I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 275: The Pressure of Public Opinion

Chapter 275: Chapter 275: The Pressure of Public Opinion

Returning to the headquarters, Shire was surprised to find that Gallieni was not at his desk.

"Is the General still at the House of Representatives?" Shire asked Major Fernan.

"No, he’s already back." Major Fernan nodded towards the lounge, his expression a mix of anger and worry: "They ’tormented’ the General for over two hours, it seems his old wounds have relapsed."

Shire acknowledged with a simple "Mhm," then made a cup of coffee and walked quietly to the lounge door, gently knocking.

"Come in." The weak voice of Gallieni came from inside the lounge.

Shire carefully opened the door and went in, placing the coffee on the table and softly asked, "General, do you need me to call a medical orderly for you?"

Gallieni’s brows were tightly knit, and his face was somewhat pale. He slowly sat up from the bed, shaking his head as he replied, "The cause is the shrapnel left in the wound; the medical orderlies can do nothing!"

"You don’t need to argue with them." Shire shifted the topic to the parliament: "It’s like your wound, the cause is internal, no matter how you try to stop it, it won’t help."

Gallieni paused with the coffee in midair, then placed it back down: "You mean, they will eventually send you to the frontlines?"

"Yes." Shire replied, "It’s not about whether it should or shouldn’t happen, but because my influence is still insufficient."

Gallieni pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.

He actually understood what was going on.

The right wing feared that Shire would lead France into a new industrial peak, thus completely marginalizing the right wing in France.

The left wing, though seemingly capitalists like Shire, many had become competitors due to Shire’s rapid rise, and they too wished to stop Shire.

And the most ideal, the most straightforward way, was to send Shire to the battlefield, to dangerous places.

Gallieni couldn’t help but snort, "When they initially sent you into the army, it was with this intention in mind, yet they repeatedly claimed it was to ’boost morale’."

Shire remained silent; the truth was much more complex than Gallieni imagined.

If it was before, even the parliament couldn’t send Shire to the frontlines because the French people wouldn’t allow it. If the parliament did so, the French people would become emotionally charged, holding protests or launching a general strike.

Now, even the French people hoped Shire would go and salvage the mess at the Dardanelles Strait:

"Only Shire can win this war, we should let Shire command this battle."

"This is a crucial battle; if we win, we can end this war!"

"Countless soldiers are sacrificing at the frontline, only Shire can save them!"

...

The thoughts of the masses were bizarre.

Some were due to the dignity of France, believing that if Britain failed while France succeeded, they would feel very proud and honored.

Some were purely because they had relatives fighting at the Dardanelles Strait; they didn’t want their family to be in danger and hoped Shire could bring them back before they sacrificed.

Others believed that winning the battle at the Dardanelles Strait would end the war, hoping Shire to finally "save" France once.

...

From this perspective, the parliament didn’t go against the public’s will; instead, they precisely "voiced the call of the French people."

Of course, the change in public opinion was closely related to the clandestine guidance from the right wing and capitalists, with some newspapers subtly reporting on related topics, including the "Little Daily."

Shire didn’t mention this because Gallieni knowing about it was futile; he was a pure soldier, only concerned with warfare, not involving himself in politics and public opinion.

"I’m already an adult." Shire said calmly: "If they find they can’t persuade you, soon they’ll initiate an inquiry against me."

Gallieni was taken aback; it was indeed likely to happen as the parliament had the right to question any government and military personnel, as long as it didn’t involve military secrets.

Shire continued: "At that time, they will ask me a question I can’t refuse to answer: ’Colonel, as a soldier, are you willing to go to the Dardanelles Strait to fight for France?’"

Shire dragged a chair and sat in front of Gallieni, a confident smile on his face: "Then, how should I respond?"

Unwilling, or willing.

The former would make Shire a disgrace to the military, turning from a hero of France to a coward, a deserter, in an instant.

Subsequently, Shire would lose public support, and everything he built would be overthrown, never having the capital and opportunity to spar with his opponents again, just like the downfall of the Bourgeoisie.

The latter, there’s nothing more to say; if Shire himself was willing to go to the battlefield, what right did Gallieni have to stop him? What was his intention?

Thinking of this, Gallieni nodded slightly: "Then, you must negotiate with them that you will be on a battleship, not taking part in a landing operation..."

Shire didn’t speak, just quietly stared at Gallieni.

Gallieni understood Shire’s expression; he asked in astonishment, "You intend to take part in a landing operation?"

"Do you think they would let me off?" Shire retorted: "If I stay on a battleship without taking part in the landing, why would they send me then?"

After pausing briefly, Shire added:

"They can force me to the battlefield in the same way."

"For example, by sending a few media outlets to follow up on the battleship."

"Reporters would chase me daily asking, ’What do you think about the battlefield casualties?’, ’Do you think you should personally command on the battlefield?’, ’Or do you plan to stay on the battleship?’..."

"How should I respond then?"

Gallieni understood, they would use the pressure of public opinion to force Shire step by step onto the battlefield.

If Shire chose not to go, he would become a "deserter" losing public support and everything.

"It’s not that I want to go to the battlefield." Shire concluded: "But rather than being forced, it’s better to proactively request to join the battle."

Gallieni stared blankly at Shire, knowing that he was right.

Being forced to the battlefield meant no preparation, with possibly assassins hidden within the troops aiming to kill Shire.

Proactively requesting to join the battle at least allowed him to demand to use troops he trusted.

Gallieni was somewhat worried: "You’ve never been to the battlefield..."

"I’m a commander, General." Shire reassured: "They will protect me well."

Gallieni sighed lightly and agreed: "Alright, this day was bound to come!"

After pondering for a while, Gallieni said: "I can deploy a force of three thousand to reinforce the Dardanelles Strait, and you will be their regimental staff."

"Yes, General!" Shire stood up to respond.

"Do you have any other requests?" Gallieni asked.

Shire responded: "I hope to have two weeks to prepare!"