Chapter 405: Great Powers Want Meat
In Paris, Napoleon III had been left dizzy by this windfall that had dropped from the heavens.
France's diplomatic situation had always been poor. The European nations all excluded them, openly or otherwise, and left them out of many activities altogether.
Among Europe's four great powers, France had the least political influence. Any slightly excessive move on their part would make their neighbors act as if a great enemy stood before the gates, immediately mustering and preparing their forces.
After Napoleon III ascended the throne, he had made many efforts to improve the diplomatic environment, yet they had still borne little fruit.
The governments of every country spoke beautifully enough, but in practice they continued to guard against France with the utmost vigilance. Especially after the annexation of the Kingdom of Sardinia, a joint defensive alliance had emerged directly.
At first, Napoleon III had been somewhat worried, afraid that another Anti-French Alliance would arise. As time passed, however, he grew accustomed to it.
Let them guard against France if they wished. Those countries did not dare cross the line anyway. Their neighbors' actions merely proved France's strength from another angle.
Having been emperor for so long, and having been flattered for so long, it was inevitable that he would become somewhat carried away.
As time passed, Napoleon III's ambitions grew day by day. Fortunately, France had not won the Near East War; otherwise, he would have become even more intoxicated with success.
Even so, faced with the joint defenses of the various nations, Napoleon III still did not dare act recklessly. He possessed at least that much self-awareness.
To break the deadlock, Napoleon III had also made many efforts, such as maintaining good relations with the United Kingdom and Austria as much as possible.