I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 103 Colonel Estiny

The atmosphere in the living room became somewhat awkward; Arman tactfully took over the topic.

"This can’t be changed anymore, Francis!" Arman seemed to be defending Grevy: "We all know that it might have been changeable before the conscription order was issued, but once it is issued, it is a declaration to everyone that he will become a soldier. If we try to do anything..."

Arman made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand, implying that even they, the congressmen and party leaders, would be doomed.

Francis sighed. He actually knew this but still wanted to try one last time to see if there was a way. Now it seemed that there was no room for maneuver at all.

Nikola took this opportunity to chime in, his eyes showing some dissatisfaction, his tone slightly questioning: "You said you would give me an exclusive report afterward, but now..."

"That’s because you fell behind ’Little Daily,’ Nikola!" Grevy interrupted him: "I can still give you an exclusive report now, but the question is, do you still need it?"

Nikola was speechless. Grevy indeed never mentioned "when" it would be given!

However, it was indeed Grevy’s fault. He didn’t expect Shire to return, thus failed to manage the timing, which directly led to ’Le Figaro’ being outdone by ’Little Daily.’

Grevy did not care about the money; the losses were not his anyway. What he cared about was the increasing suppression of the traditional aristocracy’s discourse power.

’Le Figaro’ was one of the most important discourse powers of the right-wing. It could have once again attained glory and conquered a large number of politicians and officers, but now, it was quite the opposite.

Francis sat down in dismay, and after a while, he seemed to calm down.

"A more severe problem lies before us, gentlemen!" Francis said heavily: "Shire has gained a good reputation in Belgium, and now no one can shake his position among the military and civilians. This means they will have more faith in Shire’s tanks, and his tanks will easily defeat us and trample us underfoot..."

Grevy nodded his head; this was the main issue he wanted to hear.

Arman turned his gaze to Grevy; it was now his time to solve the problem.

But Grevy did not speak. He drank his wine leisurely, as if he hadn’t heard Francis’ words.

The living room fell into eerie silence, as if everyone was helpless about this situation.

Until a servant came in to report: "Mr. Grevy, there is a Colonel Estiny outside the door wanting to see you. He said you asked him to come!"

Grevy nodded his head to signal the servant to let him in while he raised his wine glass and said, "Gentlemen, I hope you will meet someone!"

As he spoke, a colonel wearing a sword at his waist and long boots strode into the living room. Unlike the red army pants of the infantry, his military pants were blue with a wide red stripe sewn on each side.

Francis and the others easily recognized this as the attire of an artillery officer. Their eyes flashed with confusion, Arman included. They didn’t understand why Grevy would bring an artillery colonel into this "family meeting."

"Welcome, Colonel!" Grevy stood up to greet him warmly, offering him a seat and pouring him a glass of wine.

Grevy introduced everyone in the room to Colonel Estiny, who politely saluted each of them.

Finally, Grevy turned his gaze back to Estiny and asked, "Could you share your thoughts, Colonel?"

"Of course!" Colonel Estiny nodded his head.

He pondered for a moment, then sat up straight and slightly leaned forward, raising his wine glass towards Francis opposite him: "It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Francis. The soldiers at the front have received the tanks you produced. However, my visit is not to thank you; I believe they have significant room for improvement. This is also the sentiment of the front-line soldiers..."

At this moment, everyone understood Grevy’s intention. He wanted feedback from the frontline officers and soldiers.

Soon, they realized things were not that simple.

Colonel Estiny took out a document from his backpack and distributed it among them, saying, "This is my concept for a new type of tank. Of course, it’s just a prototype with many deficiencies, but we can gradually perfect it!"

Francis glanced at the design, his eyes showing some wariness: "What is the difference between it and our current tanks?"

"The biggest difference is in firepower, Mr. Francis!" Colonel Estiny replied: "We need more powerful firepower. Your tanks only have machine guns, but we want to mount artillery on the tanks!"

The crowd nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Very good idea!" Arman said, "It will definitely take Shire by surprise!"

The crowd cooperated with a burst of laughter.

"Doesn’t Shire know to mount artillery on tanks?" Grevy was uncertain.

"As far as I know, he indeed doesn’t!" Francis said confidently, "At least not currently!"

Shire’s tractor factory had many workers from Francis’ factory; it was easy for him to find a few insiders.

Grevy nodded, looked at the design, and said, "This is my goal, gentlemen. We cannot be satisfied with the status quo; we also need to progress. Only in this way can we maintain our advantage continuously. Competition is cruel, realistic, and pressing. We cannot wait to be defeated by our enemies!"

Francis and Colonel Estiny nodded in approval, but Nikola and Arman had somewhat odd expressions.

Grevy had always opposed such competition, considering it pointless internal consumption. He believed that excellent products would ultimately emerge in production, not from capitalists "killing each other."

Only Grevy himself knew it was because Shire did not exist before, and he was unwilling to participate in this low-level slaughter.

Now he had no choice. If he didn’t eliminate Shire, he would have to face Shire’s tanks head-on!

Colonel Estiny discussed with everyone for more than an hour. Grevy expressed his support and willingness to implement it, even purchasing the rights to this new tank, provided it was mature enough.

"Do you think..." Arman looked at Estiny’s departing figure through the window and asked with great interest, "he can defeat Shire?"

"I’m not sure!" Grevy replied, still staring at the design on the table, "But it’s at least better than the tanks we have now, which means we’re progressing!"

Arman nodded slightly; this was undeniable.

Grevy looked up at the crowd and said, "I believe our greatest advantage lies in considering the needs of frontline soldiers, whereas Shire can only be a staff officer sitting in the Paris City Defense Command. He cannot know what the frontline soldiers want! This is very important!"

The crowd nodded in agreement. The tanks would eventually be handed over to the frontline soldiers, requiring their combat testing.

If Shire couldn’t achieve this while they could, then Shire would lose this battle!

They completely failed to realize this was exactly the advantage Shire had...

(The above image is the 1914 France artillery uniform)