novelraw Chapter 569 Shire is No Lamb
Chapter 569 Shire is No Lamb
Perhaps it was the urgency of war, or perhaps it was knowing that "Shire" also means benefit and wealth, Stocks took only two days to set up the experimental laboratory dedicated to developing tank guns. He decided to base it on the French 75 cannon, shortening the breech, possibly reducing the weight and extending its service life.
Matthew also put the "Shire B1" tank on the agenda.
With blueprints, an engine, and the basics of tank production in place, using ready-made cannons almost like building blocks, Matthew estimated that this new type could be assembled and have a prototype ready for testing within one or two months.
Joseph was sent to the United States to expand business.
Joseph believed with the assistance of FN Company, he was confident he could quickly establish a foothold in the United States.
But these weren’t the main points.
Even though FN Company cooperates with Steed Armory and follows Sherma’s lead, this branch office is far away in the United States, not in Belgium.
Shire had absolute control in Belgium, and the FN headquarters had no capital to resist. They knew compliance was the only way out.
The American branch was different. Joseph would open an armory factory in the US, possibly forming a competitive relationship. It was merely under pressure from the headquarters that they ostensibly supported Joseph.
The real key was Shire contacting Colonel Johnson of the United States military, the person in charge of the tank research laboratory, who previously purchased the production authorization for the "Shire A1" tank.
...
United States Washington, tank research laboratory located on the north bank of the Potomac River.
(Above is Washington, D.C.)
Although it was termed a "laboratory", it was more like a military camp.
With perennial closed gates, deep courtyards and high walls, patrols and sentries everywhere outside the walls, and within, the occasional "rumbling" sounds and soldiers’ shouts.
Inside was filled with barbed wire, trenches, anti-tank ditches, resembling a small battlefield.
Colonel Johnson was directing the United States’ first tank regiment to launch a simulated attack on the "enemy’s position".
He frowned, holding a document for comparison, occasionally yelling rudely at the American soldiers lazing around: "Move your legs and keep up with the tank, you bastards, or I’ll shove the tank’s exhaust pipe up your ass!"
The adjutant put away his binoculars and reported helplessly: "Colonel, we cannot get past the anti-tank ditches. I think the only way is to buy bridging vehicles from Shire."
Colonel Johnson gently shook his head: "You don’t understand, Ryan, there’s too much to purchase."
Almost everything had to be bought—armored reconnaissance vehicles, submachine guns, machine guns, even helmets.
Although America had money, the key was there was no war pressure now, and Congress wouldn’t approve these funds. Getting tank production authorization from Shire had already taken a tremendous effort from the military.
What to do?
Looking at the soldiers joking around about war, Colonel Johnson fell into deep despair.
The soldiers had no idea of the brutality of war. A casualty of 100,000 in a day was just a number to them, with no concept in mind.
One day, if these rookies were sent to the battlefield like this, they would be scared to wet their pants instantly!
At this moment, the messenger handed Colonel Johnson a telegram: "Colonel, telegram from France, Shire mentioned he was interested in setting up a factory in the United States, asking if we welcome it?"
Originally watching the training field with a troubled face, Colonel Johnson suddenly turned his head: "What did you say?"
Without waiting for the messenger to speak, he quickly stepped forward, grabbed the telegram, read it back and forth twice to confirm it, then took a deep breath, excitedly shouted: "Fantastic, we are saved!"
Colonel Johnson waved his fists nervously, thrusting his hips forward a few times, then suddenly pointed to the messenger and ordered: "Immediately send a reply: very welcome. If you set up a factory in our country, the government and military might offer the most favorable policies!"
As the messenger turned to leave, Colonel Johnson turned to the adjutant and ordered: "Drive the car over, we’re going to the headquarters, General William will be thrilled!"
...
Three hours later, Shire received Colonel Johnson’s latest response: "I have contacted the superiors, the military welcomes you to set up a factory in our country. We have secured a series of preferential policies for you, including subsidies for land purchases, priority hiring of workers, and military legal assistance."
The most substantial benefit should be "military legal assistance," representing support from the military with a military background, providing professional lawyers to safeguard Shire’s factory.
However, Shire was still not satisfied, he replied: "I still have some concerns, you know, the United States has no war pressure, which means your procurement volume is not large."
Shire knew how to negotiate.
This time took a bit longer, it wasn’t until the next day that the response arrived.
Later, Shire learned the military negotiated overnight with the Federal Tax Bureau to fight for Shire’s benefits:
"We can offer your company a three-year tax exemption. Additionally, your company will be guaranteed a minimum procurement for each equipment, the specific number to be discussed. Rest assured, General, we won’t let you go bankrupt!"
From the telegram, it seemed Colonel Johnson was even more anxious than Shire.
Shire had already anticipated this outcome.
Although deeply influenced by "Monroe Doctrine" and keeping to herself in neutrality, America had never been a country content with falling behind.
At this moment, the United States’ industrial production capacity led the globe, even surpassing the so-called world’s leading Britain, yet her technology and military equipment were far behind European countries.
(Note: This has much to do with not participating in the war; equipment and tactics are rapidly updated in combat, while America stagnates in peace.)
The United States sought to keep pace with the world, hence the previous purchase of the "Shire A1" production authorization.
However, as the combat deepened, advanced equipment emerged continuously, grenades, mortars, light machine guns, fighter planes...
To buy the production authorization for all these items would be impossible, even for wealthy America.
Now, Shire was actually going to set up a factory in America.
My goodness, this was simply a blessing from God!
Workers would gain technology while producing, simultaneously cultivating a large batch of skilled talents for America, along with equipment, concepts, and even tactics.
(Note: Military production is different from other goods; when equipping troops, it often comes with training soldiers to use them, hence inevitable tactical dissemination.)
Taking a step back, if one day America shamelessly seized all these factories, Shire would have no recourse.
So, this was undoubtedly a lamb delivered to the door, how could it not be welcomed?
What the American military didn’t know was, Shire was no lamb, he came to fleece them!