I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 769: Victory Is Not Spoken

The night at the Bourbon Palace, Briand hastily organized a meeting.

At this time, the news that Shire had recaptured Metz and achieved a major victory at the Meuse River had spread throughout the streets of Paris.

Even though it was a time of wartime rationing and streetlights were no longer lit, people were too excited to sleep.

They flooded the streets, lighting torches or gathering around bonfires to praise Shire’s achievements, thanking him for bringing France an unprecedented victory, and looking forward to the end of the war.

In the eyes of Parisian citizens, as long as the French Army could reach the pre-war border line, it could be called "territorial recovery."

But if Lorraine and Alsace could be recovered, it would be even better, as it would cleanse the shame of the Franco-German War and reclaim the rich mineral resources of those two regions.

Now, the war is almost over, right?

The Germans should recognize the reality, know they are no match for Shire, and prepare for surrender!

Therefore, Shire is everything to France; he is the one who led France to victory and achieved today’s accomplishments and glory.

Briand knew he was powerless to change this, but he still wanted to make one last struggle.

"Gentlemen!" Briand stood at the podium, puffing out his chest and trying to appear confident: "Let me share some good news with you: Shire’s troops recaptured Metz around 11:10 this morning, and the German Army is in full retreat. The war is now nearing its end."

The meeting room erupted into enthusiastic applause.

Sitting in the audience, Clemenceau appeared somewhat confused.

Shouldn’t he be working to downplay Shire’s achievements?

Why is he boldly announcing this victory in such a manner? 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Briand smiled slightly:

"Yet another great victory, a miracle."

"Shire has once again proven himself with his courage and strength, proving that France is invincible."

"He is a hero of France, a model for everyone, and there’s no doubt about that."

Another round of applause followed, with no one opposing this.

Clemenceau grew increasingly puzzled, turning to exchange a glance with Steed in the back, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

At this moment, Briand changed the topic:

"But we must also pay our highest respects to General Ganmelin and the Second Specialized Artillery Division."

"They cooperated with Shire’s operations, using themselves as bait to lure the German Army’s main force out of Metz."

"In this scenario, Shire’s First Armored Army was able to quickly penetrate and achieve victory so easily!"

The parliament members, out of habit, applauded.

Many people didn’t know what had happened; they assumed that what Briand said was the truth, and some even naturally thought that it was a joint operation by Briand and Shire.

It was then that Clemenceau realized Briand’s intention.

A clever tactic, if Shire’s credit cannot be erased, then share in the accolades.

Only in this way, people won’t compare Ganmelin’s failure with Shire’s victory, but instead see them as one.

It’s difficult for Shire to explain.

Because Ganmelin’s troops indeed led the German Army’s main force to Nancy.

Briand shifted the focus to the Second Specialized Artillery Division:

"You can’t imagine what the Second Specialized Artillery Division sacrificed for this battle."

"They suffered over ten thousand casualties and endured tremendous pressure."

"They even withstood the Germans’ new anti-tank guns, as the ’Shire A1’ tanks were vulnerable to this new anti-tank weapon."

"If Shire hadn’t known about this, his First Armored Army would have suffered a fatal blow."

...

Clemenceau watched Briand’s performance coldly, with a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.

He knew what Briand aimed to do: using soldiers’ sacrifices to bind everyone, including Shire and the French people.

One day, if Shire were to deny Briand’s claims, it would turn into a denial of the Second Specialized Artillery Division’s blood sacrifices, which would cause dissatisfaction in the grassroots troops and might even lead to confrontation between the Eastern Army Group and Shire.

Briand continued:

"I believe, when we achieve victory, we should not only see the victory itself."

"We should also see everyone who contributed to this victory—their blood, sweat, and lives."

"They are all heroes of our France, and should be remembered by us, and of course, they should receive the honor they deserve!"

...

Just then, Shire pushed the door open and walked in, his uniform wet and dripping, with mud on his boots and pants, and his face blackened by smoke, revealed under the light.

He formed a sharp contrast with the elegantly dressed parliament members in their suits, looking somewhat shabby at first glance, but exuding an invisible pressure on the entire room with his aura of death.

At that moment, the parliament grew unprecedentedly silent.

Everyone looked silently at this General who, in one day, captured the city that had been a French dream for decades, watching him enter the hall and sit in the position closest to Briand, then casually gesture to Briand: "Please continue, Mr. Prime Minister."

Briand’s display of confidence and courage instantly vanished without a trace.

Standing onstage was no longer a Prime Minister, but an awkward and embarrassed old man, as if caught in a brothel, utterly exposed to everyone.

He was on pins and needles, stammering.

After a while, he feigned calmness and smiled at Shire: "Welcome, General, as the victor who recaptured Metz, I think everyone would prefer to hear your speech."

Saying this, Briand meekly stepped aside from the podium.

"Alright." Shire nodded in response: "Since you say so."

He calmly stood up, amid applause and cheers, and walked to the podium.

"Gentlemen." Shire said: "If you want to hear the story of recapturing Metz, then I might disappoint you, because victory is earned on the battlefield, not spoken of."

The members burst into laughter.

Shire cleverly informed everyone that Briand was using rhetoric to steal the glory.

Briand was extremely embarrassed, even under the lights, his face was visibly flushed as if drunk.

Shire continued:

"I came back this time not because of victory, but rather, because of shame."

"Can you imagine?"

"While our soldiers are bleeding and sacrificing on the front lines, laying down their lives for citizens’ resources, there are people in the rear selling precious oil and resources to the Germans."

The parliament members discussed in alarm, is such a thing possible?

That is absolutely unacceptable, even the most profit-seeking capitalists wouldn’t do such a foolish thing, because once exposed, they would lose everything, becoming traitors.

Clemenceau showed a smug smile, knowing that Shire had successfully delivered the oil to the Germans.

No, it was Briand who sold it, without a doubt!