CHAPTER 344: CHAPTER 344: WHAT FRANCE OWES YOU

Ypres train station, a train coming from the direction of France slowly pulled into the station and stopped. Following a long whistle, it released steam with a smell of gas, instantly filling the place with smoke like a fairyland.

As a coastal city in Belgium, Ypres originally had no rail connection with France.

Being a small nation, Belgium remained vigilant to both sides, as it should be.

This is the fate of small countries; they can only achieve a balance between great powers, with no other choice.

After the outbreak of war, Belgium quickly leaned towards the Allies, and the railway from Paris to Ypres was successfully connected half a month later.

A squad of French recruits got off the train. Their uniforms were spotless, and their backpacks, gear belts, and ammunition were all in place.

However, their faces carried confusion, their eyes held fear, and they hesitantly stepped off the carriages, timidly looking around at this unfamiliar city before them.

"I’ve heard that Ypres is the toughest and also the most dangerous line of defense."

"Yes, the living conditions and battlefield environment here are simply a living purgatory. The Germans treat it as their main point of attack, and they’ve recently been using gas."

"Oh God, how did we get assigned here!"

"Because many have died here, Vincent, and soon we will be among them too!"

...

This talk sent a chill down everyone’s spine, and the fear in the soldiers’ eyes uncontrollably increased.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the front, and nearby pedestrians, porters, and station staff all stopped what they were doing and waved and shouted at the street ahead.

The recruits, curious, looked in the direction of the crowd’s gaze and saw a team covered in mud appear at the other end of the street.

This was not a well-looking unit; that was the recruits’ first impression. They even thought it was a retreating unit.

Many in the team had their red trousers replaced, and the red on their caps was smeared with mud, which was expressly forbidden in training.

The recruits cast disdainful glances toward the team, thinking it was cowardly behavior to abandon France’s dignity to save their lives.

Suddenly, the cheers grew louder, and people were shouting in various languages, including French, English, Dutch, and even German:

"Well done, Shire!"

"You’re the best!"

"You’re our hero, Shire!"

...

(Note: Belgium is a multilingual country. The dominant language is French near the French border, and German closer to the German border.)

The recruits looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes:

"That’s Shire’s unit, the 105th Infantry Regiment!"

"It’s different from what we imagined. We thought..."

"Maybe this is what war is truly like, and only this way can we win, not just what the instructor said!"

...

The recruits looked at their own red trousers and caps and then back at the 105th Infantry Regiment, weighing in their hearts whether life or so-called French dignity was more important.

The 105th Infantry Regiment marched forward, proudly waving to the cheering crowds on each side as they advanced, deserving and graciously accepting the applause.

Perhaps intimidated by the 105th Infantry Regiment’s momentum, the impeccably dressed recruits spontaneously split into two rows, making way for the veterans passing through. They looked on with admiration, their eyes filled with respect.

Shire moved forward in the team, intentionally masking his colonel epaulets with mud.

However, he still underestimated people’s recognition abilities:

"There he is, Shire; it’s really him!"

"My God, the rumors are true. He really went to the front lines and faced the enemy’s gas; he’s so brave!"

"I heard he captured the enemy commander in just one assault?"

"Not just the commander, the entire command post of the German 26th Army!"

...

This was an unprecedented achievement. At a time when everyone was helpless against the gas and thought France was about to surrender, Shire’s action completely reversed the situation and severely weakened the German Army.

This drove everyone mad, especially the Belgians, who had previously been saved by Shire and felt indebted to him.

Many tried to offer Shire food, but he politely declined. The 105th Infantry Regiment lacked nothing, having seized the German supply transfer station at the front.

At this moment, several cars stopped at the front, and an old French general with a neat mustache stepped out of the car under the escort of guards. He stood in front of the train, waiting for the approaching 105th Infantry Regiment, his eyes filled with gratification.

Someone recognized the old general and exclaimed:

"It’s Vice Admiral Fuxu!"

"He personally came to welcome Shire and his unit."

"General Fuxu has never done this before!"

...

Shire was a bit puzzled.

This seemed somewhat inappropriate; yesterday, on the phone, Fuxu had subtly told Shire:

"What you’re saying is indeed reasonable, but even so, I will still stick to my theory!"

"I hope this does not affect our cooperation."

Shire had straightforwardly responded, "Of course, General!"

He could understand Vice Admiral Fuxu; although his theory was wrong, the approach was right.

The study and establishment of military theory require time and process.

From Fuxu’s perspective, Shire’s theory might not be correct.

Even if Shire’s theory was correct and Fuxu completely agreed, it wouldn’t be possible to immediately overturn the "offensive theory" for "Shire’s theory."

The "offensive theory" is the core of the French Army; it’s like a thread binding the French Army as a whole.

Overturning it would be akin to cutting this thread, causing the French Army to scatter like loose beads, with front-line commanders not knowing how to command or fight.

This is very dangerous in wartime.

Therefore, it should be advanced steadily, with a plan and steps.

But now, Fuxu personally came to the station to welcome Shire and the 15th Infantry Regiment. Was this to tell everyone he recognized Shire?

With doubt, Shire and Tijani quickly stepped forward to salute Fuxu.

Fuxu, smiling, shook hands with both of them. He held Shire’s hand and said emotionally, "We finally meet, Colonel."

"Yes, General!" Shire stood straight and responded.

"Rest assured," Fuxu said, after surveying Shire, "I just came to welcome the triumphant French warriors and thank you for repelling the enemy and helping us stabilize the line."

"That’s what I should do, General," Shire responded mechanically.

"No," Fuxu gently shook his head, "others might say ’what should be done,’ but you’re different, Colonel! You are Shire; you owe nothing to France; France owes you!"