When Campelon heard the word "Brabant," he imdiately straightened up and gave a signal to the Dutch diplomat nearby. The diplomat quickly instructed the servants to leave and then closed the door.
Only then did Campelon cautiously speak, "Lord Wellesley, I assure you, the Brabant uprising has nothing to do with the Netherlands."
The British Foreign Minister nodded, "Yes, no connection at all. Vandernoot hasn't received any support from the Dutch Parliant."
Vandernoot was the leader of the Brabant uprising.
Brabant is a core region of South Netherlands, which is present-day Belgium, and at this ti, it was experiencing a large-scale rebellion.
The South Netherlands was still under Austrian control, but it had long enjoyed a degree of political autonomy, with its daily affairs managed by the local parliant.
However, a few years ago, Emperor Joseph II of Austria began implenting a series of reforms, including centralizing power and weakening noble privileges.
This alienated almost all factions in the South Netherlands—liberals opposed centralization and wanted to maintain parliantary power, while conservative nobles were furious about losing their privileges.
As a result, these groups joined forces, organizing the South Netherlands to expel Austrian influence and establish their own country.
Historically, this event is known as the Brabant Uprising.
Another na for the Netherlands is "North Netherlands." As a nation with the sa roots as the South Netherlands, the Dutch naturally wished for their kin to break free from Austrian rule, so they secretly provided support to the rebels.
Lord Wellesley glanced at the Dutch Speaker's expression and continued, "There's no need to be nervous. I'm here to inform you of the British Parliant's stance. We believe that the South Netherlands has every right to choose its own future."
He paused, then added, "But you know, Vandernoot alone can't stand against the mighty Austrians."
Campelon focused intently on the British minister, "Please, go on."
"They need their fellow countryn as their backbone," Wellesley said, clasping his hands together. "As the 'Republic of the Netherlands,' they can resist the Austrians."
Campelon's breathing quickened, "Are you saying that Britain supports unification between the Netherlands and the South Netherlands?"
Wellesley nodded, "We have always been the Netherlands' most loyal ally. We naturally wish to see the Netherlands grow stronger, and unification is the first step."
He carefully avoided ntioning the Anglo-Dutch War that occurred just a few years ago, where the British Navy nearly annihilated the Dutch fleet.
In reality, Britain has always regarded the Netherlands and Belgium as potential springboards for an invasion of Britain from the European mainland, which is why they pursue a policy of tight control over these regions.
When the French supported the Dutch Patriots in ousting William V, leading to a Dutch pivot towards France, it made the British extrely uneasy.
Now, with the Brabant Uprising, Britain imdiately seized the opportunity to woo the Dutch.
"Unification?" Campelon still appeared hesitant, "But will the South Netherlands agree?"
Wellesley smiled, "If they want to rid themselves of Austrian rule, their only choice is to unite with the Netherlands. Vandernoot has been seeking Prussian assistance—without Prussian troops in the South Netherlands, Austria could easily crush the rebellion. I've already discussed this with King William II, and he is very supportive of Dutch unification."
Campelon stood up imdiately, placing a hand over his heart in excitent, "Thank you and King William II. The people of the Netherlands will forever rember the strong friendship between our three nations!"
Wellesley then abruptly changed the subject, "I've heard that the Dutch East India Company is planning to collaborate with the French to form a Joint East India Company?"
Campelon quickly shook his head, "That's just wishful thinking on the part of the French. We've never agreed to it."
Wellesley looked visibly relieved, "That's good to hear. Otherwise, it could strain the close alliance between Britain, the Netherlands, and Prussia."
"Alliance?" Campelon hesitated for a mont, then realized, "Yes, the Triple Alliance! This is exactly what the Netherlands has always hoped for!"
A knowing smile played on Wellesley's lips. He was confident that his strategy would succeed.
The unification of the North and South Netherlands was a dream that had lasted for centuries among the Dutch people. To achieve it, they were willing to sacrifice everything.
For Prussia, anything that weakened Austria was worth pursuing. As long as the South Netherlands didn't belong to Austria, they didn't care if it beca independent or unified with the Netherlands.
Moreover, the South Netherlands controlled the mouth of the Rhine River, a crucial waterway for Austria's trade. Austria's vast inland territories depended on either the diterranean Sea or the Rhine River for access to global trade routes.
Britain already controlled the gateway to the diterranean—the Strait of Gibraltar. If they could also control the mouth of the Rhine through the Netherlands, they would effectively strangle Austria's mariti trade.
At that point, Austria would have no choice but to submit to Britain.
anwhile, in Schönbrunn Palace in Austria, Emperor Joseph II listened to a report from his State Minister, Kaunitz. He took a deep breath, his voice hoarse as he said, "The reforms must continue."
"Paris has undertaken even more radical reforms than we have, and they haven't encountered any problems. I'm confident..."
"As for Brabant, they only have a few thousand poorly trained militian. General Wurmser should be able to quell the rebellion quickly."
Kaunitz frowned, "Your Majesty, the Prussians surely won't pass up this opportunity to strike at us. We'll be facing far more than just a few thousand militian."
Joseph II leaned back in his chair, his failing health making it difficult to concentrate.
After a mont, he finally spoke, "Give General Wurmser 30,000 troops. If the Prussians dare to interfere, we will attack them."
Kaunitz hesitated for a few seconds before cautiously suggesting, "Your Majesty, perhaps we could seek help from your sister."
Joseph II's sister was none other than the current Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Joseph II's mouth. "My dear brother-in-law has always had his eye on Wallonia, and you want the French army to set foot in the South Netherlands?"
"We must resolve this matter ourselves. If Austria can't handle a re Brabant uprising, how can we talk about unifying Germany?"
The Walloon region he ntioned was a southern part of the South Netherlands, covering nearly half of the territory. The population there primarily spoke French and had strong pro-French sentints.
Kaunitz sighed inwardly. If it weren't for the Emperor's aggressive reforms, the South Netherlands wouldn't be in revolt. Now, with the nobility upset and unrest spreading, Austria was at its most vulnerable. He could only hope they would get through this crisis unscathed.
He bowed to Joseph II, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will discuss the deploynt with General Wurmser imdiately."
At Versailles Palace, the final round of the "Star of France" competition had officially begun. The entire Versailles Palace square was packed with tens of thousands of people.
The crowd was buzzing with excitent, shouting the nas of their favorite contestants, while vendors called out their wares, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere across the square.
(End of Chapter)
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