In the office of the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister De Pretis and Carlo were listening to Foreign Minister Bacona talk about the results of today's negotiations.

"It seems that France and Germany have no better way to support our decision in favor of Britain at the moment."

It was only after Bacona finished speaking that Prime Minister de Pretis spoke his judgment.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. As long as the Dutch cannot find the support of other countries, then they will not be able to compete with our country at all, and can only obediently agree to our conditions. ”

In the face of the Prime Minister's words, the Foreign Secretary spoke his own judgment.

At this time, Carlo, as the king, couldn't help but ask. "So do you think France and Germany will provide adequate protection to the Dutch?"

In response to Carlo's inquiry, Bacona, as Foreign Secretary, thought carefully and replied. "It's not impossible, but the probability is too low, because first of all, the relationship between the Netherlands and France is not particularly good, and France's strength in the Far East cannot prevent our country from seizing Lanfang and other places, unless France sends troops again, but it will be too late at this time. In addition, on the German side, although the Netherlands has a good relationship with it, our country is its ally no matter what, and Germany will not suppress its allies for this and help the Netherlands. ”

Bacona's brief analysis reassured Carlo that if the Netherlands did not get enough support from Germany and France, it would sooner or later succumb to Italian pressure.

While Carlo and the others were talking about the Netherlands, Becchio, as the plenipotentiary of the Netherlands, was looking at a telegram from Amsterdam at the embassy.

"Damn it, it's not this that I need, the help I need, help from the state. This makes me look at the processing, what the hell do you think. ”

Although Beckio was complaining in his mouth, he knew in his heart that there was no way to deal with it in the country, so he could only let himself deal with it.

This made Becchio have a pessimistic prediction about the negotiation in his heart, originally the Netherlands was not strong enough, so he could only bring in other countries to support the scene, and now the people who supported the scene stood on the other side, which did not make him feel discouraged.

It's just that knowing this, Beckio can't just surrender and admit defeat, no matter what, he still needs to work hard.

Thinking of this, Beckio opened the door and called the secretary. "Prepare the carriage, let's go to the French embassy."

That's right, Becchio's number one hope at the moment is France. The reason is very simple, that is, France has a certain strength in the South Seas, and in the previous Sino-French war, Italy cheated France, and I believe that this time the French will be happy to add to Italy's blockage.

Sure enough, Beckio's idea was correct, and he went to the French embassy and immediately met the French representative this time, its ambassador to Italy, Goodwin.

"Your Excellency Beckio, my Government is very indignant at the barbaric Italian occupation of your possessions."

Goodwin's words sparked a spark of hope in Beckio's heart.

"Thank you for your support to our country, I wonder if your country can give more support during the negotiations."

In response to Beckio's request, Goodwin nodded in reply. "That's no problem, my country will show its attitude."

Before Beckio could rejoice in his heart, Goodwin changed his mind. "However, I am angry that I am too persistent in putting all his hopes on the support of our country and the Germans."

Hearing Goodwin's words, Beckio was a little puzzled. "What do you mean, Your Excellency?"

"I think your country needs to strengthen itself and show the Italians that you are determined to defend your colonies."

Ambassador Goodwin's words gave Beckio a bad feeling, but to make sure, he continued to ask. "I don't know how to increase my power?"

"At present, Italy is relying on the fleet in his hands, so your country needs some warships to strengthen its strength, not to win the other side, but it must also be able to harass the other side's supply lines. In addition, your country's army in the colonies needs to be strengthened, and if there is not enough ordnance, we can sell some of it, and we can take the goods directly from our colonies in Indochina. ”

Goodwin's words made Beckio a little moved, and he continued to ask. "In the event of a conflict between our country and Italy, will your country be able to help?"

It is already clear that the ability to help in a conflict will inevitably involve the intervention of military force. And it was precisely because Becchio knew that this was quite important, so he stared at the French ambassador after saying it.

"Well...... this"

In the face of Goodwin's inquiry, Goodwin was somewhat unable to answer, because he did not have this authorization from Paris.

Ambassador Goodwin's words dashed the hope in Becchio's heart, and he already knew the attitude of France.

This is to let the Netherlands fight Italy, and then the French take advantage of the opportunity, this kind of thought, he saw through at a glance.

Without speculating for more than half a sentence, feeling that he could not get the desired result from the French, Beckio quickly left the French embassy.

"Go to the German embassy."

As soon as he got into the carriage, Beckio urged the coachman.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Obert is currently sick and needs to rest, so I can't see you."

The words of the German embassy staff made Beckio's heart sink to the bottom.

This ambassador was still alive and kicking up in the morning, and he was sick in the afternoon and couldn't see guests?

Although he knew that the other party was a pretext, Beckio still had the attitude of trying.

"I have a very urgent matter for Lord Aubert."

"I'm sorry, but Your Excellency Obote really can't be a director at this time."

Disappointed, Beckio had no choice but to leave the German embassy.

And in a hidden window on the second floor of the embassy, the sick Lord Obote had a full view of everything.

"Your Excellency, you really don't want to see him?"

The secretary beside him looked at the lost Dutch Foreign Minister and couldn't help but ask.

"What is he doing, can I change Berlin's decision at will? In this case, it is better not to see, at least so that both parties do not feel embarrassed. ”

Speaking of this, Aubert thought for a moment and continued. "By the way, in the next few days, on the grounds that I am sick and need to recuperate, I will postpone all outings, including the negotiations between Italy and the Netherlands."

"Got it, Your Excellency."

Obert understands Berlin's decision very well, one is an ally and the other is a friendly country, it is difficult for Berlin to be caught in the middle, and being able to participate in negotiations as an intermediary is already the limit of what Germany can do.

In a situation where he was avoided, and the other was secretly harbored, Beckio's visit ended in vain.

So in the following negotiations, the lonely-strained Becchio was unable to resist in the face of Italy's aggressive attitude, and finally had to accept Italy's blackmail, and the Dutch army withdrew from the Lanfang sphere of influence demarcated by Italy.

As a result of this negotiation, it was a big loss for the Netherlands, not only did they lose the subject country of Lanfang, but also the essence of Borneo was also seized by Italy.

This, of course, was a brilliant diplomatic victory for Italy. I finally had my first colony. (It's a shame, I'm embarrassed to call myself a great power)

Moreover, this is still a colony that has been developed for the most part, and in the face of this good thing, the whole of Italy is very satisfied.

Of course, this is not without sequelae, first of all, the Netherlands immediately decided to allocate 40 million guilders for the purchase of ships to strengthen its maritime power in the Far East. In addition, an army of 5,000 men was sent to strengthen the defenses of its colonies in Southeast Asia, targeting Italy, a bad neighbor.

Of course, all this done by the Dutch had nothing to do with Italy, because they were busy dividing up the interests of the colony.