save the bachelors

Chapter 5148-5151 [Flowers and Horse Manure]

“This is a formula, a new type of gas, mustard gas, which uses hydrogen instead of sulfur…” Diana took the notebook and immediately deciphered it.

“If we replace sulfur with hydrogen, all gas masks will lose their effectiveness,” Xiang Nan said immediately upon hearing this.

Although both sides in the previous conflict used biological and chemical weapons, they were all sulfur-based, and the gas masks were designed and manufactured specifically for sulfur-based biological and chemical weapons.

Therefore, existing gas masks cannot block hydrogen-based gases. If this new type of mustard gas were deployed on the battlefield, it would cause unprecedented deaths.

“The notes say they plan to release this gas at the front,” Diana continued, explaining.

"When?" Xiang Nan asked.

“It’s not written on it.” Diana shook her head.

"Sir, this is the evidence we're looking for." Xiang Nan said to the generals, "We must find out where they manufactured this gas, then burn it completely and destroy it entirely."

"Ludendorff's last appearance was in Belgium, and we cannot openly send troops to Germany-occupied Belgium, especially at this critical juncture when they are planning to surrender," the general refused.

The Allied and Central Powers are currently engaged in peace talks, and at this juncture, they cannot afford any aggressive military action. Otherwise, even minor friction could lead to the breakdown of the peace negotiations.

“Sir, I have personally witnessed the power of that poison gas,” Xiang Nan emphasized further. “If it were deployed on the battlefield, the casualties would be unparalleled, and tens of thousands of people would die instantly.”

“That’s right, but that’s a soldier’s duty, Captain,” the general said casually.

……

The First World War was an unjust war fought by capitalist countries such as Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary in order to redivide the world and vie for global hegemony.

Both sides in the conflict are fighting for their own interests, not for justice, fairness, or peace.

The generals on both sides were representatives of capitalists and interest groups. They didn't care about the lives of the soldiers on the front lines at all.

As long as they can secure enough benefits for themselves, they don't care if tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions of people die.

In any case, they don't need to go to the battlefield themselves; they can command remotely from the rear. No matter how many people die at the front, it won't affect their safety.

It wasn't until after World War II, with the successful development of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, that the distinction between the front lines and the rear was blurred, making many leaders hesitant to start wars again.

"No need for large-scale military mobilization. Just send me. All you need is some logistical support. At least give me a chance to thwart Ludendorff's plans," Xiang Nan continued to plead.

"Are you crazy?! I don't want any complications at this critical juncture!" the general shouted upon hearing this. "At this moment, a ceasefire agreement is the most important thing. We must negotiate, and the agreement must be signed. This is the best way to stop the war."

"Captain, you are not allowed to do anything. That's an order!"

"Yes, sir, I understand," Xiang Nan nodded.

“I don’t understand,” Diana said loudly as she stood up when she heard him say that.

“Diana, I know this is confusing,” Xiang Nan tried to stop her.

“I’m not confused at all, everything is obvious,” Diana retorted. “His decision was simply incomprehensible.”

"Who is this woman?" The general asked angrily when he saw that she dared to speak to him like that.

"I'm sorry, sir, she's my secretary, she's new and doesn't know the rules," Xiang Nan quickly explained.

“I am not his secretary.” Diana pushed Xiang Nan aside and rushed in front of the general to question him, “You knowingly sacrificed so many lives as if their lives were worth less than yours, as if they were insignificant.”

In my hometown, generals don't hide in their offices like cowards. They fight alongside their soldiers, they risk their lives on the battlefield. You should be ashamed, you should be ashamed, you should all be ashamed..." She couldn't understand why these generals, knowing that poison gas would kill thousands of people, would choose to remain indifferent and watch their subordinates die.

It's truly incomprehensible, insane, and heartless.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm sorry, sir, Diana..." Xiang Nan apologized as he forcibly pulled Diana out of the conference room.

"This is your boss? How could he say such a thing? Can you believe it?" Diana questioned Xiang Nan. "And you, is your job just to give them that notebook?"

"Of course not." Xiang Nan shook his head.

“But you didn’t resist, you didn’t stand up for yourself,” Diana accused.

Xiang Nan should have stood up and clearly opposed it, just like her, but he didn't say a word and instead crawled out himself.

"That's because we can't change their minds," Xiang Nan explained.

He was just a captain; in the eyes of those generals, he was nothing more than a nobody.

"So we're just going to do nothing? You said that kind of weapon could kill millions of people," Diana questioned.

“Of course not, we’re still going despite their objections,” Xiang Nan replied.

"You mean, you were lying just now?" Diana asked in surprise, not expecting Xiang Nan to lie.

“I’m a spy, lying is simply my job,” Xiang Nan said.

“How do I know you’re not lying to me right now?” Diana asked, puzzled.

Seeing this, Xiang Nan drew the Lasso of Truth from her waist, wrapped it around his hand, and then looked solemnly at Diana, saying, "I will take you to the front lines. We might not come back alive, God, this is really a bad idea~"

Seeing him do this, Diana was immediately relieved.

She knew that no one could lie under the lasso of truth.

“But the two of us aren’t enough; we need to find some help,” Xiang Nan said.

……

Afterwards, Xiang Nan took Diana to a bar.

Upon entering, one finds the room dimly lit, filled with smoke and a foul atmosphere.

"Are you looking for help here?" Diana asked in surprise.

“That’s right.” Xiang Nan nodded.

"Are there any good people here?" Diana asked, puzzled.

Everyone she saw had a lecherous, drunken, fierce, vicious, and despicable look on their faces; not one of them seemed like a good person.

She doubted whether she could find a suitable person here.

“Everyone has their own use, just like flowers and horse manure. Beautiful flowers can please the eye, while smelly horse manure can fertilize the farmland,” Xiang Nan explained.

Diana was taken aback, then nodded, acknowledging that Xiang Nan's words made sense.