CHAPTER 253: ORIGINAL TEXT: CHAPTER 253 SCAMMING ACQUAINTANCES CHANGES AFTER:

Britain sent General Winter to negotiate with Shire, perhaps thinking that General Winter, being an old acquaintance of Shire, could negotiate more easily.

Shire guessed that, at this point, the British must not understand the term "kill familiarity."

General Winter was very confident about this, directly locating Shire’s office.

He believed that inviting Shire to a hotel for formal talks would be a waste of time and would not reflect the familiar relationship between the two.

Gallieni showed great enthusiasm for General Winter’s arrival, specially clearing the command meeting room for their negotiation, even preparing fruit and coffee, and posted guards at the door to prevent any interruptions.

This was a rarely used meeting room. Gallieni didn’t focus on formalities; most meetings were conducted in a few words at the combat department.

It’s about thirty square meters, with an elongated European-style rectangular table in the center, surrounded by neatly arranged chairs like guards, and a small France tricolor flag poking out from the center of the table.

"There’s something I must tell you," General Winter said as he sat opposite Shire, with a slightly embarrassed expression on his face. "Although I have tried my best, the Minister of the Navy insists on using warships alone to force the Ottoman Empire to surrender."

Then General Winter added: "Unfortunately, I cannot convince him."

This was within Shire’s expectations. The stubbornness of the Minister of the Navy was well-known, and he was ruthless in achieving his goals. It would be surprising if General Winter could persuade him.

"Maybe you shouldn’t convince him," Shire replied.

"Why?" General Winter looked at Shire in confusion.

According to Shire’s earlier comments, wasn’t it supposed to start with a well-prepared landing operation against the Ottoman Empire? Why now "shouldn’t convince him"?

If the Minister of the Navy’s plan with just warships fails, wouldn’t that alert the Germans and the Ottoman Empire to be prepared?

Shire casually used his dining knife and fork to nibble on an apple, unhurriedly explaining, "We can make this a part of our plan. You can let out some messages saying that Britain never believed warships alone could make the Ottoman Empire surrender, which is extremely ridiculous."

General Winter was dumbfounded for a while; his mind couldn’t wrap around it. Since it was "extremely ridiculous," why do it then?

Soon, he realized: "The Germans and the Ottoman Empire will think this is part of a deception plan; they will let the Minister of the Navy make this ’ridiculous move’ without interference, keeping their attention on our ’real’ landing in the north!"

Shire nodded gently.

Appearing fake while being real, appearing real while being fake, there is truth in deception and deception in truth; even if it is done clearly for the enemy to see, they will struggle to grasp the true intent.

For Shire, this was just a small trick, but in General Winter’s eyes, it was extraordinary.

General Winter has tried every possible method during this time; arguments, seeking lobbyists, almost banging the table with the Minister of the Navy, all to have the Minister of navy appreciate the opponent’s use of the opportunities Shire has created.

But the Minister of the Navy was immovable; he spoke of "valuing the enemy" but always believed that landing operations were "unnecessary," a "stupid waste of manpower and resources."

In his perspective, sending dozens of warships against the Ottoman Empire was already substantial, even showed enough face to the enemy, making failure improbable.

But now, with a few simple words, Shire has turned the Minister of the Navy’s stubbornness into "part of the plan."

By then, General Winter only needed to make some noise in the north, like warships and troops assembling or planned mine sweeping, for the Germans and Ottomans to see the Minister of the Navy’s southern attack as a "feint."

"You are excellent, Colonel!" General Winter’s eyes were filled with admiration, even a touch of jealousy: "You are a natural strategist; it seems everything is within your calculations!"

Shire replied nonchalantly, "You flatter me, General."

While saying this, he thought, this "calculation" should also include you, General!

Then it was time for Winter to be calculated.

Winter seemed to have gotten cold from his train ride; he held a hot coffee to warm up, dragging his chair closer to the heater and steering the conversation back on track:

"You know my purpose, Colonel."

"I represent the military to discuss bomber production authorization; we’ve already discussed this with your country and obtained their consent."

"I believe we should offer a better price than Russia, after all, we don’t have transportation difficulties."

Shire smiled lightly and asked, "Why do you think I would authorize bomber production to Britain?"

General Winter was stunned: "Why not?"

Shire straightforwardly replied, "The reason is simple; selling bombers to Russia is worry-free; they can’t drop bombs on us. But Britain is different."

A flash of anger appeared in General Winter’s eyes, followed by a "haha" laugh: "You are humorous, Colonel. You seem to have forgotten we are allies, fighting against a common enemy!"

Shire didn’t speak, continuing to eat his apple.

He didn’t touch the coffee; he found that he had started feeling half-awake recently from drinking too much and couldn’t sleep properly.

General Winter ultimately chose to give up; he knew that no flowery words or realistic acting could deceive Shire.

"Alright!" General Winter said with a tone of helplessness: "State your terms, Colonel, what would make you sell bombers to us?"

Shire still didn’t offer a condition: "If Britain had this bomber today, would you sell it to France? You might use it against Paris, General!"

General Winter fell silent.

Britain did indeed consider this; they didn’t want France to be able to bomb London freely without Britain having reciprocal countermeasures.

Although France was an ally, this would still create substantial psychological pressure on Britain, reducing its international influence.

(Note: Britain was still the world’s leading power during World War I, unable to tolerate other countries challenging its hegemonic status, which could even knock her from the top spot.)

"Therefore, I’m sorry," Shire spread his hands toward General Winter: "For France’s interests, I can’t do it. Even selling this bomber to Britain requires careful consideration. The government’s fools just didn’t see this, but don’t worry, I’ll convince them."

What Shire was really conveying to General Winter here was:

Firstly, Shire’s actions were in France’s interests, not his own as a capitalist.

Secondly, Shire had yet to convince the government’s fools, and by the time he did, it might be too late.

So, why wait?

Offer a high price, old friend!