showed a relieved expression, “Then that’s excellent, otherwise it would have affected the close alliance between Britain, the Netherlands, and Prussia.”
“Alliance?” Campelen was startled for a moment, then quickly realized, “Yes, the Triple Alliance! This is exactly what the Netherlands has been looking forward to!”
A meaningful smile flickered at the corner of Marquess Wellesley’s mouth. He knew his strategy was bound to succeed.
Uniting the Northern and Southern Netherlands had been all Dutchmen’s dream for hundreds of years. For this, they were willing to give up everything!
For Prussia, anything that could weaken Austria, they would do without hesitation. As long as the Southern Netherlands did not belong to Austria, they did not care whether it was independent or unified with the Netherlands.
Moreover, the Southern Netherlands controlled the mouth of the Rhine River. With most of Austria’s territory inland, to engage in overseas trade, they could either go south to the Mediterranean or navigate through the Rhine River, exiting into the Atlantic Ocean.
Now, Britain controlled the gateway in and out of the Mediterranean—the Strait of Gibraltar. If they could also control the mouth of the Rhine River through the Netherlands, it would be equivalent to completely blocking Austria’s maritime trade channel.
By then, Austria would have no choice but to bow to Britain.
…
Meanwhile, in Austria’s Schonbrunn Palace, Emperor Joseph II listened to the report from State Minister Kaunitz, took a deep breath, and said in a hoarse voice, “Reform must not stop.
“Paris has undertaken even more radical reforms than ours without any problems. I am confident…
“As for Brabant, they only have a few thousand poorly trained militia. Let General Willemze suppress the rebellion quickly.”
Kaunitz frowned and said, “Your Majesty, the Prussians will certainly not miss this opportunity to strike at us. So, we are facing more than just a few thousand militiamen.”
Emperor Joseph II leaned against the back of his chair, his poor health making it difficult for him to concentrate on thinking.
After a moment, he finally spoke, “Give General Willemze 30,000 troops. If the Prussians dare to interfere, launch an attack on them.”
Kaunitz was silent for a few seconds before tentatively saying, “Your Majesty, perhaps we could ask for help from your sister.”
Emperor Joseph II’s sister happened to be the current Queen of France—Marie Antoinette.”
Emperor Joseph II’s mouth twisted into something resembling a smile, “My dear brother-in-law has always had his eyes on the Walloon Region. You actually suggest letting the French Army set foot in the Southern Netherlands?
“We must resolve this matter ourselves. If Austria can’t even handle a rebellion in Brabant, then what talk is there of unifying Germany?”
The Walloon Region he mentioned is a large area in the south of the Southern Netherlands, accounting for nearly half of its area. The residents mostly speak French and are very pro-French overall.
Kaunitz sighed helplessly to himself: If it were not for the Emperor’s push for radical reforms, there would not have been a rebellion in the Southern Netherlands. Now, because of the reforms, there is widespread public discontent among the nobles, and Austria is at its most vulnerable. He hoped that this time, they could successfully navigate the crisis.
He bowed to Emperor Joseph II, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will discuss the deployment of troops with General Willemze immediately.”
…
Versailles Palace.
The finals of the Star of France began officially, and the Versailles Palace Square was packed with tens of thousands of people, making it extremely crowded.
The crowd kept shouting the names of the contestants they supported, and the cries of vendors made the square lively and bustling.