I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 610: Absolute Neutrality

Queen Wilhelmina listened to the French ambassador, not only did she not get angry, but her tense nerves relaxed.

Perhaps out of caution, she did not directly respond to the German ambassador, but instead went to her office to find Vice Admiral Thomas.

At that moment, Vice Admiral Thomas was feeling restless.

Though he knew that the last thing they dared to offend was France, specifically Shire’s First Armored Division, Holland shared a long border with the German Army to the east, and provoking Germany was just as unbearable for a small country like Holland.

Queen Wilhelmina confidently walked in, spread the map in front of Vice Admiral Thomas, and asked: "Admiral, you mentioned earlier that Shire’s First Armored Division could swiftly attack and reach Amsterdam in just a few days?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Vice Admiral Thomas bowed slightly.

"Then," Queen Wilhelmina asked again, "What if the First Armored Division’s target was not Amsterdam, but Germany?"

Vice Admiral Thomas was taken aback and stared at the map for a while: "It’s possible, it would only take two days to reach German territory."

"Could the Germans resist?" Queen Wilhelmina asked again, "I mean, Shire’s First Armored Division."

"No, it’s almost impossible." Vice Admiral Thomas shook his head:

"The German forces are dispersed on both the Western Front and the Eastern Front, internally they are very vulnerable, there are only a few troops on the Dutch-German border, and their training and equipment are severely lacking."

"Even the German elite troops can’t stop Shire’s First Armored Division."

"The repeated encirclement of the Germans by Shire is evidence of this."

Thomas was puzzled, what was Her Majesty planning?

Could it be to incite a fight between Shire and the Germans?

But it wouldn’t be easy, they weren’t fools, especially Shire, he wouldn’t be so easily used by Holland.

Queen Wilhelmina nodded in satisfaction, she had obtained the answer she wanted.

...

In the German ambassador’s reception room, Stephen and Mark were already impatient.

They knew the British and French armies were pressuring Holland, which could influence Queen Wilhelmina’s decision.

"Do you think the Queen will choose to side with the Allies?" Stephen asked Mark.

Mark hesitated and replied: "I think the Queen is still hesitating; after all, Germany and Holland share a border of over 500 kilometers, she has to consider this."

(Note: The Germany-Holland border is 577 kilometers long)

Stephen nodded slightly.

He thought that the British Fleet would return one day, they could not stay in the North Sea forever.

Shire’s First Armored Division has only over 20,000 soldiers, and its deterrent power is insufficient.

And with a border of over 500 kilometers, any point could become a breakthrough point for the German Army, which is Holland’s real concern.

Finally, Queen Wilhelmina returned, smiling, walking lightly, her head held high and full of confidence.

Stephen thought this meant Queen Wilhelmina had decided to side with Germany, and he confidently approached to greet the queen.

"Your Majesty." Stephen bowed, his voice filled with joy: "I am honored that you made the right choice."

"Of course, Stephen." The Queen sat on the sofa and gestured for the two to sit down.

"So, where do we begin?" Stephen asked, "Forgive my impatience, Your Majesty, but 200,000 soldiers are no small matter for us."

"I know." The Queen smiled and nodded: "But this seems to have nothing to do with Holland."

Stephen’s face darkened: "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?"

"I mean, we maintain our neutrality." The Queen maintained her poise: "Absolute neutrality, as we’ve always declared."

Seeing that Stephen still did not understand, the Queen added: "Do you remember when your country’s army entered Belgium and attacked Antwerp two years ago?"

Stephen let out a "hm": "Of course, Your Majesty."

"At that time, many Belgian refugees entered Holland through the Belgium-Holland border to seek asylum." The Queen said seriously: "But you demanded that we take a neutral stance and refuse these refugees entry into Holland, so we closed the border."

Stephen understood, his face turned gloomy, his voice carrying a hint of anger: "Your Majesty, are you saying that Holland will close its border?"

"Yes." The Queen stood tall, her voice calm and collected: "Those were true refugees, Stephen. If even real refugees cannot pass, how can one allow ’refugees’ who have laid down their weapons and removed their uniforms to pass? I have discussed this with my ministers, and they unanimously believe it violates Holland’s neutral stance."

Stephen’s eyes flashed coldly, his voice carried a few threats: "Then, I hope you are certain about this, Your Majesty."

"We are certain." The Queen met Stephen’s gaze: "This is our final decision."

Mark stepped forward: "I don’t think you can bear the consequences of this decision, Your Majesty."

"I think the same." The Queen raised her head to meet Mark’s condescending gaze: "I don’t think you can bear the consequences of this decision."

"What do you mean?" Mark was confused.

"Do I need to remind you?" The Queen leisurely picked up a coffee cup from the table, though it was already cold, the Queen found it sweet and pleasant.

The Queen put down the coffee cup and continued with a smile: "Think about it, if you make any decision, Holland might open a passage for Shire’s armored division to pass through. I remember, the Dutch-German border is over 500 kilometers."

Stephen and Mark were instantly stunned.

The Queen’s seemingly unrelated statement actually told them that Shire’s First Armored Division could break through any point of the Dutch-German border.

They had always thought the 500-kilometer Dutch-German border was Germany’s advantage, and Holland would have to give in because of it.

Now, they suddenly realized that not only was this not Germany’s advantage, but it was Germany’s disadvantage.

Because Shire’s First Armored Division could break into German territory at any point.

Stephen turned to look at Mark, as if asking him if the German Army could withstand an invasion if Shire’s troops passed through Holland to attack Germany.

Mark’s face turned ashen, he lightly shook his head.

That’s impossible, if Shire’s troops passed through Holland, the heavily garrisoned Liege Fortress of the German Army would be bypassed, and the 500 kilometers of border would require at least 500,000 troops to guard, and even then it might not be enough.

(Note: The entire Western Front is only 700 kilometers, the Dutch-German border is almost like adding another Western Front)

"I understand, Your Majesty." Stephen stood up and shook hands with the Queen, his attitude much more respectful.

He indeed understood, they didn’t have the leverage to threaten Holland, Germany must ensure that Holland remains neutral, absolutely neutral.