I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 95: A Different Kind of "Protection

Shire didn’t feel anything was wrong, but he did notice that the guards outside the airport had increased two or three times.

However, this seemed normal. Once people knew Shire was commanding at the airport, they surged towards it like a tide, surrounding it tightly in layers. Even the runway for taking off was crowded with people.

At this rate, not to mention eating or sleeping, even taking off to meet the enemy would be difficult.

Fortunately, soldiers soon arrived to maintain order. They drove people out of the airport and protected it tightly.

That night, Shire stayed in the officers’ dormitory at the airport.

This was because the battle was still not settled. Shire had to continue directing airport operations... Now the entire city relied on Shire’s "airplanes and artillery" to block the Germans and achieve the final victory. Shire couldn’t leave his post easily.

What puzzled Shire was that the guards also "protected" the airplanes.

What were they worried about?

Were they afraid the pilots would sabotage the planes?

Everything was fine before they arrived, was this really necessary now?

But Shire didn’t think much about it, washed up, and went to bed.

...

The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the autumn wind was gentle.

A carriage moved unhurriedly towards the airport gate. It stopped as it passed the guards. The guard glanced at the documents handed over, peered into the carriage, and then let it through.

The guard didn’t notice that the deep wheel tracks and heavy wobble of the carriage suggested there was more than one person inside.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the officers’ dormitory. A man in uniform got out, adjusted his military cap, and walked straight to Shire’s dormitory.

The guards on duty downstairs glanced over briefly and then continued pacing aimlessly. At the moment they turned around, a few people quietly emerged from the shadows of the carriage...

Shire, in a daze, heard a knock on the door. He lit a lamp and squinted at the clock on the wall. It was half-past eleven. Who would visit at this time? frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Who is it?" Shire asked.

Since the "kidnapping incident" in Lavaz Town, Shire had become more cautious about everything, regardless of the guards around.

"It’s me, Winter!" came General Winter’s voice from outside.

Shire puzzledly went to open the door and saw General Winter in full military uniform. In the lamplight, Shire noticed his face looked rather strange.

"I am very sorry, Lieutenant, for disturbing you at this hour!" General Winter took off his military cap and entered, "We are eager to know how you managed to load the artillery onto the planes. Can we discuss it?"

So, it was about that. Shire yawned with his mouth open, thinking: Can’t this wait until tomorrow? Just a night’s wait to see that it’s Congreve...

At this moment, General Winter handed Shire a note, gave a meaningful look, but continued talking: "Please forgive our curiosity, Lieutenant! They are very anxious, you know. This weapon could have a significant impact on the battlefield, and they feel they can’t wait even for a moment..."

Shire opened the note and saw:

"You must leave immediately. General Gis and the councillor are conspiring to hand you over to the Germans to end this war completely!"

Shire instantly understood what was happening. He had considered this conflict before, but didn’t expect it to escalate so quickly.

"But..." Shire looked troubled.

He thought of the sudden increase in airport guards; they must be General Gis’s cronies. How could he leave in this situation?

General Winter handed another note to Shire, his tone unchanged: "I hope you won’t feel troubled by this. If there are industrial property issues, we can offer to purchase them if you’re willing..."

Shire quickly took the note and opened it, which read: "We have dealt with the guards watching the planes and awakened Eric. You go down alone to the hangar!"

Shire nodded, about to go to the bedside for his uniform but was yanked back by Winter. General Winter angrily signaled, as if to say, how could he think about changing clothes at such a time.

Shire, helpless, picked up a pillow and snuck out low to the ground.

The reason for taking the pillow was based on his last flight experience: A cabin open to the elements, freezing even in the daytime with full military uniform. If he flew back to Paris in pajamas, he might be an ice cube by then!

As soon as Shire got out, a British Army soldier arrived to assist. Shire followed the soldier, moving and stopping occasionally, sometimes hiding behind corners, waiting for patrols to pass.

Meanwhile, General Winter played his role in the dormitory: "I am very sorry, this price is unacceptable, it far exceeds our budget. I think you should at least lower it by two points..."

Finally, they reached the hangar. Two Belgian guards lay tied up with cloth stuffing their mouths.

Eric, though seated in the cockpit, looked utterly confused. Seeing Shire, he lowered his voice and asked, "Hey, kid, which country are we fighting for?"

Shire got into the plane, replying, "You don’t need to know which country. Just know that we’re heading back to Paris!"

Then Shire added, "Can you pilot the plane safely to Paris, I mean, at night?"

"Of course!" Eric answered, then complained, "But they wouldn’t let me bring alcohol... so who knows!"

Shire was speechless. To Eric, alcohol seemed more important than fuel!

The plane started. Two British soldiers pushed open the hangar doors and saluted. Their sharp eyes seemed to say it was an honor to serve!

Nearby Belgian guards also heard the engine roar, shouting and running over, with someone blowing a whistle.

But it was too late. The plane thundered down the runway, gaining speed, and soon left the chasing guards behind.

As the plane took off, Shire looked back. He seemed to hear General Winter shouting, "These guards are rebels, they want to hand Shire over to the Germans! They are despicable traitors!"

The airport instantly turned chaotic. Led by Major Fisher, the airport personnel angrily rushed at the guards, with occasional gunshots heard.

Eric piloted the plane, circling the airport. Seeing the soldiers fighting below, he shook his head, sighed, and said, "Ugly politics, right, kid?"

Then he added, "I’ll never understand this!"

"You don’t need to understand!" Shire said, "Just remember to sell me the aircraft factory!"

Eric felt a warmth. This kind little guy, he was worried he would forget, but he kept it in mind all along!