I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 950

The Germans are grateful, but they also hold grudges.

To be precise, between nations, it should be about "interests" rather than "gratitude" or "grudges," as that seems childish.

But when considering specific circumstances, it’s different.

Shire knows that in the future, the German Emperor and his regime will be overthrown, and a democratically elected government will be established.

One of the characteristics of a democratically elected government is that those in power must take citizens’ sentiments and thoughts into account as much as possible.

If the German public generally believes that the British and American governments supported the German Emperor during World War I, persecuted Germany, entangled it in war over loans, and left Germany with huge reparations that made the citizens miserable.

At that time, the German public would see the British and Americans as enemies, considering them the instigators who chained Germany into signing unequal treaties.

While France and Shire were a beacon of light in the hearts of the German people.

Shire has always supported the German people, being the least desirous of war, and only bestowed favor upon Germany.

Although Shire defeated the German Army, that was in defense of his country, and anyone would have done so, it is beyond reproach.

Moreover, it was Germany that initiated the war. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Shire did not hold the German public accountable but rather heaped kindness upon them, targeting only Kaiser Wilhelm II and helping the German people overthrow the autocratic regime, liberating them from the Emperor’s servitude.

The German people have no reason to hate France or Shire; on the contrary, Shire is a benefactor of Germany.

In this public sentiment, German authorities have no reason to launch attacks on France and the Maginot Line as they did in history.

Even if those in power wish to do so, they will face skepticism from the military and civilian population:

"Why should we attack France, which has always helped us?"

"France has Shire, who has the strongest army; is attacking France wise?"

"What reason do we have to attack France? If we repay kindness with enmity, who will help Germany in the future?"

...

Of course, Shire is well aware that these assumptions are unreliable, as his motto is "Never let others make decisions for you."

So Shire intends to turn the seemingly useless "super line of defense" into a functional one.

The defense line sits on the Franco-German border as an insurmountable barrier, even filling the gap in the Arden Mountains.

Then, behind this line, Shire continues to develop the land, sea, and air forces of France, making it a military power, a great power.

Alongside this, with "the Mars of France" Shire overseeing it.

France, to the west of Germany, becomes a fortress, preventing any irrational German leader from rashly crashing into it.

Thus, the German Army can only attack eastward on land and towards Britain by sea and air.

While France can remain neutral, "watching from the mountains as the tigers fight."

(Note: Historically, when England and France built the Maginot Line, they had a similar intention: constructing an impregnable defense line on the Franco-German border to prevent German attacks, with Britain separated by the Channel, further appeasing Germany by loosening restrictions, leading to Germany attacking the Eastern Front with differing ideologies, not foreseeing that Germany would attack France first.)

...

Shire continues to revise the design plans of the "super line of defense."

The biggest flaw of this line is that it’s "too passive," with all defenses, firepower, transportation, and ammunition storage based on the ground and underground, immobile, just waiting for the enemy to attack.

To change this, it must be capable of both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Striking out from the line is not easy, as the Germans will likely convert the Hindenburg Line into the "Siegfried Line" to confront the "super line of defense."

Mobile units, armored units, and such will find it difficult to venture out for combat, leading to heavy casualties.

Thus, the "attack" should play a role on the second line of defense.

Shire plans to establish several military bases with mechanized units behind the "super line of defense," strengthening the infrastructure of roads and railways.

If ever the "super line of defense" is at risk or breached, the rear military bases immediately launch a counterattack on the intruding enemies.

At that moment, an adjutant stepped forward to report: "General, Queen Mary is here; she wishes to speak with you!"

"Queen Mary?" Shire almost forgot the name, thinking for a moment before recalling that she was the Queen of Romania.

"Let her in!"

Shire knew the purpose of Queen Mary’s visit.

After the French Army occupied Saarbrücken, the German Army had ceased their advance towards Italy, fully retreating, but they maintained their offensive towards Romania.

Shire muttered to himself, "Wouldn’t a representative in Paris suffice? Why does the Queen have to fly from Romania personally?"

During the war, flying was indeed safe, but it still involved flying over hostile airspace.

Before long, the charming Queen Mary appeared before Shire.

"Long time no see, Vice Admiral." She glanced around, with a smile and teased with a double meaning: "I thought you might choose another place to meet."

Shire glanced at the Anglo-American command center on both sides; although it was somewhat crowded, it didn’t matter as there was nothing that others shouldn’t know.

Shire leaned back in his chair, getting straight to the point: "I am aware of the situation in Romania; the Germans have not withdrawn their troops."

"Yes." Queen Mary exhaled softly in relief, gratefully glancing at Shire, which indicated that Shire was continually concerned about Romania’s safety.

She took a document from an attendant and handed it to Shire as she sat down:

"This includes the identification and troop strength of the German Army in Romania; we’ve gathered as much intelligence as possible."

"I am wondering if your forces could continue advancing eastward from Saarbrücken, posing as if attacking Austria-Hungary."

"Meanwhile, we continue to issue warnings to Germany through the ’International League’ to force the German Army to stop attacking."

(The above image describes the direction of attack Queen Mary hoped for from Shire, forming a pincer attack on Austria-Hungary to force it to ceasefire.)

Shire replied, "I’m afraid it’s not as simple as you think, Queen; we are attacking the Hindenburg Line, and the Germans are still resisting."

This is both the truth and not.

The Allied armies are indeed attacking the Hindenburg Line, but it is the Anglo-American forces doing so, while the French Army has not advanced beyond Saarbrücken.

Without interests at stake, why should the French Army fight for you?

Queen Mary gave a gentle smile, took another document from her briefcase, and handed it to Shire leisurely: "Don’t worry, Vice Admiral, we have what you need."

Shire looked at it and saw it was shares in the "Campina" oil field, the second largest oil field in Romania.

Queen Mary reminded him:

"I must remind you, Vice Admiral."

"If these oil fields are occupied by the Germans, even if they are later retaken."

"Their equity will have to be redistributed. Do you understand what this means?"

Shire nodded in acknowledgment.

This means that Shire must defend them!