I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 776: No Choice but to Respond

Shire indeed had the intention of "sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight."

He thought it shouldn't be so easy for the British. How could the French Army be fighting life and death at the front while the British Army enjoys it at the rear, even as allies?

From the perspective of exhausting British strength, it was necessary to bring the British Expeditionary Force to the frontline.

The key is that this is an open scheme that both Germany and Britain cannot refuse. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Germany.

Hindenburg had just taken office, and he needed a victory to prove that he could not only perform well on the Eastern Front but also on the Western Front.

Only in this way could he consolidate his position and prove to everyone that he was suitable for the position of Chief of Staff.

At this time, Shire handed a victory to him, so how could Hindenburg refuse!

Britain.

Kitchener's repeated failures made his position precarious, and Haig's crushing defeat at the River Somme also shattered the myth of his "military genius."

They urgently needed a battle to clear their names; otherwise, their political and military careers might end.

So, why not let them fight on the East Bank of the Meuse River?

...

North of Dunkirk, there was a place known as the "most beautiful beach in the north."

The soft sand was mixed with many beautiful shells, and although there was no blue sky or bright sunshine today, gentle waves kept lapping the shore, leaving foam like cotton wadding.

Kitchener and Haig walked side by side on the beach, as if they were strolling, but no matter how the sea breeze caressed, it couldn't smooth the frowns between their brows.

After walking for a while, Kitchener took a newspaper from his pocket and handed it to Haig: "Take a look at this!"

Haig reluctantly took the newspaper.

Since being rescued by Shire at the Battle of the River Somme, he had developed the habit of not reading newspapers, as there wouldn't be any good news anyway.

But since Kitchener asked him to, he had no choice but to read it.

It was The Times, and the front-page headline published a criticism of Haig, leaving no face:

"Perhaps we shouldn't call Haig a 'military genius'; he's not even talented."

"Because if Haig has 'military talent', then what does that make Shire?"

"When the British Expeditionary Force was besieged at Dunkirk, Haig only criticized Shire for not rescuing, complained that Shire ignored the alliance's interests, and denounced Shire as the Allies' cancer."

"His performance seemed to say that everything was Shire's fault, all caused by Shire."

"But what are the facts?"

"When he was shouting and cursing like a woman at Dunkirk, Shire had already led his troops across the Arden Mountains and eventually rescued the British Expeditionary Force from the Germans' attack."

"Shire saved nearly a million lives of the British Expeditionary Force, including Haig."

"Is this how we repay our savior?"

"Is this what allies, soldiers, and members of the Allies should do?"

...

Haig couldn't bear it any longer. He clapped his hands heavily together, crumpled the newspaper into a ball, and threw it fiercely onto the sand: "Easy to say, this isn't the truth. We've done our best. It was Shire who used us as bait. Shire had anticipated everything and planned in advance..."

"But who cares?" Kitchener interrupted Haig, with a hint of displeasure in his voice: "Even if this is the truth, what of it? No one will believe what you say. They'll see it as your slander against Shire, as your resentment and jealousy, and as ungratefulness!"

Haig was furious, his face turning ashen, yet he could do nothing.

"Think about the reality, Douglas." Kitchener turned his gaze to the ocean, where flocks of seagulls were calling and flying in the sky.

However, those cries sounded like mockery in Kitchener's ears.

After a moment of silence, Kitchener continued, his tone heavy:

"Do you know how dire our situation is now?"

"There are already parliamentarians proposing to relieve you of your command of the Expeditionary Force."

"And some have suggested handing command of the Expeditionary Force over to Shire!"

Haig was outraged, and he excitedly protested:

"Ridiculous, since when did the Great British Empire's army become so degraded that they need to be commanded by the French?"

"Even if I agreed, my soldiers wouldn't agree."

"And British citizens wouldn't agree either. It's a disgrace, even a betrayal!"

Kitchener said nothing, just turned back to look at Haig silently.

Haig was stunned: "They, they passed this proposal?"

"No." Kitchener shook his head: "But, quite a few British citizens, and even Expeditionary Force soldiers, support this proposal."

"No, this can't be..."

"There's nothing impossible about it." Kitchener interrupted Haig: "Have you considered that this might be humiliating, it might lack dignity, but what is that compared to life?"

Haig understood.

Fighting alongside Shire could ensure survival and the glory of victory.

Besides, as Allied forces, being unified under Shire's command isn't considered treason.

Kitchener added: "Especially for the Colonial Army."

Haig's mood sank to the bottom.

Yes, the Colonial Army had long had such inclinations.

The Colonial Army was different from British soldiers; British soldiers had dignity, glory, and the sentiment of a great power, which the Colonial Army did not bear.

For them, fighting alongside other armies, be it under the British or the French, made no difference.

And fighting under Shire meant surviving!

Kitchener continued forward, and Haig quickly followed from behind.

Kitchener spoke slowly:

"We all know 'the Minister of Military Supplies' is maneuvering behind the scenes. He hopes to bring down the Army and everything about us, so the Royal Navy can gain the most benefit."

"But if we do nothing and continue like this."

"There's only one outcome waiting for us, understand?"

Haig nodded and replied: "Yes, Marshal."

But he immediately questioned: "But now there's no place for us to fight. Shire's troops occupy the entire offensive front."

"There's no need to worry about that." Kitchener replied with certainty: "He will need us. The Meuse River line requires a substantial force, and the Germans are not so easily dealt with. What you need to consider is how to perform well on your part."

"Yes, Marshal." Haig responded verbally, but in his heart, he was unconvinced.

Shire could rely on the French Army's own strength to recapture Lorraine and Alsace; he didn't need the British Expeditionary Force.

At this moment, a messenger soldier hurriedly ran up along the coast, handing a telegram to Kitchener: "Marshal, a telegram from the French Ministry of the Army. They hope we can reinforce Metz!"

Kitchener took the telegram and raised it toward Haig: "See, this is what I was saying; your opportunity has come!"

Kitchener sighed inwardly; he merely guessed that Shire would let the British Army and the German Army fight each other.

But even so, he had no choice but to comply.

This is where Shire's brilliance lies!