I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 847: Advancing to Another Level

"Recapture all the territory."

Whether they were from the ruling party or the opposition, supporters or opponents, each of their eyes lit up.

"Are you saying recapture Lorraine and Alsace?" someone asked.

"Yes." Admiral Shire nodded with certainty.

"But we’re still chasing the Germans in the Le Francois area." It was Gallieni who asked this question.

He was eager to know what plan Shire had to accomplish "recapturing all the territory." It had been his dream for years, tantalizingly close to realization, only for the British to mess it up.

"That’s exactly what I want to say." Shire nodded toward Major Laurent, who had followed him in.

Understanding, Major Laurent handed a large stack of documents to the guard, who then distributed them.

The documents weren’t particularly special; they were maps of the northeastern regions of France, including the Alsace region of Lorraine.

Shire spoke eloquently:

"Look at the map, gentlemen."

"The Germans’ 17th Army Group rushed overnight to Reims to reinforce and are now in retreat along with the 18th Army Group."

"Their retreat route will surely lead first to Le Francois, then to Toul, followed by reinforcing the Nancy line or returning to Metz."

(The red lines on the map depict the retreat routes of the 2 German army groups, the blue circles represent the main British Army forces repelled by the Germans, and the black circles represent the Eastern Army Group of France forced into retreat by the Germans.)

Gallieni, who understood the battlefield situation, immediately grasped Shire’s idea and exclaimed excitedly: "The Vice Admiral’s idea is that as long as the British and the Eastern Army Group of France launch a counterattack, the Germans will be utterly defeated?"

Shire nodded with certainty:

"Yes, Minister."

"The main force of the British Expeditionary Force is in the Duerwang Castle area, where they have over 200,000 troops."

"The main force of the Eastern Army Group of France is in Mircourt, also with over 200,000 troops, along with over 200 tanks from the 2nd Specialized Artillery Division."

"And the Germans’ Nancy line is very weak, if we launch an attack at this moment..." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The conference room erupted into chaos.

Although the combat effectiveness of the British Expeditionary Force and the Eastern Army Group was lacking, the main German force was being chased by Shire’s troops in the Le Francois area.

The Nancy line was only defended by the Germans’ 2nd Army, which not only had to defend the Nancy line but also the Meuse River line.

It could be said that as long as the British and French forces were willing to attack, the Germans would undoubtedly be defeated.

Gallieni immediately gave his support: "An excellent plan, once we successfully organize these two forces and launch a counterattack, we very likely can drive the Germans out of our land in one fell swoop, reclaiming all territories including Lorraine and Alsace!"

Gallieni was different from other politicians; he didn’t align himself with any side but considered issues from the standpoint of France’s interests, supporting whatever benefited France and opposing anything that didn’t.

Shire’s operational plan presented at this time was undoubtedly beneficial to France, very beneficial.

Therefore, Shire didn’t even need to "touch base" with Gallieni in advance.

Clemenceau, standing beside them, hadn’t uttered a word, never understanding what Shire was up to.

At this time, wouldn’t it be better for Shire to engage with the Germans for as long as possible? Thus continually eroding the power and assets controlled by parliamentarians and capitalists.

Is it possible that Shire’s power and acquired assets are already sufficient, and he no longer needs the external threat of the Germans?

Suddenly, Clemenceau realized Shire’s intentions.

He was stunned, his mouth agape—my God, this guy was moving onto another level!

After pondering for a moment, Clemenceau decided to lend Shire a helping hand, as siding with Shire was undoubtedly the best option.

"Gentlemen!" Clemenceau called out to the parliamentarians:

"Things may not be as simple as you imagine or as simple as Admiral Shire describes."

"Do you know why our army, including the British Expeditionary Force, has been so ineffective?"

"Despite possessing much larger forces than the Germans, a combined force of nearly a million troops, they were utterly defeated by a single German army group of over 200,000."

The parliamentarians nodded; this was a recent reality on the battlefield, and no one could refute it.

"I believe it’s due to the lack of unified command," Clemenceau continued, "The British and French forces fight independently, while the British Expeditionary Force is riddled with internal conflicts, with large-scale mutinies even breaking out among the Colonial Army, giving the Germans opportunities."

The parliamentarians agreed; it was a well-known fact.

But by this point, some opposition parliamentarians had changed their expressions as they understood Shire’s intentions, as well as the purpose of Clemenceau’s words.

Indeed, Clemenceau’s voice gradually rose, hands lifted in an exhortation to everyone:

"So if we want to win this war, if we want to recapture all the territory, simply counter-attacking is not enough, far from enough!"

"We need a unified command, a comprehensive operational plan, and we must make the Colonial Army willing to fight for us."

"Otherwise, how can we defeat the organized, battle-experienced Germans?"

"We will once again be blocked by the Germans at the Nancy line, unable to make any headway, while the British Colonial Army won’t even step forward!"

"Let us unite; only then can we possibly achieve a great victory!"

The conference room was full of enthusiasm, with the parliamentarians’ spirit roused, even some opposition began to shout:

"Unite and recapture Lorraine and Alsace!"

"Drive the Germans completely out."

"It’s time to show the Germans our strength!"

...

Gallieni also understood Shire’s intentions at that moment.

Unite, unify command, make the Colonial Army willing to fight for us.

Who has the ability to unite the British and French forces?

Who has the ability to command such a massive army and achieve victory?

Who can make the Colonial Army willing to fight for the Allies?

All the answers pointed to one person: Shire.

This guy intends to bring the command of the Eastern Army Group, the British Colonial Army, and even the British Expeditionary Force under his control!

Standing in the audience, Gallieni glanced sideways at Shire at the podium, who stood there indifferent, expressionless, as if everything happening in the conference room had nothing to do with him.

Sly guy, thought Gallieri.

Later, when others suggest that Shire command this "pursuit operation," he will definitely feign modesty:

"No, no, no, I’m just the commander of the heavy armored corps; I’m not quite suitable."

"This scale of operation should be commanded by General Fuxu; after all, he is the commander-in-chief."

"I firmly obey General Fuxu’s command, and I believe under his leadership, we will achieve victory!"

...

But, the main demand of the Colonial Army during the mutiny was that Shire command the battle.

Does Fuxu dare take on this hot potato?

Can he handle it?