I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 128 My Tank Does Not Participate in the Bidding

Chapter 128: Chapter 128 My Tank Does Not Participate in the Bidding

(The above image is CA-1 tank, developed by the Father of French Armor, Estiny, who is a colonel of artillery)

Dejoka had also heard about the TAS tank development project, after all, it was a publicly disclosed government initiative.

Therefore, when he and Shire saw the nearly completed "Mark I" tank in the tractor factory’s development department, he worriedly asked, "Have you heard about another new tank under development?"

"Yes, father!" Shire answered, "I heard it was initiated by the Automobile Technical Service Division!"

As Shire spoke, he sized up the "Mark I" tank, contemplating how infantry should cooperate with the tank in an offensive.

"I heard their tanks are equipped with cannons!" Dejoka suggested again, "Should we consider that as well?"

"No!" Shire firmly refused.

Shire knew that was the wrong approach.

Just as novices often want to learn everything they see, people in this era hoped to turn tanks into indomitable "moving fortresses" that could withstand all forms of firepower.

The engine horsepower needed to carry a certain weight, what tasks are dedicated to tanks versus infantry...these must be clear, otherwise, the battlefield would harshly teach a lesson, even if the tank were jointly produced by Xia Fei, the Automobile Technical Service Division, and Schneider.

They might seem "unsurpassable" in the eyes of others, but in Shire’s view, they were "garbage".

The tank developed by the Automobile Technical Service Division was the "Saint Chammon", and the one by the Francis Tractor Factory should be the "CA-1" tank.

The former faced a disastrous defeat in its first battle, wherein a small pit immobilized it, rendering 15 out of 16 tanks immobile in combat, forcing them to be used as mobile artillery in the rear.

The tank was supposed to shield infantry from bullets in the front lines, but it was placed in the rear as a gun mount, making its armor meaningless. It would have been better to use a cannon outright!

The only reason it continued to be used in the army was due to the backing of powerful forces behind its development by the "big three". Eventually, it was relegated to being a transport vehicle...a slow, stall-prone transport vehicle!

As for the "CA-1", 57% were destroyed by enemy fire in their first battle, instilling a psychological shadow in the French soldiers, and it was immediately converted into an assault vehicle by removing the cannons.

In summary, all these so-called tanks, laden with excessive and unnecessary equipment initially, ultimately had everything stripped off after actual combat.

Shire did not believe he needed to worry about competing with this "garbage"!

Joseph, wiping his hands with a cloth, approached and said, "Young Master Shire, the test run will be in two days. Shouldn’t we carefully consider starting mass production?"

Joseph did not seem to have much confidence in the "Mark I".

"No!" Shire’s tone was unquestionable, "Start mass production immediately after the test run succeeds, time waits for no one!"

To Shire, time was not just money, but an opportunity.

He needed to gain experience and talent from the production and combat of the "Mark I" to prepare for the subsequent "Renault" tanks.

"Young Master Shire..." Joseph wanted to say something but was stopped by Dejoka’s glance.

At this moment, Shire was like a stubborn tyrant who wouldn’t listen to any advice, no matter what others said or persuaded!

"He knows what he’s doing!" Dejoka said.

Though Dejoka said this, he thought to himself: A business deal not long ago earned over two million francs, he could afford the losses, let him do what he wants!

...

The sun set beside the sycamore tree, with slanting rays piercing through branches, casting a gleam on the ground, shining on fallen leaves like spreading a golden tablecloth.

Shire and Dejoka, having worked all day in the factory, were just leaving by car.

Upon exiting the gate, they saw a carriage stopped outside. A pair of white horses paired with a black carriage, exuding understated luxury, which was Grevy’s style.

Dejoka looked worriedly around, seeing Lauren and the guards stand on both sides of the road like they were facing a great enemy, some holding rifles in their hands, making him slightly relieved.

Sitting in the carriage, Grevy saw Shire’s car coming out through the window. He opened the door and stepped down, stretching and smiling while waving at Shire.

"Shall we talk?" Grevy’s face full of confidence.

Dejoka stopped the car beside Grevy, with no intention of Shire getting out.

"I don’t think we have much to talk about, Mr. Grevy!" Shire replied.

"We should become allies, Shire..."

"I know what you did!" Shire interrupted Grevy.

Although there was no evidence, Shire knew it was Grevy who tricked him into Antwerp last time. It was indeed a method a schemer like Grevy would come up with.

Grevy knew what Shire meant by this and candidly admitted, "That was due to our respective positions, Shire, things are different now!"

"Nothing is different!" Shire replied decisively.

A hint of confusion flashed in Grevy’s eyes, "You must have heard about Schneider’s new tank development."

Shire nodded expressionlessly.

"So..." Grevy asked, "Don’t you think only by joining forces can we deal with them? That’s Schneider, and Xia Fei, and the Automobile Technical Service Division!"

Upon hearing this, Grevy didn’t see it as a "problem", he even considered it a rare opportunity.

With Schneider as a formidable enemy, it could force Shire to his side. Shire was a smart man, he knew what to do!

God, teaming up with Shire, just the thought of it was exhilarating!

But the truth proved that Grevy overthought...

"This has nothing to do with me, Mr. Grevy!" Shire responded indifferently.

"What do you mean?" Grevy spread his hands.

"My tank is not entering the bid!" Shire replied expressionlessly, "I’m just making it for fun, so it’s a matter between you and Schneider!"

Grevy stared at Shire in shock.

Dejoka, in the driver’s seat, turned his head; unaware of the tank’s non-participation in the bid, he naturally assumed Shire was lying, intending to make Grevy and Schneider fight.

The car gradually drove away, leaving Grevy standing dumbfounded in the same spot.

Before coming here, Grevy had considered many possibilities, but he hadn’t expected this outcome.

Not entering the bid? Then why invest money in tank production?

"For fun"? Grevy certainly wouldn’t take that seriously!

That would mean watching the tigers fight from the mountain! But that seemed unlikely as the winning party would get the order, which Shire wouldn’t get without bidding, meaning he’d be eliminated from the start!

So...

A sudden flash of fear appeared in Grevy’s eyes.

Another possibility was that Shire didn’t take his and Schneider’s tanks seriously at all!

(The above image is the Saint Chammon tank, advanced in having electric drive)

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