CHAPTER 559: CHAPTER 559: THE GUEST DOMINATES THE HOST

The winter rain drizzled down, silent and thread-like, falling into the River Somme.

A dozen landing boats were moored along the riverbank, and soldiers were braving the rain to transport supplies. These boats would be converted into transport vessels after the battle ended.

Beside the bank, the trenches twisted like a ribbon, stretching to the horizon on the other side before disappearing into the rain mist and the pale sky.

Shire’s command had moved into the trenches constructed by the German Army.

Logs supported the spacious underground tunnel, which was neat and clean. The bedding and ground remained dry, and they even dug a fireplace for warmth.

Shire glanced at Kristen, who had followed him in.

Kristen looked guilty.

After seeing the German Army’s trenches, he never wanted to return to the French Army’s trenches, which seemed like a dog kennel in comparison.

"Do you know why the Germans have such strong combat strength?" Shire looked around and couldn’t help but sigh, "They treat combat as a way of life, while we treat life as combat."

"Yes, General." Kristen responded.

He understood the difference between the two.

In such an environment, the German Army could rest and recuperate, and once combat came, they could unleash their full fighting power.

Meanwhile, the French Army’s poor weather and environment would sap most of their energy, and supplies were often wasted due to dampness.

The orderly added more logs to the stove, and the initially flickering flames soon cheerily leapt up, filling the tunnel with light and warmth.

Shire took off his raincoat, removed his military jacket, and sat in front of the stove to dry off.

During rain battles, raincoats often didn’t help much. The clothes underneath would inevitably get wet and dirty.

This was why many soldiers simply didn’t wear them; raincoats often became a burden, hindering their movements and making them slower than the enemy.

After a short while, the communications soldier had set up the radio and began receiving messages.

Before long, a telegram was brought to Shire: "General, most of the 6th Army group has returned, now totaling over 200,000 people. Other units have also been brought under control."

Shire murmured "hmm" as he held his hot coffee.

This was one of the benefits of their success along the River Somme.

Before this, all mutinous soldiers, including the 6th Army group, were worried about whether Shire could truly "avoid senseless attacks."

This negotiation condition was actually an unquantifiable empty promise.

What constitutes a "senseless attack"?

What is the standard?

Reducing daily casualties from 100,000 to 90,000, or even 80,000?

With such considerations, the mutinous soldiers were still unwilling to easily compromise; they hoped Shire could give them a definite answer or a guarantee.

However, Shire led the nearly-collapsed 6th Army group of 130,000 troops to easily defeat the 200,000 strong 2nd German Army group, with only over a thousand casualties while killing or wounding more than ten thousand Germans, and pushing the front line forward by 5 kilometers.

This was the best answer for the soldiers.

This was the "meaningful engagement" they wanted.

This was the battle they desired.

If they could fight such battles, living with honor, dignity, and pride, without being driven like sheep to die meaninglessly in no man’s land, decomposing and rotting, why would they mutiny?

As a result, the morale of the Western Front French Army soared, and soldiers eagerly rejoined their units and obeyed their officers’ commands.

Kristen took the telegram and carefully examined it, then frowned, "General, something seems off!"

"What seems off?" Shire placed his coffee cup aside and spread out his wet uniform in front of the fire.

Kristen handed over the telegram. Shire received it with one hand, glancing at it in the fluctuating firelight. It seemed to be the statistical data of each division within the army group.

"The data doesn’t include the 1st Specialized Artillery Division." Kristen said, "Because most of them had rejoined shortly after you arrived."

This was related to Kristen’s management, and besides, he was a battle hero who often charged at the front lines, earning him the soldiers’ admiration.

Yet Shire still didn’t understand: "What’s the issue with that?"

"General." Kristen explained, "The entire 6th Army group consists of 213,000 people, but the statistics show 205,000, excluding the 1.3 million of the 1st Specialized Artillery Division."

Shire was stunned, and after a moment’s thought, finally understood: "You mean to say, there are several thousand extra people?"

Kristen nodded: "Yes, General, there are about 5,000 more."

But then he thought again and corrected himself: "It should be around 6,000 more, not counting our over a thousand battle casualties."

This puzzled Shire, as it was unheard of for an army to gain more people through battle.

Was it a statistical mistake?

Unlikely, as the figures were reported by each unit, headcount by headcount.

Were there militia mixed in?

Also unlikely. The Belgians might have this enthusiasm, but the French avoided draft orders whenever they could.

Then it was...

Kristen burst into laughter: "General, they want to become part of the 6th Army group!"

With this reminder, Shire made an "oh" sound and understood.

Other units’ soldiers were rushing to join the 6th Army group because of Shire.

Only Shire could launch such "meaningful engagements," bringing them dignity, honor, and victory.

"What should we do?" Kristen asked, then immediately answered his own question, "Considering morale, I think we should pretend not to know."

"No." Shire shook his head, "We must send them back to their original units. It’s unacceptable to have 6,000 more people in a day. If we allow it, the entire front line’s soldiers might sneak to the River Somme to join the 6th Army group!"

Kristen’s face tensed up.

This bordered on mutiny. The Germans could just as easily break through the lines to invade Paris.

Shire thought about more than just this.

If soldiers from other units were allowed to join the 6th Army group, it would be akin to military dictatorship.

The soldiers would no longer answer to the parliament or the commander-in-chief. They would only follow Shire’s orders, putting Shire in direct conflict with the parliament and others!

Now wasn’t the right time, Shire thought.

Just then, the communications soldier delivered another telegram: "General, the parliament has decided to appoint Fuxu as the commander-in-chief."

"Hmm." A slight smile appeared on Shire’s lips.

This was what he wanted; those old cunning folks in parliament finally fell for it—along with the British.

"Also." The communications soldier continued, "To reward you for your contributions to France and to give you some rest time, the parliament has granted you a week’s leave."

Shire was stunned, leave? At this time?

Kristen was equally puzzled.

Shouldn’t Shire be staying at the front lines to stabilize the newly restored morale?

In the next second, Shire understood.

They wanted the newly appointed Fuxu to take control of the situation.

If Shire stayed on the front lines, he might overshadow Fuxu!