Africa Farm Plan

Napoleon IV shook his head, picked up a newspaper, and said, "I imagine you have all read these papers. Every one of them is talking about France's decline.

"Even our domestic papers are equally pessimistic. I trust you all understand what that means.

"If we do not take countermeasures now, then even if we want to strike back later, we will no longer be able to."

Though they were unwilling to admit it, everyone knew full well that France was indeed on the decline.

Especially economically. After suppressing the domestic rebellion, the French economy had fallen all the way back to its 1860 level.

Although it had recovered somewhat over the past two years, it had only caught up to the level of 1870. To return to the peak of 1881 would take at least another three or four years.

One step behind meant falling behind at every step thereafter. France, already economically inferior to England and Austria, had now been left even farther behind by its two rivals.

And now there was the Egypt affair. The prestige the French army had worked so hard to build had been squandered by more than half.

No matter how valid Governor Adolf's reasons for defeat might have been, defeat was defeat. The public would not care about the particulars.

Economic, military, and political blows had descended all at once. If mishandled, the foundations of the government would be shaken.

To consolidate his rule, Napoleon IV now had to show a hardline stance and restore France's majesty.

Wanting and doing had always been two different things. Taking revenge on England and Austria sounded simple, but carrying it out demanded careful thought.

Naval Minister Hamdi Harbawi said, "Your Majesty, though England and Austria are powerful, they are not without weak points.

"The core of