I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 894: Troops Protected by Shire

Leo Tai believed it was unfeasible militarily, but not politically.

He thought there was still a possibility for the colonies to remain unchanged: the Anglo-American Allies winning on the battlefield, forcing Germany’s surrender, and using that prestige to successfully preserve their colonies.

If the British colonies were not affected by Shire’s new colonial policy, there was no reason for France’s colonial policy to change.

So, Leo Tai pinned his hopes on Britain’s struggle with Shire, hoping Britain would stand up for France’s colonies.

But he was disappointed in less than three days.

Britain was defeated at Saarbrücken, and it was a rout, with preliminary estimates of over two hundred thousand casualties.

More importantly, the ones who died and were wounded in this battle were not the Colonial Army but the homeland forces, the homeland elites.

This dealt a severe blow to the British Army’s combat effectiveness. It would take at least a year and a half to reorganize these two hundred thousand homeland elites.

Could the British Army still have the ability to counterattack Shire in this situation?

Realizing this, Leo Tai made a prompt decision and went to see Shire the next day.

...

Metz Command Post.

Leo Tai tried his best to maintain his composure, hoping to give Shire an impression of neither humility nor arrogance.

Shire didn’t think much about it.

He didn’t believe that this aspect would be a problem: if the colonial consortium was dissatisfied, resentful, the people of the colonies would naturally resist.

This is a matter of political interest.

No matter how much the colonial consortium hated Shire, no matter how much they wished to resist Shire, and no matter how unwilling they were.

Interests are eternal, unrelated to personal emotions and individual will.

When Shire introduced "Fraternity" and "Freedom" to grant the colonies autonomy, the interests of all French colonies were in Shire’s hands.

The colonial consortium immediately transformed from former enemies to Shire’s friends, or more precisely, his subordinates.

Whoever disagreed would be overthrown by the local people!

"What are your demands?" Shire asked very directly.

He knew this was a negotiation between the colonial consortium and himself, with Leo Tai as the representative.

Leo Tai replied:

"We hope to retain our interests in the colonies."

"What I mean is if the land and mines in our hands are to be transferred to the locals, they should purchase them from us."

"Of course, we would sell at a reasonable price. This does not conflict with your policy..."

Shire refused without a second thought: "You know that’s impossible. If the locals have to buy them back, how can that be called ’giving them freedom’?"

Leo Tai was momentarily speechless: "But you are French, Vice Admiral, why do you insist on siding with the locals?"

Is it not better to turn a blind eye?

We are the same kind of people, ensuring French interests for future encounters.

But Shire did not compromise, smiling slightly: "You are very clever, Vice Admiral, but don’t take me for a fool."

Leo Tai pretended not to understand, but a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes.

This was the trap Leo Tai laid for Shire.

The reason Shire could easily control the entire colonial consortium, including the colonial army, was because his idea aligned with those who were colonized and exploited.

This made all colonies precarious, and all colonial troops could potentially become Shire’s army overnight, along with all the civilians of the colonies.

But if Shire’s alignment was unclear and reforms were not thorough, still wavering, the situation would be different.

Like the seemingly reasonable negotiation condition: allowing Leo Tai and other colonizers to continue owning assets, letting the locals buy them back. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Buy? How?

What kind of price is considered reasonable?

Original price? Or double, triple, or even more? These could all be considered "reasonable" by the colonizers.

Furthermore, can the colonizers buy them back?

If they can, would it lead to speculation?

Even resulting in more land and mines falling into the hands of the colonizers, because the colonized people have no money!

By then, nothing would have changed, yet Leo Tai and other colonizers could blame Shire.

They could say to the locals:

"Look, this is Shire’s so-called ’Fraternity’ and ’Freedom’."

"Is there any difference from before?"

"Give up your illusions. Shire is French, and he will always stand on the side of France to protect French interests."

...

Thus, Shire would lose all prestige.

Once he lost the trust of the locals, Shire would be unable to control these colonies and would have no capital to confront the colonial consortium.

On the contrary, it would be the colonial consortium. At that time, their control over the colonies and colonial army would become more stable, truly having the power to battle and making Shire cautious.

Therefore, policy-making cannot be careless.

A seemingly ordinary sentence, nodding impulsively or signing a name, could lead to "one wrong move and the whole game is lost."

Shire talked to Leo Tai about the big principles:

"That is the land and resources of the locals, Vice Admiral."

"My purpose is to return all power to the locals and let them decide for themselves."

"If they have to purchase what is sold, that is evidently not a ’return’, wouldn’t you agree?"

Leo Tai wanted to struggle a bit: "But what about our interests? We also paid a price to acquire these assets..."

"That is the country’s price, Vice Admiral." Shire interrupted Leo Tai coldly:

"You are the army of France, and your blood and death in the colonies are for the country."

"Those assets are not your compensation; they are France’s property."

"Moreover, I believe that over the years, you have gained a lot of benefits rather than paid a price!"

This is one of the reasons why officers from various countries were very willing to serve in the colonies. While exploiting the local labor force and resources for the country, they were able to gain substantial "intermediary profits."

Leo Tai still wanted to say something, but Shire didn’t give him the opportunity.

"What I can offer you is safety." Shire said, "Think about it, this is the most important thing, don’t you think?"

As he spoke, Shire had a smile on his face, as if saying, "If you don’t agree with this, then try ’insecurity’."

Leo Tai gulped with difficulty: "Yes, Vice Admiral, certainly."

Leo Tai wasn’t unaware of this principle. He just wanted to bargain with Shire to see if he could gain some advantage.

Unexpectedly, Shire had a clear understanding of the current situation, and did not retreat even a half-step leaving him with no gain.

However, Leo Tai was somewhat worried: "How can you guarantee our safety? I mean, many capitalists have offended the locals. There is deep hatred between them, once the regime is opened..."

"It’s very simple." Shire answered: "You obey my command and deployment, I will tell them this is my army, stationed to protect them."

Leo Tai understood.

Troops that do not obey Shire’s command will not receive Shire’s protection.