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

Chapter 727: Romania’s Victory

"Another piece of news." Gallieni’s tone turned teasing:

"At dawn today, Romania’s three armies crossed the Carpathian Mountains in three directions into Transylvania."

"The Austro-Hungarian Division stationed there was easily defeated, and the Romanian army won a victory."

"Just now, the Romanian king personally sent me a telegram saying they had advanced 13 kilometers!"

Shire smiled slightly; the Romanian king personally sent a telegram?

Was this to show off to Gallieni?

No, Shire then thought, the king was showing off to him.

Ferdinand I couldn’t directly contact Shire; he could only contact the Minister of the Army, Gallieni.

But the king knew that Gallieni would relay the message to Shire.

The meaning was: "Didn’t you say I couldn’t win this battle? Now, I have already achieved victory!"

...

The Romanian army set out last night.

This was the plan of Vice Admiral Averescu, the commander.

"Your Majesty." Vice Admiral Averescu pointed at the map and analyzed:

"Although we have declared war on Austria-Hungary, they are unsure when we will attack."

"I think we should move quickly, especially since the Austro-Hungarian front is being breached by Russia."

"The intelligence I received is that the five Austro-Hungarian divisions stationed in Transylvania have just withdrawn from the front, with a total strength of less than 70,000 men, and they are exhausted."

Ferdinand I nodded in agreement: "Then, launch the attack early tomorrow morning."

"No, Your Majesty." Vice Admiral Averescu disagreed: "Not tomorrow morning, it should be tonight."

"Tonight?" Ferdinand I frowned.

Many of Romania’s troops were conscripted temporarily half a month ago, having only undergone basic shooting training and never conducted nighttime exercises, not even shooting.

Although Ferdinand I did not know much about military affairs, he knew that night battles were more deadly for inadequately trained troops.

He feared that doing so was too risky.

Vice Admiral Averescu reminded: "Your Majesty, the pass is easy to defend and hard to attack. If we wait for the Austro-Hungarian troops to react and send guards, we may never get through, or we might suffer heavy casualties."

Ferdinand I was silent for a moment, thinking that Vice Admiral Averescu was right.

The declaration of war had just been sent out in the afternoon, and the attack would be launched a few hours later at night. Austria-Hungary would surely not be prepared.

Thinking of this, Ferdinand I agreed to this battle plan.

Before Vice Admiral Averescu set out, Ferdinand I repeatedly instructed: "If you encounter enemy resistance, do not force an attack. Waiting until daylight to attack is also an option since we have a numerical advantage."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Vice Admiral Averescu replied.

But he was confident because he had already ordered reconnaissance of the pass terrain and mountain roads before the battle. Even if they were blocked, the troops could take the mountain roads to outflank the enemy.

Of course, Vice Admiral Averescu would not say this.

Because this was Shire’s tactic.

...

After heading to the front lines to command, Vice Admiral Averescu left Ferdinand I restless in the palace.

What would the result of this battle be?

What if it was lost, as the queen said?

No, it wouldn’t be, it definitely wouldn’t be.

The Russians were attacking on all fronts, Austria-Hungary was already in disarray, and there was no reason for the Romanian army to be defeated by these routed troops.

At this moment, the church bells tolled one o’clock in the morning, causing Ferdinand I’s heart to skip a beat, the time for the attack had arrived.

A few muffled cannon shots were heard coming from the north, causing the servants to cry out in low voices in alarm.

(Note: The Romanian capital is less than 50 kilometers from the front line.)

Within minutes, the phone rang, and Ferdinand I rushed forward as if flying. The servant answering the phone was nearly knocked off balance by him.

"What’s the situation?" Ferdinand I asked impatiently.

"We are victorious, Your Majesty, victorious." Vice Admiral Averescu’s excited voice came through the phone: "The enemy was easily defeated. As soon as we began shelling, they ran faster than we imagined."

Vice Admiral Averescu was even somewhat disappointed.

Why didn’t these guys resist a bit? Even if you resisted for half an hour, my flanking troops could have surrounded you from the rear!

Ferdinand I jumped up in excitement, all his worries vanished, replaced by sheer joy.

"I knew it!" he shouted, waving his fists: "I knew we could win. No one can stop us because we are the army of justice."

Then he ordered Vice Admiral Averescu, his voice filled with confidence: "Advance, General, your name and achievements will be etched on the monument in Transylvania. Drive the invaders off our land, and show no mercy!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Vice Admiral Averescu responded loudly.

Hanging up the phone, Ferdinand I could not contain his excitement, shouting and jumping like a madman in the living room.

Then he thought of the queen.

The next moment, he walked towards the bedroom in a few quick steps.

The king’s excitement made him lose his usual elegance, and he pushed open the door and turned on the light, exclaiming to the still-sleeping Queen Mary: "We won, Mary, we won!"

Queen Mary was startled, she sat up in shock, and only upon seeing it was Ferdinand I did she calm down.

However, the moment she understood the news, her face turned pale instantly: "You mean, we attacked?"

"Yes." Ferdinand I clenched his fists, trembling with excitement: "Not only did we attack, but we also won. Mary, the Austro-Hungarian army was easily defeated, they ran away."

"My God." Queen Mary gazed at the king in disbelief: "Can you not see this is a trap?"

"What? No, this is not a trap." Ferdinand I retorted: "It’s because the Austro-Hungarian army was unprepared."

"Your Majesty." Queen Mary walked towards the king: "Did you read the documents I gave you?"

"I read some." Ferdinand I answered, "But they were not important..."

"Your Majesty." Queen Mary interrupted: "There was an analysis by Shire about this battle. He believes the Germans will lure our main force into the plains of Transylvania and encircle them. Then no one will be able to save Romania."

Ferdinand I laughed:

"Shire? Again Shire! He is in Paris, Mary, fighting the Germans on the Western Front."

"And this is the Eastern Front, in Romania."

"He knows nothing about the situation here. It’s not like he thinks, I am sure!"

At this moment, Queen Mary realized she could not convince Ferdinand I.

Even Shire had predicted this; he had known in Paris that no one could convince the king.

Indeed, the inexperienced king had been intoxicated by victory, like a child tasting sugar for the first time, completely intoxicated and uncontrollable!