I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 787: Shire’s Scheme

The rain fell harder and harder, repeatedly washing over the corpses on the battlefield, as if trying to cleanse their misfortune.

British soldiers had already given up collecting bodies, as there were simply too many, so many that they couldn't keep up.

Especially since many corpses lay just tens of meters before enemy lines, going up to collect them without a ceasefire agreement would be tantamount to suicide.

Sitting in the trenches, British soldiers fell into an oppressive silence. The wounded huddled under their raincoats bandaging their wounds, but it was futile, as raindrops would soon soak everything dry, including the bandages.

Captain Charles pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, only to find it was already a soggy clump of tobacco.

Frustrated, he crumpled it into a ball and threw it on the ground.

Brian leaned over to him, offering a cigarette, "Take one of mine, I still have some left."

"Thank you, Brian." Captain Charles nodded, accepting it and casting a grateful look at Brian. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Captain Charles needed this, even if he was to die the next second, he hoped for one last puff.

He carefully lit the cigarette under his raincoat and took a deep, satisfying drag before exhaling a thick fog of smoke.

"Have you heard, Captain?" Brian glanced around and spoke softly, "Shire has issued us a warning."

Captain Charles gave a bleak smile, "Do we even need a warning? Everyone knows we're doomed!"

"No, Captain," Brian said. "Shire believes the Germans will launch an attack, and he thinks we should organize a defense."

"Defense?" Captain Charles paused in surprise.

"Yes, defense." Brian nodded, "If what Shire says is true, we're not prepared at all."

Saying this, Brian looked back and forth across the trench.

Constant rain and the British focus on offense had led to hastily constructed fortifications, with some areas even flooded and impassable.

These areas became real gaps in the defense line, easily breached by the enemy.

Brian's words caught the attention of others, who gathered closer, plying him with questions:

"Is that true? Did Shire really say that?"

"What does General Haig say?"

"Does he agree with Shire's statement?"

...

Brian answered them one by one:

"Of course it's true, Michael told me; he's the communicator from headquarters."

"As for Haig, if he agreed with Shire's view, we wouldn't be here preparing for an attack, would we?"

"You know Haig's tactics; he believes in quick, sharp offenses to cause enemy collapse."

The soldiers fell silent again.

After a while, someone unwilling to give up persisted:

"Why wouldn't he believe Shire's warning?"

"Yes, Shire's combat experience is far superior to his, and Shire has never miscalculated the battlefield."

"Shire maintains an undefeated record, whereas Haig has barely won any battles, yet he arrogantly dismisses Shire."

...

Captain Charles sighed:

"You all know why."

"Because we are the British, we are the mightiest force in the world."

"And my generals, they believe they should lead all wars; they won't allow Shire to dictate to us, it would be seen as interference and overstepping!"

The soldiers were completely dumbstruck.

In the trench, only the sound of wind and rain could be heard, raindrops pounding on steel helmets with a "thunk", as if countless bullets from heaven were incessantly striking their fragile souls.

...

In Metz City, at General Haig's headquarters.

After receiving Shire's warning, General Haig flew into a rage, slamming the telegram onto the table, "This arrogant fellow, on what basis does he think the Germans will launch a counterattack? What evidence? Or is it just subjective speculation, a conjecture?"

Kieger, the chief of staff, chimed in, "Of course, the Germans wouldn't choose to attack. They've built such a strong line of defense, they can comfortably sit in their trenches, why come out to fight us?"

He originally intended to say "The Germans can win just by staying in their trenches," but felt it seemed inappropriate.

"Certainly." Haig nodded confidently, "If the Germans launch the attack as he suggests, that would be exactly what I hope for. At that point, they would lose the cover of their trenches, while we would have the advantage in troops."

Nobody would be foolish enough to do this, least of all the Germans.

Kieger pondered for a moment and suggested, "General, this could be Shire's plot."

"A plot?" Haig was momentarily stunned.

"Yes." Kieger analyzed, "Shire's claim could be to cater to a certain mindset among the soldiers."

Haig suddenly realized.

The troops had suffered heavy casualties during the offensive, causing the soldiers to lean more towards defense than attack.

After all, defense is simpler and much safer than attack.

Attacking requires soldiers to jump out of trenches and face enemy artillery and gunfire, with many falling dead on the path forward.

Meanwhile, defense just requires building works inside the trenches, merely shoveling or setting up barbed wire.

At such a time, having a highly influential general like Shire issue a defense-leaning warning to the British Expeditionary Force could potentially sap the entire force of their offensive morale and confidence.

"That bastard." Haig's face turned white with anger, "His intentions are extremely malicious, he wants me to never break through the German defenses."

Then he hesitated no longer, giving a cold order: "Block the message, don't let Shire's warning reach the troops."

"Yes, General."

"Moreover." Haig gestured with his finger in the air, "I don't want to hear any talk about defense, understood?"

"Understood." Kieger replied.

...

Haig is correct in one thing; this indeed is Shire's plot.

Except, he didn't guess Shire's real intention.

When it came to warning the British, Tijani didn't understand either.

"That's a British matter, why would we issue a warning?" Tijani asked, "Moreover, you're aware of the British's arrogance and stubbornness; they won't heed your warning, especially Haig."

"I know." Shire replied calmly.

Tijani was puzzled, "You know? And yet you still issue a warning?"

"Precisely because I know." Shire nodded slightly, "That's why I must warn them."

Tijani looked bewildered, what kind of logic is this?

Knowing full well that Haig won't believe, knowing he won't heed, yet still insisting on the warning.

Shire provided an explanation, his tone unhurried:

"We all know that the British Expeditionary Force is facing serious internal issues."

"Even their Colonial Army, including themselves, are questioning Haig's military competence."

"And if he makes another serious mistake at this point..."

Tijani suddenly understood, waving his finger in thought near his mouth:

"You've given him the right answer, but he refuses to believe it."

"Ultimately, if the German Army does launch an attack as you predict, causing heavy losses to the British Army."

"Then all the British officers and men will lay the blame on Haig..."

Tijani looked at Shire in disbelief, sincerely admiring him, "You're a monster, General, this goes far beyond the realm of mere art!"