Chapter 1320
The British have not had a good time recently. First, Spain, which is at their doorstep, caught fire. After finally finding a countermeasure, they were overturned by the French.
After that, they wanted to be the sixth in the league with France, but the Austrians did not give them face and directly rejected the British fleet.
Originally, they planned to give the Austrian Imperial Navy a critical blow at a critical moment after forming a military advantage, but at this time they were divided into two parts, inside and outside.
Someone must have thought of internal and external cooperation, but the ocean is not land, and the communication conditions in the 19th century did not allow the British to perform such a difficult operation.
The British Navy in the Mediterranean could only tremble in isolation. As the relationship between the two countries became tense, they were also monitored by the Austrian Imperial Navy at all times.
At this time, the British Mediterranean Fleet was the group that least wanted the two countries to go to war. After all, they were under the nose of the Austrian Empire and would definitely suffer first.
William Simmons was also helpless. Although he was not a coward, he did not want to die.
The Austrian fleet blocking the Strait of Gibraltar was obviously stronger than the fleet led by Simmons. The only way he could think of was to ask for help from home.
But at this time, Britain had too many interests and relationships to maintain, and was unwilling to bet everything on this war.
On the other hand, the British have always wanted to find a way with less risk and lower cost, such as letting others rush in front.
Palmerston was also helpless. He had tried his best, but the Russian-Austrian alliance seemed to be more solid than he thought.
Now the British have few options. Either give up Spain and negotiate with Austria, and then help the Ottoman Empire resist the attack of Russia.
Or temporarily give up the Ottoman Empire, fight a decisive battle in Spain and Austria, and then support the Ottoman Empire after a quick victory.
Earl Derby didn't want to choose either of these two options. He had had enough of this damn war.
Houses of Parliament, London.
"Gentlemen! Our authority has brought us too much burden. It's time for us to put down the burden and enjoy life."
"We can be businessmen, adventurers, artists, and even poets. Britain should return to its original role instead of continuing to entangle with Europeans.
We still have India and the Far East, and the ocean still belongs to Britain."
Earl Derby is tired of war. He thinks that since Britain's dilemma comes from war, it is better to choose to escape from war.
Do whatever makes money.
However, other people in the British Parliament cannot accept this approach, and even cannot accept that Earl Derby, as Prime Minister, has such an idea.
"Prime Minister! Are you going to be a deserter!"
Local MPs in London took the lead in the attack. Earl Derby's decrees changed every day, and they were the ones who suffered the most.
Especially those financial industry tycoons in the City of London, their money is still in Austria and France! How can they not fight?
What if a country is defeated or declared bankruptcy, then they will lose everything?
Now we not only have to fight, but also win, and the most important thing is that there should be no regime change!
"I'm not going to be a deserter, but we can choose a smarter approach. Believe me, give up the war, tomorrow will be better!
The greatness of Britain lies in its democracy and freedom, not power!"
Earl Derby expressed his ideas, but his ideas were completely bullshit in the eyes of others. Why build a strong navy if not for power?
What are you doing here if not for power?
"How can a weak person like you lead Britain?"
"There is a traitor among us!"
Earl Derby was met with overwhelming opposition as soon as he opened his mouth. In fact, he was not a leader that people loved, and few people even regarded him as a real leader.
Earl Derby's rise to power was entirely a result of countless coincidences. The reason why he became prime minister was to make up for the power vacuum within the Tory Party on the one hand, and to take the blame for the royal family on the other.
But at this moment, people no longer needed him, so dissatisfaction with Earl Derby finally broke out.
However, Earl Derby himself was not good at observing people's expressions, and he thought it was a normal parliamentary debate.
"Gentlemen, the hegemony of the Near East and the Mediterranean cannot bring us any benefits. Instead, we need to waste a lot of time and money to maintain it.
As long as we can let go, all the clouds will dissipate"
"Prime Minister! As long as we let go, the Austrians and Russians will immediately fill our vacancies and then eat up the whole of Europe.
You are now pushing Britain into the abyss!"
"I think you can retire!"
"Britain does not need an incompetent prime minister!"
Members of parliament stood up to oppose, and only then did Earl Derby realize the seriousness of the problem belatedly.
However, he had no chance to remedy it, because those people did not want to give him this opportunity at all.
Earl Derby's political ambitions came to an abrupt end as soon as they were spoken out, and every time future generations open up this heavy history again, they will sigh.
"If Earl Derby succeeded, would Britain today be a different scene."
The next day, Earl Derby was forced to submit his resignation to the Queen, and John Russell was once again promoted by the Whigs.
John Russell's return to power was not only due to the Earl of Derby's stupidity, but also to the support of the Queen.
It's just that the position of British Prime Minister is not easy to sit at this time. All domestic and foreign troubles are coming to your door. Especially the two wars currently going on between Spain and the Ottomans will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history if they are not handled well.
John Russell had high hopes from Victoria, so he naturally wanted to show off and adopt a two-pronged approach internally. On the one hand, he continued the Earl of Derby's policy of co-optation and division, and on the other hand, he began to increase efforts to severely suppress Ireland and the Chartists.
Externally, they chose the strategy of approaching first and then staying far away. It was obvious that Ferrante Duvaet, who was defeated so badly, and the French who were wandering in the Pyrenees all day, simply could not carry the banner against Austria.
However, John Russell would not be stupid enough to go to Spain and fight the Austrians personally. His method was to let Spain and Portugal reach a reconciliation and let the Portuguese continue to consume Austria.
Of course, this does not mean that John Russell thought that the Portuguese could deal with the Austrian Empire. In fact, he was still preparing for the British entry.
But before that, it is necessary to pull Portugal into the water. Portugal and Spain have long had territorial disputes.
This made relations between the two countries very bad, but now Spain has changed its owners. Ferrante Duval may not be good at fighting, or winning over people's hearts, but as a businessman, he is very good at betraying his country.
The territorial dispute between Portugal and Spain originated from the Orange War in April 1801. Eventually, with the help of France, Spain captured the Olivença region and signed the Peace of Badajoz.
However, Portugal has never recognized this result, and even in the 21st century, it insists that the Olivensa area is Portuguese territory.