I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 751 Our Goal is to Defeat Shire

The city of Metz, located behind the German Army's defensive line, stood with its "German Gate" in the wind and rain, seemingly narrating the history of attacks and defenses in the area.

(The above image shows the "German Gate" in Metz)

(The above image shows the location of Metz. As the central city of the Lorraine region, it is a key strategic military location with rich mineral resources and geographic advantages. The city is primarily distributed across three islands separated by rivers, making it difficult for mechanized forces to attack. During the outbreak of World War I, the French Army, under the command of Xia Fei, suffered over 300,000 casualties in vain attempts to recapture the city.)

On Little Solsey Island, in front of the Metz Grand Theater, which had been converted into a military camp, squads of German Army soldiers were drilling under the commands of officers.

Although the officers' shouts were loud, the soldiers' ranks remained neat, and their tactical movements were precise and meticulous, the air was thick with an overwhelming sense of dejection, gloom, and oppressiveness.

(The above image shows Metz Grand Theater, built between 1728 and 1752, still in use today)

During a break in the drill, soldiers gathered together, smoking and stealing glances to make sure officers were out of earshot before whispering among themselves:

"The war is about to end, right? I heard the situation on the Eastern Front isn't looking good either."

"The failure on the Eastern Front is a minor issue, Geoffrey. The crucial one has always been Charles. He's nearly reclaimed all of France."

"Yes, if you don't consider the Lorraine and Alsace regions, they only need to take one more step to complete this grand mission."

The soldiers wore expressions of sorrow; none of them wanted to see the war end in this manner, yet they felt powerless to change it.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Do we still have hope?"

The soldiers shook their heads and sighed, finally casting their eyes towards a central room on the third floor. It was Major General Erwin's quarters of the First Tank Division.

...

Inside the quarter, the room was in disarray. Major General Erwin, who always paid attention to image and etiquette, had his collar open and his hair messy, guzzling from a goblet. His beard, resembling weeds, was stuck together with the overflowing red wine.

As he set down his glass, Major General Erwin's eyes unintentionally fell on the map in the corner.

"Why?" Erwin murmured to himself:

"Why did this happen? Everything I did seems inconsequential compared to Charles."

"Is he really invincible?"

"No, nothing is invincible, and Charles is no exception!"

However, despite what he said, he had already admitted the truth in his heart.

Charles was indeed invincible.

In the Battle of Truk Forest, Major General Erwin had thought victory was firmly in his grasp.

Even if the First Tank Division couldn't defeat Charles's First Armored Division, just depleting his ammunition or taking out a small part would prevent him from breaking through the Verdun Defense Line.

This would result in a situation of "tactical failure but strategic victory."

Eventually, Charles's forces would be annihilated within the heavy encirclement of the German Army.

However...

It was just one invention, something called "Incendiary Bullet," that led to the complete annihilation of Major General Erwin's meticulously established First Tank Division.

And Charles's First Armored Division hadn't even expended much ammunition!

"He's like a devil!" Major General Erwin gnashed his teeth, with the burn scars on his hands reminding him of the scene of tragedy, the soldiers' screams and cries still ringing in his ears.

Then there was a knock on the door, but Major General Erwin pretended not to hear it.

He no longer wanted to be involved with the military; if Charles couldn't be defeated, the outcome of this war was inevitable, with only surrender as a possibility.

Continuing to fight would be worthless struggle; Germany should surrender.

Just as Major General Erwin was drowsily dozing off on the table, the door burst open with a loud crack.

In came a colonel, tall with a hooked nose, a determined and wise look in his eyes, and his chest proudly out.

He walked straight to the heap that was Major General Erwin, coldly instructed the guard, "Get me a glass of water."

"Yes, Colonel."

The guard thought the colonel wanted to sober up Erwin, but unexpectedly, he took the glass and without any hesitation, splashed it onto Erwin's face.

The jolt made Major General Erwin gasp and look up blankly at the unfamiliar colonel before him.

"Mind your attitude, Colonel," Major General Erwin said angrily, "Is this how you show respect to your superior?"

"Apologies, General," the colonel replied calmly, "I only respect superiors who never surrender, and you, have been defeated, thoroughly beaten by Charles."

Major General Erwin paused for a moment, then laughed nervously:

"Yes, so what?"

"Losing to Charles isn't something to be ashamed of; everyone says so."

"So, beat Charles and then come lecture me!"

The colonel scoffed disdainfully, "Losing to Charles isn't shameful, but surrendering is, General."

Major General Erwin smirked, not wanting to listen to the colonel's nonsense, burying his head back onto the table and closing his eyes.

The colonel calmly continued:

"Germany needs soldiers like Admiral Nicholas."

"He fought until the last moment, unlike you."

"Laughably, many consider you more talented than him; you should be his superior. Some even believe Admiral Nicholas's command limited you..."

Major General Erwin remained unmoved, until he suddenly understood the meaning behind the words, looking shocked at the colonel.

"What did you say?" Major General Erwin asked, "The last moment, what do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious, General?" the colonel replied, "Admiral Nicholas couldn't successfully break through. When a shell exploded beside him, he did what a soldier should, ending his life with a handgun."

Major General Erwin was stunned, unable to recover for a long time: "No, this isn't true, no one told me this."

"Because you've been holed up in this room," the colonel's eyes swept over the mess, "Are you planning to hide here till the end of the world? Or wait till Charles arrives and cry, begging him for mercy?"

Suddenly, Major General Erwin shot up, raced over, and grabbed the colonel by the collar, eyes blazing with anger, even a hint of murderous intent.

The colonel smiled lightly.

That's right, you can still be angry, you still resist, which means you haven't given up.

It was a long while before Major General Erwin let go of the colonel, asking, "Who are you, Colonel? What does this have to do with you?"

"Erich von Manstein, General," the colonel replied, standing tall, "The Chief of Staff sent me to assist you in reorganizing the First Tank Division. Our goal is to defeat Charles!"

Major General Erwin sized up the colonel, then nodded, "Alright, let me see what you're capable of!"