I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 908: Shire Knows How to Extort

The Minister of Military Supplies unconsciously stood up, as if feeling it was too impolite to just sit there.

"Hello, you are..." The Minister of Military Supplies proactively extended his hand.

Dejoka seemed somewhat puzzled, hesitatingly responding to the Minister of Military Supplies, "You’re too polite, my name is Dejoka, the head of the Bernard Group."

Due to avoiding suspicion, the head of the Bernard Group has always been Dejoka.

However, Dejoka’s simple, natural sentence once again struck the Minister of Military Supplies and the Minister of War a heavy blow. Their expressions changed, appearing somewhat awkward, soon turning serious.

The head of the Bernard Group.

Even if he wasn’t Shire’s father, this identity alone was enough to stand on equal footing with the Minister of Military Supplies and the Minister of War.

The Royal Navy is currently constrained by Shire’s "Echo Detector" and "Torpedo Planes," the army’s tanks are far inferior to Bernard’s two models, the "Shire A1" and "Shire B2," and the air force’s "Camel" fighter jets were directly imported from this Group.

The United States, needless to say, has its army largely equipped, including helmets, all provided by the Bernard Group.

It can be said that this seemingly unremarkable "head" in front of us only needs to stamp his foot, and the whole Allies will tremble three times.

Baker came around from the other end of the oval table with a smile, extending his hand:

"Hello, Mr. Dejoka, pleased to meet you."

"I am the U.S. War Minister Baker, grateful for your group’s military support to us."

"Here is my business card."

He said as he took out a business card and handed it over with both hands.

The Minister of Military Supplies gave way: "Mr. Dejoka, please have a seat."

"No, no," Dejoka said, flattered, "Shire will be here soon, please wait, I’ll hurry him up..."

The Minister of Military Supplies hurriedly said, "No, Mr. Dejoka, it’s okay."

"Indeed," Baker said, "we’re in no rush!"

...

When Shire walked into the conference room, he looked confused at the Minister of Military Supplies and the Minister of War chatting amicably with Dejoka. The three were drinking coffee while discussing something; before entering, Shire even heard laughter.

If it weren’t for Dejoka’s work uniform not matching their military uniforms or formal wear, Shire almost mistook them for old friends knowing each other for years.

"Hey, Vice Admiral," Baker said upon seeing Shire entering, lifting his coffee: "Your father is a good man."

"Indeed," the Minister of Military Supplies echoed: "He’s very talkative, we get along very well!"

Dejoka stood up, lightly spreading his hand towards Shire, as if saying he had done his best, then politely bid farewell to the two, leaving the space for Shire.

A servant holding a tray brought coffee for Shire.

Shire took it, expressed his thanks, and turned to ask the two, "Are you here to talk business with my father?"

"If you wish, why not," Baker said, somewhat cryptically, aware of the recent Bernard Group’s collaboration with Canada on selling more advanced equipment than to the United States.

Shire knew what Baker meant.

"Sorry," Shire said casually, "We are a group and must consider the most profitable scheme, I hope the Ministers understand."

Baker smiled and nodded.

He knew how Shire would explain:

From a profitability standpoint, technology certainly couldn’t be sold to the United States, because with America’s production capacity they would quickly use the technology to surpass the Bernard Group, and then Bernard Group would have no business left.

Canada is different; even if it acquires the technology, it cannot surpass the Bernard Group.

A perfect excuse, and who to sell to is Bernard Group’s freedom, the United States has no right to interfere.

The Minister of Military Supplies stood up and walked towards Shire, face sullen, voice low:

"Frankly speaking, Vice Admiral, I am not very pleased with your recent actions."

"We are allies, why take it to such an extent?"

"You should at least let us know or get our approval if you want to cease hostilities with the Germans."

Shire interrupted the Minister of Military Supplies:

"Minister, sir."

"I must remind you that this is not my decision, it was made by the French Parliament and Government."

"Moreover, I don’t see any issue with it."

The Minister of Military Supplies’ face darkened: "You seem to have forgotten the ’London Treaty,’ Vice Admiral!"

The "London Treaty" was signed shortly after the war broke out, on September 5, 1914, when the UK, France, and Russia pledged not to make separate peace with the Central Powers, but coordinate any peace terms together.

(Note: The First World War broke out on July 28, 1914)

Shire had long anticipated the Minister of Military Supplies would bring this up, and he smiled lightly welcoming the Minister’s gaze:

"Minister, first of all, the one who signed this agreement was our corrupt Prime Minister Briand, and many suspect he signed it after accepting bribes."

"Secondly, the current French Government merely ceased hostilities; we haven’t negotiated with the Germans or reached any peace agreement."

"Could you tell me which clause of the London Treaty France has violated?"

The Minister of Military Supplies was rendered speechless.

The London Treaty only stipulates not to make separate peace agreements with Germany, not banning ceasefire.

"Alright then," Baker, seeing the escalating tension between the Minister of Military Supplies and Shire, stepped forward to mediate, "We shouldn’t be entangled in these matters, we are here to solve problems, let’s talk calmly."

Giving the Minister an eye signal meaning to calm down.

The Minister of Military Supplies suppressed his anger, took a sip of coffee, relaxed his expression: "I think the same, Vice Admiral, let’s abandon those diplomatic rhetorics and say your purpose in doing so, or rather, what do you want?"

"It’s simple," Shire replied readily, "Profit."

"Profit?" The Minister of Military Supplies retorted, "Does continuing the war not profit France at all? The war is on French soil, Vice Admiral, if we don’t completely defeat the Germans, they will soon return."

Shire smiled without speaking.

The Minister of Military Supplies immediately understood such rhetoric couldn’t intimidate Shire, or could even be seen as foolish.

France, with Shire and Bernard Group producing all sorts of advanced equipment, and also constructing the "Super Line."

The party needing to worry about this issue is Germany, not France.

The Minister of Military Supplies’ spontaneous remark was merely an instinctive and helpless reaction.

France’s military strength is now so powerful that it indeed can be fearless, England lacks leverage over France now.

Shire comfortably walked over to the chair, sat down, smiled, and leisurely crossed his legs:

"Gentlemen, if we abandon the diplomatic formalities, let’s clarify things."

"I think we should engage in a dialogue based on strength and status."

"Then together consider a question: Where are France’s interests, why should France continue this war?"

Shire knows how to extort!