I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 871: Rhythm

Funico might be the one who knows the truth.

He hid those ledgers in the vault of the factory's secret room; they couldn't possibly appear in the study's drawer.

Therefore, this must have been Shire's doing, using his intelligence organization...

Funico did say so.

But no one believed him; people thought it was yet another of his plots to frame Shire, leading only to punches and insults:

"Irredeemable bastard, the evidence is conclusive, yet you still try to frame Shire."

"You must have been instructed by someone to do this."

"Speak, who is supporting you?"

...

The key point is that those ledgers are real, clearly documenting every transaction of Funico's, including the amounts involved and who received bribes, etc.

Thus, any "defense" by Funico would be a self-revealing confession.

...

Shire wasn't very concerned about these matters; he trusted Lucia to handle them well.

An intelligence organization at the national level, a group of spies used for military and political struggle, dealing with a few capitalists is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

If these can't be handled well, then the "Lady in White" might as well be disbanded on the spot.

This could also serve as a good deterrent.

It would make other capitalists understand that the days of shouting "political persecution" or "butcher of freedom" to evade guilt and legal sanctions are gone forever.

Meanwhile, it would make capitalists realize that Shire is no longer the Shire he used to be.

Now before them, Shire, who has gained the trust of the military and civilians, cannot be toppled by simply labeling him a "dictator".

Shire was more concerned about the current war situation.

"The Germans' defenses are showing different conditions." At the sand table, Tassin pointed to the map and analyzed:

"They've shifted the war to the night, retreating layer by layer during the day and attacking at night."

"Before retreating during the day, they lay various 'dark traps' in the trenches, such as tunnels and explosives, and then launch counterattacks at night relying on these 'dark traps'."

Tassin looked at Shire, eyes filled with disdain for the Germans: "They seem to have learned the tactics you used at Mount Montbeh, General."

Shire gave a light "hmm".

Indeed, laying explosives and layered defense is a modified version of Shire's "drum roll defense".

However, the Germans innovated on these tactics by setting the battle time at night.

This is a very wise choice as they have neither air superiority nor artillery superiority, nor do they have tank superiority.

(Note: The German Army abandoned all heavy equipment during retreat, or had to self-destruct due to the blockade by the British Expeditionary Force making it impossible to pass.)

In this situation, they can only even the odds against the French Army by fighting at night.

From this perspective, the German Army's tactics are still flexible and adaptable, better than the stubborn and rigid British Army, or even the French Army as it once was.

"How are things going?" Shire's eyes fixed on the map.

"The situation is stalemated." Tassin's voice weakened: "During the day we can always gain victory, but at night they manage to fight back, causing the front line to shift back and forth along the Ouville line."

Shire lightly nodded.

Aircraft are completely unable to take off at night, instantly losing their effectiveness.

Artillery has difficulty moving at night, reducing the efficiency of the French Army's truck artillery.

Tanks basically have no night fighting capability and have little use in the darkness and a sea of people.

Thus, the stalemate situation is inevitable.

Tassin cautiously asked, "General, should we initiate the river crossing plan ahead of time?"

The river crossing plan refers to crossing the Meuse River to attack the German Army's flank; Shire, while pursuing the retreating German Army, had already secretly moved the First Armored Army and the US Army's main force to the Meuse River.

"No, Major General." Shire rejected Tassin's suggestion: "The Germans are prepared for this; they lack ammunition and equipment, not manpower."

This wasn't explicitly stated, but Tassin understood.

The Germans lack ammunition and equipment, thus they would employ the "night battle layered defense" tactic along the Meuse River line to contend with the crossing Allies.

The French First Armored Army excels at breakthroughs, but isn't adept at such night battles or melees; they would also fall into a predicament of being unable to advance or retreat.

As for the US Army, they needn't be mentioned; their lack of training makes them unsuitable for melee fighting at night.

Fighting like this might even be dangerous: the Anglo-American Allied forces would fight with their backs to the water after crossing the river, and if they fail to hold at night and are driven back to the Meuse River, they risk being annihilated by the German Army without a retreat route.

Realizing this, Tassin broke out in a cold sweat.

What a terrible suggestion, how did I not think of these? This might even be a trap set by the Germans, fortunately, it was detected by the Vice Admiral.

Tassin was troubled; what should we do now? Should we just keep pushing and pulling with the Germans?

"Have you heard of a story?" Shire shifted his gaze from the map, leisurely brought a cup of coffee to his lips, took a small sip, and continued: "A story about how England and Germany engaged in mutual mine sweeping during wartime."

"Mutual mine sweeping story?" Tassin recalled for a moment, then shook his head in a daze: "No, I haven't heard of it."

"It happened in a certain port during the war." Shire elongated his voice, making it sound like a drama slowly unfolding:

"After intense blockades and counter-blockades, the German Navy and the Royal Navy reached an extremely harmonious phenomenon."

"The German Navy would lay mines on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while the Royal Navy would sweep them on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays."

"However, one day, the Royal Navy slacked off and didn't sweep mines as planned, and the next day when the German Navy laid mines as usual, they ended up being heavily damaged by their own mines."

Tassin, in the midst of drinking coffee, suddenly choked, coughed a few times, and looked at Shire incredulously, wanting to laugh but unable to: "Is, is this true, Vice Admiral?"

Shire didn't answer; he imitated a furious German, yelling in an odd voice: "Damn it, how can the British be so irresponsible? This would never be allowed in our army!"

Tassin couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing, as did the nearby staff organizing documents and guards.

A funny story, the British won a victory because of laziness and were even rebuked by the Germans.

Shire didn't laugh; he sat in the chair quietly watching Tassin: "Have you thought of something?"

Tassin stopped his laughter, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly realized:

"It's about rhythm, General."

"Our two armies are repeatedly pushing and pulling before the positions, and it's easy for them to get accustomed to this rhythm."

"Once we alter this rhythm, the Germans will fall into a trap we've set in advance."

Shire nodded slightly; Tassin, indeed deserving to be the future Marshal of the Army, made Shire confident in entrusting the Eastern Army Group to him.