novelraw Chapter 711: Have You Already Declared War?
Chapter 711: Have You Already Declared War?
Today’s Paris is in an unprecedented celebration.
People are singing and dancing in the streets, or forming circles to sing and dance to the sound of accordions. Hundreds of them gather together, unwilling to disperse even at dusk.
The dense crowds block the streets, causing cars to inch forward like snails, but the drivers do not mind. They even extend their arms to interact with the people outside.
In one of the taxis sits a woman dressed in a luxurious ruffled skirt, with two plainclothes guards in the car, watching their surroundings vigilantly.
(The picture above is Queen Mary Alexandra Victoria, wife of King Ferdinand I, who actively negotiated with the Allies during World War I, helping Romania gain great benefits)
"What is happening today?" The woman cast a confused look at the almost frenzied people outside the car window and asked the driver in fluent French: "Is today a holiday in France?"
The woman is Queen Mary of Romania, and the purpose of this trip is to seek the support of the Allies for Romania to reclaim Transylvania.
"No, madam." The driver turned his head and answered, his tone excited and full of pride:
"You don’t know? Today is the day Shire defeated the Germans; we have won, a great victory."
"By God, he penetrated from the Meuse River to Verdun, cutting the German lines in half."
"Germany collapsed like that, Shire gave them a hard lesson!"
...
The driver chattered on, driving the car at a snail’s pace while enthusiastically recounting Shire’s exploits:
"No one can be as outstanding as him, you wouldn’t believe it, he’s only 19."
"Shire is also a great and conscientious capitalist. He took control of the resources away from the capitalists, so we no longer starve."
"Truly a perfect person, can you imagine? He could have harvested all of France’s wealth, all of it!"
"But he didn’t do that, he brought us hope! The hope of France!"
...
Queen Mary remained silent, she looked at the celebrating people outside the car window and fell into deep thought.
She felt she was on the wrong path.
If the people of France believed in Shire so much, and this is a republic, at least ostensibly decision-making is based on the people’s will.
Then, to gain the support of the Allies, the first person to consider should be Shire.
Thinking of this, Queen Mary sighed in admiration: "What a great man, he has a noble soul. I can’t wait to meet him."
"He’s still on the front line, madam." The driver laughed: "Meeting him is not an easy thing."
"It should be so. I believe many people want to meet him." Queen Mary looked forward with anticipation.
"Of course." The driver nodded forward: "Do you know why this road is particularly crowded? Because ahead is the City Defense Headquarters."
"City Defense Headquarters?"
"Yes." The driver didn’t realize the woman was extracting information from him, eager to spill everything he knew: "That’s where Shire once served, General Gallieni is there. Shire often comes back to see him!"
"Oh!" Queen Mary suddenly understood: "They must have a good relationship, right? I mean, Shire and General Gallieni."
"Of course." The driver nodded heavily: "If there’s anyone standing with Shire, it can only be General Gallieni. He is also a person worthy of respect, we are fortunate to have such a general in France!"
Queen Mary nodded satisfied: "Stop ahead!"
Saying that, she casually pulled out a stack of francs and handed them to the driver: "As thanks, here’s your tip!"
...
City Defense Headquarters.
Gallieni had been there since the afternoon.
He was supposed to be at the City Hall to handle official duties as the Minister of the Army, but he wasn’t used to it.
"There is no feeling of the battlefield there." Gallieni said to Major Fernan: "There, it’s all about political scheming among politicians. I am more suited here, especially when the front line is achieving victories."
At that moment, he was reviewing Shire’s offensive with Major Fernan under the lamp, based on the contents from telegrams.
Demonstrating while praising: "Goodness, each attack was launched unexpectedly. No wonder it went so smoothly."
Then a guard came forward to report: "General, someone wishes to see you. She says she is Queen Mary of Romania."
"Queen Mary?" Gallieni was stunned.
Three years ago, when he visited Romania, he had met her once, though she probably wouldn’t remember him.
Why would she be here?
The next moment Gallieni understood.
"Let her in!" Gallieni’s tone was a bit urgent.
Queen Mary walked up the steps with a smile, her face blossoming with surprise when she saw Gallieni: "Long time no see, General. The last time we met was three years ago, right? I remember it was in Bucharest."
The surprise in Gallieni’s eyes flashed by, he hadn’t expected Queen Mary to have such a good memory.
"Your Majesty." Gallieni politely bowed to Queen Mary, and when he straightened up, he said straightforwardly: "If you’re here for Romania’s declaration of war, I hope you can dismiss that idea."
Queen Mary shrugged: "May I know the reason?"
Gallieni led Queen Mary to the map, laid out a series of telegrams in front of her, and pointed at the map, saying:
"Everyone thinks Shire easily infiltrated to Verdun and finally achieved victory, but no one knows the dangers within."
"Shire encountered danger at Mezieres. He could have been trapped in the city and bombarded, but he invented the ’Amphibious Tank’ to overcome the crisis."
"Then at Truk, he encountered danger again. At that time the Armored Division was running low on ammunition, he could have ended up in a draw with the German Army’s First Tank Division."
"But he solved this problem with the recently invented incendiary bullet."
Gallieni stopped talking and turned to stare at Queen Mary.
The meaning was clear: do you know what I mean?
Queen Mary’s face changed: "You mean, the Germans are not as weak as they seem?"
"Yes, of course." Gallieni nodded: "The Germans appear weak because Shire is too strong. But if anyone dared to challenge, you know the consequence!"
Queen Mary’s breathing gradually quickened, her eyes filled with anxiety.
She knew that Gallieni’s "anyone" referred to Romania, a subtle warning to her.
"But..." Queen Mary hesitated.
Gallieni read the Queen’s expression: "You... haven’t already declared war, have you?"
Queen Mary nodded: "Yes, we were worried you might stop us like last time, so we decided to declare war first then seek the support of the Allies."