Chapter 92, The Diplomatic Skills of the British

Since neither side wanted to fight, negotiations were the only option. On May 2, 1866, representatives from France and Austria engaged in secret talks in Naples.

The interests of the Kingdom of Sicily were just the appetizer; the main course was the grand strategy for the two countries to divide up the European continent.

When interests are at stake, overnight enmities are forgotten. The military conflicts between France and Austria were tacitly blamed on the British by both parties.

After all, the British weren't present to defend themselves, so letting them take the blame suited everyone.

Compared to the Franco-Austrian contradictions, the contradictions between England and France, and even England and Austria, were actually much deeper. In Franz's view, the Anglo-Austrian contradictions were even deeper than the Franco-Austrian ones.