William sat on a Chinese-style lounge chair and took a sip from the tea cup in front of him. When a sip of tea flowed down three thousand feet down William's throat, a breath of turbid breath was exhaled from William's mouth.
"comfortable!"
William sighed. William had spent some effort to get this cup of tea from the British. Although the tea in the cup was not top-quality tea, it came from China.
In the 18th century, the British gradually launched trade with the Qing Dynasty in the Far East, and tea, a luxury product, was monopolized by the British. In view of William's friendly relationship with Britain, when the British ambassador to Prussia learned that William had
After having a unique feeling for China in the Far East, out of a diplomatic feeling, the British ambassador always presented William with some tea produced in Far East China every year.
"Your Majesty, this tea is indeed God's gift to the world."
Locks, like William, picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip. When the smoothness flowed down his throat and into his heart, even this old Prussian nobleman had to sigh.
After hearing Rocks' sigh, William nodded with a smile and said:
"The Far East is a place that contains endless wealth. If we in Prussia want to go further in the world, then we cannot ignore the infinite wealth of the Far East!"
William's words resonated with Rocks
"Indeed, Your Majesty, as you said, goods from the Far East can often be sold at high prices after being shipped to Europe. This is why the British East India Company can be so arrogant!"
"Lokes, what do you think of Prussia also establishing an East India Company?"
William looked at Rocks in front of him with a thought, and asked with interest, and his question also made Rocks fall into deep thought.
After a while, Rocks said with a serious face:
"Your Majesty, I think there is no need for us in Prussia to establish the East India Company. Currently, only the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and a few other countries in Europe that rely on maritime trade have established the East India Company. It is undeniable that the establishment of the East India Company has indeed brought benefits to various countries.
A lot of benefits. But after all, Prussia is a landlocked country. Even though we have occupied the Baltic Sea, we currently have no colonies in the Indian Ocean. There is no need to establish the East India Company."
Rocks' words made William feel a little regretful. Of course, what Rocks said was right. Now the Indian Ocean has been carved up by the major European navigation powers, not even the dregs are left. Prussia rashly inserted its influence into
In the Indian Ocean, not only will it not receive support, it will also arouse the vigilance of countries that have gained a lot of interests in the Indian Ocean.
"Okay, Locks, you're right."
After speaking, William straightened his expression and said:
"The reason why I invite you here today is for one thing..."
"Wait a minute. Your Majesty, what you want to say cannot be about Karina!"
As he spoke, Locks's face turned a little livid. Apparently after Karina moved into Sanssouci Palace, this granddaughter who was deeply loved by Locks had become somewhat out of Locks' control. This made Lockes, who had always loved Karina,
Si felt a little unacceptable.
After Karina followed William to Frankfurt, this situation intensified. Originally, Karina would always go back to Rocks' mansion to say hello to Rocks every month. But recently, Karina saw Rocks not only greeting Rocks, but also saying hello.
, ignored Rocks, which made Rocks quite dissatisfied. He felt that the reason why Karina became like this must be some kind of ecstasy soup given by William.
Well, seeing the vigilance on Rocks' face, William had a few drops of cold sweat on his forehead. He felt ashamed of Rocks' attitude towards Karina.
It is estimated that Rocks does not know now. If Rocks knew that William actually planned to turn his granddaughter into his mistress, it would be strange if the old prime minister did not fight with William!
William wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, where are you thinking? I am absolutely devoted to Karina. If you don't believe me, you can ask Karina. And the purpose of me looking for you today is not about Karina."
I thought in my heart that I would be surprised if I believed you. On the surface, Rocks still maintained his old noble demeanor. He nodded and said:
"Okay. Your Majesty, although I am already an old man, I think I can still share your worries on some matters."
"Excellent, Lord Rocks, you are truly the most competent Prime Minister in the history of Prussia. Your wisdom will be spread with Prussia's reputation for hundreds of years!............"
William's flattery came to Rocks as if it was free of charge. Amid William's increasingly exaggerated praise, Rocks' face actually turned a rare flush.
"Your Majesty, just tell me what you have to say. As long as I can do anything, I will definitely share your worries!"
Listening to Rocks' words, William held back the joy in his heart, but showed a trace of embarrassment on the surface.
"Sir Rox, I invited you here today because of our Prussian army. What do you think of our army?"
"Your Majesty the King, our Prussian army is naturally the best in the whole of Europe. I believe that even England, France or Austria, their main forces cannot compare to our Prussian army!"
As he said that, a look of pride appeared on Locks's face. Indeed, the Prussian army is worthy of all Prussians to be proud of, because it is an iron-blooded army that has gone through many hardships and is unyielding. Prussia's reputation is his
The army fought in the bloody storm!
"Yes, Mr. Locks, what you said makes sense, but I think that our army has a big shortcoming compared to England, France, Russia or Austria, these European powers."
William's words troubled Rocks a little. He scratched his head and thought for a while and said:
"Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean..."
"Rocks, can you tell me how big the armies of these countries are?"
"Of course, my Majesty, the British have about 200,000 troops, the French have about the same strength as the British, the Austrians have about 200,000 troops, and Russia has more troops than all countries!"
Hearing Rocks' answer, the smile on William's face became more evil.
"Yes, Mr. Rocks, you are indeed a competent prime minister, but in this case, haven't you discovered that our Prussian army has the smallest strength among all the powerful countries in Europe?"
In an instant, Rocks understood what William meant. It turned out that William's goal was actually the strength of the Prussian army. This made Rocks a little speechless.
"Your Majesty, what I want to remind you is that it is precisely because I realized this that at the beginning of the year, I supported your proposal to expand the 13th, 14th, and 15th Divisions!"
Unexpectedly, Rocks' words made William shake his head.
"Loux, you have to know that even though we in Prussia have expanded three new divisions, our standing force is still the lowest among several European powers, and our geographical location in Prussia is very unfavorable. We in Prussia are in the lowest position in the entire world.
In the middle of Europe, if something unexpected happens, Prussia will be attacked by three European powers. Please tell me, who are these three powers?"
Rocks smiled bitterly and said:
"France, Austria, Russia"
"Very well, Mr. Rocks, you gave the correct answer. Our geographical location in Prussia has destined us to need a strong and large national defense force, but now our Prussian military strength is completely incompatible with the threats to our territory.
It’s a drop in the bucket, so I ask for another expansion of our Prussian army!”
At this moment, William's purpose has been completely exposed. When Locks listened to William's words, the surprise on his face was very obvious, but after a while, the surprise on Locks' face turned into solemnity.
"Your Majesty, what I want to warn you is that we have expanded three new divisions at the beginning of the year. These three divisions have exhausted our national strength. Now we have no ability to expand our army at all!"
Locks's answer did not surprise William, or in other words, it would have been strange to William if Locks supported William's military expansion, because Prussia's national strength was there after all.
Although the Danish strategy and the Hamburg strategy at the beginning of this year were successful, Prussia also obtained a large amount of spoils, but all these spoils have been invested in the three newly built divisions, and it is precisely relying on these spoils that these three divisions
Only then could the group reach full strength so quickly.
"Rocks, you are right, but the geographical location of Prussia means that we must not stop. Once we relax even a little bit, Prussia will reach an extremely dangerous situation...
....”
Before William could finish speaking, Rocks interrupted:
"But Your Majesty, France in the west and Russia in the east are becoming more and more unstable due to a series of domestic policies. This is a good opportunity for us in Prussia to seize the time to recharge our batteries. I think what we should talk about at this moment is not
It’s not a matter of military expansion but a matter of domestic construction!”
"Locks, now that things have happened, don't you still know what I'm thinking?"
Looking at Rocks in front of him, William's face was full of solemnity
"Your Majesty, it is precisely because I know what you are thinking that I will not let you take risks."
"Rocks!"
With that said, William stood up suddenly, pointed at Rocks' nose and said (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly votes, your support is