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

Verdun is located in the northeastern part of France.

The terrain here is flat, and since the Middle Ages, it has been an important military fortress. The few highlands available have been transformed into fortresses by the French Army. Trenches are constructed in front of the fortresses, and if necessary, infantry can enter the trenches to form a ring to protect the fortresses.

At this time, most of the trees in front of the fortresses have been cut down or destroyed by the French Army, leaving only a patch of yellow earth and sparse craters.

(The image above shows one of the Verdun fortresses: Duomont Fortress, which originally had 6 155MM cannons, 6 120 cannons, and 6 75MM cannons)

At this moment, Colonel Delion, who is sixty years old, is the commander of the 19th Infantry Regiment stationed in Verdun. He is in the fortress, anxiously holding a telescope and looking towards the German Army in the distant trenches.

The German Army is becoming increasingly dense, and occasionally Colonel Delion can see the cannons hidden in the fortifications. Although they are camouflaged, they still cannot escape Delion's eye.

"Colonel." At this time, a soldier behind came up to report: "People from the 7th Army Group, they said they want to dismantle the cannons of the fortress."

Colonel Delion turned back and saw a major leading a group of soldiers coming in.

"No, Major." Delion hurriedly stepped forward to stop them: "Anywhere else is fine, but not here. This is the front line, we need the cannons!"

The major helplessly shrugged: "It's useless to tell us this, Colonel. We are acting on orders."

Then the major added: "If you have any problems, you should consult the Commander-in-Chief."

Delion hesitated for a while, and finally sighed and stepped aside, watching them dismantle the cannons and carry them away in pieces.

Colonel Delion had not failed to respond to Xia Fei, but every time he received the answer: "I know what to do, you just need to obey orders, Colonel."

Then Xia Fei would complain: "These people are always reluctant to part with their equipment, completely unaware that the cannons are useless in the fortress!"

At this time, the sound of engines roared from the sky. Colonel Delion walked out of the fortress and looked up at the sky, seeing a German reconnaissance plane, and another one in the distance.

"Colonel." Major Charles came up from behind: "The Germans are increasingly intensifying their reconnaissance here. They seem to want to take pictures of every inch of this place."

Major Charles was also worried. All signs indicated that the German Army was about to attack Verdun. He could feel this, but Xia Fei incredibly emptied the fortress.

"I should do something." Colonel Delion gritted his teeth, turned, and walked quickly towards the garage at the rear, saying as he walked: "I need to go to Lagden and talk to Xia Fei."

Major Charles chased after him from the rear: "This won't be helpful, Colonel, you know that."

Colonel Delion slowed his steps, ultimately reluctantly nodding and stopping where he was.

What needed to be said he had already told Xia Fei in the telegram, even if he went personally, it would just be repeating it.

After a moment of silence, Colonel Delion said: "Maybe there's another way, we can report to the government."

Charles froze, hurriedly trying to stop him: "This is reporting over the command hierarchy, Colonel, you will offend Xia Fei."

He knew Colonel Delion had channels; Colonel Delion could even directly contact Clemenceau or the Minister of the Army.

Before the war broke out, Colonel Delion was a parliamentarian, a Nancy parliamentarian.

(The image above shows Colonel Delion during WWI. He was the son-in-law of the Bourgeoisie, entered politics as a retired veteran, and was elected as a parliamentarian. After the outbreak of WWI, he resolutely returned to the army as a colonel, but he did not leave the parliament and still maintained contacts in the parliament, having some influence there.)

Colonel Delion responded, he looked towards the direction of the German Army and slightly nodded: "I know, but we can't worry about that now."

...

The situation in Verdun would originally not be known to the French Government. Xia Fei considered it a military secret.

But Delion sent a report to the Paris government:

"The Germans are gathering at Verdun, infantry, artillery, and planes. We have reason to believe they will launch an attack here soon."

"But our cannons and forces have been dismantled and transferred."

"Moreover, our supplies are severely insufficient, even including barbed wire!"

"Verdun is on the verge of crisis!"

...

This matter instantly caused an uproar in the government and parliament. The House of Representatives immediately convened a meeting to discuss this issue.

As usual, there were both voices of support and opposition:

"I believe this is intentional by Xia Fei. As Commander-in-Chief, he may have reasons unknown to us."

"And these reasons might not be convenient to disclose, otherwise, it could easily lead to a leak!"

"Since we handed the army to him, we should trust him and give him enough freedom."

Those opposed responded with sarcasm:

"If Shire did this, I would definitely believe it to be correct, but he's Xia Fei!"

The House of Representatives burst into laughter, and many people did not believe in Xia Fei's command, including parliamentarians and government officials who did not understand military matters.

At this time, Arman rose. He slowly walked to the podium and confidently said:

"Gentlemen, I do not believe this is a correct decision."

"Although I know nothing, do not know intelligence, do not know the German Army's intentions, I even know nothing about military matters."

"But I dare to bet, this time Xia Fei has been fooled, he has fallen into the Germans' trap, once again!"

"Think about it, from the attack on Lorraine to the Battle of the Marne, or any other battle, Xia Fei has never made a prompt and correct decision."

"I can even say, whatever decision Xia Fei makes, we should just go in the opposite direction and it would be correct!"

The House of Representatives burst into laughter once again.

Arman continued:

"Save those poor French soldiers, listen to their cries."

"They are dying meaninglessly, not because they lack bravery or because the enemy is strong, but because they have an incompetent Commander-in-Chief!"

"Why do we continue to let Xia Fei stay in the position of Commander-in-Chief? What has he done?"

Those supporting Xia Fei rose one after another to oppose, some shouted:

"You shameless traitor, you have no right to say this."

"Get down, you only want to ruin France for your own benefit!"

"You should resign from being a parliamentarian!"

...

They were just shouting, but didn't expect Arman to respond promptly:

"Very well, I plan to do just that!"

"Let's make a bet. If I'm wrong, I will immediately resign as a parliamentarian and disappear from your sight forever."

"But if I'm right..."

Arman paused and said word by word: "Then, we should replace Xia Fei as the Commander-in-Chief of France!"

The conference room fell silent, parliamentarians realized that Arman was using another way to force Xia Fei out.