Chapter 443: Chapter 443: The Bigger the Trouble, the Better
Albert I reacted most strongly to this matter.
When Albert I heard the news that the Germans were preparing to surrender, he jumped out of bed immediately while taking a nap.
Always very conscious of his image, he ran out in his pajamas, shouting to the attendants and workers outside who were filling the shell holes and craters, "We have won! The Germans have surrendered! Long live Belgium!"
The attendants and workers all stopped what they were doing and cheered with him.
The news soon spread, and the entire estate was filled with cheers.
Albert I couldn’t control his excitement. He grabbed a maid and spun her around a few times, despite the fact that the maid didn’t know the dance steps and stepped on his feet several times, but he didn’t feel any pain at all.
Then he suddenly let go of the maid and rushed to the telegraph room to order, "Send this news to everyone, to everyone immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." The communications officer replied excitedly.
Albert I wanted to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but then he remembered something, turned and ran to the dressing room, rushed in and then quickly stuck his head out again to order the attendant outside, "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the fortress!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Albert I quickly changed his clothes, muttering to himself, "Such an occasion certainly can’t miss Shire. Without him, there would be no victory today, and the celebration would have no main character! A celebration without a main character certainly cannot be called a celebration!"
After changing clothes hastily, he chose a top hat and selected a cane, Albert I walked through the passage, down the stairs with brisk steps.
Before he reached the door, Colonel Edison came in from outside.
"Your Majesty, I have a report for you..." Colonel Edison looked somewhat grim.
Albert I didn’t notice, he was overwhelmed by the joy of victory, and without stopping continued to walk to the carriage parked at the door, excitedly interrupting Colonel Edison’s words, "I know, the Germans want to surrender, I heard, Colonel. You came just in time, we will go to see Shire together and have a good celebration."
Colonel Edison could only follow from behind.
"No, Your Majesty." Colonel Edison said indignantly, "It’s another matter, they intend to let Xia Fei accept the German surrender."
Albert I, about to get on the carriage, suddenly froze, losing his balance and almost falling, but fortunately Colonel Edison rushed forward to hold him up.
Without waiting to stand firm, Albert I turned his head to look at Colonel Edison with disbelief, "What did you say? Is this true?"
Colonel Edison nodded, "It was suggested by England’s new ’Minister of the Navy’ Belfort. He said that this victory was achieved after the great sacrifices of the British and French soldiers, and therefore should be received by the Allied Commander."
Albert I’s face darkened, asking coldly, "What about Xia Fei? What did he say?"
A Xia Fei with no achievements should step out to decline, which could reflect his generosity and dissolve the embarrassment. There’s a saying that you shouldn’t receive rewards for unearned merits. If Xia Fei really received the surrender, could he handle the strange looks from others?
But Albert I underestimated Xia Fei.
Colonel Edison replied, "Xia Fei did not respond at all, at least not yet. I think he plans to pretend as if he doesn’t know."
In this situation, pretending to be unaware means he is tacitly approving Belfort’s proposal.
"Shameless!" Albert I raged, "These bastards, they are blatantly stealing Shire’s victory fruit, using the excuse of soldiers’ sacrifices."
"Your Majesty." Colonel Edison reminded, "The impact is not as simple as it appears."
"What do you mean?" Albert I asked confusedly, looking at Colonel Edison.
Colonel Edison moved closer, lowering his voice:
"Shire has made such great contributions, but the honor goes to someone else."
"Then what’s the point of Shire doing all this?"
"Would Shire think: In that case, let Xia Fei come to garrison Belgium and recover the remaining land..."
Albert I was greatly shocked, stunned on the spot for a long time without reacting. This was the worst news he had heard.
This penetration by Shire, despite the great success of reclaiming the capital Brussels, recovered only about one-third of the land.
If Shire drops the ball, who will recover the remaining land?
Xia Fei, that fool?
If he really came, not to mention recovery, whether the existing land can be held is a question.
Moreover, in the future Shire will be needed to build the defense system.
"No, no." Albert I’s face changed dramatically, he quickly climbed into the carriage, anxiously telling Colonel Edison, "Get in, we must meet Shire immediately."
...
At Shire’s command post, Shire had just sent off General Winter when he heard about the British suggestion "to let Xia Fei receive the surrender."
"Fantastic." Tijani said sarcastically, "During the war, his shadow couldn’t be seen; during the surrender, he is rushing to the forefront. He is indeed our brave and fearless commander."
Seeing Shire had no reaction, Tijani asked in confusion, "You seem to accept this calmly?"
"What else can I do?" Shire answered calmly, "Protest with a gun?"
"Maybe you really should do that." Tijani said discontentedly.
This is not just unfair to Shire, but also to him as the commander of the Mechanized Division, and likewise to the commander of the Armored Division and all the officers and soldiers.
"Let it be." Shire smiled slightly, "If he can swallow this fruit without choking."
"What?" Tijani didn’t understand Shire’s meaning, then seemed to realize, he laughed and shook his head, "You think Xia Fei won’t have the face to swallow it? You underestimate him, Brigadier."
Shire just smiled without further explanation.
He felt he couldn’t remain silent anymore.
Shire himself didn’t care much about it, he always valued practical benefits over reputation. A smart capitalist should do this, a wise capitalist always remains low-key rather than putting themselves in the spotlight.
But this matter could affect the morale of the troops.
Just like Tijani said, Xia Fei was absent during the battle, but during the surrender it was him and his troops.
Then what do the directly engaged armored units and mechanized units count for?
Didn’t they risk their lives on the battlefield to achieve this victory?
If this matter is over like this today, in the next battle, all the officers and soldiers will consider one question: Will our achievements next time again be credited to someone else?
This will create a sense of slack, which is very dangerous and even fatal on the battlefield.
Shire will never place his troops in such danger, it’s no different from placing himself in danger.
Therefore, Shire does not actually feel as indifferent as he appears. He plans to make Xia Fei retreat in defeat, and it’s best to make a big fuss and severely humiliate Xia Fei.