CHAPTER 653: CHAPTER 653: BECAUSE FRANCE HAS SHIRE

Brusilov thanked Shire profusely and left satisfied.

Just as they stepped out of the command center, the interpreter and advisor who had been following Brusilov the entire time asked in confusion, "General, do you believe in Shire’s tactics? It seems like he didn’t give us much, just a few suggestions."

Their original intent for this trip was to get a tank design and supporting tactics from Shire, but it’s apparent now that this goal was not achieved.

To the advisor, the advice of using sledges, carts, and the Maxim gun was good, but it still seemed hard to counter the Germans’ tanks, leaving him a bit disappointed.

Brusilov smiled softly, "This is already enough."

He didn’t elaborate, but in the eyes of advisors and laymen, there was always a wish to have those seemingly grand pieces of equipment to ensure victory.

But Brusilov understood that it was often the simple and easily mass-produced equipment like sledges, carts, and the Maxim gun that had the most killing power.

Imagine, how many tanks could the Germans have on the Eastern Front?

The Russian Army could instantly equip thousands and even tens of thousands of carts with Maxim guns. Once they launched an attack, the Germans would be unable to defend both the front and the rear.

As they got into the car heading to the port, Brusilov said thoughtfully to the advisor:

"The only thing I’m not too sure about is Shire’s strategy of using cavalry instead of armored soldiers as the penetrating force."

"After all, there is the failed precedent at the River Somme, and horses, being flesh and blood, can hardly withstand enemy fire."

"But then again, perhaps Russia’s climate and environment are indeed as he said, worth trying."

The advisor nodded in agreement.

At this point, the Eastern Front was on the verge of collapse. Without Shire’s tactics, what other options did they have? To wait for death?

It would be better to take a last-ditch gamble; there might be a sliver of hope.

Brusilov looked back at the direction of the airport through the car window.

Brusilov had heard that recently Shire was not getting along well with the Royal Navy. Not long ago, he thought it was because Shire was arrogant and courting death. Now it seemed the one walking towards demise could very well be the Royal Navy, not Shire.

The car accelerated forward with the sound of the engine, and the cold wind "whooshed" in through the window.

Brusilov asked the advisor out of nowhere, "Do you know why we actively joined this war, Vladimir?"

The advisor was taken aback and shook his head slightly.

It was indeed a bit strange; this world war had little to do with Russia, yet Russia was among the first to issue a nationwide mobilization order.

Forty-eight hours after Austria-Hungary declared war, Russia had increased its active military by 900,000 and conscripted 4 million reserve troops.

At that time, Britain and France were still hesitant; it wasn’t until almost two weeks later that France managed to muster a force of 1.4 million, while Britain only organized a 70,000-strong expeditionary force.

"Because we believe Britain can win the war," Brusilov answered seriously. "Standing with her always guarantees victory, you understand?"

The advisor nodded to show he understood.

Two hundred years ago, Peter the Great personally went to Holland and Britain to learn shipbuilding.

He not only learned the techniques but also witnessed the might of Britain, and even his thoughts and politics were deeply influenced, lasting to this day.

But Brusilov sighed lightly and murmured, "Now, it seems we need a change, a different thought."

He didn’t explain further.

However, the advisor understood clearly. Given the current situation, Russia should follow in France’s footsteps rather than Britain’s.

Because France had Shire, and Britain was already falling behind!

...

In the afternoon, Shire took a nap in the lounge.

The French did not have the habit of napping, and as a commander, Shire usually didn’t have time for it either.

But for some reason, whether it was genetic or not, whenever he got some quiet time around this hour, Shire would always feel sleepy, and without some rest, he’d be inefficient at work.

When he got up, he was surprised to see Tijani already sitting in the office.

"Why are you here?" Shire asked.

Lately, Tijani had been stationed at Namur to command the armored army, occasionally participating in small-scale battles for training.

Shire found it strange; he should at least send a telegram explaining before coming.

Unexpectedly, Tijani nodded towards Shire’s desk, "I sent a telegram this morning, but you seemed too busy to read it."

Shire then remembered he had been busy receiving Brusilov all morning.

Receiving Brusilov wasn’t as simple as it seemed on the surface. It wasn’t just about easing the pressure on the Western Front; Shire was also planning for the future confrontation with Britain.

The main members of the Allies were Britain, France, and Russia.

If he could obtain Russia’s support in the confrontation against the Royal Navy, or even if Russia remained neutral and silent, it would be a significant boost for Shire.

"So tell me," Shire sat down at his desk and asked, "what brings you to Antwerp? You don’t plan to ’observe’ naval battle, do you?"

Shire was joking.

Although Tijani was Wells’ son and had a strong inclination for learning the "Art of War," he had a significant aversion to the Navy.

"The Navy has no sense of beauty," Tijani once said of the Navy. "It’s all about whose armor is thicker and whose gun caliber is larger. As for command... it’s just about firing."

Shire could understand this guy’s thoughts.

He liked the changes and creativity on the battlefield, but in World War I, the navy didn’t have much change or creativity, especially with the Royal Navy always suppressing the French Navy, giving it no chance to rise.

Thus, in his eyes, it became something monotonous and boring.

Additionally, part of it was due to Wells forcing Tijani into the Navy from a young age, giving him a strong subconscious rebellion.

"I discovered I was wrong." Tijani sat across from Shire. "Naval battles seem not as boring as I thought."

Shire looked at Tijani in a daze, "You mean, you plan to join naval command?"

Tijani answered helplessly, "I heard you plan to invest in building ten destroyers, Vice Admiral. Can you guess who Brest Shipyard will send to discuss the new destroyer construction plan with you?"

Shire looked at Tijani, "Not you, right?"

Tijani spread his hands and flauntingly stood up and turned around, "Other than me, who do you think is more suitable?"

Shire shook his head disdainfully, "In the Shu Region, when there were no great generals, Liao Hua was made the vanguard."

"What?" Tijani asked in confusion, "Who is Liao Hua?"

"Nothing." Shire shrugged it off.

But thinking it through, it seemed no one was more suitable than Tijani.

This guy was the heir to the Brest Shipyard, and no one could surpass him in terms of credibility.

He also spent a long time by Shire’s side commanding battles, and no one was more familiar with Shire.

More importantly, he learned advanced tactical concepts from Shire, making communication smoother.

And with Wells intentionally grooming this successor...

Shire sighed inwardly. The resources available to the rich second generation were indeed incomparable to ordinary people.