I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 163: Revised - 163 Military Report

Chapter 163: Revised: Chapter 163 Military Report

This is indeed a problem: 44 divisions, millions of soldiers, to learn to use hand grenades in a short time.

Although using hand grenades is quite simple, in principle, you just need to pull the fuse and throw it.

But without a strict usage protocol on the battlefield, deploying millions of hand grenades to millions of soldiers at once would inevitably cause more accidents.

Shire suggested a feasible plan: "We can convert tank unit soldiers into instructors. As long as we send them to the front line to train the troops, they can quickly teach them how to use hand grenades!"

Colonel Brownie’s unit has more than a thousand men. They’ve undergone grenade throwing training and even have combat experience; they can be dispersed to the front lines to train different units.

But this plan was quickly rejected by Gallieni.

"How long have they trained?" Gallieni asked leisurely.

"Two weeks, General!" Shire stood up and replied.

Gallieni asked again: "Did they spend these two weeks solely on grenade training?"

Shire was stunned.

He understood what Gallieni was implying: During these two weeks, the main focus was on tank-infantry coordination, Lieutenant. They spent no more than two days on grenade training. Are you planning to make soldiers who trained for two days instructors? Then have them teach front-line soldiers how to use grenades?

"Do you know what consequences this could have?" Gallieni stuffed the remaining bread into his mouth, took some time to swallow, and, still disregarding his image, picked his teeth with his pinky, continuing, "We wouldn’t just fail to meet our goals. We might also lose our only tank unit. I don’t think they would all return if we sent them to the front line!"

This is a fact; no one can guarantee where the front-line shells and bullets will land.

Shire thought, then we can only pull the troops back for training.

But Shire didn’t say it, because it’s simply impossible; the defense line wouldn’t allow any gap, or else the enemy would flood in like a tide.

Suddenly, Shire had an idea: "Why don’t we publish a military newspaper?"

"A military newspaper?" Gallieni’s eyes lit up.

"Yes!" Shire said, "A newspaper targeted at front-line soldiers. We can publish hand grenade usage protocols in the military newspaper or even serially feature photos of the correct throwing posture!"

Gallieni thought for a moment, then nodded slightly: "It’s an interesting idea. Moving forward, we might have many similar pieces of knowledge to disseminate or need to communicate certain tactical thoughts to the entire army. These things are generally impossible to accomplish in a short time. But if we had a military newspaper..."

However, Gallieni thought of another problem. He looked up at Shire: "Do you think front-line soldiers would be willing to pay for these newspapers?"

Shire was speechless.

Some soldiers might be willing to buy it, since the knowledge published in the military newspaper could potentially save their lives.

However, front-line soldiers might think: Isn’t this something the government should do? We shed blood and sacrifice lives for the government on the front lines, and the government wants us to pay for a newspaper? Is the government trying to exploit our hard-earned money like capitalists?

But if the military generously says: It’s free.

Another problem arises: If we publish a million copies daily, with a cost of two shillings per copy, that totals ten thousand francs.

Ten thousand francs daily!

"Well, it’s not feasible!" Shire dejectedly rejected the plan.

This isn’t true; Shire knew this was the only effective and quick solution. He also knew Gallieni wouldn’t give up so easily.

Sure enough, Gallieni took the bait.

Gallieni thought for a moment and said: "No, this could work!"

"We might not recoup the costs!" Shire opposed: "No one would be willing to do this!"

Actually, Shire was willing. It’s not about money but something more important than money: discourse power and influence over the military.

Any slight inclination in the content could cause a huge reaction within the army.

This is power, the right-wing’s dream of influence over the military!

But not everyone can publish a military newspaper; without a military background, it might be impossible to get involved.

"What if..." Gallieni said thoughtfully, "What if we don’t just target the military but the public too?"

"Target the public?" Shire feigned confusion: "The public wouldn’t be interested in learning how to throw hand grenades!"

Gallieni turned his gaze towards Shire, a peculiar look in his eyes: "But what if it includes the latest news about Shire? Our military newspaper would certainly have the most accurate news about Shire. Don’t you think the public would be interested in that?"

Shire was stunned; he hadn’t thought of this. He had only considered that the military newspaper could feature camp life and battlefield conditions, and many families of soldiers would want to know about the front-line situation.

Who knew Gallieni was planning to use Shire as a selling point.

But this coincided with Kobudo’s idea: using Shire’s popularity and prestige to support a newspaper.

At the same time, it would be a military-backed newspaper, avoiding the risk of drawing too much attention and putting Shire on the front lines—perfect!

"I suppose!" Shire maintained his composure: "If we don’t consider the issue of leaks..."

"Major Fernan will tell you what’s a leak and what’s not!" Gallieni interrupted Shire.

"What do you mean?" Shire pretended to be surprised: "General, are you..."

"This might be something only you can do, Lieutenant!" Gallieni spread his hands: "No one else has this kind of experience and resources. Who else but you?"

"But the funding..."

Gallieni interrupted Shire: "I will apply to Parliament. Publishing a military newspaper has its necessity. However, the funds may not be enough for its publication. I need to find a capitalist to collaborate..."

Shire asked cautiously: "You’re not suggesting that this capitalist is Shire, right?"

"You guessed it, Lieutenant!" Gallieni straightened up, with a smile on his face: "I bet he would want to cooperate with us. Wouldn’t you say?"

"I’ll think about it!" Shire reluctantly replied.

In fact, he was secretly laughing inside. This old fox thought he could accomplish everything by paying a fraction. He didn’t realize Shire had the same idea: pay a fraction yet gain a majority of control. Why not?

Not paying would make Shire uneasy. Without shares, he’d have no control and would merely be working for the military newspaper.

"By the way, General!" Shire added a question: "If we need assistance from non-military personnel, would that be an issue?"

Gallieni replied impatiently: "Then issue them a conscription order!"

Shire "um-ed," it was a simple and direct solution!

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