I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 489: After modification - 489 Collaboration with Pet

Very soon, the news of Shire helping Verdun spread throughout the streets and alleys of France, with major newspapers vying for coverage, and "Little Daily" being particularly prominent:

"It’s unimaginable, Verdun is no longer Shire’s defensive zone, so why is he still sparing no effort to provide assistance to Verdun?"

"Even if this battle is won in the end, the credit will go to Petain, doesn’t he know that?"

"No, Shire knows."

"But Shire doesn’t care about fa and fortune; he is more concerned about the safety of the country and the lives of soldiers."

"From this perspective, we can understand why Shire is doing this. This is undoubtedly a noble quality..."

People were excitedly cheering, discussing Shire’s unselfish behavior everywhere on the streets and in the lanes:

"He not only possesses military genius but also a great soul."

"I think this has to do with his age and experience. He is only eighteen years old, almost free from the contamination of politics and capital, so he is different from other politicians and capitalists."

"France needs such a general who can abandon self-interest and unite the army. He can lead us to stand against external threats!"

...

The "rit Newspaper" always maintained a low profile, after all, this was a newspaper directly controlled by Shire.

However, a few days later, it consecutively reported on the role of new landmines in Verdun:

"The most common one is an anti-infantry mine. Its advantage is its simple structure and low cost, allowing for mass production in a short period. This anti-infantry mine, when paired with reverse slope fortifications, almost makes it impossible for the enemy to move forward."

"Next up is an anti-tank mine. These have been planted in passes between high grounds and have blown up several tanks."

"The most formidable is a type of jumping mine. It can bounce to a height of one ter and explode, causing extensive damage to enemy infantry. The Germans are terrified at the re ntion of it!"

...

Not a single word in the article ntioned Shire, yet everywhere there was Shire.

Because everyone knew these mines were invented by Shire, especially the kind that could jump to a height of one ter and explode; no one had heard of such a mine before.

People curiously speculated:

"What makes that mine jump?"

"How does it control the explosion at one ter height?"

"This is so miraculous. Shire’s inventions can overco everything. He always brings us surprises!"

...

Everything was developing just as Shire had anticipated.

Shire knew that under the pressure of war, people would naturally lean towards generals who could win battles, as this brought them a sense of security and pride and could even save their lives.

However, Shire felt he still needed to et with Petain, otherwise, the sixty-year-old Petain might be driven mad by such public opinion and atmosphere, or simply lose face and beco Shire’s enemy.

...

Shire was not wrong.

That afternoon, when Shire arrived at the Saint Michael Fortress to see Petain, Petain did not give Shire a good face.

"Isn’t this ’Mars of France’?" Petain looked directly at Shire with sarcasm: "You’re here to teach how to fight a war, right? I’m listening!"

"No, General," Shire answered. "I am here to collaborate with you."

"Collaborate?" Petain laughed. "We’ve always been collaborating. Look, I’m using your tactics and equipnt right now."

Petain cursed inwardly. He must be here to mock . I’m like a puppet in his hands, yet I can’t refuse.

Now, he wants to ’collaborate’ with ?!

However, Petain had a profound respect for Shire in his heart.

He knew that the reason for "being treated like a puppet yet unable to refuse" was because Shire’s plans were always the ultimate solutions that couldn’t be changed.

Or if changed, it must co at the cost of soldiers’ lives or the failure of the battle.

For example, the anti-infantry mines, anti-tank mines, jumping mines... could he refuse?

Shire did not take Petain’s sarcasm to heart.

Petain was not an obstinate person, he just needed a way out. As people aged, their temper could get like a child’s, unwilling to be defeated by an eighteen-year-old boy.

"I know our operational philosophies differ, General," Shire said. "But this will not beco an obstacle to our collaboration because we have a common enemy."

Petain raised his eyebrows: "A common enemy? You an the Germans? No, you can defeat them on your own; you don’t need ."

This was indeed Petain’s honest thought.

He watched Shire’s new tactics and equipnt being introduced to Verdun one by one, and under his watchful eyes, defeating the Germans embarrassingly, sotis lanting he couldn’t keep up with the tis.

Shire sighed inwardly. This was where he felt sorry for Petain.

Petain’s defensive tactics were originally suited for trench warfare in World War I.

But Shire had raised the tactical level of both sides, leaving Petain behind and making him outdated.

"No, General," Shire said seriously. "I am not referring to the Germans."

Petain looked puzzled at Shire, but said nothing.

This guy is waiting for to ask, Petain thought to himself, but I won’t ask!

To conceal it, he opened the docunts in front of him, pretending to review them, signing while calmly responding: "If it’s not about the Germans, there’s no need to discuss it, Brigadier. I’m very busy."

Shire ignored him and continued:

"You must not know who the new commander-in-chief is, am I right?"

"It’s Nivelle, General."

Petain was stunned, looking up in surprise at Shire: "No, he is just a corps commander, a Major General, and has no rits."

"I know," Shire nodded. "He used to be your subordinate. While you are fighting here, he is maneuvering in the rear, vying to beco the commander-in-chief of France to lead our battle."

Shire got the news from "Lady in White."

He was not surprised at all. To him, it was sothing that had happened before.

Petain slowly closed the docunts, dazed for a while, then sighed lightly.

He was not particularly bitter about his forr subordinate becoming the commander-in-chief, it was common in the army.

But Petain knew Nivelle; he was not an eligible commander, even worse than Xia Fei.

Shire voiced Petain’s thoughts:

"Xia Fei is only incompetent, he always assigns tasks to others."

"Nivelle, however, is ignorant. Ignorant, arrogant, yet unaware."

"Having such a person as the commander-in-chief of France would be a disaster, am I not right?"

"This is not sothing I can stop alone, General!"

Petain looked at Shire confused: "You seem to know Nivelle very well?"

Shire played dumb: "I have my intelligence channels, General."

Shire was hinting at "Lady in White."

But that was not the case; historically, Nivelle always claid to end the war victoriously within days, but repeatedly t with failure in prolonged battles.

More precisely, disastrous defeats!