I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 114: Intentional Misunderstanding

Ypres, Belgium.

Torrential rain poured down mercilessly, the dense web of water cascading like a waterfall over the earth, gathering into streams and mud pools, enveloping the entire world in a misty haze.

Between the enemy and our front lines was a few kilometers of dark grey death zone, scattered craters and sparse corpses suggesting the battle here had only just begun.

About ten kilometers to its west, behind an inconspicuous small hill, lay a modest ten-square-meter earthwork, serving as the Belgian Army’s central command.

Major General Charles, commander of the Belgian First Army, suggested to King Albert I amidst the rain:

"Your Majesty, I believe we should retreat!"

"Ypres forms a salient on the entire front line; it is flat on the west and hilly on the east, giving the Germans a commanding advantage over us."

"Moreover, we are naturally surrounded by the Germans, making it very difficult to hold our position!"

Albert I remained silent for a moment, then calmly asked, "General, where could we retreat to?"

"With a withdrawal of about twenty kilometers to the rear, we could level the entire front line!" Major General Charles pointed to the map, "It would be much easier that way!"

Albert I asked again, "Is there Ypres? Is there Belgium?"

Charles fell silent, as twenty kilometers to the rear was already beyond the border, entering France.

Albert I spoke earnestly:

"Ypres is the last piece of Belgian land, General!"

"Losing it would mean the loss of the country, the failure, and the withdrawal of Belgium from this war!"

"It also means the Belgian military and civilians would lose confidence and abandon their resistance!"

Therefore, Ypres cannot be abandoned, no matter what, even though there are no fortifications or earthworks, and the defending forces consist of only six weak Belgian divisions and two understrength British and French divisions, while facing eleven German Army divisions.

The reason for saying "possibly" is that the Belgian Army could not even ascertain the enemy’s situation at this time.

Charles, after a moment of silence, pointed to a spot on the map and said, "Then we have no choice but to open the Nieuwpoort Gate, allowing seawater to flood Ypres and buy us time to await reinforcements!"

Now it was Albert I’s turn to be silent, as he was reluctant to do this until the final moment; although it could temporarily halt the German advance by causing them trouble, the people of Ypres would also suffer greatly.

"Where are the reinforcements?" Albert I asked in a muffled voice.

"France has only sent a cavalry division," replied Charles, "The British Army has dispatched an infantry division stationed north of Bolong Forest!"

This is far from enough; on this flat terrain, one German division can counteract two divisions of the Allies.

Albert I asked again, "What about Shire, any response?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

To Albert I, Shire was more useful than all the reinforcements; as long as he stands here, all the demoralized soldiers and civilians would have a morale boost akin to a shot of adrenaline.

"No!" Major General Charles responded awkwardly, "General Gallieni believes we haven’t resolved our internal issues, thus sending Shire here to command is unsuitable!"

Albert I softly uttered a sound of acknowledgment without speaking further.

This indeed was an issue, even Albert I couldn’t guarantee that if Shire appeared here, no one would attempt to hand him over to the Germans, as General Gis had tried.

After all, the situation seemed hopeless; most believed Belgium was heading towards defeat, and handing Shire over to the Germans would end everything effortlessly!

Albert I slowly walked to the door of the earthwork, noticing the rain easing off outside, with hints of sunlight.

The seaside weather was like this, the rain comes quickly and leaves quickly.

But this wasn’t necessarily a good sign, as the Germans often launched attacks at such times.

Indeed, moments later, the front lines roared with the sound of artillery, followed by a mud-splattered communication soldier crawling in on all fours.

Staggering to his feet, he weakly saluted Albert I and reported, "Your Majesty, the Germans have launched another attack, more fierce than the last!"

Albert I did not respond, his eyes fixed on the map, eventually addressing Major General Charles with resignation, "Prepare to open the floodgates!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Major General Charles immediately instructed staff to relay the order.

However...

The communications soldier at the radio suddenly stood up and reported, "Your Majesty, General Gallieni has sent word; France is dispatching artillery and aircraft to reinforce Ypres, the aircraft will be ready in two hours, and the artillery will arrive tonight! Your Majesty must hold out until tomorrow!"

Albert I smiled, his thoughts wandering to the muddy terrain outside the earthwork.

Artillery probably won’t make it, Albert I thought, even if it arrives, it won’t matter; they would just get stuck in the mud, unable to move, and shells wouldn’t get through.

As for the aircraft, is there any place for them to land?

Or could they provide support for Ypres upon landing?

As he pondered, the communications soldier added, "General Gallieni said these forces will be commanded by Shire!"

"Shire?" Albert I turned sharply and stared at the communications soldier in disbelief.

Others froze, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the communications soldier.

Shire is coming? Didn’t mishear?

Albert I swiftly stepped forward, snatched the telegram, and read it under the dim light, excitedly waving it in the air, his voice trembling with excitement, "It’s true, Shire is coming to reinforce us!"

The command post erupted in cheers, with some rushing outside to shout through the mud, ignoring their soaked bodies, "Shire is coming to reinforce us, Shire is coming!"

Cheers quickly spread across the front, soldiers relayed the good news, creating a wave of jubilant shouts.

Major General Charles took the telegram from Albert I’s hand, looked at it, and raised his head to question Albert I with his eyes.

From the telegram’s wording, it didn’t explicitly mean Shire was coming to reinforce Ypres, but rather he would command these forces to reinforce Ypres.

Albert I smiled and shook his head slightly, Major General Charles understood, realizing Albert I had intentionally misinterpreted the telegram.

Major General Charles accepted this approach, standing tall and asked, "Your Majesty, still need to open the floodgates?"

"No!" Albert I’s tone turned relaxed, "With Shire here, certainly no need for seawater, let the Germans come!"

Major General Charles nodded, with the Belgian Army’s current morale, holding out for reinforcements shouldn’t be an issue.

Shire indeed possessed such power, even soldiers on the brink of collapse turned into fearless warriors merely upon hearing he was coming!

(The image above shows Ypres after the rain)