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

Shire gave Petain more than just these.

Shire thought, since directional mines are available, shouldn't there also be regular mines?

Isn't Petain skilled in defensive warfare?

How can defensive warfare lack mines!

With reverse slope, mines, and directional mines, the Battle of Verdun is practically planned out. No matter how Petain fights, he can't escape my shadow; he'll be recognized as following my tactics, and without a doubt.

Thinking this, Shire took out a notebook and sketched a flat round mine used in modern times, then drew the internal structure beside it, explaining as he drew: "The structure isn't complex. When the target steps on the pressure plate, the fuse is triggered. The internal spring mechanism pushes the firing pin, hitting the primer and causing an explosion."

Steed stood next to Shire, watching. Initially, he didn't react, but after hearing Shire's explanation, he understood: "This is a mine?"

Staring at the completed drawing, he was dumbfounded.

Mines already existed at this time, but they were large and inconvenient to carry, with unreasonable shapes, complex structures, difficult detonation, and a series of other flaws that hindered their adoption. During the Russo-Japanese War ten years ago, mines briefly appeared and then vanished from use, scarcely appearing on European battlefields.

Shire's mine design directly addressed this series of issues, achieving the final form.

He believed it wasn't a complex thing, so he went straight to the solution.

(The above image is a mine from the Russo-Japanese War. It was designed to kill, therefore it had a large explosive charge, large size, and heavy weight. The wide bottom made it hard to bury. Its biggest flaw was the electrical ignition device, which required temporary wiring, making it prone to malfunction due to moisture during actual combat.)

After a long time, Steed finally reacted: "This puts everything inside the mine? And uses a fuse to detonate?"

Steed, having worked in the military industry for many years, realized that this approach could simplify many operations and improve moisture resistance, marking a significant advancement in modern mine design.

Dominic came closer, looked at the mine's size, frowned slightly, and reminded: "Brigadier, I'm afraid such a small mine might not be able to kill the target. After all, it's buried underground, and some of the fragments and power will be absorbed by the soil..."

"I don't intend to kill the target," Shire interrupted Dominic.

"What?" Dominic looked at Shire in confusion: "Isn't the goal of war to kill the enemy?"

Shire calmly replied: "No, Dominic, the goal of war has never been to kill the enemy, but to achieve victory."

Dominic was startled, seemingly understanding something. A hint of sorrow appeared on his face; for victory, humans indeed go to extreme lengths.

Steed still didn't understand: "I don't see the distinction between killing the enemy and achieving victory, Brigadier!"

Steed was ultimately a businessman. Though a military arms dealer, he remained a businessman, with a surface-level understanding of arms. Like many others, he believed that killing the enemy was synonymous with victory.

"Father," Dominic explained: "On the battlefield, blowing off an enemy's leg is more effective than killing him."

"More effective?" Steed half doubted Dominic, then looked at Shire.

Shire nodded towards Dominic, indicating he should continue.

Dominic sighed lightly: "Blowing off a leg renders the enemy incapable of fighting, therefore no longer a threat to us. But he will still require several soldiers to carry him for treatment, along with subsequent medical care, supplies, and attention. If he survives, he will hardly contribute value, instead continuing to deplete Germany's already strained resources."

Listening to this, Steed's eyes widened, then he suddenly laughed: "Right, Dominic, that's how it should be. That's how it should be. Cause trouble for the enemy. A bit of explosive can bog them down, so why not?!"

Next, he treasured the drawings and confidently told Shire: "I will produce them soon, Brigadier, within a few days."

After that, he glanced at Dominic.

He was accustomed to Shire's genius, hence he wasn't surprised by Shire's performance.

But today he realized Dominic also had talent. If Dominic could shed unnecessary "womanly kindness," it would be even better.

Shire continued: "Furthermore, we can produce larger mines to deal with tanks."

"Of course, Brigadier," Steed said: "Of course, there must be mines against tanks."

Talking about this, his expression froze: "But, how can we ensure the mine detonates tanks? I mean, the enemy's infantry will also trigger it."

"Pressure, Mr. Steed," Shire answered: "A person weighs at most two hundred pounds, and a tank is different."

Steed exclaimed "Oh," understanding immediately, his face filled with surprise: "Yes, with pressure control, it will only explode if a tank rolls over it. My God, what a genius idea!"

Dominic looked at Shire in shock. The idea was simple, but to mention it so casually was impressive, as if Shire had known it all along.

However, this wasn't the end.

Shire started sketching again while the two watched in astonishment, explaining as he drew:

"We can also produce a smaller type of mine."

"It can be divided into two parts: the mine casing and the mine body."

"When triggered, the explosive in the casing propels the mine body to a height of one meter, then a time-delayed fuse detonates the mine body..."

(The above image is the S-mine developed by Germany in the 1930s. It jumps to a height of one to two meters during detonation and is nicknamed "Bouncing Betty.")

Afterward, Shire placed the notebook in front of them: "Of course, the mine body should include steel balls in addition to the explosive, just like directional mines."

Steed and Dominic were stunned; is there really such a mine?

A mine that jumps to one meter high during explosion, loaded with steel balls?!

The mere imagination of the scene terrified them.

Then Steed became excited, envisioning countless orders, rolling wealth, and the revival of the "Saint Etienne" arms factory.

Once again, he affirmed the wisdom of following Shire's strategy in past years.

If Shire were a competitor now, "Saint Etienne" would already be crushed down and spat on.

Dominic swallowed hard, hesitatingly saying to Shire: "Isn't this too cruel, Brigadier?"

"This is war, Dominic," Shire's voice was cold: "There is an adage, 'Mercy towards the enemy is cruelty towards oneself.' Do you agree?"

Dominic was silent for a moment and gently nodded.

The battlefield is a place where it's either you die or I die. If you show mercy when you can kill the enemy, you'll end up killed by those enemies.

Given the choice, killing the enemy is the obvious choice.

Dominic pondered:

"You are right, General, I apologize."

"I am not a soldier; I haven't faced the enemy on the battlefield and don't have to endure such life-or-death conditions, so I am not in a position to judge."

Shire's inventions aimed at ensuring the survival of him and his troops, Dominic thought.

What would he choose under such circumstances?

Let the enemy kill him?

Perhaps only that path remains!