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

Chapter 710: Intangible Power

The First Armored Division is stationed in Verdun.

This is at the request of Foch, who said in a telegram to Shire:

"General, we all know the role of the armored division, it is invincible on the battlefield."

"Although I know the armored division needs rest after a week of continuous fighting, the battlefield still needs it."

"Please rest assured, my request is not high, I just hope the armored division can stay in Verdun for a while. I will arrange your supplies and station."

Shire understood Foch’s meaning.

The Meuse River defense line is in intense contention, and it is easy for both sides to fall into a stalemate with trench warfare again.

The only thing that can break the deadlock is Shire’s armored division.

As long as the armored division is in Verdun, it will be a threat to the Germans, even if it does nothing.

Because this tells the Germans that any defense works they build are in vain. If necessary, the armored division will appear in front of their defense lines within a day.

Thus, trench warfare will not occur, and Foch’s advance will be much smoother.

The idea was correct, Shire originally intended to do so.

But as the French army’s supreme commander, Foch only needed to give Shire an order.

Yet his wording was so tactful, with a hint of caution, as if fearing to irritate Shire.

This made Shire truly feel the power.

This thing is strange, it’s invisible and intangible but it exists.

It’s not a rank or position, but how much support one can rally with a call, whether a single word can easily crush the opponent, or a small hint can cause Foch to step down as the commander.

Now, it seemed Shire could indeed do that.

Foch arranged the First Armored Division at Belrupt Castle, behind Verdun City, where there was a recruit training base.

The recruits who were originally there had been dispatched to build fortifications along the Meuse River and left the place for the First Armored Division.

When passing through Verdun City, Shire made the troops take a slight detour without entering the city.

This was not out of high-mindedness to not disturb the civilians, but Shire always felt it was too dangerous.

If Archduke Ferdinand had had some security awareness and protected himself, he might not have been assassinated, and this world war might not have erupted.

Is it worth it to take a meaningless risk just to show off one’s courage?

Shire wouldn’t do such a foolish thing, he wouldn’t place his life in front of insignificant assassins, nor give the enemy a chance to exchange a bullet for his life.

But Shire didn’t expect this.

When the citizens of Verdun heard that Shire’s troops were passing through, they went out of the city and waited by the roadside to welcome them.

They rushed over, many on bicycles, both men and women, and upon arrival, threw their bicycles aside and cheered while handing flowers to the soldiers.

"You are the heroes of France, thank you!"

"You have brought us peace, we no longer have to worry about those bastards’ shells."

"Thank you very much, we will always remember you!"

.....

There were even young ladies passionately kissing the soldiers.

Suddenly, a scream came from the crowd: "Look, Shire, Shire is there!"

Everyone looked towards Shire’s armored vehicle, and the shouts thundered again, they jumped and called wildly, sending many flying kisses, including old women with no teeth left.

Shire was speechless, he had originally crouched down to avoid this, but unexpectedly, he was still "caught" by them.

Helplessly, he had to reluctantly stand up and wave to the crowd, which drew another round of enthusiastic screams.

Then flowers and food poured onto the armored vehicle like a tide, and many chased the armored vehicle just to shake Shire’s hand.

Shire was on edge, worried that a grenade might have sneaked in unnoticed.

.....

At Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Romania, King Ferdinand I was listening to General David’s report.

(The above picture is Peleș Castle, completed in 1914)

(The above picture is King Ferdinand I of Romania, a relative of German Emperor William II)

"Shire’s penetration achieved remarkable success," General David reported:

"His victory was even astonishing."

"He not only successfully crossed the Arden Mountains but also defeated hundreds of thousands of German troops with just 20,000 men, including Germany’s First Tank Division."

King Ferdinand I looked at General David in amazement: "Are you saying Germany’s First Tank Division was defeated?"

"Not defeated, but crushed, Your Majesty," General David corrected: "Shire invented a kind of fire-spouting bomb, these bombs incinerated the German Tank First Division in the forest, not a single vehicle escaped."

King Ferdinand I was stunned for a long time.

Just with a kind of bomb, they completely wiped out a German tank division!

At this time, Romania was still maintaining friendly relations with Germany, and he knew the situation of the German First Tank Division, it was the most elite unit with the most advanced tanks.

But they were so vulnerable in front of Shire.

After a while of silence, King Ferdinand I asked: "How is the situation on the Eastern Front?"

General David replied: "The Russian army is advancing rapidly, the Austro-Hungarian Legion’s front line has been breached, the whole army is in chaos, with tens of thousands of soldiers being killed or surrendering every day."

King Ferdinand I grunted, gently stroking the moustache on his chin without speaking.

After a long pause, he asked David: "General, why do you think the Allies didn’t want us to join?"

He was referring to last year’s events.

At that time, he sent people to Paris to have secret talks with Xia Fei, and the two sides agreed that Romania would declare war on the Central Powers in a few days.

However, at the last moment, France prevented this action, and then Xia Fei fell from power, and the matter was left unresolved.

"They said they were worried Romania’s resources would completely fall into German hands," David replied: "They had no confidence in our army."

King Ferdinand I grunted, staring at General David meaningfully: "Do you think so? Now too?"

General David was stunned and suddenly understood.

Perhaps such a statement was correct a year ago when Germany was still on the offensive, and the Allies were at a disadvantage, especially on the Eastern Front, where the Russian army was being beaten back completely.

But now.

Shire’s campaigns have left the German army with no power to fight back, and the Russian army’s counterattack was also a great success.

At this point, there certainly was no longer the "risk of Romania being completely occupied by Germany."

"The German army is no big deal," King Ferdinand I murmured:

"Shire can defeat them with just 20,000 troops."

"More importantly, if we don’t join this war, we will have no chance."

"I mean, by then, they won’t need us anymore, and naturally, no one will support us in reclaiming Transylvania!"

(The above picture is a map of Romania during World War I, showing Transylvania under the control of Austria-Hungary, Romania’s biggest goal at the time was to reclaim this land.)