I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 102 Grevy’s Mishap

The Bourbon Palace House of Representatives is always chaotic, with occasional spittle and paper scraps flying through the air.

The Republicans took turns giving impassioned speeches at the podium, supporting Xia Fei to continue as the French Army’s Commander in Chief without holding him accountable for anything, even though Xia Fei’s so-called "Plan 17" had proven to be a grave mistake with the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands of French Soldiers.

"At least now Xia Fei is winning the war!" Jameson said at the podium. "Our army is moving towards victory step by step. Can we really replace a Commander in Chief who is winning the war? Or hold him accountable for his mistakes, which could possibly affect morale and lead to a series of tragedies!"

Immediately, boos erupted from below, with opponents from both the left and right, the left being even more vehement in their opposition.

The right opposed the whole Republican Party; whatever the Republicans supported, they opposed, even if who became Commander in Chief had nothing to do with them.

Within the left, there were many parties. They weren’t unified and opposed each other; otherwise, there would be no role for the right to play.

Grevy sat on the edge, watching this farce, lightly resting his fingers with a black bowler hat on the armrest. He believed this was a meaningless debate and didn’t want to get involved in it.

At this moment, a legislator came in from outside, bent over to whisper a few words in Grevy’s ear after finding him.

Grevy’s face darkened, showing surprise and confusion, with a hint of barely noticeable delight.

He hesitated slightly, softly giving the legislator a few instructions, then donned his hat, grabbed his cane, and stood up to leave.

Arman was leading the Royalist Faction legislators enthusiastically heckling at the podium. Arman enjoyed such occasions and even felt he was born for them.

Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of Grevy’s hurried retreating figure and hurriedly instructed someone before grabbing his coat and following out.

...

Outside the Bourbon Palace, Arman finally caught up with Grevy, jogging all the way.

"What happened?" Arman asked. "We’re discussing whether to remove France’s great Commander in Chief!"

The implication being, what could be more important than this!

Grevy merely responded in a low voice, "Shire is back!"

Arman paused in his steps, well! This, indeed, was more important than the Commander in Chief!

The two hurriedly got into the carriage, with Arman impatiently asking, "How did he come back?"

"We didn’t take the British into account!" Grevy answered expressionlessly, "They rescued Shire!"

Arman nodded, the British, a member of the Allies, would of course not want to see Shire fall into the hands of the Germans; it would be a disaster for the Allies.

"Brad Manor!" Grevy reported the address to the coachman in front.

Arman looked surprised, "To my manor? You knew I would follow!"

Grevy shook his head. "It doesn’t seem to matter much if you didn’t follow!"

Arman smiled and acknowledged this point. Every time there was a meeting at the manor, he seemed to be just an observer, not providing any useful suggestions or expressing any opinions.

This small-scale family conspiracy couldn’t get Arman excited, just as having only one woman in bed would leave him feeling bored.

...

Brad Manor was as quiet as usual, but the two people waiting in the living room were anxious.

Francis was pacing back and forth while Nikola, sitting on the sofa trying to maintain calm, couldn’t help but glance out the window.

But neither discussed with the other, knowing the other couldn’t solve their problems. They weren’t even the same kind of people.

Finally, amid the sound of hooves, the carriage entered the manor, slowing down as it approached the door under their expectant eyes. Grevy and Arman stepped out of the carriage, talking and laughing, and walked up the steps.

The servant opened the door in advance, and Grevy strode in, handing his hat to the servant while gracefully apologizing, "Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen!"

Arman headed straight for the liquor cabinet upon entering, poured two glasses of wine skillfully, took a few greedy sips, and then handed one to Grevy, who was sitting on the sofa.

Grevy took the glass and gently swirled it, letting the wine rotate in the goblet. He loved this feeling of controlling things, yet the situation seemed to be off track.

"Shire is back!" was Francis’s first sentence, his gaze moving to the "Little Daily" on the table.

"Tell me something I don’t know!" Grevy didn’t even glance at the "Little Daily".

Grevy understood the entire process, but there were two things beyond his expectation:

First was the enormous energy Shire exhibited.

Grevy had expected Antwerp to capitulate under the German Army’s pressure, ultimately having to hand Shire over.

But the fact was, all of Antwerp cheered for Shire’s success, while the formidable German Army was defeated and even saw desertions.

Secondly, Shire managed to escape from house arrest.

Although this could be chalked up to luck, as even Shire himself didn’t know the British would rescue him.

But in Grevy’s eyes, this wasn’t luck.

Because, if Shire were just an ordinary person, if he didn’t have the power to sway the war’s outcome, the British wouldn’t even bother looking at him.

Thus, this also reflected Shire’s prowess; he became the key to the victories and defeats of major countries and the two alliances!

Incredible!

A single individual could actually move the world’s most powerful countries. A month ago, Grevy wouldn’t have believed this, but now it is a fact.

Francis, assuming Grevy had read the newspaper, directly stated his problem, "Mr. Grevy, the conscription office has drafted Pierre!"

"Who is Pierre?" Arman raised his chin, curiously asking Francis.

"My son!" Francis replied, "You’ve met him!"

With that reminder, Arman recalled, raising his hand in a gesture of recollection, "When purchasing the tank industry patent?"

"Yes, that’s him!" Francis had a bit of delight on his face.

But then there was silence.

Grevy always remembered Pierre, but he wasn’t interested; saying a word about him would be an insult.

Grevy recalled it was the day he met Shire.

He regretted it; he should have tried to make friends with Shire back then.

What a good opportunity! He could have offered Shire lots of money, sought cooperation, or even possibly had Shire work for him... At the time, Shire was penniless and would have easily been swayed by money.

However, back then, Grevy merely shook hands with Shire and then focused all his attention on the tank industry patent.

How foolish was that?!

Grevy felt immeasurable regret, wondering why he naively believed it was just a fluke idea from Shire, not expecting he would have more inventions, more creativity! He didn’t even notice his military talent!

He missed an excellent opportunity, now, even meeting Shire was difficult.

Francis hesitated, saying, "I hope you can help Pierre; he is not fit for the military, it would kill him..."

Grevy impatiently interrupted Francis, "If you came for this matter, you can leave now!"