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

Chapter 583 583 Hand Over Shire

Jangbulu Command Post, the thunderous roar of artillery from the front line, staff officers rushing in and out of the office with messages.

This was not a peaceful Christmas Eve.

It wasn't because the battle with the German Army was so fierce, but because Shire's "battle" with the parliament was still unresolved, and neither side dared let their guard down.

Shire was still fine, the reason he hadn't rested yet by the middle of the night was because he had just regained command, and there were many matters to attend to.

Ganmelin was different, with nothing to do, he didn't dare leave, so he just stared blankly at his almost empty desk.

To hide his embarrassment, he quietly drank cup after cup of coffee.

Ganmelin couldn't understand why he lost to Shire. He had arrived at the troops a few days ahead while Shire was on vacation and made a series of deployments, arresting who needed to be arrested, detaining who needed to be detained, and important positions were all controlled by his confidants.

He thought that even if Shire had immense abilities, he wouldn't be able to turn the situation around. However, in just two days, the command authority had naturally transitioned to Shire's hands.

What Ganmelin found even more unacceptable was that it was his own subordinates brought from Paris, whom he trusted, that transferred the command to Shire, subordinates he planned to use to control the 6th Army!

These traitors, despicable bastards, Ganmelin cursed in his heart.

Then Ganmelin turned to look at Wei Gang, standing beside him, one of the few staff officers still loyal to him.

Yes, he was Fuxu's man; at any time, he wouldn't and shouldn't stand with Shire.

"Where are the British?" Ganmelin asked weakly.

"General." Wei Gang answered with difficulty, "The British…"

Seeing Wei Gang hesitate, Ganmelin felt curious. Could it be that the British forces also had issues? They were his only hope.

Although Shire said the British were there to take the blame, Ganmelin believed that the British, who controlled supplies, had some say.

"What happened?" Ganmelin asked.

Wei Gang stood upright, summoning his courage to answer, "General, the rail line from Brussels to Jangbulu was blown up by German guerrillas, and the road collapsed due to the rainy season, so..."

"So the British can't make it?" Ganmelin countered.

"No, General." Wei Gang replied, "They've arrived, but only one regiment. The others may need a few more days..."

Ganmelin was speechless.

What use is one regiment, two or three thousand men, not enough to fill the teeth of the 6th Army.

The main force would take a few days to arrive, by then, the 6th Army would be firmly under Shire's control.

Then Ganmelin felt something was off.

Why would the Germans specifically blow up the rail to Jangbulu at this time, and specifically the rail the British were using?

Could it be Shire again?

Ganmelin glanced at Shire, who was busy signing documents and discussing with staff officers a few meters away.

Damn guy, so young yet so formidable!

...

However, this time Ganmelin was wrong, it had nothing to do with Shire.

This was not by accident, nor was it by German guerrillas, but Belgian guerrillas.

At this time, Albert I's troops were boarding trains in successive batches, heading for Jangbulu to assemble.

The regular troops, amounting to 60,000 including militia, controlled all the routes to Jangbulu, including mountain paths.

The Belgian Army had control of the traffic around Jangbulu, and Albert I's army received first-hand news of any movements by French and British troops.

Thus, the rail line used by the British was cut, and the road was blocked. Only one regiment, stationed nearby, managed to march in on foot.

But this British regiment, upon arrival, was immediately surrounded by Belgian forces, almost disarming them.

...

6th Army Command Post, the church bells informed everyone that it was four in the morning.

Shire had been busy signing various orders.

Command was not easy; almost all orders at the regiment level or above needed Shire's confirmation. Matters usually decided at the brigade or division level were now all sent up to Shire as the Army Commander.

Signing documents until his hands were sore, authorizing until his mouth went numb.

But it was all worth it, better than having power return to the "middle" officers and ultimately centralized back to Ganmelin.

At this moment, a staff officer reported to Shire, "General, Albert I has brought the Belgian Army to blockade Jangbulu. He sent someone to demand we hand you over."

"Hand me over?" Shire paused his actions and raised his head in confusion, "What does he mean?"

"I, I don't know." The staff officer was equally perplexed.

The next second, Shire understood. Albert I must have thought he was under house arrest and came to rescue him with his troops.

Shire couldn't help but laugh, thinking the guy still had some conscience after all.

"Get me on the phone with Albert I."

"Understood, General." The staff officer promptly arranged it.

Within ten minutes, the phone rang. After confirming the caller's identity, the staff officer handed the receiver to Shire, "General, His Majesty Albert I."

Shire dropped his pen and took the receiver, "Hello?"

"General, are you alright?" Albert I's worried voice came through the line.

"I'm fine." Shire replied, "How many men did you bring?"

"A total of 60,000." Albert I answered, "Rest assured, the British are stuck and can't move; they won't arrive for several days."

Shire fell silent.

If the British couldn't come, who would take the blame?

The parliament would keep dragging this on, Your Majesty!

Luckily, Albert I added, "But Vice Admiral Avis with his elite cavalry division is approaching, I can't find a reason to stop them."

The advantage of cavalry was strong off-road capability; with the road blocked, vehicles couldn't get through, but cavalry might easily bypass it.

"Don't stop them." Shire quickly said, "Let them come."

"Are you sure?" Albert I asked, with a hint of suspicion in his voice.

He was actually speaking in code, really asking if Shire was free.

"Rest assured." Shire replied, "The 6th Army is under my control."

Albert I sensed Shire's relaxed tone, not like someone under duress, finally felt at ease.

Shire, as expected, regained command without any external help.

After hanging up, Shire walked over to Ganmelin, saying, "General, I have good news for you: Vice Admiral Avis's cavalry division will arrive in about an hour."

Ganmelin's heart leaped with joy, they finally made it.

"So." Ganmelin's face showed a bit of pride, "Are you ready to meet him?"

Shire looked at Ganmelin incredulously; did this guy still have hope in the British?