Chapter 45

Within the gilded confines of the Dutch Royal Palace in Amsterdam, a tense tête-à-tête unfolded between King William I of the Netherlands and Lord Palmerston, the formidable Prime Minister of the British Empire. The King's plea for rapprochement hung heavy in the air. "Believe me, my esteemed Prime Minister," William insisted, "I earnestly seek to cultivate a genuine friendship." Palmerston, an imposing figure with a high brow, thinning hair, and shrewd, narrowed eyes, sat seemingly relaxed yet radiating an undeniable power. His response was carefully measured. "Your Majesty," he began, his smile enigmatic, "the British Empire has consistently considered the Netherlands a valued ally. Yet, a persistent distrust emanates from your nation. Is this entirely equitable, Your Majesty?" William countered with a sharp edge to his voice. "But, Prime Minister, your Empire's consistent support of our adversaries has sown deep distrust. Such actions cast a considerable pall over any notion of friendship. Explain this apparent contradiction." Palmerston, undeterred, offered a carefully constructed analogy. "Our relationship, Your Majesty, mirrors that of kindred spirits who once shared a monarch. We were brothers, bound by ties of blood. However, the Napoleonic Wars, that calamitous conflict, strained our bonds. Yet, even after a separation, reconciliation is possible. Like a couple rekindling a flame, we can rediscover our shared destiny. Would you not agree?" The veiled threats and subtle manipulations inherent in their exchange were not lost on the observing Heisbert Von and Tolbek.

The conversation, superficially amicable—like a grandfather gently instructing a grandson— masked a perilous game of brinkmanship. Every word carried the weight of potential conflict, every concession a calculated risk. One misstep could trigger a catastrophic rupture. William's reply was laced with a biting sarcasm. "The British Empire, Prime Minister, whether former husband or estranged spouse, has inflicted wounds too profound, leaving a heart irreparably shattered."The Netherlands, a seemingly placid nation, occupies a geopolitically crucial position for the British Empire. Its potential alignment with Prussia and France presents a compelling strategic consideration, demanding careful British appraisal. Prior to any Franco-Prussian-Dutch entente, a keen understanding of the European power dynamics reveals a crucial British strategy. Though a European power itself, Britain traditionally relied on the English Channel and the North Sea's vast expanse, skillfully manipulating continental rivalries to its advantage.

By fostering discord amongst the major powers, Britain diverted their attention from maritime threats, thereby safeguarding its naval supremacy and global dominance. Furthermore, within the German Confederation, Britain strategically nurtured Prussia's meteoric rise, thereby challenging Austrian hegemony and preventing Austria from focusing on the Mediterranean. This calculated intervention, coupled with Britain's sole control of the Suez Canal, exemplifies its unparalleled strategic prowess. Palmerston's gaze, intense and unwavering, met William IV's. "Your Majesty's perspicacity is remarkable," he declared after a pregnant silence. "The Empire indeed orchestrated this outcome. Through shrewd collaboration, we have navigated a path to diplomatic triumph. Prussia's ascension, while straining its relations with Austria, has not, I believe, engendered resentment towards us for facilitating their rise." "Indeed," William IV responded, his tone sharp. "Opportunism is the name of the game, and Viscount Palmerston, you are its undisputed master." A chuckle escaped Palmerston's lips, a mask concealing the subtle tremor of unease. The amiable façade of the seasoned statesman momentarily fractured. This young monarch possessed an acumen surpassing his father and even his great-grandfather, presenting a far more formidable challenge.Before Belgium's independence, a pivotal negotiation unfolded within the Brussels palace.

A youthful protagonist, barely in his forties, engaged in a power struggle—a veritable tug-of-war—with William IV's aged great-grandfather, nearing sixty. This elder statesman, initially dominant, gradually yielded, ultimately facilitating the protagonist's unprecedented creation of a nation. This achievement propelled him to European renown, culminating in a world-altering impact during the First World War. His subsequent ascension to the Dutch throne, eclipsing his great-grandfather, became a lifelong source of pride, a hard-fought victory etched into his legacy. Yet, the irony of fate was stark. Over three decades later, a septuagenarian, he found himself confronting a youthful descendant of William I—a mere twenty-two-year-old—a confrontation in which he surprisingly failed to secure any advantage. The capricious nature of destiny, the cyclical ebb and flow of power, were undeniably on display. The announcement of a strategic alliance between France, Prussia, and the Netherlands sent seismic waves across the globe.

This momentous tripartite agreement, possessing profound geopolitical implications, promised to irrevocably alter the European landscape, and indeed, the world order. Unfazed by Palmerston's increasingly grim countenance, William IV continued. He eloquently articulated his profound understanding of traditional European political theory, citing the strategic importance of continental dominance—a concept championed by figures like Napoleon I. However, he astutely recognized the obsolescence of such a landlocked perspective in the face of burgeoning maritime powers. The ascendance of the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and particularly Great Britain, had shifted the global balance of power decisively. The Mediterranean's once-unrivaled influence, dominant before the 18th century, was now eclipsed by the burgeoning prosperity and stability of the Atlantic world, an engine poised to drive global progress for generations to come. Palmerston, Hesbet Feng, and their companions listened with rapt attention, acutely aware of the tectonic shifts in global power being discussed.King William IV's words struck like a thunderbolt. He directly implicated the British Empire's maritime dominance, declaring that England's naval triumphs over the Netherlands and France in previous centuries presaged Prussia's future challenges.

He forcefully argued that despite occasional friction, the shared geopolitical strategy of these nations—a decisive shift of strategic weight towards the Atlantic and Baltic—was undeniably astute. While acknowledging Europe's importance, he emphasized their unwavering commitment to prioritizing oceanic development and security, aggressively countering any potential rivals' ambitions for sea-borne hegemony. This bold proclamation, this unwavering assertion of naval supremacy, left Lord Palmerston reeling. The sheer magnitude of the king's vision, its sudden and overwhelming force, left him momentarily breathless. Hesbet Feng and the others, however, felt their spirits ignite. The Dutch monarch's pronouncements resonated deeply, echoing the powerful sentiments expressed in the national anthem's tribute to William.