CHAPTER 539: AFTER MODIFICATION: CHAPTER 539 PUBLIC OPINION GUIDANCE

Public opinion is far more intense than Tijani’s calm recounting.

Citizens of Paris are in a state of celebration. Although the era of material scarcity has begun, citizens still spare no expense to buy a cup of strong liquor on the street and congratulate each other.

The British Army sacrificed hundreds of thousands of people at the Somme River without advancing an inch, while Shire’s army easily captured the supposedly impregnable fortress at Namur.

France has once again outshone Britain!

"I think the British should be commanded by Shire. They simply don’t know how to fight."

"Yes, the times have changed. It should be the era of tanks now, but the British stubbornly use cavalry. It’s outright foolish."

"It’s not just foolish, they are wasting the lives of their soldiers. This is murder. Tens of thousands of casualties in half a month, they are going to eliminate themselves!"

"Say no more. Isn’t it good if it goes on like this?"

...

Then people burst into laughter, a sense of pride arising spontaneously.

People did not say much about Nivelle’s failure, perhaps because he is seen as a stain on France, a disgrace. They are unwilling to talk about him and even deliberately downplay it.

But the newspapers’ opinions favored another direction.

The "Little Daily" was outspoken, its comments filled with irony:

"We should exonerate General Nivelle. He was very foresighted. Perhaps he wasn’t trying to place Shire in a fatal situation under British manipulation, as ordinary people think."

"Because the fact proved that Namur couldn’t place Shire in a fatal situation. It could only withstand 35 hours under Shire’s attack!"

"We were all wrong. We misunderstood Nivelle. In fact, he is the one who believed in Shire the most and knew his strength the best. This is knowing how to use people wisely!"

...

Newspapers are relatively serious publications, but this kind of humorous and witty remarks are more damaging, as they can spread faster among the public and be treated as a joke.

The "Merit Newspaper," as a military paper, still maintained its objective style, analyzing the equipment Shire used in Namur in a straightforward manner:

"In this battle, Shire employed four pieces of new equipment never seen before."

"The first was the rocket launcher, which successfully broke through the German Army’s 105MM howitzer blockade, achieving an overwhelming victory, unprecedented in the history of artillery battles."

"The second was the armored bridge-laying vehicle, capable of setting up a steel bridge over anti-tank ditches within 7 minutes, allowing tanks and soldiers to pass."

"The third was the submachine gun, developed by Shire for close combat. It can fire continuously with a terrifying capacity of 71 rounds, unmatched in close quarters combat."

"The fourth wasn’t new equipment; it was a shotgun used for hunting. Many thought it unsuitable for the battlefield, but Shire made a few modifications, turning it into a weapon capable of breaching enemy trenches."

...

Seemingly unbiased, they were actually advertisements, with every word being business.

They even provided extensive analysis of the function and tactics of each piece of equipment, excluding the rocket launcher.

The rocket launcher was still highly confidential, briefly mentioned without any photos and not for sale.

It had weaknesses. If the German Army learned the details and tactics of the rocket launcher, they could potentially counter it in wartime.

The advertisement was very successful. As soon as the paper was published, orders flew into the Saint-Étienne arms factory like snowflakes.

Buyers included Britain, the United States, Italy, Russia, and others.

Russia alone ordered ten thousand submachine guns in one go.

It is said that when the Tsar saw the submachine gun’s pictures and data, he exclaimed: "This is the gun we need. It’s practically tailored for us. Unbelievable, even its aesthetics align with Russian taste!"

The "Little Paris Daily": "This battle has shown us the incompetence of the commander-in-chief. We can’t help but ponder this question: How did we elect another incompetent commander after Xia Fei stepped down? Is it really so difficult to appoint someone who can fight and lead?"

The "Morning Paper": "Nivelle undoubtedly bears the responsibility for the tragedy at the Somme River. He even told the soldiers that victory would be ours within a few days and they could go home to celebrate. But the reality was different. More than ten days have passed, and besides casualties, we see no sign of victory at the Somme!"

Other newspapers also criticized Nivelle, some with radical tones calling for action: it is dangerous to let Nivelle continue as commander-in-chief. He not only endangers the soldiers but could also continue to persecute Shire!

...

In Davaz Town, Camille’s first task every morning used to be preparing breakfast.

Now it has changed. She got into the habit of going out first thing in the morning to buy different newspapers, then coming back to see what news there was about Shire today.

Sometimes, if she didn’t have time to prepare breakfast, she would just bring Dejoka a cup of milk to go with his bread.

That morning, when Dejoka came downstairs, he found that even the milk was missing. Camille was sitting at the dining table flipping through various newspapers, face pale and brows furrowed.

Seeing Dejoka come down, Camille, holding the newspaper, said worriedly:

"I don’t understand, how can so many people want to harm Shire?"

"The commander of the French Army, why would he do this?"

"Isn’t Shire always helping France win?"

Dejoka shook his head helplessly: "There are things you don’t understand, Camille. It’s not as simple as you think."

"Yes, I indeed don’t understand." Camille became agitated: "But I know that since Shire saved Paris, he saved their lives. Instead of gratitude, they’re trying everything to frame Shire. Can such people really become the commander of the French Army and command all French soldiers in battle?"

Dejoka didn’t know how to respond because Camille was stating the facts.

He silently walked into the kitchen to make himself a cup of instant coffee with bread.

Since Camille developed the "hobby" of collecting newspapers, milk often ran out at breakfast, so he had to keep instant coffee at home.

"We should do something." Camille said: "Someone suggested we lead people to protest in the streets..."

Dejoka, drinking his coffee, almost choked: "No, you can’t do that!"

"Why?" Camille retorted: "I can’t just let this continue. This will ruin Shire!"

"The real ones trying to harm Shire are the British, Camille." Dejoka pushed the newspapers on the table: "Do you know why these newspapers are all blaming Nivelle? Because the British are trying to shift the responsibility and focus onto Nivelle to exonerate themselves!"

Camille was incredibly shocked.

She realized how little she knew and how superficial her understanding was.

Besides, those trying to harm Shire included those damn British, the allies of France?

Poor child, he’s had it so tough!