Although Italy and the Netherlands are in Southeast Asia, a black cloud is pressing, and the storm is coming.

But the two countries knew that the final outcome could only be decided in Europe.

Therefore, Italy and the Netherlands attached great importance to this negotiation, and the Netherlands brought in Britain, France, Germany, and a numbered Spain, while Italy brought in ...... Forehead...... Germany?

Well, Italy has not brought in a single country, of course, this is on the surface, who knows the actual situation, after all, the current international relations are repeated, maybe the treaty signed yesterday will be torn up tomorrow.

Due to the urgency of the situation, negotiations between the two parties soon began.

In the large conference room of the Prime Minister's Office, the Dutch side, represented by Dutch Foreign Minister Becchio, and the Italian side, represented by Italian Foreign Minister Bacona, were waiting at the negotiating table.

As for the representatives of the four countries from Britain, France, Germany and Spain, they sat on the sidelines to witness the negotiations between the two sides.

"We strongly condemn the siege of Batavia by your fleet, which has caused losses to the merchants of many countries, and your actions have threatened the stability of Southeast Asia, which is of a very bad nature."

As soon as the opening remarks began, Foreign Minister Becchio, the plenipotentiary of the Netherlands, stood up and expressed his attitude.

"We threaten the security of Southeast Asia?"

In response to the Dutchman's remarks, Bacona, as the representative of Italy, gave the other party a contemptuous look. "If it weren't for your country's shameless murder of two of our missionaries, this would not have happened at all, and your country would have taken the blame for it."

"I protest that this kind of accusation in your country is completely unreasonable, and my country will not accept such groundless accusations until the truth of the matter is clarified."

It is clear that it is impossible for the Dutch representatives to admit this, even if it were the work of the Dutch army. Although the religious forces were not as good as they used to be in this era, they would have done great damage to the reputation of the Netherlands, and in the time of the coachmen, this damage would have been nothing to the Netherlands. But the Netherlands, which has now weakened too much, can do considerable damage.

So Beckio skips the missionary question and starts with the other side. "Your country's protection of Lanfang violates the agreement between countries on the security of Southeast Asia, and countries must not infringe on other European powers. Therefore, our country strongly urges your country to withdraw from the protection of Lanfang. ”

Faced with the words of the representative of the Netherlands, Bacona could not help but laugh out loud. "Hahahaha, Your Excellency Beckio, your words really make me unbearable, hahaha."

Facing the Italian delegates laughing wildly, Beckio's face became ugly.

"Your Excellency Bacona, can you please restrain yourself?"

The British delegate from watching the negotiations between the two countries could not help but remind him when he saw that the atmosphere was not quite right.

Faced with the reminder of the British representative, Bacona suppressed his laughter. "I'm sorry, I really couldn't hold back, because Lord Beckio's joke is so funny."

Beckio, with a black face, said indignantly. "Am I funny, please tell me why?"

Facing Beckio's words, Bacona asked solemnly. "May I ask you, is it necessary for the subject country to sign a subsidiary treaty?"

Bacona's words made Beckio's face pale a little, but in full view of everyone, he had to answer. "Most of it should be."

Faced with Beckio's vague words, Bacona immediately retorted with righteous words. "What is the meaning of most of the way it should be, I doubt Your Excellency's level of diplomacy."

After belittling the other party, Bacona continued. "Dependent countries need to sign subsidiary treaties in order for them to be recognized. And your country has never signed such a treaty with Lanfang, and there is no subordinate relationship at all in theory, so there is no way to talk about your responsibilities at all, this is a conflict between your country and the Republic of Lanfang, not as Your Excellency said, this is an internal matter of your country, why can't our country intervene because of the murder of missionaries. ”

Bacona's words made Beckio a little speechless. Speaking of which, the Dutch are to blame for being too cautious, after Lan Fang declared that he belonged to the Qing Dynasty, the Netherlands never dared to sign a subsidiary treaty with Lan Fang on the surface.

"But Chief Lan Fang has always been appointed by my country, and it stands to reason that he should be a subordinate of my country."

Beckio was not without other methods, he directly stated that the leader of Lanfang was a colonial official appointed by himself, and put forward the reason that Lanfang was his vassal country.

Faced with the reason given by Beckio, Bacona asked with interest.

"What does Lord Beckio mean is that as long as he appoints an official, he can claim his sphere of influence?"

Beckio chuckled inwardly, and he regretted saying this sentence a little, because he knew that if he admitted it, then it would bring endless consequences.

The reason is simple, as long as you admit it, then the next day Italy has countless ways to get the indigenous kingdoms of the Dutch colonies to accept its appointment, and Italy can also use this reason to silence itself.

So he hurriedly argued. "This is different, it has been decades since our country appointed Lanfang Kapitan."

At this time, Bacona said to the Dutch representative in front of him.

"That doesn't justify, Lord Beckio. As I think you know, this argument doesn't hold water, so please don't come up with these reasons to laugh. ”

At this time, the British representative suddenly interjected.

"Your Excellency Bacona is right, if you still can't give a convincing reason, then please say something practical."

In the face of the sudden opinions expressed by the British, the representatives of other countries were a little confused, especially Beckio, who was the representative of the Netherlands, and his heart jumped, and he had a very bad premonition.

In the face of the statement of the British representative, Bacona, as the representative of Italy, was not at all surprised, because Italy had already made a secret deal with the British, and Italy assured the British that Italy would only expand to the Dutch colony of Borneo. Of course, there is also the reason why the fleet sent by Italy this time is too strong, and Britain is not easy to intervene.

Another reason that cannot be said is that Italy's performance in the Sino-French War as a force to contain the French navy made Britain feel that it could give Italy appropriate support. In this era, Britain paid unusual attention to the French Navy, who made the French Navy rank second in the world, as the basis for ensuring hegemony, the Royal Navy of the British Empire was always paying attention to the actions of the French, and Britain was happy to let it have one more opponent. Of course, it was only after the Germans showed sufficient interest abroad that the eyes of the British turned to them.

As Britain's support for Italy, Italy promised to exert its influence when the Qing wanted to make foreign military purchases, especially in the navy, giving preference to British warships.

Yes, Italy was trading with Qing influence, and Britain happened to be worried about the decline of its influence in Qing China, so the two hit it off, and after giving guarantees to the British colonies, the two countries reached a unanimous decision.

With the support of the British behind him, then Bacona can naturally be justified. "Mr. Flam is right, Becchio, please recognize the facts."

Faced with Bacona's words, Beckio couldn't help but look at the representatives of other countries who were sitting on the sidelines as intermediaries.

The representative of France was a little reluctant to speak, but finally shrank back. The German delegates' eyes had been roaming back and forth between the British and Italian delegates, as if they wanted to see something from them, and they ignored Beckio's expectant gaze. As for the Spanish representative, well, let's ignore him.

Unable to get support from the sidelines, Beckio felt that he couldn't talk like this anymore and needed a break. At the same time, press the pause button on the negotiations.

"I'm sorry, I'm not in good health today and need to take a break."

Faced with the pause button pressed by Beckio, Bacona looked indifferent.

"No problem, we can wait. However, I hope that your health will get better soon, because if the time drags on, it is easy for uncontrollable accidents to occur, and the outcome of our negotiations may be overturned at that time. ”

"Maybe it will turn out better."

"It's possible, but I think the odds are too small, and it's more likely that your country will lose more."

After the two of them quarreled again, they both left.

Beckio was anxious to go back and find out the situation while reporting to Amsterdam. And Bacona also needs to report to the Prime Minister and King Carlo on the outcome of today's negotiations.