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

In the chilly September of Verdun, the sun didn't come out the entire day, only casting a few scant rays through the fog as it was about to set, as if to give a little charity to the soldiers stationed on the border, confronting each other.

Suddenly, a shout broke the quiet air: "Hey, Germans, how was your day today?"

It was a young French soldier, leaning against one side of the trench, shouting to the other side to make his voice carry farther.

This was one way frontline soldiers alleviated their boredom. They often talked to the enemy, seeking a bit of excitement amid the daily tension, monotony, and oppression.

Usually, the Germans would respond in broken French:

"It was a good day. I received a letter from my wife and she sent a photo."

"But I received some bad news. My eighteen-year-old child has also enlisted. If you see him, please show mercy."

"Oh, I also received a jug of wine. It's wonderful!"

...

But today, the Germans said nothing. It was silent across the lines as if all the German soldiers were dead.

Disappointed at the lack of response, the French soldier cursed sullenly, "Damned bastards, only know how to sleep. When the battle starts, don't blame me for cutting off your ears!"

The surrounding French soldiers burst into laughter.

At this moment, Colonel Delion appeared at the front of the trench with his staff and a few guards, and the soldiers quickly stood up to greet him.

Delion nodded and asked expressionlessly, "Any new developments?"

"No, Colonel, nothing at all," Captain Er Longqi, the officer in charge, replied, standing at attention.

A young soldier chimed in, "The Germans have been unusually quiet for the past couple of days. Maybe they're afraid of us!"

Someone retorted, "You haven't done anything, Leo. If Shire were here, they'd have a reason to be afraid!"

The soldiers chuckled again.

Delion said nothing, pulling out his binoculars as he cautiously climbed onto the firing step, peeking his head out carefully.

The trench fell silent instantly, with every soldier holding their breath, watching Delion. Some even grabbed their rifles, ready to provide cover for the colonel.

With their rich combat experience, they knew that observing the enemy at dusk was risky.

Fortunately, there were no gunshots from the other side, and a few minutes later, Delion pulled his head back in.

Delion sat on the step in a daze for a while, as if recalling what he had just seen.

Then he ordered the soldiers in a low voice, "Stay alert and keep an eye on enemy movements."

"Yes, Colonel."

As soon as Delion entered the communication trench, he whispered to Charles, "Something's wrong. The Germans might be about to make a move."

Charles nodded, his face pale, "I've felt something strange too, Colonel..."

"No, it's more than just strange," Colonel Delion replied. "Some of their artillery has removed the camouflage from their barrels!"

Charles's eyes widened instantly, "You mean tonight..."

Colonel Delion nodded slightly, "It's very likely tonight!"

After a few more steps, he turned and ordered, "Wire the high command immediately, report the situation here."

"Yes, Colonel." Charles responded habitually, then added, "But like before, we can't expect much from them."

Colonel Delion nodded, indicating he understood.

Over a month had passed since Delion's attempts to bypass the chain of command, which had led Xia Fei to direct a harsh admonition at Delion. Xia Fei had even sent a general notice to the whole army:

"Officers should address issues through proper channels."

"Any soldier under my command who bypasses the chain of command to send complaints or protests regarding my orders to the government is deliberately disturbing military discipline and undermining internal unity!"

Everyone knew that Xia Fei was referring to Delion, even though he didn't name him explicitly.

Many speculated that the only reason Colonel Delion had not been dismissed or disciplined was that he held another identity: a parliamentarian.

After a moment of contemplation, Colonel Delion added, "We should send a few more signalmen. They might be able to get the command's attention. Tell the Commander-in-Chief that now is not the time for personal grudges!"

Lieutenant Colonel Charles nodded, "I'll arrange it immediately."

Soon, a sidecar motorcycle raced out of the fortress, carrying three soldiers: a driver, a guard, and Major Jules, the best orator in the regiment, in the sidecar.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles hoped Major Jules could secure something for Verdun.

...

In the Lagden headquarters, Xia Fei's eyes were fixed on Belfort on the map.

A few days ago, he had received a warning from the British that the Germans' real target was likely Belfort and that all actions in Verdun could be a feint.

"I knew it!" Xia Fei had said triumphantly when receiving this information, "No one would choose Verdun as a breakthrough point unless they're a fool or a blind man!"

In the next second, he ordered the main force of the 7th Army to be transferred to Belfort, including just-removed large-caliber artillery from Verdun.

"We should also move the 1st Artillery Division there." Xia Fei pointed to Belfort, addressing Kanes.

"Strengthen Belfort's defenses?" Kanes was puzzled, "But the tanks seem to be for offense."

"Of course, it's for offense," Xia Fei replied. "Defense is just a facade. Kanes, once the enemy's attack loses momentum, the tank units will immediately launch a counteroffensive, catching the Germans off guard!"

Xia Fei still held on to his "encirclement plan."

At this moment, a signalman delivered a telegram, "General, Colonel Delion has sent a message saying the Germans are about to launch an attack, possibly tonight."

Xia Fei snorted, a trace of disdain at the corner of his mouth, "He knows nothing."

The signalman said, "But he mentioned that a large number of German troops are gathering in Verdun, and their artillery is ready to fire."

"That's just the Germans putting on a show," Xia Fei asserted, "He's only seen a part and thinks it's everything!"

Xia Fei, eyes full of helplessness, looked up at the signalman, "Tell him to mind his own business."

"Yes, General!"

...

At half past nine at night, Major Jules' sidecar arrived at Lagden.

Major Jules first found a telephone, hoping to inform Colonel Delion that they had arrived.

Unexpectedly, just as the phone connected, cannon fire and Colonel Delion's roar came through the receiver:

"They've opened fire, the bombardment is unprecedentedly intense, at least a thousand large-caliber guns are shelling us!"

"Our radio was damaged in the blasts, report this immediately to..."

The line went dead before he could finish, and no matter how much Major Jules shouted, it was of no use.

Major Jules guessed that the phone line had been cut by shellfire, meaning the front line could not contact the rear.

He hurriedly hung up the phone and ran towards Xia Fei's headquarters.

The urgent situation left no room for delay. Every minute and second could decide the life and death of frontline soldiers and the outcome of the battle!

However, just as he reached the command entrance, the guards stopped him.

"I need to see the Commander-in-Chief, immediately!" Major Jules shouted anxiously.

"Sorry, Major," the guard responded coldly, "The Commander-in-Chief is resting. You can't wake him!"

Jules was stunned, having forgotten about Xia Fei's strict sleep schedule!

(Note: This section is written based on historical events. When the Battle of Verdun had already begun, the messenger bringing this news arrived at headquarters, only to be told that the General was already asleep and could not be awakened.)