I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 877: Potential Enemies

At the port of Dunkirk, a ship from the United States slowly docked amid the rain.

A group of inexperienced American soldiers stepped off the ship, their eyes curious as they surveyed this new continent.

Among them, a fully armed, highly vigilant escort surrounded an official wearing a bowler hat and a trench coat, who hurriedly got into a roadside car and drove away.

Inside the car, the secretary asked the official, "Minister, would you like to rest here for a while? I've arranged accommodation."

"No," the official replied, "Time waits for no one, David. Go to Freeman, I need to see Pershing immediately."

...

In the Lorraine Region, Freeman, the people of France were celebrating their return to the motherland in the rain.

Unlike last time when Shire recaptured this area with anxiety and fear, people knew this time France had truly reclaimed its land.

"That was the British's fault. I knew they couldn't hold Lorraine. With this lesson learned, Shire won't make this mistake again; he will personally be stationed here."

"Yes, I heard Shire is going to build a 'super defense line' here?"

"That's wonderful; with it, we won't have to worry about war anymore!"

...

If anyone was steadfastly supporting Shire's "super defense line" plan, it was the citizens of the Lorraine and Alsace regions.

These two regions, located on the France-Germany border, had endured warfare for centuries, and the citizens suffered immensely.

Once the "super defense line" is established, it would act like a dam to block the flood, keeping war outside the high walls, allowing the Lorraine and Alsace regions to develop peacefully.

Therefore, the people of these areas even traveled to Paris to give speeches and distribute flyers, hoping more would support the "super defense line" plan, and local capitalists offered them funding.

The American Expeditionary Force headquarters was set up in the temporarily vacated town hall.

Before this, Freeman was under German rule, and most of the town hall staff were Germans or their minions.

Now it was completely liberated, and these government personnel were dismissed from top to bottom, with citizens electing a mayor and forming a new municipal team in a few days.

Pershing, in full military uniform, stood by the window watching the people below cheering, dancing, and engaging in campaign speeches and alliances in the rain, and sighed softly.

Chief of Staff Hubbard handed Pershing a cigarette.

Pershing took a look, Chesterfield. He raised an eyebrow, "Did you come into money recently?"

(The picture shows Chesterfield brand cigarettes, a high-end brand supplied by the American army during WWI, favored by officers)

"No, General," Hubbard replied with a smile, pulling out a pack from his pocket and handing it to Pershing, "I was fortunate enough to get two packs from the Red Cross."

"The Red Cross?" Pershing looked incredulous, "They give out cigarettes?"

Pershing thought the Red Cross was only responsible for saving lives.

"Of course," Hubbard smirked, "Their slogan is: 'Cigarettes can hit the enemy harder than bullets.'"

Pershing was stunned, then burst into laughter, "Cigarettes can hit the enemy harder than bullets? Are they saying we should use cigarettes as bullets?"

"No, they might think we can use cigarettes as grenades," Hubbard replied.

After a while, the two calmed down.

"What are you worried about, General?" Hubbard lit a cigarette for Pershing, "We've already won, the situation is very good."

"I'm not sure, Hubbard." Pershing sighed, exhaling smoke and gazing out the window, "Do you see it? Everyone supports Shire."

"There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" Hubbard asked.

"Yes, there's nothing wrong," Pershing's tone grew heavy, "But have you considered that this doesn't align with America's interests?"

Hubbard was stunned, realizing that this was what Pershing was worried about.

Hubbard handled logistics and training, not focusing much on politics.

But as the Expeditionary Force commander, Pershing was different. He was the bridge between the military and government, making politics one of the important matters he had to consider.

"Are you worried our cooperation with France will encounter problems?" Hubbard asked.

"No." Pershing shook his head, "I'm worried we might become Shire's enemies, potential enemies."

Hubbard agreed in silence.

Shire was formidable, not just in military aspects, but also economic, political, and strategy, each aspect daunting.

Being his enemy, even a potential one, could result in heavy losses.

"They won't be foolish to such an extent," Hubbard answered.

Pershing said nothing and merely smiled.

This was not a matter of foolishness, but of interests.

Pershing even knew that the path Shire is taking now was what Wilson intended to take, but Shire beat him to it.

Thus, Wilson had reasons to stand opposed to Shire.

As Pershing worried silently, an orderly approached with a report, "General, the war minister is here, he wishes to speak with you."

Hubbard looked at the orderly in surprise, then turned to Pershing.

Pershing gave a bitter smile, "What must come cannot be avoided!"

(Note: Since the American Revolutionary War up until after WWII, those responsible for the army and defense were called "war ministers," until the title was changed to "defense minister.")

...

In the meeting room, the lawyer-turned-war minister Baker stepped confidently, speaking at length with Pershing, "As the war progresses, we believe the American Expeditionary Force should establish an independent command…"

Pershing interrupted him expressionlessly, "We have an independent command, Minister."

Baker stopped and turned to Pershing, "I mean a command unattached to anyone, any army, Brigadier General."

After a pause, Baker intensified his tone, "You understand what I mean!"

"Yes, Minister," Pershing answered, "I know what you're referring to, but we lack command experience, experience in using equipment, and corresponding tactical experience…"

Baker moved closer, staring into Pershing's eyes, "Now you have them."

"You don't understand." Pershing explained, "We still need training, every battle within the French army system greatly enhances us. Why don't we…"

"This is a political demand, Brigadier General." Baker interrupted Pershing again, "If necessary, you can completely collaborate with the British Expeditionary Force to learn these skills."

Although America hopes to pull Britain down from the "world's number one" pedestal, the priority now is to force Germany into unconditional surrender alongside the British Army.

Otherwise, the U.S. government was doomed!

However, this choice, seemingly reasonable in political terms, left Pershing dumbfounded.

"What?" Pershing looked incredulous, "You want us to learn from the British? Learn how they lose battles?"