My British Empire

  Chapter 467 The Dutch Revolution (continued)

   Outside the Governor's Mansion, a large number of spectators surrounded them. They were all attracted by the performances of the Prince of Orange and others.

  Brussels is the political center of the Netherlands, and the citizens are more enthusiastic about politics.

  When they learned that the three local nobles came to the Governor's Mansion in beggar costumes, the melon-eaters also came in a steady stream, ready to see this good show.

  In the Governor's Palace, the opinions of the Prince of Orange and others were flatly rejected by the female governor, and she continued to reprimand them, warning them to give up such inappropriate behavior.

  Outside the mansion, the citizens looked at the tightly surrounded Governor's Mansion, discussing and pointing, and they were very interested in the performances of several great nobles.

   After a while, Prince Orange, Earl Ugmont and General Horn left the mansion with gloomy faces.

  Prince of Orange turned his head to look at the beggar's costume on his body, which looked so dazzling at this time.

  Glanced at the other onlookers, the Prince of Orange, who was very concerned about his prestige, showed a smile on his face, and greeted them a few times, showing his friendly attitude.

   After saying hello, he left a somewhat cordial smile, and boarded the carriage that had stopped for a long time together with Admiral Horn and Earl Egmont.

  As soon as they sat down, the faces of the three of them immediately collapsed, gloomy.

   "Your Excellency General, it seems that the Governor-General has no interest in our petition. We have failed this time!"

  Prince of Orange has always adhered to the principle of silence before the Spaniards. When encountering unavoidable things, he responded with silence, thus earning the nickname "Silent Orange".

  But in front of the nobles of the Netherlands, he is a natural leader and leader, and enjoys a high reputation among the nobles and civilians of the Netherlands.

  Hearing the Prince of Orange's question, Earl Ugmont couldn't help raising his eyebrows, and immediately responded:

   "Yes, I didn't expect that the Governor-General was uncharacteristically and resolutely rejected our proposal. He didn't worry about the strength of our noble alliance at all!"

  Speaking of the female governor, Earl Egmont was also depressed. He didn't expect His Excellency the Governor's Mansion to be so resolute, and there was no room for bargaining.

   This is just like doing business. There are always back and forth discussions and quarrels, but who knows that the governor has refused, which is too unexpected.

   "Hmph!" Admiral Horn said with a cold face, "The Spaniards are in the Netherlands, and the army stationed in Brussels has been eyeing them all the time. How could they think about our proposal?"

  When the Spanish army was mentioned, the three couldn't help feeling a little discouraged, and they all sighed.

  The Spanish army is well-known throughout Europe, especially the nobles, of course they know how powerful it is.

  The Netherlands has been sheltered by the Habsburg family for decades, and has never suffered any military disasters. There are no soldiers and generals who can fight the Spaniards.

  So, they still stated their allegiance to Philip II in the letter of petition, and they still provided taxes for Spain.

  However, His Excellency the Governor is completely ungrateful now, regardless of the precarious sentiments of the people of the Netherlands, and he is determined to listen to Philip II's words.

   "So, we can only follow the advice of the English and seize Amsterdam! This is the only way we can deal with it!"

  The silent Prince of Orange looked at the two generals who also looked helpless, and said.

  Earl Egmont's long-sleeved dance style, in the seventeen provinces of the Netherlands, made friends with many middle and lower noble officials, and was a famous politician.

   Admiral Horn is the commander of the native army of the Netherlands and a representative of the military, but the real control of the army is in the hands of Spain, and he represents the army.

The Prince of Orange is in the top ranks of the Netherlands and is the lubricant between the Netherlands and Spain. He has important influence in both Spain and the Netherlands. He is also the first person in the Netherlands and a nobleman. The first person of the alliance, the spiritual leader.

  Hearing the prince's words, Admiral Horn and Earl Egmont thought for a moment, and could only nod their heads in agreement.

   No promise, the nobles have been suppressed too much by the Spaniards, and after being instigated by the English, the nobles are getting more and more angry towards the Spaniards.

   This time pretending to be a beggar to submit a letter of love is just the last effort of the Prince of Orange and others. It seems that war is inevitable in the end.

  As a businessman, how could he love war?

  The three looked at each other, and once again sighed together.

  Amsterdam.

  The news of the failure of the Prince of Orange and others reached the northern economic center city in less than half a day.

  Amsterdam is divided into more than 90 islands by 102 canals with a total length of 150 kilometers. They are connected by 1,286 traditional arch bridges and modern opening and closing bridges. The water level is adjusted by 16 sluice gates. It is known as the "Venice of the North".

   Especially on the canal, more than 3,000 "houseboats" are dotted among them, becoming a scene in Amsterdam.

  The House of Earl Felsen in Amsterdam is very quiet at this time, completely without the lively atmosphere of the past.

  In the hall, everyone was wandering around two people, one was Earl Felsen, and the other was an Englishman.

   Earl Felson did not mention that the Englishman, with a high nose bridge, blue eyes, and long brown hair, kept moving his lips up and down, and was talking:

   "The meeting will start later. After everyone completes their tasks, Amsterdam will become our territory. I hope everyone will work hard!"

  The Englishman looked at the Dutch nobles in front of him and said affectionately.

  The other Netherlanders gave him an affirmative look in the same excited way, and then saluted Earl Felsen before exiting in an orderly manner.

   "Mr. Anthony, are you sure we will succeed?"

   After all the nobles left, Earl Felsen turned around and asked the England in front of him seriously.

   "Hehe!" The Englishman smiled, then squinted at the earl in front of him, and said:

   "According to what I have learned so far, many factories in the Netherlands have gone bankrupt because of Spain's increase in wool purchase prices.

  Your Excellency Earl, the several major textile factories of your family have owed a lot of loans because of this. If this continues, within a month, Sir Earl, you will go bankrupt in the process of being pursued by the bank! "

   "For the current plan, only by driving away the Spaniards can your family avoid the risk of bankruptcy!"

  Anthony looked at the annoyed expression of the count in front of him, and said seriously.

   "But, the Spaniards..."

   "You don't need to worry so much, even if you fail, England will be the best safe haven for the Dutch and the Earl, and you can still enjoy a wealthy life!"

  Anthony interrupted the count, and said jokingly.

   Seeing the disrespectful behavior of the Englishman in front of him, Earl Felson couldn't help feeling anxious.

  But in view of his status as the envoy of the King of England, the Earl had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​teaching him.

   Destiny! Unfathomable.

  But said that after the nobles left, they organized their scoundrels and warriors one by one, and began to smash the Catholic Church in the streets and alleys of Amsterdam.

  The same is true in rural areas. Large and small Catholic churches and icons were looted, and a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry were also robbed. The nobles of Amsterdam suddenly made a windfall.

  The citizens and villagers followed suit and destroyed the holy statues, with the number reaching tens of thousands.

  It seems that monasteries and churches are already substitutes for the Spanish king, and people come to destroy them to vent their dissatisfaction.

  After that, using the status and influence of the nobility, coupled with the temptation of money, the local soldiers in Amsterdam turned against each other and beheaded the small number of Spanish soldiers one by one.

  At about five o'clock in the afternoon, the mayor of Amsterdam reluctantly announced that Amsterdam was out of the control of Philip II and would no longer pay taxes.

  Unless Philip II agreed to the content of the petition and pardoned the noble alliance.

  The Dutch Revolution has officially begun!

  (end of this chapter)