Heinsius was a little unbelievable. He was stunned for a long time before asking, "What do you mean is that the Empire is willing to open colonies to us?"

"It is open to all the Imperial partners, Lord Heinsius." Joseph pointed out the error in his words.

Heinsius did not think there was any difference in this. At present, the empire only had a decent partner like Portugal in Europe. The two partners of Venice and Genoa were pitiful. If the United Province became the same level as Portugal, the other partners would not be able to compete with the United Province. Over the past hundred years, the commercial resources and financial energy accumulated by the United Province should not be underestimated.

Joseph also said: "Not only in Western Africa, but also in colonies in other places, all parties can participate in cooperation. In China's political wisdom, there is rarely a zero-sum game. They like cooperation and competition. This country has such confidence."

Heinsius had no doubt about China's confidence. After all, the facts were right in front of him, but Heinsius also knew that King Yu would not do charity, and there would be demands after each benefit. It was just to support the empire's strategy in Egypt, which obviously could not be exchanged for these.

"Let me tell you clearly, Joseph, what else does King Yu have to ask?" Heinsius asked the servant who sent the tea out, obviously he was very cautious about such a big deal.

Joseph said: "It is still a cooperation with the British side. His Highness Yu's appeal is consistent, and it is not difficult to accept the Union Province."

Heinsius was silent again. It was not the first time that the discussion about this matter was discussed. Heinsius knew very well that Li Junwei wanted to draw a clear line between the United Province and Britain. Under the current pressure of France, it was difficult to imagine splitting the Great Alliance. However, in terms of specific operations, Heinsius had to be moved because the empire was willing to support Union Province to completely abolish the ruling status of William III and the hereditary of the Orange family, eliminate all the old nobles, and allow the republicans dominated by Heinsius to completely control state power.

"In fact, I have discussed this issue in depth with several like-minded friends." Heinsius opened the conversation and continued: "We are willing to cooperate in this matter, but we agreed that this is not the time. The basis for the republican rule is that the Union Province must exist, and the basis for the Union Province is the unified anti-French alliance, and the foundation of the Grand Alliance is the Anglo-Dutch alliance. At this moment, once our alliance disappears, the Union Province will no longer exist. When Louis XIV's iron hooves step into the Union Province, we, not to mention state power, will not even have room for survival.

This proposal is to kill the hen first and then take the eggs therein."

"His Highness Yu is willing to help prevent the annexation of France. The empire's enemy is Britain at this stage, but France is also a major competitor." Joseph said without hesitation.

Heinsius shook his head gently: "As the Grand Speaker, what I want is not a promise, but a real thing. Only when the Empire's fleet cruised on the North Sea and when the Empire's army was stationed in Amsterdam did I believe those promises, and now, I will not do anything."

Joseph smiled: "You are over-worrying. His Highness Heinsius Yu is willing to cooperate with the United Provinces. This kind of cooperation is not short-term, but long-term. Therefore, he wants to be friends with you, the Speaker who has great influence in the United Provinces."

"Become friends with powerful people. This is the secret to our family's success." Heinsius smiled, poured tea for Joseph, and said, "In fact, I also hope to be a friend of His Highness Yu."

Joseph said again: "King Yu is a very smart person and very sincere. He will never make you embarrassed. So, he did not ask you to do anything now. He just asked me to explain the issue about Britain clearly. I hope you will make the right choice at critical moments. What I want to do today is to broaden your horizons and let you understand His Highness Yu's thoughts, that's all."

"Okay, please continue." Heinsius felt a little relieved.

"How long do you think this war can last?" Joseph asked.

Heinsius said: "I thought this year would end. In fact, the countries participating in the war were exhausted and the resources consumed were too great. We have never fought such a war because we changed into weapons from the empire and our firepower was instantly increased by an order of magnitude. Often, a few volleys of flintlocks could break up a horizontal formation. There were too many deaths for soldiers.

Old friend, you know a lot about United Provinces and know that our country's army and depend on mercenaries from Germany, and now it is difficult to get mercenaries. The military expenditure is also huge. All countries are borrowing large-scale debts, and each country is facing bankruptcy. The only thing that is thankful is that our enemy, the tyrant Louis XIV, faced even worse. Savoy met the messenger sent by the tyrant last year. Everyone spent a year trying to force the tyrant to end the war, but with His Highness Yu signing the Naval Cooperation Bill with France, the war will continue again."

Joseph said, "Dear old friend, you must believe in King Yu. His highness's main goal is Britain. In fact, if the tyrant was not so arrogant, the war would have ended long ago. There are a few you don't know, as early as two years ago, the Battle of Beckhill and after you failed, King Yu proposed to attack the British land with France, but the arrogant Louis XIV refused.

And this time, the cooperation between the Navy is still aimed at the UK.........."

Heinsius knew that what Joseph said was probably the truth, but he was difficult to accept, because if France had a strong navy, it would definitely be not only Britain but also United Provinces.

"............Sir Heinsius, please don't ask questions. Can I say it in one breath?" Joseph said actively when he saw Heinsius ask.

Heinsius nodded, and Joseph continued: "In fact, His Highness has been carefully operating cooperation with France. Now France has ordered multiple ships in the empire, including a considerable number of ironclad ships. I believe that at the end of next year or the year after, France will be the maritime overlord of the North Sea. At that time, Britain will become the target, but His Highness will not support Louis XIV to dominate the entire Europe, so it will only target Britain.

Therefore, for you, there are two choices. First, before France really takes out an iron-clad fleet that defeats the British and Dutch fleets, I will defeat France. Is there any possibility?"

Heinsius shook his head and said that there was no such possibility. One side of the Grand Alliance was exhausted, and on the other side of Europe, King Yu provoked a new crisis. While plotting to cause riots in Egypt, he supported Tsarist Russia to go south to attack the Ottomans. As a result, the very important Austrian Habsburg and a large number of sacred alliance princes in the Grand Alliance had to invest resources in the Balkans. Originally, the Grand Alliance did not gain any substantial advantages. This made the situation even more sinister. This was why Heinsius had so close contact with Joseph, because the United Provinces were facing a huge crisis. Once the situation deteriorated to a certain extent, asking for help from the empire or fleeing the United Provinces was inseparable from Joseph's matchmaking.

Seeing that Heinsius admitted it sincerely, Joseph said, "Old friend, that is the second choice, to withdraw from the war at the right time and preserve the Union Province."

"If the tyrant is willing to truce the war now, I believe that not only my Union Province, but all members of the Grand Alliance will immediately send people to the Palace of Versailles. Even if the territory is drawn according to the actual control line or the ceasefire line, everyone will stop." Heinsius said immediately.

But he also knew that there was no such possibility. There was only one possibility that Louis XIV could admit defeat, that is, the Empire joined the Grand Alliance and with its super strength, Louis XIV accepted a ceasefire. However, the Empire could not help the Grand Alliance while targeting Britain, especially King William III of Britain, who was also the leader of the Grand Alliance.

Heinsius calmed himself down for a while, and his hand moved the globe in front of him, as if he was checking the location, but he was thinking about time in his heart. Heinsius finally asked: "Joseph, you just said the right time. His Highness Yu thought that time was the right time. In fact, Louis XIV was an evil dragon. He was the most cruel and arrogant. I don't think His Highness Yu could completely control him. Once France's strength expands too strongly, I think he will definitely betray him and will break away from His Highness's control. In the eyes of the tyrant, although Britain is important, the direction of the mainland is more important."

Joseph said: "Your Highness thinks the right time is the second half of next year. In fact, I think the plan discussed by Your Highness with the tyrant must be to attack Britain after the fleet is formed. In order to avoid multi-line combat, your Highness should end the war with the Grand Alliance before launching an attack on Britain in order to avoid France taking the opportunity to expand its results.

Even if, as you might expect, the tyrant Louis XIV had a treacherous plan, he would do this on the surface. As long as he did it, it would be an opportunity. The Union Province could go with the flow and withdraw from the war, rather than be buried with Britain."

Heinsius asked: "Can I understand this way that at some time next year, Louis XIV will propose a truce, and then we will accept his terms?"

"If the terms are acceptable," said Joseph.

Heinsius shook his head: "Old friend, you should know that it is difficult that the tyrant is definitely the most greedy king in the world. And now King William is the leader of the Great Alliance. He disagrees. It is difficult for other parties to participate in the war..."

"I suggest that you do not consider King William, but only the interests of the Union Province. In fact, this is not just the request of His Highness, but for your consideration. I can tell you clearly that once Louis XIV proposes a ceasefire and the conditions are not so harsh, Austria, Spain, Savoy and others will accept the conditions. Although there are still several princes who have not received any definite news for the time being, everyone knows that the Empire supports France, but only supports its development in the navy, and it is definitely not targeting such a land country. The same is true for sending me as a lobbyist to lobby you, because the Union Province is the only country that is threatened by France in both land and ocean." Joseph carefully explained Heinsius's doubts.

Heinsius had to admit this. Under the current state, no one could continue to fight. As long as Louis XIV mentioned a ceasefire and the conditions were not very harsh, the current alliance would immediately collapse and split, and the most resistant ones would be Britain and the United Provinces. By that time, two countries alone would not be able to resist France. What would happen then? But you should not be eager to achieve success if you withdraw from the war.

"If we agree, can we get the protection of the empire?" Heinsius proposed another possibility.

"Your Highness is willing to agree to provide protection, but Lord Heinsius, you have said more than once that you need not promises, but real things. But now the United Provinces are in a state of war with France, and the Empire and France are in a state of cooperation. The Empire cannot station its troops into the United Provinces at this time." Joseph was also helpless.

Heinsius was silent again, and Joseph said: "In fact, in the empire's continental strategy, the Union Province has absolutely a place, and this status even surpasses the traditional partner Portugal. Assuming that the Union Province did not reach cooperation with His Highness this time, it would not be relevant. The Empire would never allow France to annex the Union Province, nor would it allow Union Province to be buried with Britain. After the war, the Union Province capital gained much freedom beyond Britain, and the colonial cooperation we just discussed would not be affected too much."

As soon as these words came out, a flame ignited in Heinsius's chest. This flame was called hope, but soon a basin of cold and cold water extinguished the flame. Joseph said, "...The only difference is that the speaker of the Union Province in the future will never be called Heinsius. If the Orange family would not be responsible for the failure of this war, then my old friend, Lord Heinsius, will definitely become the person in charge and victim of the failure of the war. Although it is very regrettable, at least you don't have to worry or hesitate now."

"I know, you are threatening me." Heinsius said very clearly.
Chapter completed!