I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 71: Secret Mission

Today really isn’t enough time, the third Chapter isn’t finished, so there are only two updates! Continue with three updates tomorrow!

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The next day it was cloudy, and Paris, which was already foggy, seemed even darker without the sunlight, giving the illusion of imminent rain, and creating an inexplicable sense of oppression.

On this day, the Paris City Defense Command was unusually busy.

Originally, the frontline battles had little to do with the Paris City Defense Command anymore, as the battle lines had moved far away from Paris, and Paris was without danger, hence there was no need for city defense.

However, the previous battles had made the parliament distrust Xia Fei. Many believed that the army’s significant casualties and even Paris’s crisis were all due to Xia Fei’s strategic mistakes:

Before the war, France had learned about the Germans’ Schlieffen Plan in advance. Almost everyone knew that the main force of the German Army would encircle Paris from the right wing through Belgium, this was no secret.

At that time, Xia Fei only needed to place the main force of France to the north, along the route of the German Army’s advance, digging trenches and fortifying defenses. This way, the French Army wouldn’t have suffered such heavy losses, and Paris wouldn’t have been in danger.

However, knowing the German Army’s attack plan, Xia Fei still formulated the so-called "Plan 17," which uncharacteristically deployed the main force of the French Army to the south of the border for an offensive on Alsace and Lorraine.

It perfectly aligned with the Germans’ Schlieffen Plan, eventually causing the French Army to fall apart.

Some members of parliament believed that even a spy couldn’t achieve such flawless coordination: whatever the German Army wanted the French Army to do, Xia Fei did it, knowing their plan.

Nevertheless, Xia Fei was a hero elevated by capitalists and the media. They feared that dismissing or holding Xia Fei accountable would undermine the confidence of the French military and civilians, so they did not seek retribution.

(Note: If it were just once or twice, the parliament could have pretended nothing happened. However, in subsequent wars, every time the Germans set a trap, Xia Fei fell for it without exception. The parliament eventually couldn’t bear it any longer and subtly demoted him: in 1916, he was promoted to Marshal while being relieved of his position as commander-in-chief.)

Parliament’s final decision was: Xia Fei remained the commander-in-chief of the French Army, but he had to fully consider Gallieni’s suggestions.

In other words, although Gallieni was the commander of Paris City Defense, he had the authority to "assist" Xia Fei in commanding the French Army.

Frontline intelligence was flying like snowflakes to Gallieni’s desk, mainly news from the Antwerp Fortress in Belgium:

"General, message from the Belgian Army: ’If the situation doesn’t improve, the Belgian government will have to evacuate Antwerp within three days!’"

"The British Army stated they are unable to reinforce Antwerp and hope that we can send aid!"

"Message from the Belgian government, the Germans have launched another bombardment, another fortress has been breached by the Belgian Army, and the situation is extremely critical!"

...

Gallieni frowned. The Antwerp Fortress was crucial to the Allies. Once it fell, it would almost mean that Belgium could no longer hold back the German Army’s logistical transport as before, allowing the German Army’s ammunition supplies to flow continuously through Belgium to the French front.

Gallieni first thought of Shire, wondering if he might have any solutions?

But this idea was quickly dismissed; Shire wasn’t God. Moreover, this was an artillery duel and a clash of fortresses and steel, what solution could he possibly have!

Therefore, when Gallieni saw Shire coming up the stairs, he merely nodded slightly and buried his head back in the papers.

"General!" At this moment, Colonel Durand approached to report: "The commander-in-chief hopes we can send someone to Antwerp for an on-site inspection and provide a detailed report!"

Gallieni responded with a half-hearted "Hmm," his attention still focused on the intelligence in his hands. "You handle it!"

"Yes, General!" Colonel Durand straightened up, responding as he turned to the stairs.

He seemed in a hurry, not pausing even as he passed Shire, nor did he glance aside, but he gave an order in a low voice: "Follow me, Lieutenant Shire, the General has an assignment for you, an urgent task!"

"Yes, Colonel!" Shire replied.

He saw Colonel Durand talking with Gallieni earlier, though he didn’t hear what they discussed.

What kind of urgent task could it be?

Shire was a bit curious, hoping it wasn’t to stand guard or practice military posture!

After going downstairs, Colonel Durand directly led Shire to a car, personally driving them to their destination.

"We’re heading to the airport!" As the car started, Colonel Durand explained while handling the wheel, "Your task is to take a plane to a place called Antwerp. We need detailed information about the situation there, such as Belgian Army casualties, surviving fortress numbers, enemy firepower and deployment, understand?"

"Understood, Sir!" Shire replied.

He felt nervous; taking a plane, going to the battlefield, he didn’t expect it to come so quickly!

Although it wasn’t fighting with a rifle but conducting reconnaissance, it still involved danger.

Then Colonel Durand reminded Shire: "This is a secret mission, Lieutenant, we can’t let the Germans know that France is assessing Antwerp, it would reveal our plan to send reinforcements. So, you can’t discuss this with anyone, including the pilot, understand?"

"Yes, Sir!" Shire nodded, swallowing with difficulty, feeling a chill on his face.

However, he tried to comfort himself: it wouldn’t be dangerous, if it were, General Gallieni wouldn’t send him there. Perhaps, this was just a test for him!

This idea somewhat reassured Shire.

But soon he became nervous again, realizing he hadn’t even learned how to use a handgun. What if he encountered the enemy? Or perhaps this mission wouldn’t involve encountering the enemy at all?

The car drove into a small airfield, and Shire’s face turned pale when he saw the wooden biplane parked on the platform that looked like a toy.

He wondered if he was to ride this contraption to the battlefield.

"I’ve never flown before, Colonel!" Shire nervously glanced at Colonel Durand.

"Then you’re very fortunate!" Durand parked the car next to the plane, nodding at Shire: "You’re about to!"

Shire fearfully exited the car and approached the plane, with Durand adding from behind: "Don’t worry, Lieutenant! We’ve assigned the best pilot for this mission!"

The pilot, sitting in the cockpit, turned around and smiled upon hearing this, revealing an oil-stained face and a small mustache.

"Rest assured!" The pilot shouted confidently to Shire. "There won’t be any problems, I can fly this with my eyes closed!"

However, as Shire climbed into the cockpit, he smelled a hint of alcohol.

He looked at the pilot in shock: "Sir, have you been drinking?"

The pilot turned around and lifted his flask, enthusiastically asking: "Care for some?"

Shire: ...