I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 883: The Role of the Opposition

At this time, it was the rainy season. Although Metz was still at the front lines, with occasional shell explosions nearby, a large number of workers had already moved in to begin the construction of the "super defensive line."

The reason Metz could become the core segment of the super defensive line was because it already had large-scale ground fortresses, and tunnels connected these fortresses. With slight modifications, it could integrate them into the defensive line to form a complete system.

Shire set the main defensive line about 10 kilometers north of Metz, creating a salient towards the German Army.

This utilized Metz's characteristic of being easy to defend and hard to attack, putting the German Army in a "throwing themselves into a trap" situation.

Once the German Army broke through this defensive line and attempted to penetrate into France, they would immediately be blocked by Metz and fall into a dead end.

Recently, Shire became obsessed with the "super defensive line," feeling as if he were building a "Doomsday Fortress."

The electrical system, hospital, kitchen, dormitory, warehouse, etc., were all moved into the underground fortresses, capable of sustaining ten thousand soldiers for up to three months self-sufficiently.

There was even a narrow-gauge railway that could bring supplies from other cities underground, further extending the combat time.

Shire couldn't help but imagine scenes of doomsday in his mind: a global virus outbreak with zombies everywhere, or a nuclear war forcing people underground, or a century-long winter... At such times, people would need this massive underground facility.

However.

None of this was targeted at war, and Shire was well aware that such structures were already unsuited for modern warfare.

In the era of cold weapons, the furthest range equipment were bows and catapults, and fortresses could block them and ensure the rear's safety.

In the era of firearms, the longest-range were cannons, so adding a few more lines formed a defense in depth.

But when it developed to bombers and even airborne troops, no defense line could stop them from precision strikes on key rear areas.

Nonetheless, Shire could still understand why the French military and civilians eagerly embraced the construction of the "super defensive line."

It wasn't just because Shire proposed this plan; more importantly, after the great war, they needed a sense of security, just like people need a haven before an apocalypse.

Although it was ineffective, it could become a kind of psychological comfort.

While Shire was perfecting the layout and contemplating its function, Tijani rushed out of the telegraph room.

"Have you heard?" He called out from afar: "The HMS Hampshire was sunk, guess who was on it?"

"Who?" Shire asked casually, considering the cinema.

A cinema seemed extravagant for an underground defense line, but it was important for the mental well-being of the officers and soldiers, given that long-term underground stay required attention to psychological issues.

"Kitchener." Tijani said: "Marshal of the British Army, he was on that ship."

Shire replied "Hmm," and only a second later did he react, looking at Tijani in astonishment: "You're saying Kitchener heroically sacrificed himself?"

"That's roughly the meaning." Tijani nodded: "Although the British claimed 'unable to confirm,' but as you know..."

"Unable to confirm" was because they couldn't find the body, but the sacrifice was almost certain.

Shire was somewhat surprised that this happened at this moment.

Tijani looked around, leaned closer, and asked in a low voice: "Did you have anything to do with this?"

"What?" Shire didn't understand what Tijani meant.

"I mean..." Tijani smiled gently:

"They hoped to establish an 'anti-Shire alliance,' but things went wrong in succession."

"Belgium explicitly refused, Brusilov opposed, and Romania claimed the timing wasn't right."

"The only one willing to cooperate was Italy, but it couldn't protect itself under the German Army's attack and couldn't cooperate at all."

"Are you saying these were my machinations?" Shire stared at Tijani incredulously, wondering what this guy was thinking.

"Isn't it?" Tijani had a mischievous smile: "Vice Admiral, I've seen your methods. You're not as benevolent as you seem on the surface."

Shire spread his hands and turned his gaze back to the blueprint on the table: "Do you think I need to care about the so-called 'anti-Shire alliance'?"

Tijani pondered for a moment, nodded thoughtfully:

"You indeed don't need to care, your best interest should be leaving it alone."

"Let them form a counterattack force and launch an offensive smoothly."

"Ultimately, they would learn a harsh lesson in front of the Hindenburg Line."

Tijani believed this matter might indeed have nothing to do with Shire.

This was just a historical occurrence that should have happened; the reason German submarines successfully intercepted Kitchener was because of Hari.

And Hari was a double agent, though she worked for the French intelligence department, she still found it hard to shake off German control.

Because if she didn't provide intelligence for Germany, they would expose her identity, so she had no choice but to provide some valuable information to Germany periodically.

"I still have a small question." Tijani stared at Shire: "I think you already have enough strength to take action against Parliament, I mean clear or control those opposition members, why haven't you done it?"

Tijani knew about Shire's control over Clemenceau, which was already a "semi-public secret" in French political circles.

"You talk too much." Shire infused some harshness into his tone: "Aren't you worried I might silence you?"

Tijani chuckled: "Then you might have to eliminate half of France's people."

At this time, France advocated freedom of speech, and people were eager to discuss such topics.

He relentlessly pursued the question: "Is it because you're worried about others calling you a 'dictator'?"

"There's that reason." Shire nodded. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Admitting it was no big deal; public trust had endowed Shire with the "final right of interpretation."

"Another reason is they are useful."

"Useful?" Tijani was puzzled; what use could the opposition have?

Shire stopped writing: "For example, after the 'anti-Shire alliance' suffers a setback, what do you think they would do?"

Tijani contemplated for a moment: "They..."

"There's only one way." Shire gave the answer: "The Anglo-American Allied Forces act alone, but they would worry that their strength is insufficient to break through the Hindenburg Line."

Tijani widened his eyes, looking at Shire: "They might ask you for help?"

Shire raised his eyebrows; the equipment produced by Bernard Company was the only thing that could assure them, especially Pershing, because he knew the utility of this equipment.

"Unbelievable." Tijani said: "They oppose you, try to isolate you, yet hope to obtain equipment from you?"

"It's nothing surprising." Shire replied: "Bernard Group is open for business; as long as they can afford it, they can't refuse any customer in principle, especially since the United States provided Bernard Group with low-interest loans."

Tijani suddenly understood: "That's when the opposition comes into play!"