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

Major Jules thought this was a "suicide" attack, but it wasn't.

They changed into German army uniforms and helmets, which were easy to obtain because there were injured soldiers everywhere in front of the defense line who had been downed by directional mines. The downside was that the uniforms had bullet holes or bayonet punctures.

But who would notice this in the dark? Even though it was unpleasant to wear them sticky with blood.

Then, they divided into several batches and set out carrying "wounded soldiers" in units.

No one stopped or checked them along the way, as everyone was hustling for the sudden influx of wounded.

The German army was in chaos, or rather fearful, worried that the next order would send them to the front line, and then they too would become among the wounded.

Major Jules, who spoke German, even overheard the German soldiers whispering:

"They said Shire is here, right across. Is that true?"

"Who else do you think could create such a weapon?"

"Unbelievable, I've never heard of such a thing. It can instantly take down a large area, more terrifying than a machine gun!"

...

A trace of pride flickered in Major Jules' eyes. He wanted to laugh but restrained himself in the end.

If they were discovered by the Germans because of this, it would be too unworthy!

The "wounded" were successfully taken to the Duomont Fortress, and some "severely wounded" were brought inside the fortress, and then the gunfire began...

Most of the people around were wounded German soldiers and medical personnel. Even if there were infantry or artillerymen, they usually didn't have guns, as they were assisting others. The guns were either laid aside or slung on their backs.

Thus, the fight turned into a one-sided slaughter.

German soldiers were shot one by one before they could grab their rifles.

The military doctors raised their hands to surrender, knowing they couldn't match these fierce French soldiers, but failing to realize how dangerous this was in the darkness and chaos.

Bullets flew everywhere, and no one knew who killed the military doctors.

In the desperate rush to escape, countless wounded were trampled to death.

Soldiers carrying stretchers simply abandoned the wounded and chose to save themselves.

The surviving wounded struggled to crawl on the ground, seeming to want to hide themselves, but suddenly a bayonet stabbed fiercely into their backs...

In just over ten minutes, the Duomont Fortress transformed from a hospital into purgatory. The ground was pitch black with bodies, leaving no place to step. Blood pooled together in the low areas of the ground and flowed into the trenches, producing a clearly audible sound.

The battle inside the fortress continued, but it was only a small group of people making a last stand.

The nearby German soldiers who heard the gunfire rushed to reinforce but were terrified and glued to the ground by the steel balls raining down.

Then, the fortress cannons of Duomont roared.

150MM shells exploded in the German trenches, blasting the gathered German soldiers into the air. The 77MM cannons fired at the Germans' backs, tearing many to pieces before they knew what was happening.

Meanwhile, the French army, which had been defending, finally launched a counterattack.

...

As dawn broke, the staff officers of Lagden's headquarters were still busy, while Xia Fei lay on the desk like a dead pig, snoring evenly, with a trickle of saliva at the corner of his mouth.

Xia Fei had finally fallen asleep.

He had struggled to sleep because he didn't know the situation at the frontline.

Since Shire took command in Verdun, he severed communication between the frontline and the rear, claiming: "To avoid leaking military secrets."

"That bastard," Xia Fei swore, "He treats us like the enemy!"

The staff officer, hearing this, had a strange expression on his face. Aren't we the ones who always treat Shire as the enemy?

Xia Fei's information was very limited, received from intelligence officers he had sent to Verdun City:

"The Germans are attacking, artillery fire is intense."

"The Germans don't seem to be advancing; our forces have repelled their attack."

"Our artillery is firing, the fighting is fierce."

...

Xia Fei was initially anxious, worried that Shire might change the situation in just one day.

But then he thought:

If Shire was merely defending, even if he repelled the enemy's attack and killed many, what would that prove? Can it be called "changing the situation"?

Before Shire took over in Verdun, the French army was attacking the Germans.

After he took over, the French army hid in the trenches, unable even to attack.

Yes, it could indeed be called "changing the situation," but for the worse!

Thinking of this, Xia Fei felt relieved.

He sat back in his chair, wanting to drink some coffee to refresh himself, but tiredness washed over him like waves, and he soon lay on the table, falling into a dazed sleep.

...

"General, General?" The staff officer cautiously shook Xia Fei.

Xia Fei woke up with a start, staring at the staff officer in bewilderment, then looking around, seemingly not understanding why he was here.

Then he reacted with an "Oh," asking, "What's the situation? I mean Verdun."

The staff officer replied, "We don't know the situation in Verdun, General, but Shire has boarded a plane back to Paris."

The headquarters knew this because to reach the airport from the Verdun frontline, one had to pass through Verdun City.

Xia Fei pulled out his pocket watch and instantly beamed with joy: "Yes, he must have given up, that arrogant guy!"

There were still six hours left of the one-day promise. Shire could only be returning early because he was powerless.

Xia Fei instantly felt invigorated. He stood up, straightened his uniform with a smile: "Relay the news to General Kanes. He knows what to say in the House of Representatives."

"Yes, General."

...

General Kanes at the Paris Ritz Hotel received the phone call from headquarters and couldn't help but be overjoyed. He immediately commanded his subordinates:

"Quickly pack up for the House of Representatives."

"I want to announce this 'good news' to them first!"

"And to all the citizens of France!"

...

At nine o'clock, the lawmakers promptly gathered at the audience seats in the House of Representatives, Bourbon Palace.

General Kanes stood at the podium in a perfectly fitting uniform, a smug smile on his face.

The lawmakers took their seats with puzzled looks, having heard that Shire had rushed to the Verdun front line yesterday. Could it be that Shire had lost?

Gallieni found his seat and sat down with a snort of disdain, thinking a day is too short. The kid is too impatient!

Only Steed looked confident, knowing what Shire had brought to Verdun.

"Gentlemen!" Kanes couldn't wait for the lawmakers to settle down before speaking:

"As I said, Shire can't change anything. It's a battle where the strength disparity between our forces is too great."

"Not just in manpower, equipment, but also in supplies."

"Shire thought he could, but unfortunately, he has seen the reality. He is now on his way back..."

Suddenly, Shire pushed open the door, entering with Major Jules.

The two were covered in dust, with tired faces smeared in black and white, Major Jules still had quite a few bloodstains, but his eyes were filled with pride and excitement.

Gallieni's eyes lit up, his upper body unconsciously leaning forward. Having come from the battlefield, he knew what Major Jules' look meant.

Could it be that the kid had already accomplished what he said?

Impossible!

Not even a day had passed!

Shire walked slowly to the front row, and someone immediately made way for him, offering a seat directly facing Kanes.

Shire nodded in thanks, sitting down calmly, exhaling a sigh of relief before looking up at Kanes: "Please continue, General! I'm listening!"