I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 799: Profiting from Both Sides
The final negotiation result was that England would bear all the expenses of the French Fleet, including soldier subsidies and warship repairs, and additionally provide a monthly rental fee of 3,000 US Dollars for each warship.
It is said that the Minister of Military Supplies was very unhappy with this agreement, stopping the Minister of the Navy with an angry expression:
"We cannot agree to these terms."
"As allies, we have also sent millions of troops and countless supplies to fight in France, without charging any fees."
"Now the French should do the same."
This was the Minister of Military Supplies’ flaw; he always allowed himself to take advantage of others, but whenever others took advantage of him, it felt worse than losing his father.
The Minister of the Navy’s response was simple: "Then, please tell me, what else can we do?"
The Minister of Military Supplies was stunned.
He suddenly realized that he had no power to choose.
Withdraw the British Expeditionary Force to bargain with France?
Come on, the British Army and Navy do not get along, on what basis would the Army fight for the Navy’s interests?
Moreover, do the French really need the British Expeditionary Force?
Everyone knows, although Shire seems conservative now, he is actually using the British Expeditionary Force to exhaust the German Army’s forces and its few remaining war resources.
Reject the conditions proposed by Shire?
The Royal Navy would immediately face being driven out of Bergen Harbor or even have the Northern European route cut off by the Germans.
The Minister of the Navy stared steadily at the Minister of Military Supplies, his tone threatening:
"If you have no other way, then agree to his terms before Shire raises his demands, sir."
"Otherwise, I’d like to know where the ’military supplies’ for the Minister of Military Supplies will come from?"
This country bumpkin, he’s already made us lose the Dardanelles Strait, and now he wants us to lose Northern Europe as well.
He never thought that if this route were blocked again, even our last connection with Russia would be cut off, and the Eastern Front would collapse due to supply issues!
The Minister of Military Supplies eventually chose to compromise.
After all, as the Minister of Military Supplies, he needed to consider ’military supplies’ more than ’the Navy,’ and he didn’t have the authority to interfere too much in the Minister of the Navy’s decisions.
...
In Bicangxi, France.
General Winter gave Shire a reply:
"They agreed to your terms, Vice Admiral."
"However, due to supply reasons, the Royal Navy can only rent 4 warships for the time being."
"You have no objections, do you?"
Shire answered straightforwardly, "Of course not."
Shire understood what the English were thinking.
With 4 warships, even if they theoretically don’t need to obey the command of British warships, what impact can such a number have?
In the future, when the British Fleet sets sail, two ships can be placed on the left and two on the right, to shield the British Fleet from German torpedoes on the flanks!
Which means the danger is left to the French Fleet, as the English watch the French Fleet fight the Germans.
"Vice Admiral." General Winter eagerly asked, "When can you set off?"
Shire continued sipping his coffee, answering nonchalantly, "Maybe, in a few months?"
"A few months?" General Winter’s eyes widened.
"But don’t worry," Shire reassured him:
"I will ensure they speed up the shipbuilding process."
"As you know, my new warships are being built at the Brest Shipyard, which has almost been abandoned by the Ministry of the Navy."
"Therefore, its shipbuilding speed is relatively slow. It’s been started for about two months now, and even with overtime, it’s not halfway done."
Compared to America’s capacity to complete more than 20 destroyers in a month, the gap is indeed quite large.
"But this." General Winter was confused, "We can’t wait a few months."
In a few months, control over Bergen Harbor and even the entire Northern European trade could have already changed hands.
Shire murmured, "If you are in urgent need, there’s actually no need to wait for the new warships."
Shire pointed at the blueprint of the "Oerlikon" anti-aircraft cannon, "I mean, this type of cannon is small in size, and it can be mounted on the sides of any warship for air defense, with hardly any less effect."
This was true.
The difference is, ships specialized in air defense will have additional anti-aircraft firepower on a through-deck, which can defend both left and right sides without being obstructed by the ship’s island, thus providing greater firepower.
General Winter breathed a quiet sigh of relief, "That’s great, considering the urgency of military affairs, we hope your country can send warships for reinforcement as soon as possible."
"Don’t you want to consider the type of warship?" Shire asked, "After all, you are paying for the rent."
When you have money, you’re the master; Shire showed due respect.
"Oh, yes, of course." General Winter was flattered.
Shire took out a list he had long since prepared from his drawer, handing it to General Winter, "This is the current list of French destroyers. Also, here is the list for light cruisers."
General Winter browsed through the list, his brow furrowing.
Most destroyers were of small displacement; the 350 tons "Bourrasque-Class," the 550 tons "Spahi-Class," and the 750 tons "Le Fantasque-Class."
These destroyers evidently didn’t have much room to carry anti-aircraft cannons.
The light cruisers were too slow in speed and severely lacking in numbers. The "De Antre Castor" class had a speed of 19 knots, only one ship existed.
The "Jeanne d’Arc" class had a speed of 23 knots, only one ship existed.
The "La Motte-Picquet" class, with a speed of 29 knots, was canceled due to the outbreak of the war.
After pondering for a while, General Winter finally selected one model: "This type, the ’Venture Class.’"
The "Venture Class" destroyer had a standard displacement of 930 tons and a speed of 30 knots; it was relatively excellent in all aspects.
Unexpectedly, Shire uttered an "uh":
"I’m very sorry, General, I didn’t cross it out."
"It is unavailable. It’s not that I don’t want to, but that the ’Venture Class’ has been equipped with an ’Echo Detector.’"
"Unless we don’t use it for anti-submarine warfare."
With Shire’s remark, General Winter remembered that indeed, France had a type of warship used for anti-submarine warfare.
And with a standard displacement of only 930 tons, it obviously couldn’t serve both anti-submarine and anti-air missions simultaneously.
"Then this type," General Winter pointed to another warship.
The French "Rooks Flag" type, with a displacement of 850 tons and a speed of 30 knots, was a new type of warship built just last year.
Unexpectedly, Shire again looked troubled: "I’m very sorry, General, although I also find it suitable, this is not up to me to decide."
"What do you mean?" General Winter grew a little impatient; was he being toyed with?
"General," Shire sighed lightly, "I can only control the Brest Shipyard, and this warship is produced and built at the Toulon Shipyard. The decision lies with the Minister of the Navy—it primarily faces Mediterranean tasks."
General Winter uttered an "oh," "No problem, we will talk to the Minister of the Navy, it’s settled, you just wait to receive them!"
Many of France’s supplies were provided by England, and it’s not hard to hold a Minister of the Navy in their grip, is it?
"Is that so? Then there’s no problem," Shire responded calmly.
Actually, his heart was bursting with joy, waiting just for this remark of yours.
The Toulon Shipyard, just wait, squeezing out won’t just be these 4 destroyers!
(The above picture is the third ship of the "Rooks Flag" class destroyer produced by France in 1915, except from the third ship onwards, the main gun was replaced, with the torpedo launcher changed, and the name was also changed to "Enseigne Gabolde," mainly for air defense and anti-submarine roles in the Mediterranean direction.)
