I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 845: They Don’t Want This War to End
Under the escort of French Army soldiers, Hutier jumped down from the armored vehicle. He tried to stand tall to maintain his composure, but the helplessness and humiliation in his eyes betrayed him.
A young man in a general’s uniform approached him, politely extended his hand, and said in French, "Hello, Vice Admiral, it’s an honor to meet you."
Hutier did not extend his hand in response. He looked at the young man in front of him with a hint of anger in his eyes.
Which child managed to climb the ranks through connections? What qualifications does he have to represent the Franco-American Allies to meet with me, a "Vice Admiral"?
The next second, it suddenly occurred to him: Shire is only a 19-year-old young man; could this general in front of him be Shire?
"You, you are..." Hutier was incredulous.
"I am Shire," Shire replied, "the commander of the French Armored Army Group."
Hutier quickly stepped forward and shook Shire’s hand with both of his.
Perhaps due to a height difference, Hutier’s straight posture instantly bent into an arc.
"It’s an honor to meet you, Vice Admiral," Hutier said, "I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, although I knew you were very young, but..."
Shire nodded to indicate his understanding.
It was second nature; the generals they usually interacted with were either over fifty or gray-haired, and so were the corps-level commanders.
Therefore, even though they knew the opposing commander was Shire and knew Shire was only 19, the Shire in their minds was always somewhat middle-aged or elderly.
Shire very politely invited Hutier to sit in his armored vehicle and had someone bring Hutier some coffee. Several of Hutier’s subordinates stood below the vehicle, including one major general, three brigadier generals, and five colonels.
"I’m sorry, Vice Admiral," Shire said, "the battlefield can only provide such conditions."
"No, no, it’s fine," Hutier was astonished by the courtesy.
He thought that as an invader, he would face all kinds of humiliation, coercion, or even execution, but unexpectedly, Shire treated him with respect.
Shire saw Hutier’s worries and comforted him, "Don’t worry, Vice Admiral, we will treat prisoners in accordance with the Geneva Convention, I guarantee it with my character."
"Thank you very much," Hutier replied.
"In fact, we don’t think this is your fault," Shire added, "I believe many think like I do."
"What?" Hutier was a bit confused, "Are you referring to the war?"
He couldn’t believe it; Germany was the aggressor and still fighting on the land of France. If it wasn’t the German Army’s fault, then whose fault was it?
"Yes, this war," Shire’s voice was calm, without any emotional undertone.
Shire understood that the simpler the voice, the more it seemed to resonate with one’s thoughts.
If it were impassioned and exuberant, it would seem more like "brainwashing" or "preaching."
"Think about it, Vice Admiral," Shire leaned casually against the armored vehicle’s side panel, "Who drew Germany into this war? Who instigated this world war? Who plunged humanity into this hopeless and meaningless slaughter?"
"Are you referring to William II?" Hutier asked carefully.
Shire nodded slightly:
"It was his orders and his decisions; you all just follow orders as soldiers."
"And I believe that now many people no longer support continuing this war."
"That includes us as well. We have raised the issue of ceasefire talks several times, but in the end, they inexplicably come to nothing."
"I believe someone must be manipulative behind the scenes; they do not want this war to end just yet."
Hutier nodded thoughtfully, and the German officers standing below most also showed a deep contemplative look.
They believed what Shire said was true.
This aligned with what Shire had expressed to the outside world; a few months earlier, Shire had publicly called for "ceasefire talks" in the media, but not only did no negotiations occur; the US Army’s entry into the battlefield further expanded the war.
This was very unusual.
Sitting beside him, Pershing felt a bit uneasy listening to this.
He knew this was the result of American capital operations, but he did not dare to say it, let alone refute it, because that would be like "the silver is hidden here."
Actually, only Shire was the one who understood best.
At this moment, America was disrupting the ceasefire negotiations while crafting its image as a "peace messenger" to enhance political capital and international reputation, ultimately aiming to topple England from being "number one in the world."
Simply put, while Europe fights tooth and nail, America’s sitting back and reaping the benefits.
If Shire were not in this time and space to stop it, so be it.
Now here he is, will the advantages still go to America?
At this moment, Shire simply raised a question, planting a seed and getting these German officers to ponder: "Who is sabotaging the ceasefire talks?"
One day in the future, when Shire reveals the truth, the perfect image America concocted will be utterly destroyed, leaving nothing but debris.
After pondering for a moment, Hutier nodded heavily:
"I fully agree with your thoughts, Vice Admiral."
"Please allow me to express my respects; what you consider isn’t just winning the war or solely for France, but for the welfare of all humanity."
"You are an outstanding general; I am ashamed in comparison, whether tactically or strategically, or in terms of broad-mindedness!"
The German generals below also nodded in agreement, looking at Shire with renewed respect.
"I don’t have other intentions," Shire finally said, "I only wish to assure you that I am the one most hoping for peace and for an end to this war. Additionally, as a soldier, I think you have fought to the very end, fulfilling the soldier’s mission, and that deserves respect!"
While saying this, Shire shook hands with Hutier and saluted him.
Then he jumped out of the vehicle to shake hands and pay respect to the other German generals, moving the German generals deeply.
They recognized Shire’s words.
Because Shire seemed to have no need to "brainwash" them.
In the future, they would be in a French prisoner-of-war camp until the war ended, and "brainwashing" would mean nothing to Shire or France.
Little did they know, Shire had already thought about creating some escape opportunities for them later during transport.
These generals were mostly Hindenburg’s men; they would be more than happy to take Shire’s words back home and spread them, shifting German citizens and soldiers’ focus to William II, while planting seeds of opposition against America.
...
After Hutier and others left, Pershing wanted to speak but then hesitated.
After thinking it over, he indirectly reminded Shire: "This matter may not be as simple as you think, Vice Admiral."
"Yes, I understand," Shire replied.
Shire understood Pershing; as an American general, he had to consider issues from America’s standpoint.
