I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 576: For Shire

Namur City Hall, Headquarters of Belgium First Special Reconnaissance Army.

Albert I sat at the dining table in the lounge enjoying breakfast, his brow furrowed, gloomy and disheartened.

It wasn’t because the breakfast wasn’t plentiful enough, for as a king, he could sit comfortably in his homeland and enjoy a meal on par with Shire’s level. What was there to complain about?

Nor was it because the living conditions were uncomfortable. Outside, snow was falling heavily, but inside, the fireplace burned warmly, making the room feel like spring. It was far better than the freezing conditions the soldiers faced on the frontline.

He was depressed because Shire was not in Belgium.

As soon as Shire left Belgium, Albert I felt as if his backbone had been removed, losing all confidence and courage.

I can’t be like this, Albert I told himself over and over again.

Do I not know how to wage war without Shire?

Can’t Brigadier General Eden command the troops?

There are 7 million people in Belgium. Is there no one among them who can defend the nation as Shire does?

Albert I tried to use these excuses to boost his morale and regain his composure. He even forced himself to straighten his chest and told himself to face everything bravely.

Then the next second, he collapsed onto the dining table like a deflated balloon, unable to hold the knife and fork, which slipped helplessly from his limp fingers to the table.

Indeed, Belgium cannot do without Shire.

Without Shire, Belgium was like a prawn that could be crushed at any moment in the war among the great powers.

Even though Shire had already recaptured key cities like Namur, Brussels, and Antwerp, linking them into a complete defensive line.

He had even provided a defensive plan.

But Shire was the soul of the army. Without him, everyone lost the confidence to confront the German Army, including Brigadier General Eden!

Albert I couldn’t help but lament in his heart:

"God, the 6th Army Group has over 200,000 men, and Shire is their commander. Does that mean the armored and mechanized forces in Belgium will also be redeployed?"

"It’s fine if the troops are redeployed, but what if Shire doesn’t come back from the River Somme?"

"The focus is Shire. As long as they keep Shire, I’ll hand over the First Special Reconnaissance Army... No, I’ll give all the troops to him."

...

"Your Majesty." As Albert I was lost in his thoughts, Brigadier General Eden hurried in from the operations room. His voice arrived before he did: "Your Majesty, Shire is in Belgium!"

"What?" Albert I was both surprised and delighted: "He has returned? How come I don’t know?"

"Shire might not be able to notify you." Brigadier General Eden’s expression was a bit strange, and there was a trace of anger in his eyes.

"What?" Albert I looked puzzled: "What do you mean? He can’t notify me?"

"Yes." Brigadier General Eden nodded: "The 6th Army Group is also in Belgium, not far from us, about thirty kilometers away at Jangbulu."

Albert I’s face gradually became heavy. He had heard of a French Army unit rotating in Jangbulu, but France had not told him that it was Shire’s 6th Army Group.

Then he became happy again: "This is good news, General. All of Shire’s troops are here..."

"Your Majesty." Brigadier General Eden interrupted Albert I: "The news I got is that they seem to have controlled Shire."

"What?" Albert I stood up abruptly, his expression changing: "They’ve controlled Shire? Where did you get this information? Is it reliable?"

Brigadier General Eden replied: "I got the intelligence from the militia, but it has not been confirmed yet."

The 6th Army Group is in Belgium. Even if Ganmelin strictly blocks the information from leaking out, contact with the outside world is inevitable, such as purchasing supplies. The news would inevitably reach the ears of the Belgian militia.

Brigadier General Eden added: "They said it was because of Parliament. The French Parliament sent a batch of officers to replace all middle and senior officers of the 6th Army Group."

Albert I was suddenly enlightened and nodded thoughtfully, his tone filled with anger: "Yes, the Parliament scoundrels always regarded Shire as an enemy. It’s fine when Shire has only 20,000 troops, but 200,000 troops would terrify them!"

"What should we do?" Brigadier General Eden asked.

Albert I snorted: "Daring to act unruly in Belgium, they clearly have no regard for me as the king!"

He didn’t hesitate, his tone resolute:

"Leave the 3rd Infantry Division of the Special Reconnaissance Army to garrison, and immediately deploy the other two divisions to Jangbulu!"

"Also, redeploy all nearby militia, no matter how many there are, to Jangbulu."

Brigadier General Eden became a little anxious: "Your Majesty, even if we mobilize all the forces, we only have around 60,000 men, while the French 6th Army Group has over 200,000..."

"No, General Eden." Albert I interrupted Brigadier General Eden: "Do you think it’s 60,000 versus 200,000 French troops? You’ve forgotten on whose side the French soldiers stand!"

Brigadier General Eden immediately understood that the French soldiers were on Shire’s side.

Once the Belgian army was redeployed to Jangbulu, it would mean 60,000 Belgian soldiers plus over 200,000 French soldiers, nearly 300,000 men against the officers sent by Parliament to sideline Shire.

However, Brigadier General Eden still advised: "But from France’s side..."

This made Albert I hesitate, considering Belgium’s current status and situation. Offending the French Parliament was not a good option.

As a king and a mature politician, he might need to consider the national interest.

But Albert I hesitated only for a moment. He quickly thought:

"Even if we offend both England and France simultaneously, so what?"

"As long as Shire can lead Belgium to regain lost ground and resist any nation’s invasion, including England and France!"

"So now is an opportunity, a golden opportunity! The French Parliament is pushing Shire away, and Belgium can just catch this great fortune!"

With this thought, Albert I not only did not change the order but became even more determined: "Immediately, execute the order!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Brigadier General Eden responded and hurried down to convey the order.

Albert I smiled as he walked to the window, his gaze passing through the window and onto the falling snow outside, his mood greatly improved.

Belgium might become a powerful country because of this. You’ll regret it, you fools!

At this time, Brigadier General Eden came back again: "Your Majesty, should we notify General Tijani?"

Albert I understood Brigadier General Eden’s intention. If they involved General Tijani, it could soften the confrontation between Belgium and France. If anything went wrong, they could blame General Tijani, after all, he was a French General.

But Albert I shook his head without any hesitation: "No, don’t say anything!"

What he wanted was a confrontation with France, for the sake of Shire!