The Duke of Newcastle spoke cautiously, calming Prime Minister Palmerston's overheated mind a little. He understood that France was not a small country, but a military power on par with the naval power of the Kingdom of Britain. Reckless suspicion without concrete evidence could easily lead to a diplomatic crisis.
If this prompted a second standoff between England and France, his position as Prime Minister would likely come to an end.
[The last standoff between England and France was during the Orleans period, when Thiers, the then-Orleans Prime Minister, faced off with Britain over the issue of Egypt and was subsequently dismissed by Louis Philippe.]
"You're right!" Palmerston replied calmly to the Duke of Newcastle, "We shouldn't be so hasty! How about this:
Return to the Ministry of War immediately and prepare for military action against the Kai Jia Dynasty.
I will send diplomats to find out where exactly this French fleet intends to go!"
