"Your Excellency, the German Empire also hopes that the war between the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands will end. Both the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands were friendly countries of the German Empire. We do not want the war between the two countries to continue. Minister Hahausen also said.

The geographical location of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is very important, and both the United Kingdom and Germany want to win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If the Kingdom of the Netherlands were to join the Entente, Germany itself would be greatly threatened. In addition, Germany's access to the sea would also be under the blockade of the Entente. But if the Kingdom of the Netherlands were to join the Allies, Germany would be able to gain more access to the sea and naval bases along the North Sea coast. They will have more room to maneuver. It was also beneficial for the German Navy to break through the blockade of the British Navy.

After all, there are only a few German outlets to the sea. By concentrating the main forces of the British Navy in Scapa Bay, it was possible to block all the access of the German Navy to the Atlantic. But if the Kingdom of the Netherlands joins the Allies and the ports off the coast of the Netherlands can be borrowed by the German navy, then the German navy will have more room for manoeuvre, and can even directly start from the ports off the coast of the Netherlands and threaten the British mainland.

It is precisely because of this that Britain and Germany want to win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but the Kingdom of the Netherlands is not a fool. The strength of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is now too weak, whether it is to join the Central Powers or the Entente, they will become cannon fodder. So, even now, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been strictly neutral.

The British and Germans wanted to win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but it was not the business of the Empire. The interests of the empire cannot be damaged by this.

"Your Excellency Sir Jurdian, Your Excellency Minister Hahausen, the Chinese Empire is also a peace-loving country, and we do not want war. If peace can be achieved. That's the best. Tang Shaoyi said.

"However, this time it is clearly your invasion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands! Your wanton attack on the colonies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is already an act of war. The Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to China, Belblauk, said angrily.

"Humph! Your Excellency the Minister. If it weren't for you to provoke the conflict between the Chinese and the natives and kill the local Chinese? Even if the regular army was sent directly to attack the Chinese ghetto, would the Chinese Empire intervene? No country will allow the lives and property of its nationals to be threatened. Since the Kingdom of the Netherlands could not guarantee the safety of the imperial diaspora. Then, of course, the empire has an obligation to go out and protect the diaspora. Tang Shaoyi said coldly.

The Empire's current invasion of the Dutch East Indies was carried out under the banner of protecting the diaspora. No country, especially a large country, will stand idly by while its diaspora is threatened. World powers like Britain and Germany have always done this. When they were in China, they didn't often do it in that name. War on the Chinese Empire?

"It's a conspiracy from start to finish. It was a conspiracy created by the Chinese Empire to occupy the Dutch East Indies. Minister Belblak said. Indeed, the Dutch have always believed that the reason for the riots in the Dutch East Indies was a conspiracy of the Chinese Empire.

"Conspiracy? Is there any evidence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands? Your massacre of the Chinese, that's well known. If the Kingdom of the Netherlands still thinks this way, then I think. There is no need for so-called negotiations. Tang Shaoyi said.

"You!" Minister Belblauk was furious. In his view, the Chinese Empire was clearly using this to threaten them.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is very sincere in ending this war. We believe that negotiations between the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands can begin as soon as possible. Sir Jurden said.

"Sir Excellency, I don't think I can give you an answer right now. I need to report this to the Emperor. Only with the consent of His Majesty the Emperor will it be possible to proceed. Tang Shaoyi said.

Both Sir Jurdian and Minister Hahausen nodded their heads in understanding.

After the departure of Sir Jurdian and Minister Hahausen and Minister Belblauk. Tang Shaoyi left the palace and told Wu Haoxuan. Wu Haoxuan immediately convened an emergency meeting and summoned cabinet ministers and important military ministers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today the British and Germans have formally offered to mediate the war between us and the Dutch, and I hope we will be able to talk about it. What do you think about this? Wu Haoxuan asked.

"Your Majesty. The 1st and 2nd Divisions of the Imperial Marine Corps had basically taken control of the East Indies. The whole of the East Indies is under our control. It was absolutely impossible for the Dutch to want the East Indies back. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, military preparations are the first priority. As long as the Empire can control the East Indies, then no matter what the Dutch do, don't think about taking back the fat that the Empire has already eaten.

"Your Majesty, the Dutch should also know that they will not be able to return to the East Indies. So, this time the Dutch asked the British and Germans to intercede, presumably for something else. In Yichen's view, it was nothing more than for the Dutch who had been captured by the Empire, and perhaps wanted the Empire to give them a little compensation. After all, the East Indies were already the last colony of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du said.

The minister thinks so. The Dutch were not willing to lose the East Indies, and knew that it was all a foregone conclusion, and that there was no other way. So, we can only think of ways in these areas. Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi said.

"The Dutch have a good hand in their calculations, they clearly don't want to suffer! I desperately wanted to hold the East Indies before, but I couldn't hold it, and I still wanted to make a fortune here in the empire. Where in the world is there such a cheap thing. In Yichen's opinion, the empire could completely ignore the demands of the Dutch. Even if the British and Germans intervened, it was unlikely that the Reich would lose too much benefit. War Minister Marshal Zhao Xifu said.

"Your Majesty, what Lord Zhao said is reasonable. The empire is now strong and powerful, and there is no need for us to be frightened by them. The Dutch want to make amends, that's delusional. There is money to compensate the Dutch, and it is better for the empire to build a few warships and arm several divisions. The Minister of the Navy, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, also said.

The Imperial Army and Navy are now world-class powerhouses. Needless to say, the standing army alone has surpassed Russia and become the number one in the world. In terms of combat effectiveness, it is also one of the best. With such a strong army, the empire is safe. As for the navy, although the Imperial Navy still has only eight capital ships, four 'Zodiac class' heavy cruisers have been commissioned, and four 'Zodiac class' improved heavy cruisers have also begun construction. Construction of four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships has also begun. Once these warships are commissioned, the strength of the Imperial Navy will also be able to reach a new level. In the world, it can also be ranked in the top five, second only to Britain, Germany and the United States. In the Far East and Asia, it can be the first place.

Strong military strength is the guarantee that a country can straighten its waist. The current military strength of the Chinese Empire is strong enough. Even if you encounter a world power, you may not be defeated. Therefore, it is completely possible to avoid giving face to other countries.

Almost all the cabinet ministers were of the opinion that there was no need for the Empire to bother with the Dutch.

"I know your opinion. However, since the Dutch wanted peace negotiations, the British and Germany also intervened. The empire still has to give everyone a little face and make a gesture. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We can agree on what to do. However, even if there were peace talks, it would be absolutely impossible for us to concede the interests of the empire. Yang Du nodded.

At this Imperial Council, a resolution was formed. That is, the Reich could accept the mediation of Britain and Germany, and it could also negotiate with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, it was impossible for the Empire to give the Dutch a little compensation.

Later, when the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi and the Dutch Minister to China Berbrocker held consultations on negotiations, it was in this tone that they were conducted. So much so that it is impossible to make any progress in the negotiations.

The United Kingdom and Germany, as mediators, have also made a lot of efforts. However, it seems to be useless at all.

"Your Excellency Sir Jurdian, Your Excellency Minister Hahausen. The Empire considered that the Kingdom of the Netherlands was merely sending a minister to China to negotiate a lack of sincerity. The empire believed that the Kingdom of the Netherlands should send more senior officials to negotiate. Tang Shaoyi said.

"A more senior official?" Sir Jurdian frowned.

"Yes, high-ranking officials who can truly call the shots of the Kingdom of the Netherlands." Tang Shaoyi nodded.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, we will convey your request to the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands." Sir Jurdian said.

Two days later, the British officially proposed that both the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands would send high-level officials to Singapore, and the two sides would discuss what was going on in Singapore. Sir Anderson, Governor of the Straits Settlements, will provide the necessary venue and other supporting facilities for the negotiations.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands did not want to continue like this, so it decided to send a message led by Prime Minister Theo Brown. The negotiating team led by Hemskelke traveled to Singapore to participate in the negotiations. On the imperial side, it was led by Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi. For the Empire, such a small country as the Netherlands, it was enough for the Empire to send a foreign secretary. (To be continued.) )

PS: The first update arrives, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets!