Last time, when Admiral Avis arrived at Antwerp Airport intending to give Shire a hard time, he at least met Shire at the airport.

This time, Admiral Avis didn't even enter the camp and left dejectedly, returning the way he came, not even managing to have a cup of hot coffee.

...

6th Army Headquarters.

When Shire saw Tijani, he couldn't help but complain, "You really shouldn't have come, General."

Tijani looked surprised, "But I heard you were being controlled."

Tijani had received the news from Paris.

A bit of the "unspoken rules" within the 6th Army had spread to the higher-ups in Paris and then to Wells, who then informed Tijani.

Wells' intention was for Tijani to remain calm, but Tijani wasted no time and led his troops straight to Jangbulu, hence the earlier scene.

Shire shrugged and asked, "Do I look like I'm being controlled?"

Tijani looked around; indeed, Shire seemed to have a tight grip on the entire army.

Shire sighed inwardly; the script was supposed to be a minor conflict between the British and French armies, with the council stepping in as peacemakers, allowing both sides to save face.

But now, with Tijani's interference, this act was difficult to conclude.

However, Shire underestimated the council's shamelessness.

Just as he was wondering how the council would wrap up the matter, Clemenceau sent Shire a telegram in the name of the French Army Commission:

"We have learned that the British Army wants to intervene in the 6th Army's affairs. We are actively negotiating with the British side. This matter concerns the dignity of France, and we hope you will not compromise, General!"

"But since France and Britain are Allies, the Army Commission also hopes you will see the bigger picture and avoid conflict with the British."

"Additionally, the Army Commission highly praises your efforts to quell the 6th Army's unrest!"

When Shire received the telegram, he was stunned and didn't respond for a while.

To the uninformed, it would seem like the British were bullying the French army, requiring intervention from MPs and the government to mediate.

Moreover, had Shire "quelled the unrest"? When did that happen?

So, none of the three statements were true, all just superficial efforts, with the last one even reversing the facts.

Shire said nothing, merely waving the telegram over to Ganmelin, a few meters away.

His aide quickly understood and handed the telegram to the restless Ganmelin.

Ganmelin took the telegram, glanced at it, gave a bitter smile, and turned to Shire with eyes full of sarcasm.

They actually praised Shire for "quelling the unrest"?

Shire shrugged, as if telling Ganmelin: This is politics; history is written by the victors, and they can spin it however they like.

Ganmelin's expression turned complex. He stared at Shire silently for a long time before sighing deeply and slumping back in his chair. He understood he had lost, and lost completely!

What followed was exactly as Shire had predicted, one telegram after another being sent:

The council decided to promote Shire to the rank of Vice Admiral and award him the Legion of Honour, third class.

Ganmelin and other officers would be transferred out of the 6th Army.

The review of the 6th Army would be permanently cancelled.

The news quickly spread through the headquarters, and the entire army erupted in cheers.

Ganmelin, speechless, walked over to Shire and shook his hand: "Congratulations, General, you got what you wanted. But I want to say, this is not what the citizens want, nor is it justice. I mean everything you've done."

Shire understood the implication; Ganmelin was implying that Shire had committed crimes, killing some innocent officers on the battlefield.

But Shire didn't see it that way. He looked out the window, where a large group of soldiers were embracing each other in celebration.

Shire calmly questioned, "Not what the citizens want?"

Ganmelin had no response, silently packing with his men in preparation to leave.

Shire paid them no attention, walking alone to the window, watching the cheering soldiers outside.

Indeed, Shire had killed a group of officers last night, around fifty or so, some surely innocent.

But war is cruel, and so is conflict.

If Shire had not done so, more soldiers would have died as a result: through retribution, being sent to the battlefield, continuing to carry out flawed tactics, and dying senselessly, among other reasons.

From both a personal and an army standpoint, Shire had no choice but to act as he did.

The root cause was actually the council and the shameless politicians.

It was their disregard for national interests, army interests, and citizens' lives that led to all this!

...

Ganmelin's group withdrew from the 6th Army that same day, leaving only Wei Gang behind.

This might have been intentional by the council, their way of telling Shire: Wei Gang is not one of theirs; he is Fuxu's right-hand man, placed in the 6th Army to monitor Shire.

The council thought this would exacerbate tensions between Shire and Fuxu, only to play right into Shire's hands, as Wei Gang would act as a bridge between him and Fuxu.

Naturally, Shire had to show his disdain for Wei Gang by only assigning him an ordinary operations staff position.

The deputy commander post went to Kristen; Shire needed an officer proficient in armored warfare to assist in commanding the 6th Army.

Once everything was organized, Shire privately met with Darlan in the meeting room.

"I believe you should return to the navy, Lieutenant; that is where you can truly make a difference," Shire began straightforwardly.

"General," Darlan shook his head helplessly, "many of our sailors have been sent to fight on land because, since the Dardanelles Strait campaign, the navy has had little to do."

The blockade of the German Navy was entirely handled by the Royal Navy; the French Navy could only stay in port and watch the battle.

"That was in the past," Shire replied.

Darlan looked at Shire, puzzled, and hesitantly said, "But I don't think anything has changed..."

"Our navy will engage in anti-submarine warfare," Shire interrupted Darlan.

Darlan was shocked, half-doubting, "Truly, really?"

"Anti-submarine warfare? Will the British let us participate?"

This was typical of the Royal Navy's strategy: to involve the French Navy as little as possible, preventing them from gaining any practical combat experience.

"They have no choice but to let us participate," Shire replied, "because we have some equipment only we possess."

Shire explained to Darlan about the "Echo Detector" and how it could be fitted onto destroyers and used for anti-submarine training.

Darlan was speechless in shock; such a device existed in the world? It could detect submarines hidden underwater?

Thinking about it, though, given all the astonishing equipment Shire had invented, one more wasn't too surprising.

Finally, Shire asked Darlan, "I can arrange for you to join this anti-submarine unit, would you be interested?"

Darlan's eyes gleamed with excitement, "Of course, General, thank you very much! I would love to join this unit!"

Shire nodded in satisfaction.

One day, when this guy rises to Admiral, his own influence and control will be even greater!