CHAPTER 677: REVISED: CHAPTER 677 "SEREN" STEEL MILL

Shire was right, Gilles never intended to sell the "Seren" steel factory.

He had been vacationing in the United States, enjoying life with his family at a villa on the Washington coast.

Gilles believed that if there was any place in the world that was safe and comfortable, it was the United States. Even the top-ranking Britain was under German blockade and in a state of material shortages.

One day, as he lay on a deck chair in front of his villa, sipping red wine and basking in the sun, he received a telegram from Belgium. To his surprise, it was sent by Albert I:

"I am pleased to inform you, Mr. Gilles, that we will soon recover the ’Seren’ steel factory."

"For the sake of the war, if you do not return to handle it, we will nationalize the steel factory."

"After all, no one would be willing to recover it with blood and life and then present it to you with both hands, would you agree?"

Gilles jumped up from the deck chair as if pricked by a needle, exclaiming, "My God, they have actually reached ’Seren’?"

’Seren’ was not just the name of a steel factory, it was a small town only 10 kilometers from the Liege Fortress.

If the Belgian Army had reached ’Seren’, it meant that the entire Belgian territory would soon be recaptured.

"No, I cannot give up the steel factory." Gilles hastily packed his luggage, bade farewell to his family, and boarded a car back to Belgium.

...

Charleroi City Hall.

Major General Eden was puzzled by Albert I’s decision to "give" the ’Seren’ steel factory to Shire.

"Your Majesty, should you not reconsider?" Major General Eden said, "’Seren’ is not just a steel factory, it is also a machinery factory. Our country’s first train was built there."

The ’Seren’ steel factory is the largest steel factory in Belgium, with an annual steel production of 1.1 million tons, nearly half of Belgium’s total output.

(Note: Before and after World War I, Belgian steel production was not large, with an annual output of around 2.467 million tons. By the 1980s, the annual output of the ’Seren’ steel factory alone reached 3 million tons.)

"I know," Albert I replied calmly.

"It is the lifeline of Belgium, Your Majesty," Major General Eden said, "Steel holds our economic, military, and industrial development. Without it, we have nothing!"

Albert I turned his gaze to Major General Eden and asked, "Do you think Shire needs these things to control Belgium?"

Major General Eden suddenly understood.

Shire could control the lifeline of Belgium even without the ’Seren’ steel factory. He had an invincible army, controlled the FN Arsenal, and was also in charge of building Belgium’s defense system.

Any one of these was enough to shake the foundation of Belgium.

If that is the case, what difference does it make to give Shire one more handle?

"But," Major General Eden still did not understand, "’Seren’ steel factory is vital to Belgium’s economy. We can just pretend nothing happened and not give it to Shire..."

After all, Shire did not ask for anything. He was satisfied with everything he currently had. Would giving the ’Seren’ steel factory be unnecessary?

Albert I smiled lightly and reminded, "Major General, have you forgotten where the ’Seren’ steel factory is located?"

Major General Eden had not "forgotten," he just did not understand the connection between the two.

However, a glance at the position of the ’Seren’ steel factory on the map immediately made him understand.

It is located in a small town in Liège Province, only 10 kilometers from the Liege Fortress.

To protect the ’Seren’ steel factory, the Liege Fortress must be secured. Otherwise, it would be within the range of the fortress’s artillery.

Albert I asked calmly, "Now, do you think we should give it to Shire?"

Major General Eden nodded heavily, "Yes, Your Majesty, this is an excellent investment! Your consideration is correct, farsighted, and insightful!"

Albert I smiled faintly and did not say anything more.

Major General Eden only saw this from a military perspective.

From another angle, considering the need to suppress domestic capitalists, it should be done as well.

As Major General Eden said, the ’Seren’ steel factory’s output was nearly half of Belgium’s. Its owner, Gilles, controlled Belgium’s military, economy, and industry, so much so that even the powerful Albert I had to yield to him.

If Belgium had to listen to Shire, to Bo Yata, to Gilles, and to everyone else, why not just kick Bo Yata and Gilles out?

In the future, only listen to Shire, at least Shire is a friend, a conscientious capitalist, and also the one who cannot be kicked out!

This was an act of power; Major General Eden did not understand, nor did he need to understand.

At that moment, Gilles was brought in by the guards. He excitedly shook hands with Albert I and said joyfully,

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

"Unbelievable, we have recaptured ’Seren’ so quickly."

"I knew that under your leadership, the Belgian people would drive out the invaders and achieve final victory!"

"You are a wise leader and a brilliant commander..."

Albert I snorted internally. If you knew these things, you should not have hidden in the United States doing nothing until now to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor.

But Albert I did not show it. He politely invited Gilles to sit at the desk, "Since you are back, let’s discuss the shares of the ’Seren’ steel factory, Mr. Gilles!"

Gilles was stunned, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "But you said in the telegram that if I returned, you would not nationalize it..."

Albert I raised an eyebrow, "I indeed have no intention of nationalizing it, but I think you should sell the shares to Shire."

"Sh-Shire?" Gilles was shocked, stammering, "The Mars of France?"

Even if he had ignored worldly affairs in the United States, he had heard Shire’s name.

It was impossible for him not to know, as it was the talk of the town, even in the United States.

"Yes!" Albert I nodded slightly, taking out a pre-prepared document from the drawer and handing it over, "This is the acquisition plan. If there is no problem, sign it."

Gilles glanced at the document, and his face instantly turned ashen, "No, selling 50% of the shares at half price is too absurd..."

"Is it?" Albert I’s face darkened, coldly staring at Gilles and interrupting him, "Let me tell you what will happen, Mr. Gilles."

"If you do not agree, the ’Seren’ steel factory will have nothing to do with Shire. The First Special Reconnaissance Army will have no reason to sacrifice their lives to protect the steel factory."

"I believe you know what will happen!"