novelraw Chapter 601: The Perfect Deterrence
Chapter 601: The Perfect Deterrence
Happy New Year to everyone, may all your wishes come true!
...
London, Regent Street was bustling with people.
Snowflakes were falling heavily from the sky, covering the entire world with a thick layer of snow, hiding the filth in the alleys completely.
Cars came and went in the center of the street, and the sidewalks were filled with gentlemen wearing bowler hats and suits, walking hurriedly, seemingly contemplating how to procure supplies from the United States or how to secure more loans from the bank.
Newsboys wore thin and tattered coats, their caps pulled low, their satchels stuffed as thick as their bodies, holding another stack of newspapers, they chased after pedestrians, panting and shouting:
"Sir, would you like a newspaper?"
"Big news, news of victory."
"The Royal Navy sank 12 German submarines in one battle!"
...
Hearing this shout, pedestrians couldn’t help but stop, looking at the newsboys half skeptically, then pulling a penny from their pockets and handing it to the newsboy like giving alms to beggars, they exchanged for a newspaper.
(Above is a scene of newsboys selling newspapers on the streets of Britain.)
Once they had the newspaper, pedestrians eagerly opened it, walking slowly, then exclaiming: "My God, it’s true, they sank 12 submarines."
Other pedestrians bought their own newspapers and soon joined in the discussion:
"This is great news, and sinking 12 submarines in one battle means they’ve found a way to deal with submarines."
"Does this mean we won’t lack supplies anymore?"
"But gentlemen, did you read what the newspaper said? It was with the cooperation of the French Navy!"
But these words were quickly refuted by others:
"The French Navy? They merely assisted, their impact is very limited."
"The Royal Navy is the strongest navy in the world, surpassing the combined strength of all other navies!"
"The French Navy’s involvement might just be because of territorial waters, they’re more familiar with nearby routes and sea conditions."
...
Pedestrians laughed proudly, completely ignoring the mention of the "French Navy" in the newspaper.
This is actually intentional misleading by the media, as they always try to exaggerate their achievements during wartime, yet not a word about the British Army’s defeat on the Antwerp front yesterday.
Mr. Stokes skimmed through the newspaper with his cane tucked under his arm, snorted upon seeing it: "So this is how the newspapers write, these foolish and ignorant people!"
Someone heard Stokes’ words and glared at him: "You seem to have a different opinion?"
Stokes gently shook his head, waving the newspaper in his hand: "I don’t want to argue with you gentlemen, I just want to say that if you only look at this, you will miss many chances to make a fortune."
With that, Stokes ignored them, flinging the newspaper into the air disdainfully, and left without looking back.
Stokes’ company had cooperation with Shire, and recently became part of the Bernard Group responsible for the development of tank cannons, so it wasn’t surprising that he knew some insider information.
But the others were unaware, they laughed and mocked Stokes’ ignorance and arrogance, continuing to extol the greatness of the Royal Navy.
Just then, someone suddenly ran up, panting: "Gentlemen, Bernard Company’s stock price is soaring."
People exclaimed in surprise:
"Bernard Company? Shire’s Bernard Company?"
"The Royal Navy secured a victory, why is Shire’s company’s stock price rising?"
"Shire’s company is in the insurance industry, what does it have to do with this?"
...
Then someone else ran up and shouted: "Bernard Company started a new business, they’re offering maritime insurance."
"Maritime insurance?"
People were stunned, realizing that the victory of sinking 12 submarines was likely related to the French Fleet, or more accurately, related to Shire.
...
Namur Castle, Shire was having breakfast.
Ever since the supplies of the 6th Army were allocated to the British Army, Shire’s diet had also deteriorated significantly, with breakfast consisting only of mashed potatoes and a piece of Belgian Limburger cheese.
The latter was unbearably stinky, and Shire found it impossible to swallow, thankfully the orderly Adrian didn’t mind it.
(Above is Belgian Limburger cheese, made using bacterial fermentation)
As he was eating, a staff officer brought a telegram from Dejoka: "The progress in Britain’s new field is smooth."
Shire smiled slightly, considering it a powerful counterattack against those British capitalists who had been scheming to ruin the Bernard Group.
"Echo Detector" is a great business opportunity, and during this resource-dependent wartime, it held the lifeline of the Allies.
Not just Britain, but also France, and even other member countries.
Not only politically and militarily, but also economically precise strikes.
From now on, anyone who wants resources will have to buy Shire’s insurance.
If they buy insurance, they can be part of Shire’s escort convoys; otherwise, they can expect visits from German submarines!
The Germans aren’t fools, after this battle, they would surely guess that Shire invented some equipment enabling the French Navy to accurately destroy submarines.
Therefore, German submarines would try hard to avoid Shire’s escort convoys and choose "non-Shire" ships to attack.
This created perfect deterrence: obey and prosper, defy and perish.
One has to admit that the Germans are really useful, otherwise with so many British and French capitalists and so many competitors, Shire alone wouldn’t be able to handle them all.
Tijani didn’t concern himself with business, that was for his father to consider.
He frowned while eating mashed potatoes and asked: "So, are we preparing to counterattack Antwerp?"
"Counterattack Antwerp?" Shire replied: "Who told you that?"
Tijani raised his head in confusion: "Isn’t it? Our supplies have been transported to Brussels, and some of the fighter planes have also been sent there, plus the 6th Army has deployed a division."
Attacking Antwerp seemed the best choice, Tijani thought, our army could form a pincer movement with those in Antwerp against the German Army.
"The Germans are well-prepared in Antwerp, General," Shire replied: "As you should know, the Germans have at least five hundred planes there, while we can only gather two hundred in this direction."
"But our planes are more advanced than theirs," Tijani replied: "The final outcome is still uncertain."
"I agree," Shire nodded: "But it will come at a heavy price, especially for our pilots."
Though the "Camel" had a speed advantage, it did not have an overwhelming advantage over the German "Fokker E2," especially since the Germans could directly attack the airfield or use guerrilla tactics to deplete the French Army’s resources.
Moreover, the Germans had stationed a division with well-constructed fortifications in the direction of Brussels, waiting for Shire’s troops.
"But this is war," Tijani emphasized: "Antwerp is a place we must rescue."
"Is that so?" Shire questioned, quietly gazing at Tijani: "You seem to have forgotten our prearranged battle plan."
Tijani paused, his eyes lighting up: "You mean, Hasselt?"