Holy Roman Empire

Neighbors, too, began preparing for war, and the French government naturally had no choice. At this point, even if they did not launch a war, the French government could only follow suit in preparing for one.

After all, Napoleon IV did not believe in the so-called good-neighborly friendship. With France's relationships with surrounding countries, once there was an imbalance in power, someone would attack within minutes.

In this age of survival of the fittest, weakness is the greatest sin, and what's more, everyone already has grievances, don't they?
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Since ancient times, military expansion has been seen as a prelude to war. The French government's actions once again exacerbated everyone's panic, and for a while, the European Continent was a place where a storm was brewing.

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London

British Foreign Minister George said, pointing at the map of Europe on the wall, "The plan has been going smoothly overall,

Although we did not incite Austria to send troops to unify the Germany Region, the French have taken the bait.

Under the influence of the tense situation, the Paris Government has already started to expand its military significantly, taking a step that cannot be taken back.

The only inconvenience is that too many nations have been involved, and French diplomacy is utterly trash, having failed to find a single ally, not even managing to hold on to the Spaniards.

Given the current situation, if we do not step in to help, it is highly probable that Austria will form an Anti-French Alliance after the war breaks out, roping in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and other countries to attack the French together."

Expanding the military and preparing for war is no child's play, especially in times of tension. Once the government expands its military, it signals the possibility of war to the outside world.

Capitalists would increase their investments in military-related sectors, while existing military enterprises would expand their production capacity in the shortest possible time.

France had just experienced overcapacity and a surge in unemployment, and with the war on the way, the companies were revitalized at full strength, and workers found employment again.

Capitalists, who had invested real gold and silver, wouldn't agree to halt without seeing returns; similarly, re-employed workers were unlikely to agree either.

Driven by interests, war was inevitable sooner or later. All the French government could decide was who to fight and where to start.

Prime Minister Gladstone nodded, the French not having allies was the basis for an England and France alliance.

Still, a situation like this, one that triggers the vigilance of all neighbors at once, was somewhat unexpected.

"I recall that the Spanish Government is supported by the French, and their relationship has been excellent for years, they wouldn't likely side with Austria, would they?"

After the revolution in Spain, the Bourbon royal family fled to France. Napoleon III made a deal with the Bourbon Dynasty, offering support to Alfonso XII to take the throne in exchange for the Bourbons not causing him trouble.

After Alfonso XII ascended the throne, French-Spanish relations warmed quickly, and the outside world has always suspected there might be an alliance between French-Spanish behind the scene.

Unless there is a significant conflict of interest, the likelihood of a rift between the two countries is minuscule.

George explained, "French-Spanish relations have indeed been friendly for a while, but the contradictions between the two countries are more substantial.

Especially after the death of Alfonso XII, Austrian Archduchess Maria Christina acting as regent brought a fundamental change to Spain's foreign policy, shifting from pro-France to pro-Austria.

The current relationship between France and Spain is just barely maintainable on the surface and far from being an alliance.

Just last week, Austria provided the Spanish Government with an interest-free loan of twenty million Divine Shields. After receiving this loan, the Spanish Government immediately announced the expansion of five infantry divisions.

It's not just Spain; in the past month, Austria has issued loans of varying amounts to Belgium, the German Federation, and Switzerland.

On this front, the French government has been very slow to react. After the events occurred, they also failed to take proper measures to win over the nations but instead sent people to warn and threaten them."

As good neighbors, France and Spain have never been short of conflicts, and in this regard, the Habsburg dynasty has also made a significant contribution.

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However, that happened hundreds of years ago, and it's no longer a matter of hatred; what remains fresh in the memory of the Spaniards is the Anti-French Wars.

If the British conquered the myth of the Invincible Armada and pulled Spain down from its position of maritime dominance, then it was Napoleon who ended the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets for Spain.

Nations such as Mexico, Central America, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, and over a dozen others, with millions of square kilometers of land, all gained independence because of the Anti-French Wars.

To say the Spaniards held no grudges would be utterly impossible. However, France's power was great, Spain's was weak, and with a multitude of internal conflicts, they had no choice but to endure it.

No matter how suppressed, with this grudge underlying Franco-Spanish relations, things couldn't improve. During the lifetime of Alfonso XII, due to the gratitude owed for the restoration, the relationship between the two countries was not bad.

After Maria Christina of Austria became the regent, lacking a monarch friendly to France, the anti-French sentiment naturally surged within the country.

Finance Minister George Childs said, "From this point of view alone, the approach of the French government isn't wrong.

Their relations with their neighbors are already poor, and to attract allies, they have to pay a higher cost.

Just promising benefits won't be believed by anyone; competing with Austria in financial resources is not where they can win.

Their only advantage is the renowned reputation of the French Army. If they can't attract these countries, they might as well intimidate them.

After all, these are all opportunists. As long as France maintains enough strength, these guys won't dare make a move.

Besides, the French government is used to being forceful; if they suddenly lower their status to align with other countries, it would actually provoke negative perceptions instead."

This is a fair point; forging alliances really isn't France's forte. To compete with Austria in this regard is not only draining but unlikely to have a substantial effect; deterrence by force is more effective.

Prime Minister Gladstone frowned. France's situation was worse than anticipated; military intimidation certainly works, but if France and Austria were to reach a stalemate on the battlefield, these countries could become the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

Franz is famed for his generosity towards allies, especially when it involves others' commitments; he's truly beyond reproach.

"The Foreign Office must find a way to keep the countries neutral, otherwise if five join forces against them, the French won't stand a chance!"

The French are confident, which stems from decades of consistent propaganda. The government's higher-ups grew up listening to the idea that the French Army is invincible, deeply ingraining it into their subconscious.

Authorities are often blinded, while outsiders see the situation clearly.

Gladstone was not so confident in the French Army's combat capabilities. In his opinion, indeed the French Army might be the best in the world, but the best is not equivalent to invincible.

Even ants in great numbers can kill an elephant. France doesn't have an assured victory over Austria one-on-one; adding several more adversaries to the equation, the war becomes unwinnable.

Britain aims for both France and Austria to be weakened, not for Austria to take advantage and rise to power. Now it has no choice but to take sides.

Foreign Minister George shook his head, "This will be difficult to achieve unless the French attack Austria from the Italian Area—we would have a way to keep the nations neutral.

Otherwise, we can only make Spain remain neutral, at most adding Switzerland to that.

They are a neutral country, and as long as the French don't provoke trouble, the Foreign Office is confident of persuading the Swiss Government to stay neutral."

It's a situation without a solution when France and Austria clash over Belgium and the German Federation. It's impossible for Beide Countries to remain neutral if France attempts to annex their territories.

Prime Minister Gladstone nodded helplessly; initially, both Beide Countries were supported as subordinates, but now, for the sake of the Empire's interests, they must be forsaken.

Thinking of this, Gladstone's headache intensified. Both Beide Countries are part of the House of Gotha; if the French are defeated, so be it. But if the French win the war, Gotha's loss could be devastating.

If it were known that he orchestrated this affair, Queen Victoria herself might have the heart to have him beheaded; now Gladstone didn't even dare to visit the Palace.

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