Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

After suffering two defeats in less than three months, Britain was completely humiliated.

In recent months, Britain has kept its head very low and has been humiliated time and time again.

South Africa is too far away from the mainland. Many people used to not feel that the situation there had anything to do with them, but now they feel that it is closely related.

In 1860, Dickens's second daughter Kate Dickens married the famous British dramatist Charles Collins (Wilkie's brother), which caused a sensation in Europe. Many people believed that this was an alliance between powerful people, such as writing novels and directing plays.

Charles Dickens settled in Gates Hill, a residence reserved only for British celebrities

It was on May 1st that Dickens's new work "Great Expectations" began to be serialized in the famous British magazine "All Seasons", succeeding the old work "Notes of a Non-Traveling Salesman".

Because of the war, people's attention was taken away from the news, and sales were poor.

On June 10, Dickens, the most influential person in the UK today, expressed his dissatisfaction with the British government at the end of the novel. In particular, he expressed condolences for the loss of life of British soldiers and condemned the British government for ignoring the British soldiers’ right to exist. .

With the publication of the largest magazine "All Seasons", it attracted the attention of the whole UK and even overseas countries.

The British government has faced unprecedented challenges, and demonstrations in various places are like emerging fires, burning into flames. This time, even Palmerston feels the seriousness of the situation.

The Queen of England rushed back to Buckingham Palace from the Isle of Wight. Without stopping, she issued multiple orders to the military. As the domestic situation worsened, the army, which originally had only 370,000 soldiers, set off again for 10 Wan goes south.

"We have encountered setbacks, but please don't be afraid. The British Empire will always be the winner. Despite the current problems, and our opponents are not just one, but several. I swear, South Africa definitely belongs to us. Well, no one can take it away. Yes, even the Zulu Kingdom. Southern Africa has only one owner, and that is the United Kingdom. Please don’t put too much pressure on the soldiers at the front, because what they need is understanding and encouragement. , Mr. Dickens’s warning is also correct. We have been too comfortable during this period. Now is the time for Britain to wake up again. Everyone, please wait and see.”

The Queen of England gave a brief speech, which was nothing more than asking for encouragement, seeking understanding, suppressing public sentiment, diverting hatred, etc. In short, she has bet her money on the move of 100,000 troops heading south to South Africa.

Naturally, all European countries soon learned of the huge event of Britain's 100,000-strong army going south, and they were deeply wary of it. In particular, Britain's transportation capabilities were so powerful that all countries were very envious of them. The world's most popular horse-drawn carriage drivers The Netherlands is nothing more than that.

At the same time, I feel happy about the difficulties that the UK is currently facing.

Who wouldn’t be happy to see a powerful country humiliated?

"It's too simple to think that just 100,000 troops want to take over South Africa." William IV looked sarcastically at the British Isles in the west. It seemed that what was going on now was a drama, not a battle. With him Also thinking the same thing were William I and Napoleon III.

Napoleon III couldn't help but sigh to Olivier: "I think this is how the British viewed our war with Austria. They also had this idea of ​​watching the show, and then silently took advantage. Now, it makes them bleed. , and it’s also the kind that hurts your muscles and bones.”

"Your Majesty, the British are currently going to war in South Africa. They have lost two battles and lost more than 50,000 troops. The British Army is already smaller than ours. They have less than 500,000 and the mainland only has 400,000. Now with two were transferred south, and now there are only 270,000 people. It is a pity that we do not have a strong enough navy. Otherwise, the British Isles would be the best opportunity for our French Army now."

Napoleon III smiled brightly, "It is impossible for the British Isles, but we can speed up the pace south of Algeria. If the Gulf of Guinea from north to south is opened, then for us, this will also support the Transvaal. For the sake of the Republic, I don’t know if they can withstand the pressure of the 100,000 new British troops. If they can’t just resist, dragging them there is the biggest gain.”

Walton City.

Lincoln has also been very proud of himself recently, because General Grant seems to be hesitant to enter the state in the south. A small town, like pulling out a nail, won a huge victory, which gave the government he led received huge support. He was almost re-elected. It's an overwhelming certainty.

Originally this was already very happy for him, but with the setbacks that Britain had experienced in South Africa in the past few months, it made him even more excited.

"If possible, I would like the British to return there with 100,000 troops. Then, not to mention supporting the south, Canada's management will be much looser. Will that be an opportunity for the United States?" Lincoln's eyes burst out A flash of light flashed out, "If the south has been pacified by then, we can think about it carefully. The south is still the most important now. It's a pity that this plan"

Then he thought of the Netherlands, which was complicated. To him, the Alaska Peninsula was a kind of irony that great powers did not care about the Monroe Doctrine of the United States. It was also a relief that he no longer had to face Tsarist Russia.

"Sooner or later, the Alaska Peninsula will be in the hands of the United States. Just like Seward said, the Eastern Pacific has only one owner, and that is the United States, and it can only be the United States."

When the British army of 100,000 troops was preparing to march south from London again, South Africa did not stop. The Zulu Kingdom counterattacked, and they began to quickly gather and attack.

In addition to the two garrisons at the border with the British army, the rest of the Zulu Kingdom and the Transvaal Republic separated five more troops as an important part of the plan. They will pass through the Basutoland Kingdom and circle towards the Everywhere except the 20,000 British troops in East London.

On June 8, 1862, a specially trained force of 3,000 troops was ordered to move all the way down and arrived 100 kilometers away from Cape Town, where they ambush on both sides of the official road.

From the evening of June 10th to the early morning of June 11th, under the cover of darkness, this surprise force launched an attack on the 5,000 British troops who had just passed through and were preparing to rush to the east.

The 5,000 people were defeated by the attack of 3,000 people. Almost completely wiped out by humans.

On the morning of June 11, they originally wanted to take the opportunity to infiltrate, but they were resolutely attacked by the British stationed in Cape Town. A day later, they received the support of 10,000 reinforcements, which made their strength overwhelming. It didn't take long for them to attack. After entering the city, however, the British troops who evacuated outside relied on the fortress and remained unyielding, posing a threat to the city.

However, this was considered a victory for these mixed Zulu and Transvaal troops.

When Jobon and Shepstone, who were far away in East London, heard the news that Cape Town had been captured again, their faces turned from the joy of having just received the support of 100,000 troops from London to a look of death.

Chapter Four