CHAPTER 688: CHAPTER 688 HE IS OUR ROLE MODEL

France, Paris.

Citizens received the information a bit later; the battle happening in the morning was only spread in the afternoon.

Precisely speaking, it didn’t spread in the afternoon; the parliament ended at midday, and the news started leaking intermittently.

When the news first came out, the citizens generally didn’t believe it, thinking it was a rumor because it was too unbelievable:

"Shire’s troops are in Belgium. How could they suddenly be in Mezieres?"

"I heard they not only reached Mezieres but also successfully occupied it. That’s a fortress city, located along the mid-rear Meuse River with its back to the Arden Mountains!"

"Is this false news spread by the government to stabilize the citizens’ emotions?"

...

It’s no wonder the citizens thought this way; the government often exaggerated victories and kept defeats secret.

The government believed this would assure citizens that working hard was worthwhile and would not lose their confidence to strike.

Of course, there were many different voices mixed in:

"Shire only cares about his interests in Belgium. He didn’t even reinforce Dunkirk; how could he attack Mezieres?"

"To attack Mezieres, he should break through the German Army’s defense from the Mons direction, right?"

"Yes, suddenly appearing in Mezieres is a joke, an impossibility, a deliberately fabricated lie!"

...

These were mostly people hired by capitalists, mainly the Schneider Company. They believed the best and cheapest way to defeat Shire was to create negative public opinion.

And now was a perfect opportunity: as long as Shire didn’t reinforce Dunkirk, they could say he was "selfish."

Even if Shire finally reinforced Dunkirk and won, they could still say it was a reluctant choice and that he aimed for dictatorship, not for the country.

Once this kind of consensus formed among citizens, even a lie could easily bring Shire down.

Until around 2 p.m., the "Merit Newspaper" published an extra edition with a photo of the French Army tank entering Mezieres.

The newspaper made a few light comments, the official language devoid of any emotional color, as if reporting a trivial matter:

"At 9:10, Shire’s First Armored Army successfully crossed the Arden Mountains and reached Mezieres."

"At 10:05, the First Armored Army smoothly entered Meziere City, and achieved control with the help of the city’s citizens!"

"At 10:30, the German Army’s First Tank Division, besieging Dunkirk, began to retreat; the crisis of Dunkirk had been resolved!"

...

This was Kobudo’s method. He believed that a more understated narration at this moment would cause a bigger sensation.

Because "no fancy words can describe the greatness of this victory!"

With the newspaper’s release, those secretly creating negative public opinion instantly went silent.

They considered various situations, even Shire attacking the Liege Fortress, but never thought his troops would appear in Mezieres and decisively change the war.

What can they say now?

Say that Shire selfishly refused to reinforce Dunkirk?

His attack on Mezieres already lifted the siege of Dunkirk, so there was no need for reinforcement.

Say he aimed for dictatorship?

The battle of Mezieres was clearly pre-planned: first capturing Charleroi, then paving roads and building bridges in the Arden Mountains, and finally striking decisively.

In other words, Shire had been preparing since the British Army started collapsing, not ignoring allies for his own benefits and power.

What’s more shocking for the rumor mongers and their capitalist backers is...

They thought Shire would eventually be forced to reinforce Dunkirk and lose his interests in Belgium.

Because to save Dunkirk, all troops had to be brought, which would allow Germany to re-occupy Belgium.

However, Shire effortlessly dissolved this dilemma:

The 6th Army stayed in Namur to deter the German Army, preventing them from attacking Belgium.

The First Armored Army pierced through the Arden Mountains to Mezieres, lifting the siege of Dunkirk.

Achieving two goals with one stroke.

Actually, it achieved more than just two objectives.

Shire shattered all the negative publicity surrounding him with this battle and further solidified his social reputation.

Paris went crazy again for Shire’s victory. At the moment the newspaper released the news, those who got the newspaper ran around excitedly spreading the word.

While the "Merit Newspaper" sold out quickly, the citizens became enthusiastic:

Those doing housework at home, walking on the street, even working in factories... everyone surged onto the streets, cheering and jumping for joy.

Many people jumped and shouted:

"Mezieres, we have reclaimed Mezieres."

"Shire is our eternal hero!"

"Shire is the savior of France, the rescuer of us all!"

...

Compared to the excitement in Paris, Davaz Town seemed quite desolate.

The news was spread by Fabio, the newspaper deliveryman, whose vehicle was originally a horse cart. His daily job was shuttling between Paris and Davaz to bring the town the day’s newspaper.

Perhaps because Davaz Town was Shire’s hometown, the government equipped Fabio with a car and a novice driver, Fidel.

On this day, Fabio’s car entered Davaz, honking and shouting crazily: "Shire won, Shire recaptured Mezieres, Shire saved France again..."

However, the neighbors in Davaz Town reacted lukewarmly; they just glanced at Fabio, smiled, and said to those beside them, "Oh, Shire won again."

Those beside them responded, "Yes, he is always winning. That’s great!"

And that was it; they continued with their tasks, planning to buy a newspaper later to read in detail.

They had no concept of Mezieres, didn’t know what this battle meant, nor the difficulty of armored troops passing through the Arden Mountains.

As for Shire’s victories, they were long accustomed to them.

As the car passed Dejoka’s house, Fabio shouted, "Stop, stop, you idiot; this is Shire’s home!"

Fidel slammed the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt.

Before the car stopped, Fabio jumped out, waving the newspaper and running towards Camille, shouting excitedly: "Madam Bernard, would you like one? Shire won another great victory!"

"Okay, of course." Camille smiled joyfully and proudly, took the newspaper, and handed over money.

Fabio didn’t take the money: "No, Madam Bernard, this is for you!"

Camille insisted on paying, but Fabio quickly ran off, jumped back into the car, took off his cap, and said as the car started moving again: "I salute you, Madam Bernard, you have an excellent son; he is our role model!"