Chapter 926: 834 Good People and Villains

Chapter 926: Chapter 834 Good People and Villains

Subsequently, the Dutch Speaker Dandels appeared before the crowd, speaking on behalf of the Dutch Government with a look of sorrow.

He first severely reprimanded England and Prussia for forcing the Netherlands into this unjust war, causing irreparable damage to France. On behalf of the Netherlands, he extended the most sincere apologies to France.

He then took out the ceasefire agreement document and began to read it clause by clause.

“Our government will prosecute the war criminals who participated in the invasion of Valron…”

Dandels immediately explained the meaning of war crimes—a term not yet defined in this era.

Before he finished speaking, sobbing could be faintly heard around.

The Netherlands had sent over twenty thousand soldiers to join the Anti-French Alliance this time, and many of the onlookers were relatives of these soldiers.

Dandels hurriedly raised his hand to quiet the crowd and loudly said, “The soldiers were only following orders, only officers of Major rank and above bear the responsibility for instigating the war!”

The onlookers immediately breathed a sigh of relief and then raised their arms and shouted, “Severely punish the instigators of the war!”

“Judgment for the war criminals!”

“Hang them!”

Once the crowd gradually quieted down, Dandels announced the amount of war reparations:

“…a total of 700,000 Dutch guilders to be compensated to the French Government.”

This time he immediately added: “We have brought over 800,000 in damages to France, but His Majesty the French King has been merciful and pardoned a portion.”

People didn’t feel much about it, as the Amsterdam Bank had just spent over 1 million Dutch guilders acquiring the Batavia Trading Bank last year. In comparison, 700,000 wasn’t considered a large sum.

Afterward, Dandels mentioned the clause about increasing “noble seats” in Congress.

The ordinary citizens mostly didn’t understand what this meant, but the nobles present began to cheer enthusiastically, “This is a fair Congress!”

“Oh God! Thank the French!”

“The future of the Netherlands has hope again…”

Dandels looked at the ceasefire agreement and finally read out:

“As required by the French Government, the Netherlands will withdraw from the alliance treaties with England and Prussia and swear to forever maintain the status of a neutral country…”

The square was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers.

In fact, the Dutch had always been dissatisfied with the Anglo-Dutch Alliance—which was forced upon them after losing the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War a decade ago.

In that war, the British had plundered many Dutch merchant ships and occupied numerous Dutch colonies.

Seeing this humiliating alliance about to be rescinded, how could the Dutch not rejoice?

As for the British being enraged?

The British were currently busy fighting with France, hardly able to pay attention to the Netherlands.

Everything else would be dealt with after the war ended.

If the British really managed to defeat France, then the Netherlands could bow to and apologize to the European hegemon without losing face.

But for now, let them cheer first.

It was unclear who first shouted, “Long live the King of France!”

The nobles, who had seen an improvement in their political status, immediately followed, shouting, “Long live His Majesty the King of France!”

“Long live the ‘Savior of Sorrows’!”

“Indeed, the French are our saviors!”

“I love France!”

Dandels and the Dutch officials never expected that this surrender ceremony would turn out to be like a celebration.

Subsequently, Dandels and Saigul signed the ceasefire agreement respectively.

Once again, the square erupted with cheers, and people began to spontaneously march in celebration of the war’s end.

However, the Dutch had no idea that the truly brutal war had yet to descend…

The French Army withdrew much faster than Joseph had promised.

On the sixth day after the signing of the ceasefire agreement, the last French troops had retreated to Leopold’s Castle in the Flemish Region, and after a brief rest, continued south, passing through Liege to head for the Ardennes Plateau.

The distance between these two places was less than 120 kilometers.

Meanwhile, the Allied Forces led by the Duke of York, heading from Antwerp to Luxembourg, could only travel north through the Netherlands, then east around Scheveningen, and south past Gai’erden.

The entire journey was about 330 kilometers and required two river crossings.

So by this time, the Duke of York had just arrived north of Luxembourg and hadn’t even engaged in battle.

The Lefevre Corps would arrive at the Ardennes Plateau in three days.

…

Southwestern Netherlands.

Middleburg.

Four days after the French Army withdrew from the Netherlands, the Commander of the Flemish National Army, General Si Haike—well, he had been promoted again—appeared on the outskirts of this prosperous coastal city, leading 10,000 troops.

Riding on his warhorse and surveying all directions, Si Haike even felt a bit like an invincible general of legend.

Yes, a week ago, Flanders had officially declared independence from Austria, forming a congress and establishing the Flemish Republic.

This newly independent country immediately declared war on the Netherlands, citing the “Dutch Army’s invasion of Antwerp and Ghent.”

And after departing from the north of Leuven, Si Haike had been invincible on the way, and no Dutch city could withstand his mighty army for more than half a day.

A few days ago, he easily took the important town of Breda. By this time, more than half of the southern Dutch cities were under the control of the Flemish Army.

However, Si Haike knew very well that his easy conquest wasn’t due to his military prowess but because the Dutch Army had long been cleaned out by the French Army.

In all the police stations in the southern Netherlands, not a single flintlock gun could be found.

This kind of battle could be easily won even with a monkey commanding.

In the distance, a sparse round of gunfire was heard.

Before long, Si Haike’s nephew Luca galloped over and reported with a relaxed face, “General, the Dutch garrison has surrendered!”

Hmm, Middleburg had barely managed to assemble a defense team of 300 people these past few days, using hunting rifles and even bows and arrows. How could they withstand the formal Flemish Army?

Si Haike nodded, “Move the whole army into the city. I don’t need to remind you of what to do, right?”

“Yes, rest assured, I’ll handle it.”

Two hours later, Flemish soldiers appeared on the streets of Middleburg, loudly announcing that the city was now under the control of the Flemish Republic.

The citizens, having experienced the entry of the French troops previously, were much calmer this time, simply watching quietly and awaiting these troops to leave like the French had.

However, news soon spread that all officials in Middleburg, as well as the Chamber of Commerce executives and bankers, were required to immediately gather at City Hall.

At 3 PM, gunshots began to be heard in the city, leading some to say that it was Flemish soldiers arresting officials who failed to assemble on time.

In Middleburg’s City Hall, Lieutenant Colonel Luca, surrounded by soldiers, faced the panicked officials and rich merchants, smilingly announcing:

“In the name of the Flemish National Army’s military tribunal, I declare you all guilty of ‘colluding with the Austrian tyrant’ and hereby arrest you all.”