I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 879: More Than Just Business

Metz Command Headquarters, Shire is busy with the "super defensive line" project.

Specific tasks like project bidding and material procurement don't require Shire's attention; Dejoka will handle everything.

The projects are almost all contracted by subsidiaries of the Bernard Group.

Only a few minor projects are handed to other companies, merely a few "bones" tossed out by Dejoka.

If any capitalist protests:

"Look, Shire and his company have almost taken over all the projects."

"We have reason to suspect Shire is 'abusing public power' to open doors for his own company."

"Yes, this is unfair to other companies; he's emptying France's treasury!"

…

At this point, Dejoka would open the documents:

"You call it monopoly? So why have these other companies been allowed in? They aren't part of the Bernard Group."

"Admit your mistake; your exploitation of workers is too severe, offering terrifyingly low wages."

"That's one of the reasons your factories can't produce high-quality products and why workers lack motivation. Hence, you can't secure 'super defensive line' projects."

…

These statements naturally stand on the workers' side, undoubtedly gaining popular support and stifling capitalist protests in their infancy.

What Shire needs to do is consider from a military perspective how to construct this "super defensive line."

The artillery is the Bernard Company's 6-inch 26-pounder howitzer, though an improved version should be used to extend range.

The reason is that in fortresses, the more important aspect of artillery isn't firepower but the ability to hit further.

The former is about mass elimination of the enemy, which is not possible with a few fortress guns.

The latter is about keeping the enemy out of range, which is the advantage of heavily fortified fortress artillery.

Then there are Saint Etienne Armory's mines, barbed wire, machine guns…

They can increase job opportunities not only for the "super defensive line" itself but also for the armory and all the materials needed for producing this equipment.

Tijani is somewhat puzzled.

"Is this purely business?" Tijani asks Shire, who is busy modifying the blueprints.

"What?" Shire doesn't even lift his head.

Tijani leans against the table, lowering his voice: "I remember you once said we should use mobile defense, plus your theory of 'offense greater than defense.'

'Offense greater than defense' means it's impossible to establish a perfect defensive line; it will always have vulnerabilities.

And as the attackers, the enemy has plenty of time to find these vulnerabilities.

Once found, they can concentrate force and break through the weakness, rendering the line ineffective.

This theory obviously contradicts the "super defensive line."

Shire pauses his writing and looks up at Tijani: "Are you trying to express your dissatisfaction with me?"

"No, no, Vice Admiral," Tijani responds sincerely: "I just don't want you to turn into… someone like others."

You're my idol, Vice Admiral, don't become like my father!

Shire feels nostalgic, this society is filled with deceit and scheming, yet this wealthy second-generation raised in a greenhouse remains innocent.

"First." Shire places the pen down: "The 'super defensive line' was proposed by Petain, it aligns well with his defensive beliefs, and General Gallieni also agreed to the project."

Tijani laughs: "That's just to deceive others, Vice Admiral."

"Secondly." Shire continues: "This is dynamic defense."

"What?" Tijani is puzzled, constructing a defense line, how is that dynamic defense?

Shire pushes the engineering drawing toward Tijani, pointing at a spot: "Look at this."

Tijani glances at where Shire pointed, still skeptical:

"Railway? Are you saying the rail line is 'dynamic defense'?"

"This doesn't convince me, Vice Admiral, I know what dynamic defense entails."

"Rail lines can transport troops and equipment, but it's certainly not dynamic defense."

Shire doesn't respond, instead takes another blueprint from a drawer and places it on the table: "What if this is added?"

Tijani, shocked, stands upright, picks up the blueprint for a closer look, and his doubts deepen: "Armored train? Is this what you call dynamic defense?"

(The image above shows a World War I German armored train, which originated in the US Civil War and was primarily used on the Eastern Front during World War I, with less use on the Western Front)

"Why not?" Shire answers:

"'Offense greater than defense' is correct; the enemy will always find the 'super defensive line's' weaknesses and breach it."

"But if we add 'armored trains.'

"When a direction is breached by the enemy, we can immediately use it to fill the gap and push the enemy back."

This counts as Shire's improvement on the "Maginot Line."

Shire also plans to strengthen the defense of the Arden Mountains, using mountain warfare tactics from the Vietnam War era to form a targeted mountain unit.

If the Germans again try to maneuver through the Arden Mountains as in history, they can expect to be trapped and immobile.

Tijani gradually believes, it indeed seems reminiscent of "dynamic defense," more precisely a combination of "static" and "dynamic" defense.

"However," Tijani says: "We all know armored trains have many drawbacks."

"Yes." Shire agrees: "The biggest drawback is their extreme reliance on railways."

This is the main reason armored trains were ultimately phased out.

Extreme dependency on railways means fixed routes, and enemy aircraft can easily find armored trains along the rails and destroy them.

Shire adds: "But we have air superiority, our aircraft will always be a generation ahead of the enemy."

Tijani realizes.

If Shire can ensure the aircraft are more advanced than the enemy's, they can escort the armored trains.

And the armored trains can quickly deploy to weak spots on the defensive line and fill gaps, thereby activating this defensive system.

Tijani breathes a sigh of relief: "So, it is useful, right?"

"Certainly." Shire nods: "It's not just business."

Indeed, it's not just business; Shire doesn't mention "redistribution of interests," a matter less suitable for public exposure, as Gallieni is aware.

"That's good." Tijani reverts to his usual laid-back demeanor: "Apologies for doubting you, Vice Admiral, because you increasingly resemble a capitalist rather than a general."

Shire smiles silently.

What Tijani doesn't know is that a pure general wouldn't have a good end in France's system.

Gallieni, for instance, historically died from frustration.

At this point, the security officer steps forward to report: "General, Pershing Brigadier General is outside."

Shire nods; he knows why Pershing is here; the US Army intends to exit the French Army command system and train jointly with the British Army.