I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 273: Original text - 273: The Ancestor of the Landing Craft

Chapter 273: Original text: Chapter 273: The Ancestor of the Landing Craft

(Note: The image below is of the Alma Bridge in Paris. The "Zouave" statue on the bridge’s pier has long been used as a water gauge by Parisians. People know what actions to take when the water level reaches the feet, waist, or chest. In 1910, the flood submerged the statue’s neck, and it took two full months until mid-March for the water to recede.)

As February progressed, the temperature rose and the snow and ice began to melt.

This year’s heavy snow came early and lingered late. This abnormal weather brought a significant flood to Paris, causing the Seine River, also known as the "First River of Paris," to swell and submerge parts of the riverbank.

The famous "Zouave" statue on the Alma Bridge, not far from the Eiffel Tower, was already one-third submerged.

In the past, such an event might have garnered attention from Parisian citizens, even prompting preparations for a potential flood, but this year people seemed indifferent.

Because compared to the war, the rising river water seemed trivial.

...

In Schneider Armory’s office, James looked at the drizzle falling outside the window and fell into deep thought.

The Allies’ amphibious assault on the Dardanelles Strait had already started.

James found something interesting: Shire’s inventions seemed ineffective at sea. Despite his recent close contact with Wells, it was primarily because Shire had saved Wells’ only son, Tijani.

Does this mean Shire can only invent land-based equipment?

This is good news.

Schneider should capitalize on Shire’s weakness and strive to make achievements in naval warfare, thereby competing with Shire in the arms market.

No, it’s not the market, but the right to speak.

James understood clearly that this wasn’t about money but about power, about being the true decision-maker in this country.

If, one day, the French Army’s artillery, firearms, and ships were all produced by Schneider or related to Schneider, even the parliamentarians would have to heed James.

This was another dimension of control. France indeed is a free country, but if those decision-makers, including parliamentarians, couldn’t make decisions without Schneider, James would be the actual ruler.

However, this plan faced a significant challenge: Shire and his inventions.

James appeared calm, but inside he was shouting: Creativity, creativity, I need creativity! Only creativity can defeat Shire; otherwise, it’s all empty talk!

Paulina’s cheerful and urgent footsteps sounded behind him, James turned around, knowing this meant good news.

Sure enough, Paulina entered with a joyful expression. Before reaching James, she pulled out a document from her handbag and waved it slightly, saying with a hint of pride, "Sir, you should take a look at this!"

James took the document, flipped through it, and raised his head in confusion: "A ship?"

"Yes." Paulina nodded.

James looked at it more carefully and said, "I guess this is a coal ship."

Having worked in the steel industry for years, he knew the characteristics of coal ships. They typically have very wide hulls, allowing them to carry more weight while having a shallow draft.

"Yes!" Paulina nodded again.

James was disappointed and handed the document back to Paulina: "You want me to buy this ship? Then buy it!"

"Yes!" Paulina responded but didn’t take the document back: "Please take a closer look, Sir."

James was a bit impatient but still looked at the ship again, then he noticed something different: "Hmm, there are two doors on the side of the bow, and ladders installed. Are you trying to tell me this can unload coal from the side?"

"No, Sir," Paulina replied, "It’s to unload people. Specifically, fully armed soldiers!"

"Soldiers?" James’ eyes lit up. Was this a military concept?

Indeed, Paulina explained: "The Allies’ forces are landing in the Dardanelles Strait, but the progress is slow. One reason is that after the transport ships reach the destination, soldiers need to climb down rope ladders and then row to the shore on small boats..."

James suddenly understood: "During this period, soldiers face bombardment and dense gunfire from the enemy, suffering heavy casualties even before they land!"

"Yes," Paulina replied, "But this type of ship can solve this problem well. It can carry 2000 soldiers and rush onto the shoal, letting them disembark quickly through the bow-side doors and advance using simple pontoon bridges or directly to the shore, all in just a few minutes."

"Fantastic, Paulina, fantastic!" James exclaimed. This was what he needed, and he finally had something ahead of Shire.

Then James hesitated: "Whose invention is this?"

He worried it might be related to Shire again.

"It’s by a naval lieutenant commander named Angwen," Paulina replied, "He provided the concept, and I promptly contacted him and bought the industrial rights for twenty thousand francs."

James almost laughed out loud. He used just twenty thousand francs to purchase such creativity.

These fools, don’t they know the navy might need hundreds of such ships for landing, possibly helping the Allies win the war!

Thinking of this, James didn’t hesitate to order Paulina: "Immediately start modifying this ship and its landing facilities; I will contact the military!"

"Yes, Sir," Paulina answered joyfully.

During this time, she had sent many informants in the military to scout for potential innovations, and she finally found a practical one.

Now, perhaps they could turn the tide!

...

The noisy House of Representatives, Gallieni, was being questioned for the third time about his refusal to send Shire to fight in the Dardanelles Strait.

This was Gallieni’s third time being questioned in the House of Representatives, and they still asked the same question: "General, we want to know your reasons for refusal."

"The reason is obvious, isn’t it?" Gallieni replied, "Shire is a developer whose inventions have changed the entire war, and you intend to send him to the battlefield to take risks..."

"But General, the battlefield needs him!" Grevy stood up and replied, "This could be the decisive battle. If we win, we might end this war!"

"Yes," Arman stood up and agreed, "We only ask him to stay on the warship to boost the army’s morale because soldiers believe in him! He can stay away from the battlefield. Is this still considered dangerous?"

Soon others started jeering:

"If that’s considered dangerous, what about the General inspecting the front lines?"

"He is just a colonel and already an adult."

"No one is special. Everyone should do their best for the war!"

...

Gallieni cursed in his heart with a dark face: Are you guys not special? You are the ones who most need to be on the battlefield!

(Above image shows the "Clyde River" transport ship, converted from a coal ship, with two doors on the bow side to increase the ladders, used in the Dardanelles landing battle, regarded as the ancestor of amphibious assault vessels)