I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 769: Victory Is Not Spoken

The night at the Bourbon Palace, Briand hastily organized a eting.

At this ti, the news that Shire had recaptured tz and achieved a major victory at the use River had spread throughout the streets of Paris.

Even though it was a ti of warti rationing and streetlights were no longer lit, people were too excited to sleep.

They flooded the streets, lighting torches or gathering around bonfires to praise Shire’s achievents, thanking him for bringing France an unprecedented victory, and looking forward to the end of the war.

In the eyes of Parisian citizens, as long as the French Army could reach the pre-war border line, it could be called "territorial recovery."

But if Lorraine and Alsace could be recovered, it would be even better, as it would cleanse the sha of the Franco-German War and reclaim the rich mineral resources of those two regions.

Now, the war is almost over, right?

The Germans should recognize the reality, know they are no match for Shire, and prepare for surrender!

Therefore, Shire is everything to France; he is the one who led France to victory and achieved today’s accomplishnts and glory.

Briand knew he was powerless to change this, but he still wanted to make one last struggle.

"Gentlen!" Briand stood at the podium, puffing out his chest and trying to appear confident: "Let share so good news with you: Shire’s troops recaptured tz around 11:10 this morning, and the German Army is in full retreat. The war is now nearing its end."

The eting room erupted into enthusiastic applause.

Sitting in the audience, Clenceau appeared sowhat confused.

Shouldn’t he be working to downplay Shire’s achievents?

Why is he boldly announcing this victory in such a manner?

Briand smiled slightly:

"Yet another great victory, a miracle."

"Shire has once again proven himself with his courage and strength, proving that France is invincible."

"He is a hero of France, a model for everyone, and there’s no doubt about that."

Another round of applause followed, with no one opposing this.

Clenceau grew increasingly puzzled, turning to exchange a glance with Steed in the back, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

At this mont, Briand changed the topic:

"But we must also pay our highest respects to General Ganlin and the Second Specialized Artillery Division."

"They cooperated with Shire’s operations, using themselves as bait to lure the German Army’s main force out of tz."

"In this scenario, Shire’s First Armored Army was able to quickly penetrate and achieve victory so easily!"

The parliant mbers, out of habit, applauded.

Many people didn’t know what had happened; they assud that what Briand said was the truth, and so even naturally thought that it was a joint operation by Briand and Shire.

It was then that Clenceau realized Briand’s intention.

A clever tactic, if Shire’s credit cannot be erased, then share in the accolades.

Only in this way, people won’t compare Ganlin’s failure with Shire’s victory, but instead see them as one.

It’s difficult for Shire to explain.

Because Ganlin’s troops indeed led the German Army’s main force to Nancy.

Briand shifted the focus to the Second Specialized Artillery Division:

"You can’t imagine what the Second Specialized Artillery Division sacrificed for this battle."

"They suffered over ten thousand casualties and endured trendous pressure."

"They even withstood the Germans’ new anti-tank guns, as the ’Shire A1’ tanks were vulnerable to this new anti-tank weapon."

"If Shire hadn’t known about this, his First Armored Army would have suffered a fatal blow."

...

Clenceau watched Briand’s performance coldly, with a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.

He knew what Briand aid to do: using soldiers’ sacrifices to bind everyone, including Shire and the French people.

One day, if Shire were to deny Briand’s claims, it would turn into a denial of the Second Specialized Artillery Division’s blood sacrifices, which would cause dissatisfaction in the grassroots troops and might even lead to confrontation between the Eastern Army Group and Shire.

Briand continued:

"I believe, when we achieve victory, we should not only see the victory itself."

"We should also see everyone who contributed to this victory—their blood, sweat, and lives."

"They are all heroes of our France, and should be rembered by us, and of course, they should receive the honor they deserve!"

...

Just then, Shire pushed the door open and walked in, his uniform wet and dripping, with mud on his boots and pants, and his face blackened by smoke, revealed under the light.

He ford a sharp contrast with the elegantly dressed parliant mbers in their suits, looking sowhat shabby at first glance, but exuding an invisible pressure on the entire room with his aura of death.

At that mont, the parliant grew unprecedentedly silent.

Everyone looked silently at this General who, in one day, captured the city that had been a French dream for decades, watching him enter the hall and sit in the position closest to Briand, then casually gesture to Briand: "Please continue, Mr. Pri Minister."

Briand’s display of confidence and courage instantly vanished without a trace.

Standing onstage was no longer a Pri Minister, but an awkward and embarrassed old man, as if caught in a brothel, utterly exposed to everyone.

He was on pins and needles, stamring.

After a while, he feigned calmness and smiled at Shire: "Welco, General, as the victor who recaptured tz, I think everyone would prefer to hear your speech."

Saying this, Briand ekly stepped aside from the podium.

"Alright." Shire nodded in response: "Since you say so."

He calmly stood up, amid applause and cheers, and walked to the podium.

"Gentlen." Shire said: "If you want to hear the story of recapturing tz, then I might disappoint you, because victory is earned on the battlefield, not spoken of."

The mbers burst into laughter.

Shire cleverly inford everyone that Briand was using rhetoric to steal the glory.

Briand was extrely embarrassed, even under the lights, his face was visibly flushed as if drunk.

Shire continued:

"I ca back this ti not because of victory, but rather, because of sha."

"Can you imagine?"

"While our soldiers are bleeding and sacrificing on the front lines, laying down their lives for citizens’ resources, there are people in the rear selling precious oil and resources to the Germans."

The parliant mbers discussed in alarm, is such a thing possible?

That is absolutely unacceptable, even the most profit-seeking capitalists wouldn’t do such a foolish thing, because once exposed, they would lose everything, becoming traitors.

Clenceau showed a smug smile, knowing that Shire had successfully delivered the oil to the Germans.

No, it was Briand who sold it, without a doubt!