Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 927 - 835: Netherlands, Collapsed

Before the seven or eighty people in the middle of the hall could react, Luke raised his hand, and the soldiers tied them up immediately and took them away separately.

Amidst a noisy commotion of arguments and questions, all influential figures in Middleburg were captured in one sweep.

Cook expertly arranged for his subordinates to identify and screen these individuals—he had done this many times recently in other cities.

Among them, high-ranking officials and "uncooperative" wealthy merchants would be sent to the prison in Antwerp, the capital of the Flemish Republic.

Those perceived as "able to cooperate with the government" would be retained with new assignments.

More cooperative merchants and bankers, after paying a "bail bond," would also receive parole.

In a few days, officials appointed by the Flanders Council would assume office and take over the management of Middleburg.

At that time, there would be another round of comprehensive purge in the entire city. Everyone loyal to the Dutch Government, whether civilian or noble, would be sent to the western coast as laborers rowing the oars.

Under such thorough cleansing, the Flanders Council would be able to control the three provinces in Southern Netherlands at the fastest rate.

The next noon, Lucca placed an account book in front of Si Haike, proudly saying, "Uncle, a total of 620,000 Dutch guilders, and 15% shares of two banks."

The latter casually flipped through it, nodding, "Still sorted according to old rules."

"Rest assured, it’s all done."

The so-called "old rules" refer to the money obtained from the purge divided into four parts: one part goes to the Flanders Council, one part to the Flemish Military, one part to Si Haike, and the remaining part handed over to French advisors.

As for those bank shares, they would all be acquired by an anonymous French bank, of course, at a discount before haggling down the price twice more.

Si Haike was working so hard because he understood very well that he was a useless person without brains or capabilities. To establish a foothold in the Flemish government, he must cling to France.

The French Intelligence Bureau has promised him that before the Flemish election begins, they would help him set up a party to run for election.

After his nephew left, Si Haike summoned a consultant and instructed, "Let the soldiers rest in the city for two days. The day after tomorrow we will cross the Val River and march toward Utrecht."

"Yes, General!"

...

Netherlands.

Amsterdam. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Campelen and a group of high-level government and military officials sat around the long table, each with a face gloomy enough to drip water.

They were still indulging in the joy of signing a truce agreement, only to be stunned by the news of Flemish sudden declaration of war like a heavy sledgehammer.

The speed of the Flemish was extremely fast, sweeping across the three provinces in the Southern Netherlands in just one week and could attack Amsterdam at any moment.

And the most deadly issue was that the Dutch Parliament had no army to resist them at all.

The Dutch Minister of War Bronckhorst was the first to break the silence: "The newly recruited 3,000 soldiers can be deployed to the battlefield next week. Including the troops in Breda, we will have a 6,000 people force for defense..."

The Dutch Parliament has the ability to immediately recruit over 10,000 soldiers; many Dutch people indeed are willing to enlist and resist invasion, but there are no instructors to train them.

Untrained soldiers going into battle are not only sending themselves to death; they also disrupt the formation, causing veterans to die alongside them.

In recent years, the Netherlands first intervened in the Brabant uprising, annihilated by the Fao Army’s main force.

Then they threw all the newly formed troops into the Anti-French Alliance, where they were almost all captured by Joseph, with very few able to return.

Most of the remaining officers in the country have been imprisoned or exiled for war crimes, leaving the Netherlands with virtually no military capability.

If not for a few officers remaining in the Nobility Group previously marginalized by the Patriot Party, they would not have been able to train even new recruits now.

Campelen frowned at the Minister of War: "How confident are you about defending the Val River?"

The latter merely clenched his cane tightly: "I will personally go to the Val River to command the defense."

"Please answer me directly, how confident are you?"

"..."

Bronckhorst could only remain silent.

Right now, it’s hard to find even a few mid-level officers throughout the Netherlands, and the troops below are all new recruits. Unless Jesus performs a miracle, no matter who commands, the battle will not be won.

Dandels, who has served in the army before, quickly understood the key point and looked at Bronckhorst: "If we release those officers from prison, do you think..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when others cut off his words with sharp, knife-like gazes.

Those imprisoned are all war criminals judged at France’s request and the foundation of the truce agreement between France and Holland.

If you dare to release them, the French people might break the agreement immediately and seize Amsterdam ahead of the Flemish.

Moreover, Campelen and others knew these officers were thrown into prison by the Dutch Parliament; even released now, they might not genuinely fight for the Netherlands.

Campelen looked towards the Minister of Foreign Affairs beside him: "Has there been any response from England and Prussia?"

The latter kept his head down, lowering his voice: "They refused to meet our envoy."

You, Netherlands, just announced the abolition of the Anglo-Dutch Alliance; the British not attacking you is quite courteous, let alone sending troops to help you fight.

Moreover, even if the British do have this intention, they have no soldiers to dispatch.

A whole day of discussion among Dutch high-level officials still resulted in no solution.

Bronckhorst stood up, bowed slightly to Campelen: "Mr. Prime Minister, I need to head to Breda overnight."

"May Jesus bless you."

"May Jesus have mercy on the Netherlands."

However, it seemed Jesus did not particularly favor both Bronckhorst and the Netherlands.

Four days later, Si Haike ordered Lieutenant Colonel Vimier to start crossing the river, with the Dutch garrison fiercely counterattacking.

However, despite the ordinary combat strength of the Flemish National Army, there are at least 13,000 of them, and their foundation is Austrian regular army.

Bereft of officers, the newly recruited Dutch army was routed instantly. Vimier led the vanguard force of 3,000, all the way to Breda.

When Si Haike’s main force caught up, Breda opened its gates and surrendered.

The news of defeat returned to Amsterdam, causing a national upheaval in the Netherlands.

From Breda to Amsterdam, there’s only Utrecht in between that can barely be defended.

The Netherlands has no more troops to utilize.

Worse still, the last general with corps command capability, General Bronckhorst, was hit by shrapnel in a previous battle and is now near death.

Inside the Parliament House in Amsterdam, a group of Dutch politicians remained silent for a full twenty minutes before Campelen stood up, painfully patting the Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Mr. Branzen, go and negotiate with the Flemish."

Less than three weeks after entering into truce negotiations with France, the Dutch Parliament once again embarked on the path of truce negotiations.