The idea of Hansleden was first reported to the Hansa Province Government in New Hamburg Port City, then submitted to the Central Government, and finally reached Ernst.

Sivert, who is now the director of the National Planning Economy Commission, reported the Maputo City Government's plan to Ernst and asked: "Your Highness, what stance should we take on the Maputo matter?"

Ernst: "Indeed, this matter is quite controversial. However, although Hansleden's idea does not align with the understanding of most people in the broader East African context, I see it as a positive step. It is quite meaningful to fully leverage the initiative of local governments based on government plans."

After pondering for a moment, Ernst said: "We will hold off on dealing with this matter and observe the effects. Once Hansleden's term ends, we will assess the specific outcomes. If the results are favorable, we will expand the scope and implement it throughout Hansa Province."

Sivert nodded and said: "Understood, Your Highness means to treat Maputo City as a test field."

"Yes, we have our own national conditions in East Africa. East Africa is a complex country with an economic structure different from most countries in the world. For stable and sustainable development, we must keep experimenting to rectify our system issues. In the current environment, no country offers a perfect system. We need to grasp the balance according to the times."

These words were not only addressed to Sivert but also to Ernst himself. As the actual ruler of East Africa, the Monarchy is something the Heixinggen Royal Family cannot abandon, yet East Africa cannot fully govern by absolute Monarchy without future reckoning of the Royal Family. Striking a balance between the Royal Family and East Africa's system is also a significant goal for Ernst.

The world is not simply black or white, for no one can clearly define black or white. It is said that within black lies white and within white lies black. As long as the knack for "blurring" is mastered, the East African Royal Family can continue to exist.

In fact, what Ernst is considering is East Africa's future ideological issues. This ideology cannot be extreme since they perceive the Monarchy as dispensable. Given this, it is better to stir things up so that under the shadowy uncertainties, all are equally perplexed.

...

February 17, 1898.

While East Africa was busy with economic transformation, the global situation was far from stable. Originally, after the purchase of Mindanao Island incident, the East African Government thought there would be no significant interactions with Spain, yet today, it was unexpectedly pulled into a vortex by France.

"The French Ambassador to East Africa, Gleid, and the Spanish Ambassador to East Africa, William, request an audience with Your Highness."

If it were only the French, Ernst wouldn't know what France's game plan was this time. But with the Spaniards too, and at this sensitive timing, Ernst already had a contingency plan in mind.

"Have them wait in the reception room for a moment!" Ernst instructed.

Before Ernst's arrival, Gleid and William were in communication.

"Ambassador William, it is clear that the Americans are deliberately creating disputes. We certainly stand by your side regarding your country's plight. However, among the world's Great Powers, only we, France, cannot affect the U.S. government's attitude. The other countries remain ambiguous, so we should strive for allies as much as possible. This way, Spain will not fall into a passive situation."

William deeply agreed with Gleid's words, flattering him: "France has always been Spain's best partner. In the European order, we support France. However, the attitude of the East African Government..."

Gleid said: "This need not be worried about. As a Monarchy nation, once we convince the Heixinggen Royal Family, everything else will not be an issue."

William understood this logic as well. Although Spain is also a Monarchy nation, the Spanish Royal Family clearly lacks the power of the Heixinggen Royal Family. His real concern is not about Spain's relationship with East Africa but the reliability of the French acting as intermediaries.

After all, France and East Africa haven't shown much friendship on usual days, and the Heixinggen Royal Family is a branch of the Hohenzollern family, given the relationship between the German Royal Family and the Heixinggen Royal Family...

Of course, although he thought this, William wouldn't say it aloud, since Spain was truly in a bind this time, and the only nation that could help Spain over the hurdle was France.

This is quite understandable. In the current world situation, it is in fact led by several Great Powers. In Japan's immature development stage, the Great Power countries are undoubtedly the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, the United States, Spain, and East Africa, these eight countries. These eight countries basically dominate international situation changes. As for Italy and Portugal from the past, they have already been completely out of the race.

East Africa, as a Great Power, occupying a place among nations capable of dominating the world situation, was actually influenced by the South African War. After the South African War, East Africa's international status rapidly climbed. In fact, due to the British's figurative praise, East Africa's military strength currently surpasses "Spain" and "Austria-Hungary."

Spain, relegated to the Great Powers' goalkeeper, agrees without dispute. After all, they couldn't achieve East Africa's heroic performance in the South African War. Not to mention the British, but even Portugal, which has been kicked from the Great Powers' list, isn't easy to deal with. As Iberian Peninsula neighbors, Spain knows Portugal better.

In fact, if it weren't for the emergence of East Africa, Portugal wouldn't have ended so badly as well. East Africa essentially stepped on Portugal to reach its position, and now Spain faces a similar situation, with the United States aiming to step on Spain as well.

But facing the United States' aggressive approach, Spain lacks confidence. The United States Navy has surpassed the Spanish Navy after development over recent years.

Although the scale difference isn't significant between the two, Spain's outdated weapons and many warships' performance no longer capable of competing with the U.S. Navy, this new rising power.

Indeed, defeating a stronger opponent isn't impossible, just like in the Battle of Lissa where the Austria-Hungary Navy was in a similar situation, yet turned the tide relying on personnel quality.

Spain naturally lacks such ambition. They merely hope their country can achieve the East African Navy's draw performance with the British Royal Navy in the South African naval battle.

Of course, this doesn't represent the stance of most Spaniards, as Spain currently doesn't wish to go to war with the United States. In fact, for decades the United States has been the aggressive one, constantly provoking Spain and aiming to drive Spanish forces out of the Caribbean Sea.

It's still due to location issues, like in the South African War. Why does East Africa have the confidence to simultaneously battle two Great Powers? Mainly because East Africa's location dictates that neither nation can fully target East Africa. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The United States plays the same game; Spaniards can't possibly defeat them right "at the American doorstep." If war breaks out between the two, the advantage from the start is on the U.S. side.

The Spanish government is aware of this, which fosters a fear of war, leading the Spanish government to hope for the International Community to mediate the two countries' conflicts.

Currently, the Spanish government has only managed to win over one supporter: the French Government. However, no matter how capable the French Government is, it cannot directly intervene in the U.S.-Spanish conflict, as the United States seems formidable too.

Of course, it would be best if the U.S. and Spain could avoid war. Hence, the French Government needs to increase its bargaining chips, but after testing European nations' attitudes, the situation is delicate. Under these circumstances, France set its sights on Great Powers outside Europe, and aside from Europe, the only Great Powers are East Africa and the United States.