Chapter 441: Chapter 441: Clear Distinction Between Public and Private
Albert I did this precisely from Belgium’s interests, and it was a political consideration.
Albert I believed that Shire was a businessman, a capitalist; businessmen’s goals were more about profit, which made it much simpler, at least compared to England and France, who constantly wanted to interfere in Belgium’s internal affairs or even control Belgium.
Furthermore, Albert I only had to deal with Shire alone, not a group of insatiable and unscrupulous politicians from England and France.
More importantly, as long as Shire was willing, he only needed one command to withdraw his troops, and these regions that Belgium had just recovered would immediately fall into danger again.
And this was something only Shire could do, England and France were helpless.
Therefore, even if General Winter offered generous conditions and proposed gifting artillery production lines, Albert I did not hesitate to refuse.
Later, when Colonel Edison discussed this matter with Albert I, the former was a bit worried: "To my knowledge, the cannons Shire purchased were also from the British, and such cannons seem not quite suitable for forts."
The cannons in Belgian forts were mostly imported from Germany.
Back then, Germany used some tactics, exporting artillery to Belgium that were trade versions; the 150MM cannon barely had a range of 10 kilometers, the 120MM cannon’s range was unexpectedly similar to France’s 75 cannons, only 8.5 kilometers.
Therefore, if the plan was to build the defensive system Shire mentioned, replacing these cannons was imperative.
Colonel Edison had inquired about the data of the cannons Shire was producing, learning that the 6-inch 26-pound howitzer had a range of only 10.4 kilometers.
"This is not much different from the artillery we are using now, Your Majesty," Colonel Edison said, "If we replace it with such artillery, it seems not highly necessary."
"But it is more powerful than our existing cannons," Albert I countered.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Colonel Edison replied, "But we are using it in the fortress, not to attack enemy positions, so its range is more important than its power."
Albert I fell silent.
What Colonel Edison said was true, the greater role of a fort was to keep the enemy’s artillery out of range, so range was more important.
But after thinking it over, Albert I suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Why don’t we add ’Saint Chammon’? Just like Shire said, we should be capable in both offense and defense!"
This reminded Colonel Edison, after considering it for a while, he agreed: "You are right, Your Majesty, ’Saint Chammon’ is an offensive artillery; it can work perfectly with the immobile fort to strike enemy artillery. A great idea!"
Then the matter was settled.
Although Shire’s artillery was not that perfect, Albert I would do everything to make it perfect.
It was somewhat far-fetched, but Albert I felt it had to be done; he was protecting Shire’s interests, while also ensuring Belgium’s interests.
Additonally, Albert I made up his mind that all of Shire’s products, no matter civil or military, would be exempt from taxes.
At least for the ten years during which Shire built the defensive system for Belgium, it could not change.
Next up was purchasing the "Saint-Etienne 2" machine gun, a magical tool to enhance infantry firepower, it would be best to get Shire to set up a factory in Belgium.
The land in Antwerp was not large enough, then find another plot...
...
Shire, commanding in the fortress, did not consider so much, his focus was always on the current battle, as long as the Germans had not surrendered, he could not relax for a day.
"The biggest danger of the encirclement is night combat," Shire analyzed the map, "The armored units can hardly fight at night."
Tijani smiled: "Units that couldn’t fight at night defeated the Germans twice."
Shire was stunned, then recalled the incident in Combray when Kristen used "Saint Chammon M21" for a night raid on the German 1st Tank Division.
Tijani counted this as well.
"That was then, this is now, General," Shire replied, "The earlier victories were more about catching the enemy off guard, the armored units did not play a significant role."
"I know," Tijani nodded, "But I think we don’t need to worry too much about this because we have Molotov cocktails."
Seeing Shire’s puzzled expression, Tijani added:
"Yes, I have distributed them to the 9th Army, they have prepared many of these things; once the Germans launch a night attack, do you know what will happen?"
"The Molotov cocktails will illuminate the attacking Germans, and they will be cut to pieces by our machine guns on the other side of the barbed wire."
"Oh, by the way, I heard that General Fuxu also urgently supplied a batch of ’Saint-Etienne 2’ machine guns."
"That was my suggestion, no need to thank me!"
Tijani felt he had brought Shire a big business, and a very big one at that.
In the future, Fuxu’s Northern Army Group would be fully equipped with "Saint-Etienne 2".
But Shire didn’t care at all: "You think I need to thank you? The ’Saint-Etienne 2’ is now in great demand!"
Things others were scrambling to get, and needed your help to promote?
Fuxu’s 9th Army got it because of the urgent war situation, otherwise it wouldn’t even be their turn.
"Alright!" Tijani rolled his eyes, "Consider I didn’t say anything!"
Then Shire reminded: "Have you considered one thing, General? The Molotov cocktails are too simple, we can use them, and so can the Germans, especially if they throw them into the trenches, the hazard would be greater, if there are many Molotov cocktails in the trenches..."
Tijani’s smile froze on his face, he immediately nodded: "I’ll call Vice Admiral Savinian right away."
Shire replied "Hmm", and turned his gaze back to the map.
He believed as long as the 9th Army was prepared, the encirclement would be basically secure.
The most awkward situation for the German Army was even if they managed to break through, they couldn’t get far in one night, and as soon as dawn broke, they would be chased by the armored units in the open fields, which would then turn into a slaughter.
At this moment, a guard stepped forward to report: "Brigadier, General Winter wants to see you."
Shire was stunned, he did something shady, shouldn’t he be hiding far away? How dare he come to seek him out!
After letting General Winter in, Shire’s first question was: "Are you here to apologize?"
"Apologize? No, Brigadier," General Winter said with a straight face, "I am just here to see a friend; I heard he just won a big victory, the whole world is talking about him, and I am proud of him."
Shire laughed: "You have quite a knack for shamelessness as well."
"That’s because I know I did nothing wrong, Brigadier," General Winter examined the fort’s environment and unabashedly dragged a chair in front of Shire to sit down, "I am British, I have to consider England’s interests; this has nothing to do with our friendship, we must keep public affairs and private matters separate, don’t you think?"
"Interesting," Shire placed the pencil on the table and stared at General Winter, asking each word seriously, "I want to know, are you considering from England’s perspective or from the ’Minister of the Navy’s’ perspective? And, what benefits did you gain?"