Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Command.

Haig returned from the Somme front to report to Kitchener.

Normally, the two masters and disciples would open a bottle of red wine and chat over it when they met, but this time, they lost interest. They sat in front of the fireplace in unison, staring at the flickering flames, seemingly unable to bear the harsh winter of France.

After a long time, Kitchener asked in a muffled voice, "The situation is bad, isn't it?"

Haig struggled to respond, "We have suffered nearly 300,000 casualties, but the front line has only advanced less than a mile."

Another dreadful silence ensued.

Neither of them wanted to say it out loud, but both were comparing in their minds: Shire advanced 5 kilometers with just over a thousand casualties, a remarkably dazzling achievement.

"How's the situation with the ANZAC?" Kitchener asked.

Compared to front-line casualties, Kitchener was more concerned about the attitude of the colonial troops.

The colonial troops were also on the Western Front, and everyone was watching the development of the war.

If both Britain and France were defeated by Germany simultaneously, it wouldn't be a problem.

But if Britain stagnates while France advances triumphantly, a problem arises: the colonial army will generally think that the British Army has lost its edge, and they might wonder if the world's number one should now be France?

"They haven't responded much," Haig answered, but then added, "on the surface."

The unrest within the colonial army was growing internally, with many British officers reporting that they could no longer control their men, who were ignoring their orders.

Haig bit his lip and said resentfully, "We must suppress the French, especially Shire."

Otherwise, the prestige of the Sun Never Sets Empire will face unprecedented challenges, possibly even disintegration.

"Wait for a while," Kitchener's tone calmed down: "Blue's French army is in turmoil, and the French Parliament is seeking our help. This might be a breakthrough."

If relying solely on the British Army, Kitchener had no hope at all. Admiral Avis couldn't possibly compete with Shire; that was wishful thinking.

But with the French Parliament on the same team, Kitchener thought there might be some chance.

However, soon his hope was shattered.

An aide delivered a telegram to Kitchener. "Marshal, it's a call from Admiral Avis. He arrived at Jangbulu only to find that Shire had already taken control of the situation; we had no opportunity to enter the barracks."

No chance to even enter the barracks.

Kitchener sighed lightly and casually threw the telegram into the fireplace, watching it curl painfully in the flames before turning to ashes.

Haig stood up with a "slam": "We only have one card left. The French should understand this—we are not providing supplies for free; they must pay something."

Kitchener nodded in agreement. It seemed that this was the only thing that could be utilized now.

But he added: "Not all French Army, we should target precisely."

"Target precisely?" Haig knew Kitchener was referring to Shire, but how could they achieve "precision"?

Kitchener answered thoughtfully, "From the Jangbulu incident, we know that the French Parliament shares our goal, General, they are our allies!"

Haig gave an "Oh" and understood Kitchener's implication.

...

Winter mornings in Paris are always shrouded in fog.

The Prime Minister's office windows were tightly closed, and outside was a vast expanse of white, as if the office was isolated in the clouds.

The atmosphere inside was somewhat oppressive.

Briand silently signed the documents in his hand while listening to Clemenceau recounting the results of the Jangbulu incident:

"As we expected, General Avis returned in vain."

"We have distanced ourselves from it. The 'implicit rules' have been effectively controlled and have not spread to other units."

"The deputy commander of the 6th Group Army is Kristen, and they have adopted a different deployment from other fronts..."

Briand interrupted Clemenceau without lifting his head, "What's the situation in public opinion?"

"The public is not suspicious," Clemenceau raised his eyebrows: "They think it was another mutiny, that the soldiers acted during Shire's leave, and the matter was resolved when Shire returned."

Briand stopped what he was doing and looked up at Clemenceau: "We still lost, the 6th Group Army is completely under Shire's control and cannot be shaken."

His eyes held some fear as he said this, now he could only hope that Fuxu could suppress Shire.

But this seemed unrealistic, even though Fuxu's troops were much larger than Shire's.

However, Clemenceau responded calmly: "I don't think so, Prime Minister."

"What?" Briand looked puzzled.

He probably didn't understand the fearsome aspect of Shire—a capitalist, inventor, politician, military genius, controlling over 200,000 troops!

Clemenceau lowered his head and took out a telegram from his coat pocket and handed it over: "From the British, from Minister of the Army, Marshal Kitchener."

Briand glanced at the telegram, a flicker of doubt in his eyes: "They hope to be responsible for the supply of all soldiers in the Belgian defense zone?"

When did the British become so generous? The Belgian direction houses most of the Northern Army Group's forces, including Shire's troops, totaling approximately 300,000; supplying them is no small matter.

Clemenceau said nothing, just nodded meaningfully.

Briand suddenly understood, it was to deal with Shire.

If the supplies for the French troops in Belgium were provided by the British Army, they could precisely control the supplies to Shire's troops, including ammunition and fuel.

Briand showed a hint of joy, "It seems we made the right move by deploying the 6th Group Army to Belgium."

Then he frowned, "But Shire is very wealthy. It is said that he has been purchasing supplies from Holland and the United States, and he also collaborates with 'Saint-Étienne' and 'FN' Armories, so ammunition shouldn't be lacking."

Clemenceau's voice carried a bit of pride, "But that's a force of over 200,000, Prime Minister; even Shire can't sustain it for long. As for ammunition, 'Saint-Étienne' and 'FN' Armories might provide rifle and other light weapon ammo, but shells and gasoline are beyond their capacity."

Briand nodded, "You're right."

After a brief contemplation, Briand instructed: "This is a matter of Franco-British diplomatic affairs, leave it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Army Committee to handle, no need for parliamentary approval."

Clemenceau understood and bowed slightly, "I completely agree, Prime Minister."

This should have originally been handled by the Ministry of the Army, as it concerns the supply of the Northern Army Group.

But the Minister of the Army is Gallieni, who certainly wouldn't agree to this plan.