CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIVE: WHY CAN’T IT BE A CANNON?

Throughout the entire contract signing process, James didn’t notice anything amiss. His mind was entirely focused on how to leverage this deal.

After signing the contract, he immediately announced to the public:

"We have reached an agreement with ’Bernard Company’ and will soon be sending them a group of professionals skilled in smelting and forging."

"We are also transferring the industrial rights of ’Saint Chammon’ to ’Bernard Company’."

"I believe this is a crucial step in the cooperation between ’Schneider’ and ’Bernard Company’ to combat our enemies."

"Together, we will strive to make France great again!"

...

As James had anticipated, once the announcement was made, the public protests and resistance quickly subsided.

People thought that since Schneider was cooperating with Shire, similar incidents wouldn’t happen again. The two major companies could share resources and stand united against external threats, benefiting France.

James felt somewhat triumphant. After returning to his office, he opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate, thinking that Shire, being young, only focused on industrial development and overlooked the possible benefits Schneider could gain from the deal.

However, at that moment, Paulina hurriedly approached James after finishing a phone call, her expression serious: "Sir, only a small portion of the ’Saint Chammon’ tanks have been shipped to Davaz, most were sent to the police training base."

James’ face changed, he looked up at Paulina, his hand movements involuntarily slowed down: "The police training base?"

Then, James offered a somewhat reasonable explanation: "Perhaps Shire plans to use the ’Saint Chammon’ for exercises or for soldiers to observe."

Paulina did not oppose this; it was indeed possible.

However, Paulina added: "It might also be for training, sir."

James’ face turned very grim. Although his hands continued to open the champagne, his mind was recalling every detail of the negotiation with Dejoka, finding more and more inconsistencies. Finally, he put down the bottle, sighed lightly, and sat back in his chair.

"We’ve been fooled, Paulina." James’ expression was disheartened: "What Shire truly wanted was the ’Saint Chammon’."

Paulina nodded slightly; she had also thought of this.

Shire could acquire smelting and forging technicians and talent in many ways, directly recruiting from society would also attract many applicants, but he specifically wanted them from Schneider.

Thus, it was more likely that Shire used this to conceal his true intent.

James stared at the empty table in front of him, lost in thought.

Shire went to great lengths to acquire the ’Saint Chammon’, indicating its value, though Schneider had yet to discover it.

In Schneider’s hands, the ’Saint Chammon’ was a waste, but in Shire’s hands, it might shine like gold.

"Do we need to hold a meeting to discuss this issue?" Paulina asked.

James weakly shook his head.

There was no point anymore. The industrial rights were already in Shire’s hands, so even knowing its value wouldn’t change anything.

James could only hope this ’value’ wouldn’t be too high. Otherwise, he would have treated a treasure as junk.

More importantly, he might have handed Shire an opportunity, a chance to revitalize Schneider and free it from Shire’s shadow.

People might even say: "Look, in Schneider’s hands, the ’Saint Chammon’ was only a failure, but in Shire’s hands, it shone brightly!"

James wished he could slap himself hard; he had sold this opportunity for 2 million francs, 2 million!

...

The ’Saint Chammon’ tanks rolled into the police training base one by one, baffling everyone, including Tijani.

"So, you actually bought the ’Saint Chammon’?" Tijani stared expressionlessly at the long line of ’Saint Chammon’ tanks.

Shire raised his head: "You’ve seen it yourself."

"Is there a production problem with the ’Shire A1’?" Tijani asked.

Then he seemed to understand something:

"I get it, the military didn’t procure enough ’Shire A1’, so you had to buy the ’Saint Chammon’ at a low price to fill the gap?"

"I can cover this funding gap, Brigadier. I can afford the equipment for an entire regiment."

Shire quietly waited for Tijani to finish, then calmly replied: "That is not the reason, General."

"Then what is it?" Tijani’s eyes showed some resentment, his tone somewhat agitated:

"I heard the First Tank Brigade is fully equipped with the ’Shire A1’, and the ’M1’ armored cars were first distributed to the First Tank Brigade before the 105th Infantry Regiment."

"Yes, I know. We’re an infantry regiment while they’re a tank brigade."

"But we can’t use the ’Saint Chammon’ as fillers, Brigadier!"

"They’ll only bring us trouble and get many of us killed!"

...

Shire asked in return: "Is that how you see it?"

"It’s a consensus, Brigadier." Tijani gestured towards the watching officers and soldiers of the 105th Infantry Regiment: "Look at them."

Shire glanced around the area, and indeed, as Tijani had said, almost all the officers and soldiers wore expressions of disdain. Some soldiers even showed relief, knowing they were unlikely to receive the ’Saint Chammon’ since they were already equipped with ’M1’ armored cars and ’Shire A1’ tanks.

"Relax, General." Shire answered: "I promise, if you don’t want to equip the ’Saint Chammon’, I’ll replace them all with ’Shire A1’."

"Are you serious?" Tijani’s eyes lit up.

"Absolutely." Shire replied straightforwardly: "If the military doesn’t procure them, I’ll represent ’Bernard Company’ and donate them to the 105th Infantry Regiment, one for one."

"Deal?" Tijani’s face lit up with joy.

"Deal!" Shire nodded with a smile.

Tijani, it seems, had practically considered the 105th Infantry Regiment his property, trying every possible way to gather equipment for it.

"You’ve lost, Brigadier." Tijani turned his gaze back to the ’Saint Chammon’, the final tank driving past them, his eyes filled with disdain: "I won’t change my mind. They’re all flashy but useless."

Shire’s mouth curved into a smile and he asked: "Tell me their flaws."

"Do you need to ask?" Tijani rolled his eyes: "The battlefield is the best proof, Brigadier. They’re always defeated miserably, and it’s difficult even for them to reach the enemy."

Shire replied: "What if we don’t need them to reach the enemy?"

Tijani laughed: "If they don’t need to reach the enemy, what kind of tanks are they?"

Tanks are meant to break through enemy lines, not only reach the enemy but also have trench-crossing capabilities, speed, and defense, none of which the ’Saint Chammon’ possesses.

Shire asked again: "Why can’t they be artillery, General?"