Crisis and Opportunity

"Ernst, according to the latest intelligence, the French have failed again in their war with the Far East Empire at Keelung!" Ferdinand said with undisguised glee.

The news had been relayed by the Pacific Fleet. Since Keelung was close to the military base in the Southern Ryukyu Islands, the East African Navy had received firsthand information.

The war between the Far East Empire and France had actually begun last year, though the Far East Empire had not formally declared war on France until August of this year. And according to Ernst's prediction, this war would still end with a thunderous beginning and a feeble finish.

It was not that the Far East Empire lacked fighting strength, but that its desire to fight was weak and the upper ranks of its government could never make up their minds. In recent years, the Far East Empire's weapons and equipment had improved greatly, and it had gained the upper hand in conflicts and wars against Tsarist Russia, Japan, and the United States. Yet whenever negotiations began, it always ended in concessions and compromises. It was simply a helpless Adou that could not be propped up.

Ernst already knew the outcome of this war, so he had no interest in the Far East Empire's predicament.

"Has the war affected our trade routes with the Far East Empire?" Ernst asked.

"Of course not. Even if the main naval battlefield is in the Taiwan Strait, the British will be the first to panic. Besides, we can bypass Taiwan from the east," Ferdinand continued. "And the Pacific Fleet can provide escort services for our merchant ships at any time."

At this point, the importance of the Southern Ryukyu Islands became apparent. Moreover, the only powers with ambitions for this region were Japan and East Africa, and East