I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 862: You Want More Than Just Our Colonies

Gallieni was stunned by Shire's words, unable to believe such a "conspiracy" could come from the mouth of a 19-year-old.

(Note: In Huaxia, "youth" refers to ages 7 to 17, while international standards consider it 10 to 19.)

And this youth was still regarded by people as the perfect "moral benchmark," a "benevolent capitalist," the "hope of the world," who recently preached righteousness, claiming to "consider issues from a humanitarian perspective."

The contrast was too stark, and it took Gallieni a while to react.

After a long time, Gallieni finally said:

"This may be a good excuse, but it will inevitably be exposed."

"I mean, these countries, after adopting the so-called 'republican system,' find that their countries haven't improved."

"Then they will think about where the problem lies; no one is a fool, Shire."

Shire sat upright, looking like a lawyer, his responses clear and orderly:

"During the French Revolution, we also experienced five years of turmoil, General. At that time, people even sent tens of thousands to the guillotine."

"Every country experiences a period of chaos before transitioning to a stable political system, which is normal. Once this period is over, everything will become clear."

"We call this chaos before great governance the 'birth pains' of gaining 'freedom.'"

Shire's tone was sincere. If Gallieni didn't know this was a "ruse" aimed at the colonies, he might have believed it.

"You also acknowledge it's a 'birth pain,'" Gallieni retorted. "'Birth pain' means it will end, and the nation and society will get back on track..."

Shire interrupted Gallieni: "If society hasn't improved, it's just that the 'birth pain' is lasting a while longer; they should continue to wait."

Gallieni suddenly realized this was a self-perpetuating trap:

If the country improves, it's credited to the 'freedom' system.

If the country worsens, it's because it's undergoing the 'birth pains' of the 'freedom' system.

If it remains bad, it's just that the birth pains are "lasting a while longer," and the only way for people to prove it's wrong is to continue with this system for a hundred years.

Then they have the right to ask, "Look, we've waited long enough, the birth pains haven't passed, and the nation still hasn't improved."

But that presupposes they can live that long.

Therefore,

This system would always be right, and the colonies could only wait endlessly, always believing the system would make them better, fantasizing that one day they would become a free, equal, and fraternal developed nation like France.

Gallieni, being a former colonial governor, considered the issue comprehensively.

"Then, what if some countries continue to develop well?" Gallieni asked. "They could still unite and eventually break free from our control."

This is determined by national and ethnic diversity. Some nation's people are industrious or seize opportunities for development.

"Just like what I did with France," Shire replied: 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"We control their military, agricultural, transportation, energy, and other critical industries through capital."

"Once we succeed, what can they do to us?"

"The nation and regime are theirs, but their assets and money belong to us. They're merely working for us!"

Gallieni understood what Shire meant.

Should they dare to resist, cut off their energy and send them back to the stone age, or grip their throat through agriculture, transportation, etc.

However, Gallieni was still uneasy: "Their elite class will know this and call on people to rise up in resistance."

"No, they won't," Shire replied confidently. "Because they resemble a multi-party system, and we have various means to ensure they can't unite."

Gallieni instantly understood.

France had experience in this regard, such as monitoring and listening in on a certain parliamentarian, then indirectly controlling that parliamentarian after holding something against them, thus ensuring they align in a favorable direction.

Even organizing an anti-corruption agency openly, ostensibly to help them fight corruption, but in reality, to catch those disobedient parliamentarians or prime ministers.

Gallieni processed Shire's words and marveled: "How did you think of these things? They're not just ideas, but an entire system. These countries in your eyes are like toys."

"For survival, General," Shire answered. "If I hadn't thought of these things, it would be France turned into someone else's toy."

Gallieni nodded thoughtfully.

If France hadn't done this, the United States would use these tactics, not just against France but Europe and Europe-controlled colonies, and the whole world.

At last, Gallieni seemed to accept Shire's view, and he sat back in his chair with resignation: "Well, now, should we discuss how to grant our colonies more 'freedom'?"

Shire said nothing, just looked at Gallieni quietly.

Notice the odd expression on Shire's face, Gallieni smiled wryly: "Go ahead, what else do you want to do?"

"Not just our colonies, General." Shire's voice was light, yet his words were weighty: "But also England's colonies."

Even though he was prepared, Gallieni was still startled: "This, this is impossible, Shire. I told you it was dangerous, we might spark a war with England..."

"No, we won't," Shire assured:

"All we need to do is provide weapons to the people in England's colonies, helping them fight for 'independence.'"

"It's the right thing to do, General, as I said, for humanity's 'freedom' and 'equality.'"

"People will be grateful to us and stand by us. If England initiates a war because of this, it's foreseeable that she will face multi-country attacks, a burden she cannot bear."

Gallieni was stunned.

Shire was right; France was assisting all colonies in achieving "independence."

If England declared war on France, all exploited colonies—England, France, Holland...—all the world's colonies would side with France.

This is where interest lies, the shared call of the colonies.

At that time, England could only endure silently, even cooperating with France to withdraw from colonies.

"You want more than just our colonies." Gallieni looked at Shire in shock.

"Of course not," Shire replied:

"Once the English withdraw from the colonies, the people there will naturally welcome us, because we helped them towards 'independence.'"

"We will also bring them 'aid' and 'technology.'"

"Who wouldn't like that?"

Gallieni stared blankly at Shire, realizing he seemed no longer to recognize the young fellow sitting before him!