Chapter 107, Prologue

Any grand strategy requires long-term preparation and cannot be achieved overnight. The primary strategy for Austria now is to promote the Second Industrial Revolution and develop the African Continent.

The Middle East Region can only come second; as for other strategies, they are like trying to catch hares by spreading hay—that is, success would be welcome, but failure is not an issue.

If we can hold on for a few more decades, the situation will be set. This is what we have learned from the Americans: Regardless of other factors, there is always something to be gained from the experience of the successful.

To cheat the various nations into a trap is not easy, especially now when it is an era full of heroes and there are just too many clever people around.

In recent years, the French have been keeping a low profile and digesting their victories, and Napoleon III's health has started to deteriorate; hence, they are currently busy paving the way for Napoleon IV.