NOVEL WEB Chapter 366 Want to win? Buy my cannons!
Today there was a delay, so there's only one chapter.
Starting tomorrow, I'll try to resume three updates. If it occasionally doesn't happen, I hope you'll understand!
......
This is the perfect timing to enter the insurance industry.
War and fires have caused capital to lose confidence in the insurance industry, which means Shire's competitors are fewer, making it easier to acquire insurance companies and spend less money.
Additionally, Shire can justifiably raise the price of insurance premiums: high risk warrants high premiums.
On the other hand, during periods of ongoing currency devaluation, people generally believe that buying insurance is more cost-effective, otherwise the money will disappear into thin air if kept in hand.
More importantly, Shire's foresight; he knows where is safe and where is dangerous. For example, Verdun, he certainly wouldn't start business there, but he can freely take orders in Paris, as the Germans won't occupy Paris until decades later.
(Note: Germany occupied Paris during World War II in 1940)
If Paris harbors any danger, it would be the Germans developing the so-called "Paris Cannon," but the damage it causes to Paris can almost be ignored.
It can even provide Shire with a business opportunity: worried about your house being bombed and property damaged? Then buy insurance, Shire will pay you double compensation!
A great advertisement slogan, with the key being "Shire," he is almost like a talisman.
...
The next morning, Shire wakes up in his small room.
The police training base rooms are more luxurious, with orderlies attending to security, but for some reason, Shire can only fully relax and enter deep sleep here.
Perhaps it is the feeling of home.
After a hasty wash, Shire goes downstairs for breakfast, as usual, it's pizza with milk, and the milk must be finished.
The difference is Camille made an extra piece packed in a paper box for Shire to take away.
"Take it, you never know when you'll be back next time," Camille looked at Shire with reluctance.
"Don't worry, Mom," Shire comforted, "I'll try to get leave."
Turning to open the door, Shire was stunned to find a crowd had gathered outside, all of them neighbors.
Camille knew beforehand and looked at Shire with pride and gratitude, explaining with a smile, "They insist on seeing you off, you saved many lives."
Aunt Osses stepped forward, holding her son's hand. Her son was in uniform but had bandages over his eyes, cautiously stepping forward.
"Thank you, Shire," Aunt Osses said with a trembling voice, "They found Gabri on the battlefield, luckily because you held off the Germans."
Blind Gabri stood before Shire with Aunt Osses' guidance, straightened up, and saluted, "43rd Division, 172nd Infantry Regiment, General!"
Shire returned the salute and patted his shoulder.
Then Uncle Anatole approached and shook Shire's hand, gratefully saying, "My son Beltrand, he was wounded and captured by the Germans. We thought he'd never come back alive, but your troops saved him. It was your unit, Shire, on the Claude Defense Line!"
Shire remembered clearly; during the breakthrough of the German Army's second line, the 105th Infantry Regiment indeed rescued a batch of prisoners.
At the time, everyone focused on capturing Vice Admirals, Major Generals, and confiscating supplies, paying little attention to the rescued prisoners.
"No need to thank me, Uncle Anatole," Shire replied mechanically, "It's my duty."
Then Manion, Cesar, Cretian... they all came forward to express their gratitude to Shire for various reasons.
Shire greeted and responded to each of them warmly.
At this moment, Shire truly felt the existence of two worlds in France: one maintained by emotions, the other by capital and interests.
They indeed exist, although the boundaries are not visible, yet distinctly separate.
...
At the Paris City Defense Command, Gallieni signed documents while asking Shire standing before him, "I heard Saint-Étienne produced a light machine gun, is it your invention?"
"Yes," Shire did not deny, "it's called the 'Saint-Étienne Model 2.'"
"How does its performance compare to the 'Chauchat'?" Gallieni's hands kept moving as he glanced up.
"I'm not sure, General," Shire replied, "it needs to be tested on the battlefield."
Gallieni made a sound of acknowledgement, pausing his actions to look at Shire meaningfully.
He actually knew Shire's intentions but chose not to expose them.
"Next time," Gallieni hinted, "you better invent it sooner, or at least give the military a heads-up."
He knew the military had placed a large order for the "Chauchat," a return would mean losing considerable deposits.
Shire stood up straight and replied, "Yes, General."
But the smile on his lips clearly conveyed to Gallieni, "Sorry, General. This is business, I will do it again next time."
Gallieni shook his head slightly, seemingly helpless against Shire.
He took a document from the drawer and tossed it in front of Shire, "We just received intel that the Germans seem to have developed a new tank, the Second Bureau took some photos."
Shire eagerly picked up the document and flipped through it expectantly, wanting to know what the German's new tank looked like. Though the "Lady in White" had some intel, she didn't have photos.
But Shire was disappointed, the tank was covered with a canvas on a flatbed train, no details were photographed.
Shire still deduced some information from the length and width comparison with the train, "It's a light tank, similar in size to the 'Shire A1,' likely a German imitation."
"That's what I thought too," Gallieni nodded, "now there's a question, how should we deal with this tank, directly use the 'Shire A1' or something else?"
After a pause, Gallieni added, "Fuxu is pondering the German's approach, anti-tank rifles, he believes it can effectively counter light tanks. What do you think?"
Shire looked perplexedly at Gallieni.
When Fuxu was mentioned, Shire knew it was likely Xia Fei seeking advice from Shire to find a winning strategy.
No one knew tanks better than Shire, the inventor and promoter of tanks, who commanded them in numerous victorious battles.
With the Germans now having new tanks, an unsure Xia Fei hoped to gain useful information from Shire to win this "battle where failure is not an option."
"Any concerns?" Gallieni asked, noticing Shire's expression.
Thus Shire knew Gallieni was unaware of the truth. Their offensive plan targeted Gallieni.
Xia Fei probably packaged "anti-tank" as an academic issue, suggesting it's preparing for future warfare.
"Nothing," Shire honestly said, "I don't think we should develop anti-tank rifles. Currently, they might be useful, but as technology advances, tank armor will inevitably get thicker, making anti-tank rifles obsolete."
This is determined by the armor-piercing capability of the rifles. A 25MM steel plate is almost their limit, any attempt to enhance it will result in recoil soldiers can't handle.
"The 37mm cannon is a good replacement," Shire said, "its armor-piercing ability is evidently superior to anti-tank rifles and has more development potential."
Shire thus posed a challenge to Xia Fei:
Want to win? Buy my cannons!