I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 913: Advisory Group

The bells of the New Year rang out above Davaz Town, informing everyone that the time had entered 1917, but the sound of the bells did not lessen the smoke with sparks from the chimneys.

The machines in the factories operated almost around the clock, producing tanks, tractors, motorcycles for the front lines...

In the office, Shire drank coffee while reviewing documents.

He had been staying here for a few days.

From Christmas until now, he had roughly inspected the progress of Davaz's development.

The tank gun was basically completed, and Shire merged Stokes' research institute with Matthew's tank development department.

Matthew excitedly shouted when he saw the tank gun: "This is exactly what we need, it's fantastic, we can turn two guns into one. Do you know what this means?"

He even excitedly hugged and kissed Stokes, making everyone think he had gone mad.

But Shire knew he had not.

Because Shire knew what it meant: the 75 gun inside the "Shire B1" chassis would be removed, freeing up space and weight to accommodate a forward machine gun.

Moreover, it would enhance collaboration among the tank crew, eliminating the need for the driver to work with the 75 gun gunner as before, which was terribly inefficient.

Additionally, some observation devices could be installed on the tank, such as range finders transplanted from the navy.

Shire let Matthew go ahead and do it, as simply replacing the "Shire B1"'s two guns with a specialized tank gun would significantly enhance the tank's overall combat capability.

Fusenden's laboratory also made considerable progress, as he and Pan Wan built a primitive computer.

Despite being just one computer, it occupied an entire warehouse.

Pan Wan said regretfully to Shire: "Although it indeed can work normally, and we once used it to decode several messages, however..."

Pan Wan seemed unwilling to expose his shortcomings and hesitated at this point.

Fusenden, seasoned and experienced, was straightforward:

"But we believe there's still a long way to go before it's practical, because there's always a few circuits or vacuum tubes going wrong."

"We cannot ensure each component works normally."

"And as long as one component fails, the results we get are erroneous."

Simply put, it's not very safe.

"Well," Shire said, "Why don't we focus on enhancing safety in the next step?"

"I thought of that too," Fusenden replied with a helpless face:

"But even though we've taken the vacuum tube manufacturing process to the extreme, we still can't meet the requirements."

"It's determined by the number of vacuum tubes we need."

Shire reminded: "Why don't you consider using something else to replace it?"

"Replace it?" Fusenden was startled: "But, we have nothing to replace it with, General."

"Then find something," Shire said, "My suggestion is you should look among elements between conductors and non-conductors, because they often have specific conductive properties that meet our needs."

Fusenden was halfway open-mouthed.

Yes, semiconductors conduct electricity under certain conditions and do not under others; isn't this exactly what computers need, "1" and "0"?

And if these solids could replace vacuum tubes...

God, it would be much more stable, smaller, and lighter.

Shire is truly a genius, an indisputable genius!

(Note: The practical PN junction diode was invented in 1930.)

...

Shire was gratified that these R&D departments and laboratories could operate normally without him, just like the R&D department of the aircraft manufacturer.

However, their research speed was still not fast, sometimes spending a lot of time on trial and error.

For example, Fusenden worked hard to improve the vacuum tube manufacturing process, hoping to enhance safety this way.

At this point, as long as Shire reminded them, bringing them to the correct direction would speed up the process.

It wouldn't be long before Fusenden would discover crystal diodes, thought Shire.

Once entering the era of crystal diodes, not to mention dominating in computers, it would first deal a devastating blow to the enemy in communications.

Replacing the fragile, bulky, and power-hungry vacuum tubes in radio sets with transistors would mean a radio could easily be installed on a plane.

Not just large bombers with lots of space, but also fighters, tanks, command vehicles with little spare space.

Thus, these units could communicate during combat, reaching unprecedented levels of coordination.

While imagining in his mind how to comprehensively upgrade his air force, armored units, mechanized units, and artillery units, Colonel Laurent walked into the office.

"General," Laurent handed over a telegram: "A telegram from London, the Minister of Military Supplies said, Parliament has agreed to the cooperation plan, and they are sending an advisory team which will arrive at the Brest Shipyard tomorrow."

Shire made an "oh" sound, somewhat surprised.

He had expected it would take at least a month or two for the British to get the approval through both Houses, but it ended in just a week, organizing an advisory team.

It seems the British are very eager to end this war, they probably cannot hold on much longer.

Shire had a slightly smug smile on his face; only this way could he squeeze out their good stuff.

The speed was just a bit beyond expectation.

Never mind, thought Shire, they could stall for time on "inspecting" British sincerity, especially because this involved an aircraft carrier.

After thinking for a while, Shire told Laurent: "Send a reply, change the location to the Toulon Shipyard."

"Yes, General." Laurent responded and left.

...

Toulon Shipyard.

It is indisputably the largest shipyard in France, established as a naval base back in 1599 in the time of Henry IV.

In the last ten years, it has received more funding and developed greatly due to France's strategic inclination towards the Mediterranean, avoiding competition with England in the Atlantic direction.

The shipyard owner, Dippiey, was a traditional noble, with the Delorme family managing it for more than a century.

However, Dippiey considered his biggest mistake in life was not investing in Shire as Wells did.

The cluttered office was filled with smoke, and Dippiey sat at the desk disheveled, smoking cigar after cigar, anxious about the Navy Minister being dismissed recently.

If investigated, he could not escape involvement.

Fortunately, Shire seemed not to delve deeply into this matter.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door: "Mr. Dippiey!"

Hearing the voice, Dippiey jumped up like he had been pricked, it was Vice Admiral Gephardt, the new Minister of the Navy.

He hurriedly went to open the door, hastily tidying up his attire, and bowed to welcome Vice Admiral Gephardt inside.

"There will be an advisory team arriving tomorrow," Gephardt said, "Prepare for it!"

Dippiey's heart trembled.

An advisory team?

Could they be investigating me?