Exchange of Interests

Franz's mouth twitched after hearing this. "They really know how to stir things up!"

Britain had always acted like a shit-stirring rod. Most European countries, especially those like the Austro-Hungarian Empire that had received Britain's "special attention," knew this perfectly well.

"Now that the Boers should count as their own people too, they are still playing that balancing game. But that does fit the British's usual methods."

Franz felt little affection for Britain, but there was one thing he truly admired: Britain's methods were indeed superb. Leaving aside everything else, mainland Britain consisted of three parts, and with Ireland added, four parts. Yet England's ability to keep the other three firmly in its grasp was enough to earn Franz's admiration.

After all, within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria simply could not keep Hungary in check. Behind Hungary stood a whole pile of states and regions eager to follow Hungary's lead and cause trouble.

If Austria possessed England's capabilities, it would at least let Hungary taste the power of the Irish Great Famine. But Britain was, after all, an island nation and less susceptible to foreign interference, so the two countries were still vastly different.

"If you cannot settle things with Britain, we can provide some support as well. We cannot step forward directly, but we can still help you deal with some troubles," Franz said.

East Africa's status was different now, so it had value worth courting. If it were still that East African colony huddled within "Tanganyika," it would probably receive nothing but, "Who is East Africa? I don't know it."

"Heh heh, that will not be necessary. East Africa's main priority now is still economic development, so it will be enough if the Austro-Hungarian Empire gives us a little more leeway in areas such as education, technology, and culture,"