I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 177 The Germans’ Tank

Chapter 177: Chapter 177 The Germans’ Tank

Brad Manor, Francis changed into a brand-new suit and appeared spiritedly in the villa’s living room.

He seemed like a different person, greeting everyone with his head held high and chest out: "Hello, Mr. Grevy, Mr. Arman, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Then, without waiting for a reply, he swaggered over to the sofa and accepted the red wine handed by a servant.

A hint of anger flashed in Arman’s eyes; this guy was taking himself seriously!

Grevy’s eyes always showed disdain, his eyebrows didn’t even move, and he kept staring at the "Merit Newspaper" in his hand.

In Grevy’s view, Francis was someone who didn’t know how to hide his inner thoughts. Once he gained power, he immediately couldn’t grasp his position. Such a person couldn’t achieve great things.

Francis didn’t sense anything unusual and took a sip of red wine smugly, with a serene smile on his face: "Gentlemen, the situation is this, he hopes to reach some sort of consensus with us."

"Us?" Arman asked sarcastically, letting out a sneering laugh.

"He" referred to Schneider, "us"... Francis should be considered "his" member now, right?

"Yes, us!" Francis held his wine glass and waved it towards the two, as if indicating he hadn’t abandoned them, his comrades in misfortune.

Francis didn’t know that what he considered "comrades in misfortune" still didn’t see him as anyone important.

"The cooperation is like this," Francis continued, "he hopes we can support the ’Saint Chammon’ tank to return to the battlefield again..."

Grevy coldly interrupted Francis: "It’s not easy, Francis. Everyone knows the ’Saint Chammon’ is not fit for battle; it has already failed!"

"Yes, that’s a fact," Francis replied, "but we have the parliament, gentlemen, with him plus our cooperation, we can surely gain the majority in parliament..."

Grevy grunted: "But the parliament cannot make decisions that completely go against the will of the citizens. People have already accepted Shire’s tanks. Everyone hopes to purchase more ’Mark I’ rather than ’Saint Chammon’. If we forcibly push ’Saint Chammon’... do you know what will happen?"

Arman smiled and interjected: "Strikes, protest demonstrations, even the army might be involved, then some parliament members will be forced to step down. I don’t think he can accept these outcomes either."

"That’s right, gentlemen!" Francis confidently countered, "But what if we have a reasonable reason?"

Arman crossed his legs and generously gestured to Francis: "Tell us his reason!"

Arman emphasized the word "his".

Francis caught the sarcastic undertone, slightly embarrassed, he cleared his throat: "It’s like this, they made a series of improvements to the ’Saint Chammon’, including the engine, armor thickness, especially figuring out ways to improve its trench-crossing capabilities."

Grevy set down the newspaper, finally glanced at Francis: "But that is not enough to sell to the public, after all, Shire’s tanks have already proven to be the most effective in real combat. People will wonder, why do we need those failed items? Even though they have been improved!"

"You are right, sir," Francis nodded, "but they considered this too. They provided a reason, a perfect reason."

Grevy slightly raised his hand, gesturing to listen.

"The Germans’ tanks, Mr. Grevy." Francis leaned closer, his tone carrying a touch of mystery and excitement, "If the Germans also developed tanks and tailored them to counter Shire’s ’Mark I’ tanks, the Germans even mounted cannons on their tanks, whereas Shire’s tanks only had machine guns, then..."

Grevy understood upon hearing this.

It’s a good idea. This way, people will worry about Shire’s tanks being unable to deal with the Germans’ new tanks.

In their simple minds, images will flash: the machine guns of ’Mark I’ cannot penetrate the enemy tank’s armor, while the enemy’s tank cannon will blast ’Mark I’ to pieces with one shot after another.

Arman asked with interest: "Are the Germans really developing tanks?"

Francis smiled enigmatically, replying: "Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t!"

Whether they are or aren’t is not important. The important thing is, as long as there is such an "opponent", Shire’s tanks will be outdated, and ’Saint Chammon’ will naturally receive orders again and return to the battlefield.

Grevy smiled, Schneider indeed didn’t disappoint him; his methods were extraordinary.

He casually released a "rumor" that exaggerated the enemy, utilizing people’s sense of crisis to turn defeat into victory and get ’Saint Chammon’ back on the battlefield.

The key is that the "rumor" is reasonable.

The Germans can’t just sit idly by. After experiencing the shock and power of ’Mark I’, they will surely come up with countermeasures. Otherwise, they would have to watch helplessly as their land defenses get breached by ’Mark I’ time and again.

In this way, the "rumor" is no longer a "rumor". It is a reasonable assumption, even providing accurate intelligence for France.

Perfect, meticulous, unassailable!

Grevy thought for a while and asked leisurely: "So, what benefit does this bring to us?"

"CA-1 tank!" Francis answered, "He is willing to offer support to us, such as installing higher horsepower engines to increase its speed, along with more reasonable designs and improvements."

Arman raised his eyebrows, seeming quite intrigued.

Colonel Estiny "defected", and Francis along with his tractor factory were sent under Schneider’s control, making the CA-1 tank project virtually impossible to develop further.

If there’s Schneider’s strong assistance, CA-1 might revive.

But Grevy refused without thinking: "I’m not interested."

Francis stared at Grevy in shock: "But Mr. Grevy, this is a tank, please reconsider..."

"Also!" Grevy coldly interrupted Francis: "Tell him to send another person."

Francis was stunned, a flash of fear in his eyes.

He immediately thought of the consequences. If Grevy refused to negotiate with him, he could no longer be the intermediary between the right-wing and Schneider—the bridge. He would be nothing, even risk being ruthlessly abandoned by Schneider.

So...

"I’m very sorry, Mr. Grevy, Mr. Arman!" Francis swallowed hard, looking at the two with terror: "Please believe me, I’ve always stood on your side, always striving to benefit you to the best of my abilities..."

Arman sneered contemptuously; this guy finally realized his position.