CHAPTER 545: CHAPTER 545: THE WAR FOR THE WALLET

The Americans acted quickly. They understood that public opinion should be "guided" from the beginning, as the earlier they took action, the lower the cost and the better the effect.

While Shire and Tijani were discussing, the American conglomerates distributed in England and France, as well as Italy and even neutral countries, had already launched their espionage to "capture cities and seize territories."

...

England, London.

House of Representatives member Borris received an envelope as soon as he returned home.

The envelope contained a rusty key and a note with an address to a property in the neighboring Islington District (a middle-class gathering area).

When Borris found this address, he discovered it was just an inconspicuous small house, dilapidated and worthless.

Borris snorted coldly; during wartime, house prices had fallen the most severely. Thousands of soldiers had died on the battlefield, and many properties had been abandoned or sold off due to having no heirs.

Now, someone actually sent him a broken house?

However, when the greatly disappointed Borris opened the door and went inside, he found the large basement filled with supplies, food, essentials, and many high-end wines that could support his family in luxurious living for years.

...

In the House of Representatives, although a few members inconceivably shouted:

"Why don’t we talk to the Germans? Let’s listen to their negotiation conditions before making a judgment!"

"If we want to know if this is a delaying tactic by the Germans, we can let the intelligence bureau investigate."

"We can fight while talking, at least send someone to contact the Germans rather than rejecting them a thousand miles away!"

"This could be an opportunity. Talking won’t lose anything!"

...

What they said was reasonable, but it was drowned by the angry voices of other representatives:

"No, it will be too late by the time we investigate thoroughly!"

"Think about the soldiers who sacrificed on the battlefield, we have already lost hundreds of thousands of lives. Did their blood flow in vain?"

"You traitors, you should be put in prison!"

...

Paris, France.

Congressman Arthur found that his enormous gambling debts were all cleared overnight, and the creditors who used to pester him now greeted him with smiles.

Congressman Noah received a warehouse, filled with countless scarce supplies.

Congressman Maier inexplicably obtained shares in the Kennard Shipping Company.

(Note: Kennard Shipping Company is an American shipping company involved in transportation during the war)

...

Despite the curse and protest of opponents, the Bourbon Palace House of Representatives still announced:

"We unanimously believe that any notion of negotiating with Germany is disgraceful and despicable."

"We have reason to believe that these people have taken bribes from the Germans, and some even have suspicions of espionage."

"We must carry the war through to the end until we achieve true victory; there is no doubt about this!"

"For France, for honor, for the people!"

Under their call, the French Soldiers on the Western Front launched another offensive, seemingly proclaiming to the German Army, to France, and to the world their unwavering determination to fight to the end.

...

Reading all this in the newspaper, Shire sighed to himself, it was all business.

A war that should have ended would continue for several more years because of a $100 billion loan; the exhausted army and civilians of various countries struggled under the high-flown morality of members and nobles.

The price was paid by the civilians and soldiers, what did it matter to them?

Tijani couldn’t hold back. The more he looked, the angrier he got, finally, he slammed his fist on the table, swearing:

"Clearly, it’s those congressmen accepting American bribes, ignoring peace right in front of them, ignoring the people’s interests."

"Yet they keep claiming it’s for the people, while denouncing those who strive for peace as traitors!"

Tijani looked at Shire: "Shouldn’t we do something?"

"What can we do?" Shire asked back.

What a strange son of a wealthy family. Clearly part of the interest groups, yet always thinking from the perspective of ordinary people. No wonder he didn’t get along with his father.

"We can’t just watch all this happen." Tijani raised the newspaper in his hand: "This is an opportunity. If we miss it, who knows when the war will end, who knows how many more will die."

"And then?" Shire asked again.

"You have prestige." Tijani looked at Shire with expectant eyes: "You have power too. We can mobilize the Saint-Etienne Arms Factory and Brest Shipyard, plus your resources and FN Arms Factory. We will succeed!"

Shire’s tone was unusually calm: "Do you think they would support me?"

Tijani was speechless, looking at Shire incredulously. Weren’t they all aligned with you?

Shire smiled and lightly shook his head.

Poor Tijani, raised in the greenhouse of wealth, was too naive.

Most of Shire’s resources came from military enterprises. They listened to Shire because of his creativity, because Shire could bring them innovation and prospects.

These military enterprises were precisely the ones most unwilling to have peace, the ones hoping most for the continuation of the war.

Yet Tijani hoped Shire could mobilize these people to push for peace!

"Let’s do this." Shire’s answer was simple: "You can ask your father, hear his thoughts."

Tijani froze, knowing what his father’s attitude would be without asking.

Then, he understood Shire’s meaning, slumping back in his chair, voice hoarse: "So, the war will continue, right?"

Shire countered: "Didn’t you advocate the Art of War, one of its cores being that war drives human progress?"

Tijani shook his head expressionlessly, painfully burying his face in his hands.

He still believed war drove human progress, still advocated the Art of War.

He just didn’t expect the progress would come with so much pain, darkness, and unfairness.

If it was for the country, he could accept it, as the soldiers’ sacrifices had value.

However, Tijani found that soldiers were only fighting for the wallets of a small group, having nothing to do with the country, honor, or dignity. Both soldiers and civilians were being manipulated and fooled by that small group.

"General." At this time, a communications soldier handed over a telegram: "Nivelle issued a statement to the entire army, saying the River Somme and Namur are two different types of battlefields."

Shire took the telegram and looked. The gist was that the River Somme was a large-scale frontal battle, while Shire’s combat in Namur was a small-scale ambush.

He used the word "ambush," clearly trying to cast Shire’s victory in a dishonorable light.

In conclusion: Even if commanded by Shire, it would be difficult to achieve better results on the River Somme!

That’s the desperate final effort, Shire thought, resorting to such disreputable means, truly worthy of being the French Army’s Commander-in-Chief!