I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 732: The First Generation Demon Monk
Queen Mary stared intently at the map, feeling anxious and uncertain.
Why didn’t I think of this?
Shire’s method cleverly transformed Romania’s unilateral appeal for help into Russia’s self-preservation.
Thus, it was not "assistance" but Russia’s "self-rescue," making Russia indebted to Romania.
Deploying 200,000 troops might just be the first step. Even if Romania does not request it, Russia would continuously send troops to Romania.
A single sentence can change the fate of a nation!
What gives this young man such astonishing influence, with the strategies and survival of various countries in his hands?
Queen Mary then hesitated: "But how can we persuade the Russians to adopt this strategy?"
"Simple," Shire answered. "You just need to contact Brusilov and tell him this is my idea. He will consider it seriously."
Queen Mary was enlightened: "So the rumors are true?"
"What rumors?" Shire knew nothing about this.
"They say," Queen Mary gazed at Shire with admiration in her eyes, "they say that Brusilov won the battle because of your advice."
Shire did not answer directly: "You can ask Brusilov. Now that he has won the battle, he is at the height of his power. Persuading the Tsar shouldn’t be a problem."
After a pause, Shire added: "But you have to be wary of one person."
"Who?" Queen Mary was startled, thinking it might be a spy.
However, Shire’s next words revealed a different truth.
"Rasputin," Shire said. "You should know him."
"Oh, yes." Queen Mary showed disdain, her tone sarcastic, "No one does not know him."
(The image above shows the notorious Rasputin of Tsarist Russia. During World War I, Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra had deep faith in mysticism and believed wholeheartedly in Rasputin. The appointment and dismissal of ministers and generals were decided by Rasputin. Within just two years of the war, he whimsically changed dozens of ministers, and even military matters were subject to Rasputin’s "knowledge of the unknown.")
Then Queen Mary thought of something, looking troubled: "Do you mean I have to persuade Rasputin?"
"Yes," Shire answered. "Convincing Brusilov only solves the military feasibility. Persuading Rasputin is a political matter, and politics trumps military matters. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Queen Mary still showed strong resistance: "But perhaps you don’t know, this Rasputin..."
Queen Mary hesitated to finish her sentence.
Rasputin was known for his lechery.
He had a habit of collecting a lock of hair from each virgin he slept with, eventually filling several large boxes.
Shire sighed inwardly, realizing Queen Mary was still politically naive.
But this was understandable; Romania, as an oil powerhouse, was fawned over by all countries before joining the war. Queen Mary had always been the center of attention and had never been in such a lowly position.
A girl nurtured in a greenhouse, now beginning to face the harsh elements.
"You can send someone else," Shire reminded. "Think of Romania; this is a necessary political maneuver."
Politics does not suit those with a compulsion for purity; she should understand this is the norm, just like the modern Epstein.
Queen Mary also understood this. She handed the contract to Shire and took a pen from her bag, extending it: "Sign it. This is what you deserve. I am also prepared to welcome your company, and I promise, as Queen, to sign a contract if necessary."
"No," Shire responded. "I trust you, Your Majesty."
In reality, Shire trusted no one.
But there was no need to sign a contract in this matter. Contracts are meant to be broken; they guarantee nothing.
What matters is that Romania needs Shire’s protection.
Like now, what Queen Mary could not solve, Shire could turn around with just a few words.
There would be many more such situations in the future; enemies surrounded Romania everywhere.
Therefore, Romania would be even more dependent on Shire.
Shire suddenly realized that he unconsciously grew into a great tree, drawing many small states to him...
Uh, not that kind of drawing close.
After Queen Mary left, Dejoka and Camille came in tardily.
They had obviously waited outside for a long time, even discussing various possibilities, and only came in after Queen Mary left.
Camille looked at Shire with reproach: "Who was she?"
Dejoka anxiously asked: "Is everything settled?"
Shire waved the contract in his hand at them, replying easily: "She is the Queen of Romania, mother, here to discuss business."
They were stunned that she was the Queen?
...
In the Dejoka family’s living room, Camille served two steaming cups of hand-ground coffee to Shire and Dejoka.
The Dejoka family originally had no habit of drinking coffee, but perhaps because Shire grew up, or due to a change in the family environment, or because Dejoka and Shire became busy with work, they gradually started drinking coffee.
However, Shire still had a childish taste, wanting two extra cubes of sugar in his coffee, preferably with some milk for a richer taste, while Dejoka, needing to stay alert, preferred bitter coffee.
Dejoka casually took a small sip of coffee, his eyes fixed on the contract in his hand.
After carefully reading it, he nodded at Shire with satisfaction: "No problem. I didn’t expect you to become the owner of the Ploiesti Oil Field. So, how do you plan to manage this oil field?"
"So soon?" Shire was a bit surprised.
"Of course," Dejoka said sternly to Shire. "This is Romania’s largest oil field. If we don’t take over now while Romania needs us, who knows what will happen later?"
Shire agreed with Dejoka’s approach.
Businessmen fear nothing more than wasted time. Benefits within grasp should be seized as quickly as possible.
Shire was not in a hurry only because he knew Romania would need him for a long time.
"I think Joseph should handle this," Shire said.
"Joseph?" Dejoka was stunned, then understood: "You mean under the name of the American branch?"
Shire nodded.
"Good idea!" Dejoka agreed. "Joseph is a trustworthy partner. We can register him as an American citizen and let him register in Romania, making it an American company."
With the façade of an American company, even just a shell, it would be much safer and easier to do business.
At this time, the United States was neutral, and Germany feared America’s formidable production capabilities, trying every means to avoid provoking the United States to prevent it from joining the war.
