The wartime rationing system passed smoothly in the Parliament.

This was overseen by the reserve army led by Gallieni.

Within the rationing system, Gallieni restricted unnecessary entertainment and luxury spending, such as limiting cinemas to three operating days a week, closing the Paris Museum, and rationing the supply of gas, electricity, and coal to the populace.

At the same time, he significantly increased the prices of tobacco and alcohol, except for military supplies.

This was targeted at the enjoying capitalists and wealthy class at the rear.

Additionally, bread and food were distributed to civilians free of charge on a per capita basis, and food items were sold at fixed quotas and fair prices.

This was to ensure the survival of civilians, with the fixed quotas preventing capitalists from hoarding supplies for the poor, doing so would mean they would have to forgo their own quota and go hungry.

The only facility that remained unrestricted was the Hôtel des Invalides.

Because it was able to showcase war trophies from the battlefield, including the "A7V" tank captured from the German Army, Gallieni believed this would promote patriotism and boost the morale of the troops and civilians.

(The above image shows the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, also known as the "Paris Hospital for Disabled Veterans," which was commissioned by Louis XIV in 1670 to accommodate disabled soldiers. During World War I, it was used to display war trophies, and it will be used as a venue for archery and athletics during the 2024 Olympic Games.)

Shire took no part in any of this and did not intervene.

Shire kept his distance to avoid suspicion and criticism suggesting that he was using this method to further control the supplies.

Although everyone knew that the actual control of the supplies was in Shire's hands, including the capitalists, politics sometimes requires this thin veil that cannot be pierced.

The people of France knew this but did not oppose it; instead, they supported it:

"We only trust Shire; the supplies should be controlled and distributed by him."

"If we don't trust him, would we trust those capitalists hoarding supplies? Or the politicians who do nothing and collude with the capitalists?"

"I believe Shire won't let us go hungry; everything will be fine!"

...

Shire indeed did not disappoint them; he distributed the captured supplies to the civilians at the first opportunity and even promised to sell seeds to civilians with low-interest loans to prepare for future sowing.

This was not difficult for Shire; he only needed to purchase the seeds from the United States, load them onto ships, and they would arrive in Dunkirk within seven days to be continuously delivered to the people.

France instantly erupted in jubilation, and the people, feeling reborn, spread Shire's good deeds everywhere:

"Only Shire would do this, low-interest loans; if we have no harvest and can't repay, it's Shire who bears the loss. Other capitalists won't engage in such unprofitable business."

"Yes, other capitalists would take advantage of this tense situation to raise the price of seeds and exploit us harshly."

"Shire saved us, not just on the battlefield but also from starving!"

...

In Davaz Town, neighbors who received food surrounded Dejoka's small house, people coming in an unending stream to thank him:

"We misjudged Shire, Madam Bernard."

"Shire is a good man; we should trust him, he wouldn't do anything to harm us."

"Thank you, all of you are good people, wonderful people, may God bless you!"

...

Camille was shaking hands with the neighbors while tears streamed down her face. She didn't know why it happened, but the tears just flowed uncontrollably.

Dejoka seemed quite composed, politely thanking the neighbors one by one and instructing them to prepare for sowing.

"Only by growing more food can we truly alleviate the food crisis," Dejoka told the neighbors. "We have millions of troops fighting on the front lines; they need our supply of goods!"

The neighbors nodded one after another, tears glistening in their eyes.

...

Shire stayed in his room and did not come downstairs; he did not like such socializing and was unable to handle it.

Neighbors came and went in twos and threes, and occasionally people from other villages and even Paris would come just to shake Shire's hand or express their gratitude.

If he had to receive everyone, Shire would likely have to stay here for days without being able to leave.

He sat alone at his desk, quietly reading the report Dejoka had delivered, which detailed the recent business developments of the Bernard Group.

The insurance and shipping businesses between England and France were going well and had even expanded to the United States, as American shipping companies needed to join Shire's escort fleet.

In the laboratory, Stokes had moved his entire family to Davaz Town under the guise of business, bringing with him key personnel from the Scott Machinery Company.

Shire frowned.

It was good to have talent coming in, but they were British, and the animosity and distrust between the English and French because of their hundred-year-old grievances were significant…

"These key personnel have been screened," Dejoka was standing beside Shire, noticing the difficulty on Shire's face as he looked at the list, guessing what Shire was worrying about.

Shire turned to glance at Dejoka, made a sound of acknowledgment, and said, "I trust Mr. Stokes has conducted the screening."

After all, Stokes was committing treason, and he wouldn't want to have a few spies around to pose a threat to himself.

"Britain's situation is also not good," Dejoka explained, "especially after the British Expeditionary Force's defeat at the River Somme, I've heard that Britain has launched an emergency conscription again, aiming to recruit 300,000 new soldiers in one go!"

That's Haig's "military talent."

His idea was simple: if the battlefield could not achieve victory, it meant there weren't enough troops; if there weren't enough troops, they had to conscript more.

As for whether these lives could be effectively utilized, that was not the "Butcher's" concern.

Dejoka raised his chin toward the list. "If they did not come with Stokes, they might be conscripted due to dismissal."

Shire instantly understood.

The people who followed Stokes were in some sense "deserters," and the Bernard Group's employment contracts exempted them from going to the battlefield.

In other words, the company controlled their lives and deaths, so loyalty was hardly an issue to worry about.

A helpless smile appeared on Shire's face; it seemed this was an irony, with the battlefield giving him the opportunity to gather talent.

Then, Dejoka said with a light sigh, out of nowhere, "I'm proud of you, Shire, and so is your mother."

"What?" Shire looked at Dejoka in surprise. He usually didn't say such things.

Dejoka stepped forward, holding Shire by the shoulder, his gaze drifting past the window to the neighbors who lingered below, and said thoughtfully, "They believe you saved them, and so do I. This is more important than winning a battle!"

"The soldiers will fight for you because you protected their families, ensuring they had no worries at home."

"You did well, Shire; you're on your way to victory!"