I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 94: Revised - The Guessed Plan

Sorry, there will only be two updates tonight. An old college friend came from far away to visit, and I couldn’t refuse the visit this time as I did last.

We’ll resume with three updates tomorrow!

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The battlefield fell into tranquility after "Big Bertha" was destroyed.

This time, the "tranquility" was genuine, since the German Army’s morale plummeted to the lowest point due to the destruction of the zeppelin and "Big Bertha".

Moreover, even without considering the morale issue, the German Army had no other equipment capable of bombing the fortress from beyond the enemy’s range.

This made Antwerp resemble a hedgehog covered with sharp spikes, though weak, it left the German Army unable to start.

More importantly, a "rumor" swept through the German army like a gust of wind: Shire mounted cannons on planes.

This was perhaps not a "rumor" but a "fact," after all, all the German soldiers had seen it with their own eyes when the airplanes fired some shells, destroying the zeppelin and "Big Bertha." Everyone heard the explosions and saw the flames.

Coincidentally, the Congreve Rocket was equipment that had been stored away unused for fifty years, and soldiers of around twenty or thirty years old in the German Army had no idea what it was.

Naturally, they used their imagination:

"If they can mount cannons on planes, they can attack us from the sky!"

"Of course, we are much more fragile than zeppelins and ’Big Bertha’!"

"Did you see how ’Big Bertha’ was destroyed? My God, even its 420mm caliber barrel was blown off!"

...

If a 420mm caliber barrel can be blown off, wouldn’t bombing our flesh and blood bodies be as easy as a walk?

The planes fly in the sky, moving like the wind. The German Army had no way to deal with them, while planes with cannons could bomb them at will!

It’s human nature to fear the unknown, and the more they thought about it, the more scared they became.

The German Army was no exception. This made none of them dare to launch an attack on Antwerp, fearing they would become a "target" for the flying cannons.

What’s more, to General Bessler’s dismay, even well-trained German soldiers started to desert!

...

General Gis returned alone to the headquarters. He sat in the operations office, listening to the cheers of his subordinates outside, but his heart grew heavier.

His mind was not filled with images of the destroyed zeppelin and "Big Bertha," nor the brave Belgian planes, but the disdainful, scornful, and even disgusted look in Albert I’s eyes.

General Gis knew that he had been completely abandoned by Albert I.

Although Albert I had no real power, his reputation and image among the public were very good, giving him considerable influence.

It was through this influence that Albert I had persuaded the parliament to make one decision after another.

In truth, Albert I had not persuaded the parliament but had given speeches in public that persuaded the Belgian people, forcing the parliament to choose to be "persuaded" under public pressure.

In light of this, General Gis believed he might not stay in his position much longer. He had thought about resigning, which would allow him to step down gracefully!

However, the thought of decades of effort ending in such a bleak manner left him unwilling.

Just then, two gentle knocks came from the door before Debloom pushed it open without waiting for a response. He took off his hat and slightly bowed to General Gis, then turned to close the door behind him.

Under General Gis’ puzzled gaze, he leisurely walked over to the desk opposite and pulled out a chair, asking, "Can we talk?"

"Of course!" General Gis nodded. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Debloom was a powerful leader of Belgium’s Great Labor Party, naturally qualified to talk with General Gis.

(Note: The Great Labor Party is fictional, as old parties in Belgium still exist to this day, and using real names might cause issues.)

Debloom thanked him before sitting down across from General Gis and saying, "General, are you aware that Antwerp is on the brink of crisis?"

"On the brink of crisis?" General Gis looked puzzled, doubting if he had heard correctly. Had they not just averted a crisis?

But Debloom nodded firmly: "General, what do you think will happen next? Will the Germans just give up?"

General Gis thought for a while, then shook his head slightly: "No, they won’t. Antwerp is behind the German supply lines, and the King will keep sending troops to raid. The Germans must pull out this thorn!"

Debloom nodded: "If the Germans had only three ’Big Berthas,’ we might have removed the crisis, but the fact is, they have ten, possibly more. In other words..."

Perhaps out of a soldier’s instinct, General Gis gave a straightforward answer: "As long as they come, we will bomb them!"

"Really?" Debloom questioned, staring at General Gis in silence.

Silence spoke louder than words. General Gis quickly realized this was impossible.

Shire used the Congreve Rockets, which lacked the power to destroy "Big Bertha." This time, they succeeded by igniting its propellant, which was not yet loaded in the cannon...

Furthermore, if "Big Bertha" appeared outside the fortress again, the Germans would be highly vigilant, making it much harder for planes to approach.

After some consideration, General Gis asked: "What exactly are you trying to tell me?"

Debloom replied softly: "Consider your friend’s suggestion, General!"

"Friend?" General Gis furrowed his brows, quickly thinking of Bessler.

Bessler’s suggestion was the letter he gave... to hand over Shire!

General Gis nearly jumped in shock.

He had previously thought handing over Shire was just for the sake of Antwerp, but now, if he still had this notion, it would be considered treason!

However, he quickly understood Debloom’s meaning.

At this rate, Antwerp would eventually fall, and only by handing over Shire could this tragedy be averted!

"But..." General Gis said, "The King and the Belgian people won’t agree, they will see us as traitors and send us to the gallows..."

"Then don’t let them know!" Debloom handed General Gis a cigar: "You see, the Germans sent a spy into Antwerp to negotiate with him. Unable to resist the lure of gold, he fled Antwerp at night to join the Germans..."

No need to further explain, General Gis knew who "he" referred to.

After considering for a while, General Gis nodded thoughtfully: "It seems like a good suggestion!"

With the power in General Gis’ hands, it seemed not difficult to achieve. All it required was a little cooperation from the Germans—not exposing this lie.

And General Gis happened to have connections with General Bessler.

Debloom reminded: "If you think it’s feasible, you have to act quickly. Otherwise..."

General Gis immediately grew tense. As long as Shire was in Antwerp, Belgium would have no leverage to negotiate with the Germans, meaning Antwerp’s inevitable destruction.

What General Gis didn’t realize was, if he recalled their conversation word for word, he would find that Debloom never mentioned "Shire" nor any plan.

This entire scenario... was General Gis’ own conjecture!