Chapter 1037: The Complex European Situation

Britain.

London.

When the news of the loss of the 80,000-strong army in Australia arrived, the entire Parliament exploded.

"What did you say? What are you saying?"

William IV looked furious.

The other old and young members of Parliament also looked at each other in dismay.

Defeated?

Not only defeated, but defeated so thoroughly?

80,000!

That was an army of 80,000! Just a few days ago, William IV was still immersed in the glory and pride of the Empire conquering everywhere and establishing colonies; this head-on defeat immediately sobered him up quite a bit.

"Longyan Army?"

A flash of intense killing intent crossed William IV's handsome face.

The Parliament had already started arguing.

"Look, what did I say... is it not working? Australia just shouldn't be touched!"

"This... 80,000 troops..."

"Your Majesty..."

"As for this loss..."

The Councilors, represented by a group of Gentry, were all about to go mad. Just because of an order from William IV, these Gentry had almost emptied their own family coffers to invest in Australia... At this moment, the prisoners and slaves they had bought with money were still on the way, yet you tell them that Australia is lost?

Lost?

The current Britain is a constitutional monarchy; how could the interests of these Gentry just disappear like this?

Their anger was naturally directed at William IV and those Old Aristocrats.

Who is going to pay for this money?

Nowadays, Britain's colonial system is actually already commercialized. The wars they fight are entirely funded by the money these Gentry pooled together. They are businessmen, and what they are after is economic benefit.

Failure makes them angry.

Duke Humphrey's expression was also very gloomy at this moment. This damn constitutional monarchy has really let these bumpkins enter the hall. Back in the day, when the King wanted to do something, or the Holy See wanted to do something, was it ever the turn of these bumpkins to have a say?

"I really didn't expect our army to be so useless!"

"That Luojinsi must be brought before a military tribunal!"

"Whose man is he?"

The subsequent words of these people almost made Humphrey pass out.

In fact, when Duke Humphrey heard this news, he himself was stunned. The mighty British Navy had actually been defeated, and not only defeated, but defeated in an instant... To Britain, this is a huge humiliation, a massive humiliation.

One must know that Britain is currently the strongest country in the world, especially in terms of economic development. Even the economic development of Britain's colonies makes the whole world drool. Speaking of this, one must return to the historical event of the Seven Years' War. Because it was precisely in the Seven Years' War that Britain seized North America from the hands of France.

Take America for example; in 1607, the British arrived at the Atlantic coast of North America and began to establish the first colony, which was Virginia. At that time, the economic development of the British North American Colonies could simply be described as taking flight.

Nowadays, the industrial and commercial development in the north of the British North American Colonies can almost catch up with the British mainland, especially the shipbuilding industry of the British North American Colonies; almost all of the major warships that Britain can count today are manufactured in North America.

Coupled with the central region producing grain, the crops and many products produced in North America can even compete with Britain in the international market.

Otherwise, what do you think Britain gained from the Seven Years' War? Naturally, it was this treasure land of North America!

Nowadays.

As Britain continues to expand its colonial pace, most of the military expenditures come from the economic benefits and taxes generated by this North America.

If a single North American colony is this powerful, what about other places?

Such a powerful Britain actually lost to someone else in the first round?

Who could stand that?

"Luojinsi, Luojinsi... this trash, trash!"

Humphrey endured the various sarcastic voices of these people, his fists already clenched tight.

"Quiet, quiet!"

William IV's face was gloomy, and someone next to him knocked the wooden gavel again.

"Since the matter has already happened, we shouldn't keep arguing here, but should consider how to make up for it, shouldn't we?"

William IV said indifferently.

80,000 troops...

He felt the pain too. How much pension would the British Royal Family have to pay?

The group of people also slowly quieted down.

Duke Humphrey's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Your Majesty, it seems that this Longyan has already become our greatest obstacle... In this naval battle, the strength they displayed is enough to make us wary."

This statement received everyone's approval.

Longyan...

Longyang...

William IV was also gnashing his teeth a bit.

As long as anyone dares to hinder the strength of Britain, they must face the wrath of their Empire on which the sun never sets!

The defeat in the Battle of Australia will have a very serious impact on Britain.

The loss of 80,000 troops represents a huge economic disaster for Britain behind the scenes. Likewise, it also affects Britain's pace of outward colonization. It might even cause a fission in the entire European landscape.

"Is there any news from France?"

William IV asked, pondering.

"Your Majesty, Louis XV has already begun to assemble a large army; it looks like he might have some ideas..."

"Is that so?"

A flash of sharp light gleamed in the eyes of William IV: "What could they be planning..."

For nearly two hundred years, powerful France has always been the strongest enemy to the rise of Britain. Although Britain achieved final victory in the Seven Years' War... France remains powerful, and the situation in Europe remains murky. If not for the fact that Louis XV is truly a bit of a Bitter Remonstrance, France, which also possesses a powerful navy, would certainly have caused Britain no small amount of obstruction.

The thoughts of William IV are very simple.

Longyan, after all, is very far away.

Although Longyan is also growing powerful, what he values more is France on the other side of the ocean; this is the existence that currently threatens them the most. Especially those European partners of France, Sweden, Austria, and so on and so forth... these are also powerful nations with quite impressive naval strength.

If this crushing defeat in Australia causes them to develop any ideas again and unite.

That would be an absolutely pessimistic matter for Britain.

"The most recent Archbishop has just been appointed... If France wants to make a move from the side of the Holy See, it is likely impossible..."

Almost everyone in Europe believes in Catholicism. The great powers of Europe often go to war over whether the status of an Archbishop is legitimate. This is also a means of legitimizing war...

Therefore.

Upon hearing that France has made a move, these people in Britain naturally consider the Holy See first...

"Then they..."

William IV begins to knit his brows tightly. Recent pop-ups are severe, click to download to avoid pop-ups.