I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 747: Why would he be walking with Shire?
Clemenceau walked slowly up to the podium, his heart heavy.
Along the way, there were boos from Shire’s faction members, and someone shouted at him:
"Get down, you bastard."
"Mouthpiece for the capitalists, you only speak for them."
"You’re a traitor full of lies!"
(Referring to Clemenceau’s numerous contradictory actions. He proposed an eight-hour workday, but when workers went on a massive strike for it, he deployed 25,000 troops for a bloody suppression. He claimed to support press freedom, but heavily suppressed it during his tenure. He set the retirement age at 65, when barely anyone would live that long, thus it was called the "dead man’s pension.")
...
Opposition MPs looked at him with anticipation. They knew Clemenceau could almost represent Briand. Many matters that were inconvenient for Briand as Prime Minister to address publicly were voiced by Clemenceau.
Only Steed sat silently with a cold smile, watching Clemenceau.
What choice will he make?
There should be no suspense left, unless he’s a fool!
Clemenceau’s gaze swept across the hall, and the room slowly quieted down.
"Gentlemen, there is one thing that is beyond doubt." Clemenceau said: "The power to appoint military positions lies with the parliament; no other force has the right to interfere, no matter who they are."
The opposition MPs expressed their agreement:
"Yes."
"That’s right!"
...
Clemenceau continued:
"If every time we make a decision, people take to the streets to protest or demonstrate, and then the parliament compromises and changes its decision."
"Do you know what that means?"
"Parliament’s decisions will no longer be pure, or even impossible to make, as every decision will face protests and opposition, because there will always be some who are dissatisfied."
The opposition cheered in support, while Shire’s faction loudly opposed, making the meeting room a chaotic scene.
However, Clemenceau changed the subject:
"But, is this decision really correct?"
"We all know Ganmelin has always been the head of operations. We think he’s the smartest strategist in France, skilled in commanding frontline warfare."
"Yet the Reserve Army Group is where new recruits are trained and logistics are supported."
Everyone was stunned.
The opposition wondered if something was wrong. It seemed off!
Shire’s faction looked at each other in bewilderment. Did they hear it wrong? Clemenceau supports our view?
Could this be some sort of trap? Is he digging a pit for others to fall into?
Only Steed knew what was going on. He smiled and nodded lightly.
Shire won, once again.
Clemenceau continued:
"I do not doubt Major General Ganmelin’s ability, but I believe he belongs to the battlefield. Gentlemen, he has never trained soldiers."
"We all know that knowing how to do something and teaching it are two different things. That’s why we need instructors."
"Just like we know, those who can solve problems might not make qualified teachers."
"Similarly, a head of operations might not make a qualified instructor, and he also doesn’t know what logistical issues need attention."
The meeting room was very quiet, everyone guessing Clemenceau’s true intentions, both the opposition and Shire’s faction.
Finally, someone couldn’t hold back and asked: "Then, who do you think is more suitable for this position, Sir?"
Clemenceau spread his hands: "Of course, General Gallieni, he’s done a great job."
An MP followed up: "But what about his health issues?"
"I’ve heard his condition has improved," Clemenceau replied. "He’s out of danger now, isn’t he? Who else could be more suitable? And until he recovers, I think Major General Monuri can temporarily take over."
Then Clemenceau added: "Major General Monuri is more experienced than Ganmelin. I heard he used to be an instructor, and did very well."
Major General Monuri often led Reserve Army Group soldiers to reinforce the front lines. In terms of experience, no one could rival him. Indeed, he was a more suitable candidate.
But the point is, he is one of Gallieni’s men, Gallieni’s old subordinate, a trusted aide.
The opposition was stunned, not understanding Clemenceau’s purpose in doing this.
And Shire’s faction, some began to suspect if this Major General Monuri had been bought off by the capitalists.
...
Paris City Hall.
Briand was signing documents in his office as usual.
His workload had significantly decreased compared to before, as many military matters no longer required government approval, including material allocation.
The Logistics Minister had complained:
"We don’t have materials, Prime Minister, they’re in Gallieni’s hands and coordinated by him."
"All the personnel of the logistics department need Gallieni’s consent to access materials. It’s a joke. Our existence is completely redundant."
"Who would care about our logistics department without materials?"
Briand didn’t like this powerlessness, but he was helpless.
Most of France’s supplies were transported from the United States and had to cross the Atlantic Ocean under the protection of Shire’s fleet.
If the parliament pushed Shire too hard, he just needed to withdraw the destroyers with "Echo Detectors," and France would get nothing.
Fortunately, the government still had some control over the appointment of certain generals, such as the commander of the Reserve Army Group.
Gallieni might not have been moved before his illness, but now it was a different matter.
At this moment, the secretary came forward, looking puzzled, and reported to Briand: "Prime Minister, Clemenceau has proposed in parliament that General Gallieni should continue to serve as the commander of the Reserve Army Group, and until he recovers, Major General Monuri should temporarily take over."
Briand abruptly turned to his secretary, suspecting he had misheard.
It took him a while to ask: "Who is this Major General Monuri?"
"He’s General Gallieni’s trusted aide, Prime Minister," the secretary answered.
Briand was completely stunned. He had just been thinking that Clemenceau was probably taking this opportunity to plant someone named "Monuri" by Gallieni’s side.
Now it seems that was not the case.
"Have him come to see me," Briand said. "Immediately!"
"Yes, Prime Minister."
Soon enough, Clemenceau appeared before Briand, head held high.
Briand looked at Clemenceau with a blank expression: "Is there nothing you want to explain to me?"
Clemenceau feigned ignorance: "Do I need to explain something?"
Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Oh," and answered righteously:
"Are you referring to the commander of the Reserve Army Group? I don’t think there’s anything to explain." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
"I think this is the best arrangement, Prime Minister."
"Please trust that no one is more suited for this position than General Gallieni and Major General Monuri. They will do better than we can imagine."
"In fact, they have already proven that."
Looking at the masked Clemenceau in front of him, Briand suddenly realized that he had aligned himself with Shire.
Damn it, what’s going on?
How could he side with Shire?!
