I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 190: The Iron Hook Tank

Chapter 190: Chapter 190: The Iron Hook Tank

Shire had not visited the tractor factory for some time, he found that as business expanded, trivial matters also increased unknowingly.

For example, an "appointment" with Steed, and tactical guidance at the tank base and flying club.

Colonel Brownie and Carter would frequently call Shire during vacations to ask questions, they even hoped Shire could provide personal guidance, Shire couldn’t simply answer: "Wait until tomorrow when I go back to work!"

After all, this was not just a matter of training, it also concerned Shire’s business: if the tank and airplane units could not achieve victory, then Shire’s tanks and airplanes might not receive orders from the military, and without orders, there would be no profit.

So, this could only be called a kind of "after-sales service", an "after-sales service" to obtain more orders.

Shire thought, sometime he should talk to Gallieni: if business affairs occupied Shire’s personal vacation, then Shire’s personal matters should naturally occupy service time.

But Shire thought this wouldn’t be useful, Gallieni would most likely reply: "You can refuse to deal with business during personal vacation!"

"That’s what you said, can I refuse during vacations if there’s a war?"

"Suit yourself, as long as you can handle the pressure from the public!"

Shire sighed deeply, Gallieni knew Shire’s weakness, Shire dared not destroy his public image easily.

If Shire left his post during a battle because of vacation, his image among the military and civilians would collapse instantly.

Then, what would Shire use to fight against the capitalists?

This might be what people often say "It’s lonely at the top", once you are elevated to a certain height, it’s difficult to live like an ordinary person again, unless one day you fall hard.

The last vacation was the most exhausting, Shire spent an entire day welcoming technical personnel from the Martin Motor Factory.

Conversations, socializing, arranging accommodations, etc.

Shire attached great importance to these talents, at least he wanted to make them feel his importance to them.

During this time, Shire subtly hinted at some future developments in automobiles, such as electric starters, enclosed cabins, three-box cars, electric windshield wipers... Shire only needed to mention a few features of modern cars for them to understand.

(Note: Windshield wipers were invented in 1903 by a woman named Mary Anderson, but for a long time they were manual, requiring the driver to turn the wipers while driving. They were converted to electric and installed on cars in 1923.)

The technicians were astounded, they had long heard that Shire was a hero skilled in developing military equipment, but they didn’t expect him to have research in automobiles?

Moreover, the few casual remarks he made seemed like very good directions for the development of automobiles!

"Why not build some cars?"

"Great idea!" Shire readily agreed: "As long as you can build them, planes, tanks, cars, I’ll take them all! Whatever you need, just say, factory buildings, equipment, materials... Eric, assign a special procurement officer!"

Afterward, Shire promised them that as long as they were willing, they could bring their families here to live at any time.

Actually, Shire wasn’t much interested in civilian automobiles.

Military equipment had high profits and quick cash returns, with a bunch of things waiting for him to invent, joining the automotive industry would offend more capitalists, such as Renault automobiles.

But since the technicians had this enthusiasm, let them research, at worst, just like before, only make racing cars and sell invention patents.

That night, Eric called Shire cheerfully:

"Shire, do you know the technicians’ evaluation of you?"

"They unanimously think you are a visionary, forward-thinking boss! They believe following you has a promising future and financial prospects, some even think they might leave a mark in the history of invention."

"Some of them already plan to settle in Paris long-term!"

"Their only concern is the stalemated battlefield, if one day you could end the war quickly, it would be perfect!"

Shire smiled helplessly, ending the war quickly? That’s not something he could achieve.

...

Finally, it was vacation again, without any other trivial matters, Shire could finally visit the tractor factory with peace of mind.

Arriving at the research department, the scene in front of Shire startled him: next to the "Mark I" tank was a small tank, its skeleton and outline were basically completed, resembling a "Renault" tank.

This was not surprising at all, using the same suspension and a rotating turret, it all looked somewhat similar.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Matthew approached Shire, his face confident with a smile: "We drove it around, much more stable than the ’Mark I’!"

"It can already be driven?" Shire was shocked by the progress.

"Yes!" Matthew nodded: "But we’re unsure about the thickness of the armor."

Colonel Estiny, who was discussing something with workers on the other side, saw Shire, he immediately stopped his actions, shuffled through a pile of documents nearby, pulled out a blueprint and quickly walked towards Shire.

"Very glad to see you, Major!" Estiny said while walking, he presented the blueprint to Shire upon arrival.

"This is its conceptual drawing after completion." Estiny explained while comparing to the entity: "We plan to equip its front with 22MM thick armor..."

"No, 25MM!" Shire interrupted Estiny.

Estiny was somewhat puzzled: "The Germans’ K shell can only penetrate 13MM of steel, I think 22MM is already sufficient."

"25MM!" Shire provided no further explanation.

In fact, Shire didn’t know how to explain, the Germans’ T-shaped anti-tank gun could penetrate 25MM of vertical steel at 200 meters distance, if the front armor was only 22MM thick, it would be very dangerous in actual combat.

With 25MM, there would be no such worry, as the front armor is mostly inclined, its effective thickness would be greater than 25MM.

"Alright!" Estiny was somewhat helpless: "Then... the front of the vehicle might be too heavy!"

Without thinking, Shire pointed to the sketch: "We can add a tail hook at the rear!"

"Tail hook?" Estiny looked puzzled: "But what use does it have?"

Shire replied leisurely: "This light tank will have a significant disadvantage compared to the ’Mark I’, you should have already noticed!"

Estiny looked at Shire in shock.

Matthew also showed disbelief in his eyes: "You just glanced at the sketch and figured out its flaw?"

He intentionally didn’t reveal the answer, thinking Shire might be bluffing.

But Estiny shook his head, saying: "No, Matthew. The Major indeed knows, adding the tail hook is to address its insufficient trench-crossing capability!"

Matthew suddenly understood, he stood still with his mouth open for a while, then shook his head and laughed, convinced.

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