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

Chapter 580 580 Quandary When Riding a Tiger

Paris City Hall, Prime Minister's office.

When Clemenceau pushed the door open and entered the room, he was surprised to see Briand pacing anxiously in front of the desk.

Briand, known for his calm demeanor in the political arena, was actually showing signs of impatience.

"Is it because of Jangbulu, Your Excellency?" Clemenceau asked casually, as he took off his coat and handed it along with his hat and cane to his secretary.

Briand stopped and turned to look at Clemenceau, countering with a question: "You seem unconcerned?"

Clemenceau walked over to the desk, poured himself a glass of red wine, and sat down on the sofa, answering, "I don't think there's anything to worry about. If Shire dares to do such a thing, then let him face the parliamentary inquiry. We can use this opportunity to remove him as the commander of the 6th Army Group."

Although Shire covered his tracks flawlessly, the parliament couldn't find any evidence linking him to the matter.

But parliament isn't a courtroom; it never has been about evidence. If necessary, even a small spoonful of washing powder can convict someone.

"You're insane." Briand immediately rejected this idea: "Do you know the consequences of such actions?"

"What consequences?" Clemenceau spread his hands slightly: "I admit that Shire has some influence in parliament, but compared to ours, it's insignificant."

This is the way of parliament; on the surface, it appears that citizens elect representatives and then representatives vote to make decisions.

But in reality, the cabinet can bribe representatives individually to achieve the purpose of passing a particular agenda.

Clemenceau and Briand were among many bribed representatives.

(Note: Briand founded the French Socialist Party. He advocated supporting workers' strikes and even believed that allowing the existence of the Communist Party would benefit France. However, after taking office, he immediately suppressed workers' strikes from the standpoint of the capitalists, and he was expelled from the Socialist Party as a traitor. Clemenceau had a similar experience. This is the norm in parliament; ordinary people finally elect someone to push into parliament, only to see them soon bought out by capitalists. Those who refuse to be bought are suppressed and their futures bleak.)

Briand let out a disdainful snort: "Your Excellency, do you think this matter can be resolved with a vote?"

"What else is there?" Clemenceau retorted, then tilted his chin: "At most, we add the newspapers. We can tell the media what Shire is doing, that he's inciting soldiers to kill their officers. That's a serious crime. This will undoubtedly weaken his standing in the eyes of the public!"

"Foolish!" Briand gave this evaluation.

Clemenceau's methods were swift and direct, but he never considered deeper layers of the problem.

Clemenceau's face looked slightly displeased. Even if Briand didn't agree with him, he needn't have responded so bluntly.

Then Clemenceau thought, Briand's reaction was completely out of character with his usual "gentle" demeanor. Could it mean he was already in disarray?

Briand walked to the sofa opposite Clemenceau and sat down, his tone filled with helplessness: "Why don't you think about the army's reaction if this matter is publicized?"

"The army's reaction?" Clemenceau looked puzzled: "You mean the army would mutiny again?"

Briand shook his head: "No, they won't mutiny, but they will continue to follow the so-called 'unwritten rules' more fervently. What do you think?"

Clemenceau was taken aback, nodding slightly in agreement. Only now did he realize the severity of the issue.

A mutiny is out in the open; as long as the soldiers' demands are met with appeasement policies, it can be suppressed.

But the "unwritten rules" are hidden in the shadows.

On a battlefield filled with bullets, even if soldiers use the French Army's Lebel rifles to kill an annoying officer, it's undetectable.

Even if the government wanted to negotiate, they couldn't find a counterpart, and the situation would only escalate.

"This would allow Shire to completely control the army, Your Excellency," Briand's gaze fixed on Clemenceau, emphasizing by tapping the air heavily with his finger: "And it's every army. Shire will control every army, and by then, no one will be able to compete with him!"

This idiot, Briand thought, he's only good at parliamentary battles.

During Clemenceau's tenure, parliament's control over the army was too easy, leading him to completely disregard the army, not even considering a genius like Shire.

(Note: Clemenceau served as Prime Minister twice, but he orchestrated the overthrow of 18 cabinets, earning the nickname "Cabinet Overthrow Master".)

Before Clemenceau could answer, Briand continued his analysis: "Moreover, Shire defeated the Germans at the River Somme and became the commander of the 6th Army Group, while we tried everything to sideline him. If this became public knowledge, do you think any generals would still fight for us, for France?"

Clemenceau nodded thoughtfully: "They'd worry about becoming another Shire."

Briand acknowledged with a sound: "So, this matter can't be brought to light, discussed in parliament, or publicized in the media!"

Briand left something unsaid or perhaps didn't consider.

Many new recruits unaware of the "unwritten rules" would endure officer bullying without realizing they could take revenge this way.

Without realization, they wouldn't consider it, not even a fleeting thought.

Once the "unwritten rules" are publicized, even negatively, the concept of such crimes would take root in new recruits' minds, making them eager to act on the battlefield if they hate someone.

Hence, this phenomenon exists, to some degree, in any country, any army, at any time. And all countries unanimously keep silent, dealing with it quietly.

Clemenceau, with little military knowledge, habitually intended to solve the issue crudely, almost assisting Shire significantly.

After considering for a while, Clemenceau said: "But we can't do nothing either. This would affect parliament's authority, allowing Shire to control the 6th Army Group completely!"

Briand nodded in agreement, which was one of his concerns. Parliament was now in a bind. He even regretted pressuring Shire too hard, pushing him to confront parliament directly, resulting in a series of troubles.

Ultimately, it was his underestimation of Shire's political skills, thinking the young man only had expertise in military and industrial affairs.

Clearly, that wasn't the case.

"Now there's only one solution." Briand gritted his teeth: "Throw this issue to the Northern Army Group and the British, tell them the 6th Army Group shows signs of mutiny again!"