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

Chapter 712: The Fabian Family

Verdun, Belrupt Castle Training Base.

Shire enjoyed a sumptuous dinner in the office, a Verdun specialty "Burgundy Red Wine Beef Stew".

(The above picture is Burgundy Red Wine Beef Stew, simmered with red wine, beef, carrots, onions, etc. The beef is tender and flavorful, combining the aroma of red wine with the beef.)

Shire felt strange. During this wartime rationing period, it was hard to get beef or even the side dishes.

Yet, someone in Verdun could actually procure it.

Not only procure it, but also host a banquet for the entire army, meaning everyone in the Armored Division got a serving.

The taste of the beef was quite good, especially the sauce, which matched Shire’s preferences. In the end, even the carrots were entirely consumed.

Major General Brownie timely entered to report: "General, Mister Fumon Ruien hopes to have a word with you."

"Who?" Shire asked, his mouth full of beef, unclear and muffled. He had never heard this name before.

Major General Brownie leaned forward and explained quietly: "Owner of Fabian Mining, controls multiple coal and iron mines, primarily distributed near Mezieres."

Shire expressed an "Oh" sound, glancing at the empty plate: "The dinner was his treat, right?"

"Yes, General," Brownie replied.

"Let him in!" Shire picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth, while the orderly deftly cleared the plate and utensils.

Shire initially assumed Mister Fumon Ruien was an elder, or at least a middle-aged man.

Since during this period, usually mature and older individuals were in charge. Contrary to his expectations, a young man in his twenties, fair-skinned, with a stylish moustache walked in.

"It’s an honor to meet you, General!" Fumon Ruien removed his hat and bowed towards Shire.

Shire stood up and shook hands with Fumon Ruien: "I should thank you for tonight’s dinner, Mister Fumon Ruien, you were truly generous."

"No, no, it’s what I should do." Fumon Ruien replied hastily, nodding as he spoke: "You risk your lives reclaiming lands for France, recovering property for citizens, I don’t know how to express my gratitude, my efforts are merely a small token."

Shire didn’t dwell much, he invited Fumon Ruien to sit on the sofa and directly asked: "Well, what’s the matter?"

He would never believe France had charitable capitalists. If any existed, they had already been eliminated.

The struggle among capitalists during this period was very ruthless.

For example, if someone distributed bread to the starving populace, it would lower bread prices, and in the long run, other capitalists couldn’t hire workers at low wages.

Thus, these kind-hearted capitalists would be specifically targeted and excluded by others, like Shire.

However, Shire has quickly grown into a giant they cannot exclude or target anymore.

This inherent opposition between capitalists and the people only became clear after experiencing several large-scale economic crises; capitalists understood shortsightedness wasn’t viable.

Indeed, Fumon Ruien responded: "I hope to cooperate with you, General. I’m willing to sell 30% of the shares of my coal and iron mines, and wonder if you might be interested..."

Shire interrupted Fumon Ruien: "Sorry, Sir. I don’t handle these matters; you’ve found the wrong person!"

"Yes, yes," Fumon Ruien didn’t say much and tactfully stood up to bid farewell: "Apologies for disturbing you, and once again, thank you!"

...

Outside, the accompanying butler noticed Fumon Ruien’s calmness, even a hint of satisfaction, and couldn’t help but ask: "Sir, Shire has clearly refused to cooperate, but you don’t seem to mind at all."

"Of course, he wouldn’t cooperate, Clement." Fumon Ruien smiled gently: "He’s a General, a pivotal figure in the military; cooperating with us would provide a handle to others!"

"But." The butler asked in puzzlement: "Knowing he wouldn’t cooperate, why..."

Fumon Ruien glanced back at Shire’s office, speaking with meaning: "He has already agreed."

"Agreed?" The butler was baffled; Shire didn’t utter a word of agreement.

"Yes." Fumon Ruien confidently nodded, stepped into the car at the front, and said to the butler following him: "Didn’t you understand Shire’s words? ’I don’t handle these matters; you’ve found the wrong person.’"

The butler suddenly realized: "Shire doesn’t handle this, Bernard Group does. So, we should find Dejoka?"

Fumon Ruien responded with an "Hmm," smiling, and leaned towards the driver, saying: "To Paris, Davaz Town!"

...

Shire indeed agreed.

Coal and iron mines are crucial resources for the Bernard Group, forming the foundation of steel mills, and they are also the lifeline of France, in wartime or peacetime.

Not only the Bernard Group but also "Saint-Etienne" Arms Factory, "FN" Arms Factory, and Brest Shipyard.

Their products all depend on coal and iron mines.

Having your own raw materials means not being choked by others, so this is an opportunity handed to them.

The downside is, these resources are mostly monopolized by the Wentier family.

Shire participating in Fabian family’s shares would likely bring an open conflict with the Wentier family.

This might be one of Fumon Ruien’s purposes. He cleverly pulls Shire as a backing. Only this way can he possibly avoid being annexed.

Let it come to a fight, Shire thought, not shying away. After all, the Mezieres area is now a frontline.

At worst, if the Wentier family’s mines are too big, without adequate troops and equipment for protection, the Germans can safely bomb them.

During war, holding military power, Shire wondered what cards those powerless capitalists hold in their hands!

"General," the communications soldier reported to Shire from a few meters away while holding the headset: "General Gallieni’s call."

Shire stepped forward, took the phone, revealing his identity.

"Everything going smoothly?" Gallieni asked.

"Yes, General, smoothly," Shire replied: "General Fuxu is leading troops towards Bicangxi, expected to arrive in two days."

Bicangxi is an important node.

Once Fuxu’s troops reach Bicangxi, they will coordinate with Tijani’s mechanized unit, and then the Germans’ defeat is inevitable.

"Good." Gallieni said: "If you can manage, I believe you need to come to Paris."

"Paris?" Shire was puzzled.

Though currently nothing critical is pending, the dust hasn’t settled yet; Shire should stay in Verdun to oversee the overall situation.

But Gallieni insisted: "Yes, Romania has declared war on Austria-Hungary."

Shire was stunned; they declared war on Austria-Hungary without any negotiation?

What emboldened Romania to dare challenge Germany’s influence?!