I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 79 Have Breakfast Together

The next day, Shire was awakened by the sound of artillery.

He knew it without thinking; it was the Germans’ "Big Bertha" heavy artillery.

The Germans typically did not fire at night; random bombardments at night had low accuracy, and "Big Bertha" shells weren’t cheap.

They would bomb targets guided by balloons after daybreak, aiming to destroy them with the fewest shells.

Shire lived in the officer dormitory at the fortress headquarters, in a single room on the third floor with a private bathroom—a top-tier guest treatment in wartime Antwerp, even General Winter wasn’t accommodated better.

After all, Antwerp was Belgium’s last "safe ground," with many supports for the King or people unwilling to be enslaved by Germans congregating here. This made Antwerp’s accommodation tight and resources scarce, even trenching shovels needed reinforcement from Britain.

Shire quickly finished washing up and went downstairs. His plan was clear: go to the airport, return to Paris, and hand the completed investigation report to Gallieni, which was the foundation for France’s reinforcement of Antwerp.

At that time, Shire hadn’t realized his mission was already insignificant. France, Britain, Germany, and Belgium, the warring countries, had made a series of targeted operational plans around him.

Especially Germany, which had added three more divisions to prevent Shire from leaving, and the number was still increasing.

Shire’s little head was still thinking about his investigation report.

Downstairs, people bustled back and forth; the headquarters never ceased operations during wartime.

Shire wanted to find General Gis among the crowd to arrange a car, but he didn’t seem to be there.

As Shire hesitated, a soldier in red and black uniform, with a sword at his waist, approached and saluted him.

Shire recognized this uniform; it was King Albert’s guard, the King’s Guard. He had glimpsed them when Albert came last night.

The guard politely said, "Lieutenant, the King invites you to breakfast. The carriage is waiting outside!"

Breakfast?

At this time?

Shire didn’t quite understand; was this the lifestyle of nobles? It seemed even Albert I couldn’t escape it!

But Shire soon realized he was wrong; this was not Albert I’s true intention.

Unlike Grevy’s carriage, Albert I arranged an open-top carriage for Shire. Shire thought it was Belgium’s style and charm, but it was Albert I’s deliberate arrangement.

The carriage moved slowly, though there was no obstacle.

Six guards in red uniforms were in front and back of the carriage, their red tassels bobbing rhythmically with the horse’s trot as if reminding passersby to make way.

The streets were filled with ragged people, mostly elderly and women, and children of all ages, some crying in arms, others similar to Shire’s age, all with dirty faces and exhausted, fearful eyes.

Their distress and embarrassment sharply contrasted with the King’s Guard, making Shire in the carriage uncomfortable.

Seeing the carriage coming out of the headquarters, the crowd initially gathered on the sidewalk, now instinctively moved closer, seemingly wanting a glimpse of Shire.

Shire found it odd; he hadn’t seen so many people on the streets yesterday. Was today a special day?

Suddenly, the carriage stopped at a crossroad where a logistics unit transporting ammunition was passing. During wartime, everyone had to yield to the military and related units, even the King’s Guard.

This pause revealed the truth to Shire.

The crowd slowly gathered initially, then surged forward regardless, surrounding Shire’s carriage, shouting:

"Are you Shire? Heard you defeated the Germans?"

"Can you really lead us to defeat the Germans?"

"They took our houses and land; can you help us reclaim them?"

"Help us, please!"

...

Helpless hands reached out to Shire. He was at a loss, not knowing how to respond, only casting pleading glances at the King’s Guard, who pretended not to see.

Fortunately, soon the carriage continued under the guard’s guidance, leaving the out-of-control crowd behind. Yet, people still stood on the sides ahead, looking at Shire expectantly.

Shire understood Albert I had used him. This wasn’t about "breakfast together"; it was a morale-boosting parade.

Albert I didn’t deny it and, facing Shire at the table, said his first sentence, "Sorry, Lieutenant! Didn’t notify you beforehand, but I believe you can understand!"

Breakfast was a steak and a fried egg; not great but better than bread.

"You overestimate my appeal, Your Majesty!" Shire lamented, "Doing this won’t be effective!"

Albert I smiled lightly, elegantly placing a piece of beef in his mouth, "You underestimate yourself; it has already worked!"

"What?" Shire couldn’t believe it happened so quickly.

"Last night!" Albert I nodded slightly, chewing the beef as he answered, "I spread the word about you being here after returning from the headquarters!"

"And?" Shire asked, curious about the result.

Albert I leaned closer, lowered his voice:

"Originally, Antwerp was on the brink of collapse, Lieutenant!"

"In the 14 days of German attacks, 4780 soldiers chose to flee, and 30.9 thousand surrendered to the Germans, averaging a daily loss of more than two thousand soldiers."

This definitely couldn’t be heard by others, or it would affect morale.

"But since last night, not only has the number of soldiers not decreased, but has increased!"

"People voluntarily demanded to join the army to defend Antwerp. What do you think the reason is?"

Albert I raised his wine in a toast to Shire, saying, "Now, do you still think I overestimate you?"

Shire didn’t speak, attacking his steak instead.

Thinking the King must have launched false propaganda about him, wonder what exaggerations were made!

"Boom"

Another sound from "Big Bertha."

Shire looked at Albert I, who responded with a knowing smile, "Don’t worry; everything is going as planned. I believe they will succeed!"

Then Albert I added, "Also, I believe you’ll temporarily be unable to leave here, at least for now, Germans are beginning desperate measures by crashing planes into ours!"

After sipping his wine, he emphasized again, "It’s unprecedented!"