I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 961: I Just Want to Live in Peace

Today there’s only one Chapter, apologies!

...

At the Freeman Joint Command, Shire looked at the plans on the table and felt quite relieved.

Due to the needs of the war, the "Super Line" had taken shape in the fortifications around Metz and Freeman, with the first layer of the underground tunnels connected, forming a defense line combining the surface and underground.

The railway line in the rear had been completed, and two armored trains were ready. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Petain’s Central Army Group was fortunate to be the first troops to enter the "Super Line," or rather to trial it.

Petain was very satisfied with this arrangement, as defense was his combat philosophy, and many of his officers and soldiers shared this belief.

Therefore, they believed Shire was wisely utilizing everyone’s talents, placing each person and each unit where they belonged.

Petain was even very interested in the fortifications; he spent his days with Leo Tai, who oversaw the engineering, discussing where firepower needed strengthening and where more hidden paths should be added.

Shire let him operate as he wished, as Petain indeed had considerable experience in defense.

At this moment, Gallieni’s call came through.

"Don’t you find it strange?" Gallieni asked:

"Not only did the Anglo-American forces not advance, but they also retreated several miles under the Germans’ attack."

"We’ve already occupied Saarbrücken and seized a large number of German Army supplies and industries, cutting off their transportation hub."

"This isn’t just a material blow for the Germans; it’s also a hit to their morale and confidence!"

In this situation, why would the Anglo-American forces still be repelled?

Could it really be that the Anglo-American forces’ combat power was too weak?

"I know, General." Shire glanced in the direction of the Anglo-American command: "Obviously, this is a trick they’re playing."

"You mean..." Gallieni hesitated for a moment, half skeptical: "Are you saying they’ve reached an agreement?"

"I believe so." Shire replied.

"Those bastards!" There was the sound of a fierce thump on the table over the phone, followed by Gallieni’s roar: "How could they do this? Treating the battlefield like a game, how many people will this kill? What consequences will it bring?"

He had previously only thought the Anglo-Americans were bypassing France to negotiate benefits with Germany, but he hadn’t expected them to try to use Germany to tie down and exhaust France.

This had surpassed his imagination.

"It’s nothing strange, General." Shire seemed to have become indifferent, his tone unusually calm: "As long as there’s enough benefit, soldiers’ lives can be sacrificed!"

"That’s wrong." Gallieni’s voice became hoarse with agitation: "We should stop all this..."

Shire saw out of the corner of his eye that Pershing was coming over holding a document, so he discreetly ended the call: "Don’t worry, General. Leave it to me, you don’t need to do anything!"

After putting down the phone, Shire turned his gaze to Pershing: "Things are not good, right?"

"Yes, General." Pershing handed over the document:

"It seems related to the Germans obtaining supplies; they’ve captured a batch of merchant ships."

"This has greatly increased their combat power, forcing us to abandon another line of defense."

Shire flipped through the document, which showed the defensive positions after the US Army’s retreat.

"No problem." Shire asked: "Need reinforcements? Our troops are ample now."

"No, General." Pershing replied: "We can handle it."

Shire nodded, then began to perform.

He put down the document and let out a light sigh:

"I thought this war was almost over, but it seems that’s not the case."

"The Germans are still tenacious, their perseverance and persistence are astonishing and also admirable."

"I mean, although they’re the enemy, they’re also excellent soldiers who have fulfilled their mission."

"So have our soldiers."

Pershing nodded lightly, avoiding Shire’s gaze: "Yes, General, you’re right."

Shire adopted a look of benevolent compassion:

"The question lies in, what’s the reason for continuing this war? What’s the point? Why do we let soldiers slaughter each other like this?"

"They’re all vibrant lives, but in the end, it’s the capitalists and the politicians who profit."

"In other words, they’re using soldiers’ lives to exchange for their own benefits; these shameless bastards!"

Pershing lowered his head in shame.

Shire was right; it was a meaningless expenditure of soldiers’ lives. They could have ended this war long ago, even now.

Inwardly, Shire smirked; Pershing might be a professional military man, an outstanding commander, but he wasn’t a politician, he didn’t understand the deceit among politicians.

"It’s really desperate." Shire said as he impatiently took out a cigarette from the drawer and tossed one to Pershing.

After lighting it, he slowly exhaled a wisp of smoke:

"Sometimes I wonder if I’m too naive."

"The laughable French spirit, to end the war and bring peace to the world?"

"This world’s rules don’t seem to be like that; they’re just a beautiful ideal, like a soap bubble dancing in the sunlight, it looks beautiful but could burst at any time..."

Pershing became a bit anxious: "No, General, you’re right, you should not give up. You’re the hope for everyone, the only one who can end this war."

"I don’t think so, General." Shire shook his head dejectedly:

"It’s been almost three years, and I’m tired of war. That’s why I built the ’Super Line.’

"As a French soldier, we just need to hold the ’Super Line,’ don’t we?"

"As for the rest, there’s no need to worry about them, myself included, because they’re none of our business!"

Pershing looked at Shire in shock; this wasn’t the Shire he knew.

The Shire he knew wouldn’t be defeated by difficulties, wouldn’t compromise with any power, and would never give up.

But thinking again, Shire was only 19, regardless of his talents, his mind was still that of a youth.

Moreover, all of this was too heavy for him.

What to do?

If Shire chose to give up, and really rely on the "Super Line" as he said, this war might drag on indefinitely.

By then, Germany would truly "rise again," and neither the Anglo-Americans nor the Russians could defeat Germany, leading to massive soldier casualties.

This would be a disaster, a catastrophe for humanity, and even the United States would be dragged into the abyss.

Things couldn’t be allowed to develop this way; it wasn’t in the United States’ national interest.

With this in mind, Pershing made a decision; he should play a part in this matter.

"Please wait a moment, General." Pershing threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out, glanced at the British Army Command, and then headed to his own command.

Soon he returned, holding a record packaged in a paper bag.

He handed the record to Shire, lowering his voice:

"This is something I’ve recorded, General."

"A conversation between Beck and Haig."

"I think you should listen to it, then decide what to do next!"