I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 141: Revised - 141 Conditions

Chapter 141: Revised: Chapter 141 Conditions

This was the first time Shire was called to the command post by Gallieni during his vacation.

Shire was taking a nap at the time.

Several factories started on track under Dejoka’s management, except the aircraft factory that was too far from Davaz Town, making it inconvenient for Dejoka to manage.

Therefore, Shire had his own time to do his own things.

Just as Shire woke up and was in a groggy state, the voice of Lauren came from outside the door: "Lieutenant, the General wants you to return to the command post immediately!"

...

On the way, Shire learned about the rough situation of the battle: over a thousand casualties and the loss of 59 CA-1 tanks and 15 "Saint Chammon" tanks.

Most "Saint Chammon" tanks were not destroyed by the enemy but got stuck in shell craters, remaining unnoticed by the Germans for a considerable time.

Even so, the French engineers still couldn’t tow them back from the battlefield; these big guys were too heavy, 27 tons with tracks, stuck in craters, unmovable by several cars.

Then, after the rain eased a bit, tragedy struck again. The German Army discovered these tanks and bombarded the area. Not only were the "Saint Chammon" tanks shattered by the artillery shells, but hundreds of engineers were also injured or killed, along with the loss of more than a dozen vehicles.

Lauren sighed: "No one expected the highly anticipated ’Saint Chammon’ to perform so poorly on the battlefield. Xia Fei even invited reporters from major newspapers to gather at Lafox, intending to immediately promote after the victory, but now, it’s like shooting oneself in the foot!"

Shire was indifferent.

Xia Fei’s hero image was established in France by capitalists using propaganda tools - a stabilizing force. The capitalists wouldn’t let him fall easily, especially during wartime.

On the other hand, the right-wing supported CA-1 and the left-wing supported Schneider’s "Saint Chammon." They both had control over propaganda tools, and newspapers and media not under their control could be dealt with using money and transactions.

Thus, the final outcome of this matter would likely be diverting focus or handling it coldly. As time goes on, people will forget, and it won’t affect Xia Fei.

Sure enough, as Shire stepped out of the car, he heard someone whispering:

"I heard it was a tank design flaw, causing heavy losses for the military!"

"Yes, it has nothing much to do with the soldiers fighting bravely!"

"It’s because the designers didn’t understand the battlefield conditions; they were detached from reality!"

...

This is the magic power of controlling the narrative. The capitalists cleverly divert people’s attention towards the military, soldiers, and designers, letting them pick one to be responsible.

But actually, none of them were relevant to the matter. The ones who truly needed to take responsibility had already taken a large sum of money from the military and continued to hide behind the scenes.

Gallieni saw Shire come up and directly walked into the lounge. He was sitting in a chair with a pale face, helplessly saying: "What you were worried about has indeed happened, Lieutenant. Our tanks were completely in a passive position without even seeing the enemy."

This was within Shire’s expectations. The tank crew’s outward view was limited to a small observation hole, and during the battle, there was heavy and even torrential rain, making it impossible to see the enemy clearly.

"Can your tanks work?" Gallieni asked.

Shire’s attitude was ambiguous: "It should be okay, I am not sure, General!"

Shire was not in a hurry. If the military hoped for a breakthrough in the frontline, they had to consider tanks, and now Shire was the only tank manufacturer left. The military had no choice but to purchase.

Therefore, Shire did not need to make any promises to the military. He posed with a "take it if you want, if not, forget it" attitude, looking indifferent!

Gallieni seemed to see through Shire’s thoughts, he smiled slightly, gently tapping his finger on the table, his tone turning stern: "Lieutenant, I need a detailed evaluation report on the tanks produced by the Shire Tractor Factory within half an hour, can you do it?"

Shire was stunned, this tactic again?

Then Gallieni added: "You’re not going to tell me you don’t understand this tank, are you?"

"No, General, I understand this tank!" Shire could only reply.

"Very good!" Gallieni nodded in satisfaction: "So are you going to tell me in the evaluation report or give me an answer directly now?"

Shire straightened up and said: "Reporting to the General, Shire’s tanks can break through the enemy’s front lines, but under conditions!"

"What conditions?" Gallieni asked with interest.

Shire replied: "I need Colonel Brownie of the Fifth Army and his regiment!"

Gallieni nodded in agreement.

Colonel Brownie was the first commander to cooperate with Shire, known to the world from the Battle of the Marne River. People called Shire "the inventor" and Brownie "the commander."

It was reasonable for Shire to request the regiment led by Colonel Brownie.

"Anything else?" Gallieni asked.

"Perhaps I need the First Aviation Squadron!" Shire added.

Gallieni agreed without much thought; it was originally the unit commanded by Shire, not much of a request.

Then Shire lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of hesitation: "I also need an artillery colonel, his name is Estiny!"

Gallieni was taken aback: "Estiny? Who is he?"

Shire’s voice became even lower: "The developer of CA-1..."

"No, that’s impossible!" Gallieni looked at Shire in confusion: "If he developed the CA-1, he is from the right-wing faction!"

The right-wing faction had conflicts and contradictions with Shire, Gallieni knew who had tricked Shire into going to Antwerp.

And now Shire wanted to join forces with the right-wing faction?

"No, General!" Shire explained: "It’s just Colonel Estiny, I have no intention of joining forces with the right-wing faction. Colonel Estiny for some reason designed the CA-1 for the right-wing faction, he has approached me!"

Shire’s explanation reminded Gallieni: "The guy who was beaten up by Lauren a few days ago?"

Lauren had reported this to Gallieni, but Gallieni didn’t pay much attention at that time.

"Yes!" Shire nodded: "I need him to train the tank troops!"

Brownie was more suited to act as a frontline commander on the battlefield; he only needed to "know the facts" and then conduct operations following a set system of rules.

But Colonel Estiny, he must "know the reasons" because only understanding and fully grasping Shire’s military theory of coordinated combat, could he be a qualified instructor to train the troops.

Gallieni replied expressionlessly: "I reserve judgment on this, I will investigate thoroughly before giving you an answer!"

As he spoke, Gallieni shook his head slightly, seemingly saying this little guy was too easily trusting, if Colonel Estiny was sent by the right-wing faction, you would lose everything!

Then Gallieni coldly snorted, if Estiny was indeed a spy, he would regret it!

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