Chapter 408: British Diplomatic Prowess
Since neither side wanted to fight, negotiations were the only option. On May 2, 1866, representatives of Austria and France held secret talks in Naples.
The interests of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were merely an appetizer. What truly mattered was the grand strategy of the two nations dividing up the European Continent.
Before interests, there were no grudges that lasted overnight. Austria and France tacitly shoved responsibility for their military conflict onto the British.
The British were not present anyway and could not defend themselves. Making them carry the blame benefited everyone.
Compared with the Austro-French conflict, the Anglo-French conflict was actually much deeper. In Franz's view, even the Anglo-Austrian conflict was now deeper than the Austro-French one.
The British' petty maneuvers on the African Continent had seriously affected Austria's African strategy. For Franz, who aspired to the localization of Africa, this was something he could not compromise on.
By comparison, Austro-French contradictions were easier to handle. Before they finished dividing up the European Continent, the two nations still had a whole series of interests to exchange.
With common interests binding them together, their conflicts could still be suppressed.
It was instead the colonial conflict between Britain and Austria in Africa that was difficult to resolve. With John Bull's shit-stirring ways, how could he possibly sit by and watch Franz complete his strategic layout?
Austria could not come into conflict with two great powers at once. That was a national policy, and for the sake of safety, France now had to be led into the gutter.
These strategic negotiations over dividing up the European Continent were meant to fool Napoleon III. Once the French took the first step, they could wait to be isolated!
Not isolation on the current level, either. The wariness