"The French have surrendered!"
Once the news spread, all of Europe erupted. Though the Anti-French Alliance had been advancing triumphantly all along and everyone had long expected France to be finished this time, the news still left them stunned.
There was no other reason—the French had surrendered far too quickly. According to mainstream opinion, most people had believed France could hold out until the end of 1892, and some had even optimistically estimated that the French could last until 1893.
The war ending early was naturally a good thing for ordinary people. Without any government organization, civilians spontaneously held celebrations. Aside from the French, people across Europe were immersed in the joy of victory.
At Vienna Palace, Franz became busy as soon as the Continental War ended. Though contingency plans had been prepared in advance, politics was fluid, and one had to adapt to the circumstances.
At the very least, the mess of internal power struggles in France had exceeded Franz's expectations. If it had not truly happened, who would have believed that a plot fit only for novels could actually unfold in the real world?
Setting down the documents in his hand, Franz rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Does the current Paris Revolutionary Government have the ability to control France?"
"Difficult!"
Foreign Minister Wessenberg analyzed, "The situation in France is far too chaotic. The current Paris Revolutionary Government is merely the nominal government of France. Its grip on Paris itself is insufficient, let alone on other places.
Neither Napoleon III nor Napoleon IV is an ordinary figure. Over the three or four decades of their rule, the Bonaparte Dynasty established deep roots in France.
Although the Bonaparte Dynasty has now been overthrown, the local officials loyal to them have not been purged.
These people simply do not recognize the Paris