CHAPTER 326: REVISED: CHAPTER 326 THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SHASHKA LIGHT MACHINE GUN

Let the waiter clear the plates and bring dessert and fruit, Steed spoke while eating, "They are ready to deploy light machine guns, with the first batch estimated to be at least ten thousand, sent to the Gelibolu battlefield."

Upon saying this, Steed looked up at Shire, quietly observing his reaction.

If it were before, Shire would have hesitated for a moment.

Sending such a faulty machine gun to Gelibolu would inevitably cause a series of "accidents" resulting in unnecessary casualties for the troops, which Shire would not allow.

But now, Shire just calmly responded with a "hmm" and continued to calmly fork the apple slices in front of him into his mouth, as if he hadn’t heard it.

This is not the season for apples to ripen, the reason we can still eat apples is due to their preservation in industrial refrigerators.

However, of course, this is an enjoyment only the rich can experience.

(The above is a picture of the first domestic refrigerator with an electric compressor invented in 1923. The principle of the refrigerator was first invented in 1834, but it was used industrially for a long time before being popularized for domestic use.)

Dominic, seeing Shire did not express any stance, looked at Shire in confusion and asked, "Shouldn’t we launch our machine guns first?"

Shire replied coldly, "We can wait a bit longer, now is not the time."

"But..." Dominic’s expression was a bit tense, "It might cause significant problems. When we designed this machine gun, it was intended for use in France. Now they plan to use it in Gelibolu."

The France battlefield is mostly inland, whereas Gelibolu is a peninsula, a place of high salt and humidity. Shao Sha’s hollow magazine, even without sand ingress, could have small salt particles crystalize, and furthermore, it’s easier to rust in that environment.

All these will lead to malfunctions, more malfunctions.

"Gelibolu really needs light machine guns." Shire replied evasively, "Heavy machine guns are too cumbersome and need precious fresh water for cooling."

This is Shire’s combat experience, sometimes soldiers have no water to drink but have to save water for the heavy machine guns.

(Using seawater for cooling would cause a series of problems. It is corrosive to metal, causing rust, and after seawater evaporates, it leaves a large amount of salt crystals.)

"That’s not the issue, Colonel." Dominic stressed, "We also have light machine guns, much better quality than Shao Sha. We have already produced 30,000, enough for the Gelibolu battlefield!"

The underlying implication by Dominic is that if we provide light machine guns to Gelibolu now, many lives could be saved.

Steed smiled, answering for Shire:

"The Colonel is right, Dominic."

"Without comparison, there is no difference. We need people to understand how bad Shao Sha machine guns are, to indirectly show them how good our machine guns are."

"At that point, we truly defeat our opponent!"

Dominic looked at Steed in shock, then turned to look at Shire again, in disbelief.

It is normal for Steed to think this way, his eyes only see money, profit, and his own business.

But Shire, he is not such a person!

Shire did not answer, effectively acquiescing.

This is just one of the reasons, at this moment there is an urgent need for light machine guns yet no light machine guns, although "Shao Sha" is fraught with problems, because of the massive demand on the battlefield, it was urgently expanded in the following two years to produce a total of 260,000 units.

To attack our opponent, of course, we have to wait for the "emergency expansion" and not during this "trial period".

Dominic waited for a while without seeing Shire answer, his eyes gradually showing disappointment, and he sarcastically remarked, "You really have become cruel, Colonel, considering your combat experience!"

Steed gave Dominic a reprimanding look:

"Are you referring to the soldiers at Gelibolu?"

"They are Australians, Dominic, and also New Zealanders, British, and Africans. This has nothing to do with us, Dominic."

"The only regiment of the French 105th Infantry has already withdrawn!"

Dominic retorted, "But they are lives too, Father!"

Steed’s face darkened, and he questioned:

"Then, is it our responsibility for them to kill each other on the battlefield?"

"Did we start this war? Or did we send warships and troops?"

"We are just selling equipment, your anger seems misplaced!"

Dominic did not retort, but his eyes were still filled with silent protest, and the restaurant fell into an awkward silence.

Steed wore a regretful smile towards Shire, "I apologize, Colonel. I hope this does not cause you any discomfort."

"No, of course not." Shire replied, then turned to Dominic and asked calmly, "What is it called, I mean the machine gun we produce?"

"It’s called the ’Saint-Etienne Model 2’ machine gun." Dominic answered.

Shire raised his eyebrows, a good name and a wise move.

This could create momentum for the Saint-Etienne arsenal. Once this machine gun achieves great success on the battlefield, what the military and civilians recognize will not be the machine gun itself, but the Saint-Etienne arsenal.

"What if I gave you the decision-making power?" Shire asked again.

"What?" Dominic was stunned.

"You decide when to deploy the machine guns." Shire said firmly, "I’m serious."

"Of course, I would launch it now." Dominic’s eyes reignited with hope.

"Do you think they will definitely choose the better one?" Shire asked again, seemingly seeing his former self.

Dominic was stunned, seemingly understanding the problem: Even if the Saint-Etienne arsenal launches machine guns now, it would likely not be recognized and accepted by the parliament.

The current Saint-Etienne arsenal is no longer what it used to be, its right to speak is being encroached by other capitalists.

"We could list it under the wartime procurement regulation." Dominic suggested.

"My tanks are the same." Shire answered, "Do you know why I didn’t list the ’Shire A1’ tank under the wartime procurement regulation?"

Dominic was speechless.

He knew the reason; everyone knew it.

Back then, it was almost impossible for the ’Shire A1’ tank to defeat its competitors under the wartime procurement regulation, it could only prove itself on the battlefield.

The current situation seems to be the same, it’s not about who is better, but who has more power and influence.

"I dare to bet." Shire continued, "If you launch the machine gun now, compared to launching it later, it’s likely the latter will spread faster, saving more lives."

"How is that possible?" Dominic retorted, "Won’t launching the machine gun later still need to go through the parliament and wartime regulations?"

"Of course." Shire answered, "But it will also have the victories in real combat, the French military and civilians will already know our machine guns are superior, once the parliament doesn’t approve, do you know what will happen?"

Protests, demonstrations, strikes, and even military insubordination...

Dominic then understood, Shire was actually using the public to pressure the parliament, forcing the members to accept the Saint-Etienne 2 machine gun.