I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 106: Revised - Demand Determines the Market

Operational Office, Gallieni rapidly signing the supply forms while asking Shire, "So, have you decided?"

"Decided what?" Shire was somewhat confused. He remembered Gallieni hadn’t asked him to do anything.

After signing a few more documents, Gallieni simply tossed the files aside and sternly walked towards the lounge.

Shire wisely followed behind him.

As soon as the door was closed, Gallieni started scolding:

"Lieutenant, do you think releasing those pilots really requires you to go?"

"Do you think I captured those pilots because of you?"

"Do you think I don’t know that those pilots are innocent?"

Shire still looked confused, not understanding what Gallieni wanted to convey. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

...

Downstairs at the officers’ mess, after Shire was called away, Carter quickly carried his freshly filled plate and sat down beside Eric.

"Eric!" Carter whispered, "Is it true you saved Shire?"

"Of course!" Eric answered proudly, "You have no idea how dangerous it was then. The enemy guards were right behind my plane; if I’d been any slower, they would have climbed on..."

Soon, others gathered around, asking, "Did the guards shoot?"

"Uh... of course they shot!" Eric’s voice was a bit stiff, "I even heard the sound of machine guns, ’rat-ta-ta’, bullets whizzing past my head!"

Eric then clenched his fist, "But I definitely couldn’t let Shire be in danger; after all, he is France’s savior!"

Others excitedly agreed:

"Yes!"

"You did the right thing!"

"Shire even saved Antwerp. It’s unimaginable that the Belgians would hand him over to the Germans!"

...

Many considered this a Belgian problem since it indeed was an internal conflict within Belgium, making Shire the victim. Thus, Belgium naturally became the one "biting the hand that feeds," "returning kindness with ingratitude."

"They even fired cannons!" Eric exaggerated more and more, "The shells exploded right in front of the plane, smoke was everywhere..."

Carter hurriedly brought the topic back, "Wait, Eric, I just want to know... you saved Shire, does that mean we can leverage his connections... to receive more military missions, I mean long-term and stable ones?"

This suggestion immediately sparked a commotion among the pilots, and even those who were still busy eating gathered around:

"Great idea, this way we’ll have work to do!"

"Shire can definitely make it happen, as long as he talks to the General!"

"We might even get a few big contracts!"

...

After all, it was about the survival of the pilots, and they all looked at Eric with hopeful eyes.

Eric felt awkward because he knew that the so-called "saving Shire" was merely boasting. Flying Shire back was part of his duty, and there had been no danger at all.

In reality, Shire had saved him. Shire had agreed to buy his aircraft factory, which was nearly a rebirth for him.

But now, they wanted him to ask Shire for favors?

"This..." Eric said reluctantly, "You know, the military isn’t something Shire decides alone, he’s just a lieutenant..."

"But his lieutenant rank is different from others!" Carter objected, "He’s the savior of France!"

Others echoed in agreement.

Eric refused, "That makes it more necessary for him to remain impartial. I mean, it would put Shire in a difficult position..."

"It’s just a word!" Carter was still unwilling to give up, "It’s legal and according to the procedure, we will definitely do a good job!"

Other pilots also expressed their determination:

"Yes, we’ll do well and won’t make Lieutenant Shire embarrassed!"

"If we don’t do well, we’ll leave ourselves!"

"Anyone who slacks off, we’ll beat him up and kick him out!"

...

Gallieni’s lounge.

Sitting on a chair, Gallieni looked at Shire with an expression of disappointment, "Pilots, flying clubs, plus the aircraft cannon you invented in Antwerp... haven’t you thought of anything?"

Shire suddenly realized, "General means to incorporate these pilots into the army?"

Gallieni nodded slightly and said thoughtfully:

"Before this, our demands for pilots weren’t high; they were merely used for reconnaissance and delivering urgent documents, and an army group needed only a few."

"But now, as long as rockets are attached to planes, they can destroy enemy airships, balloons, and even bomb enemy artillery!"

"Do you know what this means?"

Shire understood, "The army’s demand for pilots will increase sharply!"

"Yes!" Gallieni said, "Moreover, we must consider that the enemy could use the same method to destroy our balloons!"

The Germans weren’t fools; they also had Congreve Rockets, and it wouldn’t take long for them to realize that what’s strapped to the planes weren’t cannons but rockets, and they could quickly imitate it.

Shire followed up, "This would make both sides’ balloons obsolete, leaving reconnaissance tasks entirely to planes, which further increases the demand for pilots!"

Gallieni smiled slightly, finally the boy understood.

"We currently have 44 divisions, Lieutenant." Gallieni said, "Each division is equipped with a divisional artillery regiment, each of which needs to replace the balloon with planes. Compute how many pilots we need?"

Calculating three planes per artillery regiment, just cooperating with the artillery would need 132 pilots.

Moreover, specialized balloon-destroying and enemy artillery bombing pilots need to be formed, exceeding 300 pilots!

This was a conservative estimate. Considering battle damage and battlefield urgency, 500 pilots wouldn’t be excessive. In future developments, thousands of pilots wouldn’t be enough if fighter planes were to engage each other...

"This may not be an easy task, General!" Shire said reluctantly, "You know, those pilots are used to a free life, and now during wartime, everyone knows the battlefield is dangerous, they might not be willing to join the military!"

"I know, Lieutenant!" Gallieni looked up at Shire, "That’s why I’m entrusting you with this. We can offer the pilots certain privileges, such as... entry-level rank of lieutenant, after all, they are technical troops, different from ordinary infantry!"

Shire still shook his head, military rank might not have a strong appeal to pilots.

Gallieni continued to increase the offer, "A monthly allowance of 60 francs!"

Shire’s frown slightly relaxed, this was more like it!

"Additionally!" Gallieni reminded, "We also need an airfield and plan to order a hundred planes from your aircraft factory..."

Shire was stunned. The aircraft factory hadn’t been bought yet, and the orders were already coming in?