The sudden arms race disrupted many people's plans, Austria included.
In fact, the Vienna Government had once considered provoking an arms race, but that was all in the past.
Ever since deciding to implement the Near East Development Plan, Franz had abandoned that tempting scheme. There was no other reason for it—poverty.
Austria simply could not afford to pursue infrastructure construction on one front while playing an arms race on the other.
Starting an arms race was easy. The real question was how to wrap it up afterward. If they kicked off such a meaningful campaign only to find their pockets empty, they would make complete fools of themselves.
This was not merely a matter of saving face. More importantly, it was a way to display strength to the nations of the world. The greater one's strength, the easier it was to find followers in international politics.
Of course, there were occasional exceptions, when it might backfire instead. How exactly things played out depended on everyone's political skill.
It had to be admitted that the British had picked their timing well. This was indeed the best opportunity to force France and Austria into submission. Once this window passed and the two nations completed their strategic plans, the situation would undergo a heaven-shaking reversal.
Even if they could not suppress both nations in one stroke, they still had to curb their arrogant momentum and show the world who truly ruled this era.
Setting down the documents in his hand, Franz frowned and asked, "So we have no choice but to accept the challenge?"
Foreign Minister Wessenberg replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!
"The British calculated the timing precisely. If we back down now, the outside world will think Austria fears Britain.
"According to news from our embassy in Paris, the French Government has