I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 934 Delay strategy
Just as Wilhelm II was pondering how to solve this problem, a fleeting headlight streak swept past the window, like a ghost quietly climbing onto the roof of the Palace of Forgetfulness, attempting to use magic to control Wilhelm II.

The sound of brakes was heard; a car had stopped outside the door.

"They've arrived," Wilhelm II sighed inwardly.

The German army was in Hindenburg's hands, and he had the final say on whether to cease hostilities or start wars.

Wilhelm II believed that Hindenburg would choose the latter, because the changes on the Eastern Front greatly increased the German chances of victory.

Sure enough, he heard Hindenburg's hurried footsteps, followed by Hindenburg's loud and powerful shout: "Good news, Your Majesty! We have achieved victory on the Eastern Front, and it may be decisive!"

Hindenburg strode into the living room with a spirited air, his military boots clattering on the floor, and gave Wilhelm II an exceptionally strong military salute.

"You've also received the news from the eastern front, Your Majesty?"

Wilhelm II nodded weakly: "Yes."

"We can at least recall 60 troops from the Eastern Front." Hindenburg waved his hand, as if commanding his own army: "We also have a large number of artillery pieces, tanks, and vehicles, and domestic supplies can be largely diverted to the Western Front!"

(Note: In 1917, the German army had approximately 90 troops in the East and West.)
Wilhelm II asked, "So, you think you can defeat Charles?"

"Of course," Hindenburg said confidently, "but I won't attack the Western Front immediately!"

Wilhelm II said "Oh": "You want to defeat Russia first?"

By taking advantage of Russia's internal turmoil and defeating it in one fell swoop, Germany can completely eliminate its worries about the rear.

“No, Your Majesty.” Hindenburg shook his head with a smile, his gaze toward Wilhelm II carrying a hint of mockery:
"I will not attack Russia."

"Most people think like you: Russia is in chaos, and we should seize this opportunity to defeat it completely."

"but……"

Hindenburg pointed his finger into the air:
"They didn't consider that we should let Russia continue to be in chaos."

"Attacking Russia at this time might unite the Russians against a common enemy."

"Just think about it, that's 600 million troops! We don't even have enough ammunition to kill them!"

(Note: In 1917, Russia's nominal military strength was around 700 million, but there were only 150 million to 200 million on the front lines, and a large number of soldiers refused to fight.)
Wilhelm II felt his authority had been challenged, and Hindenburg refuted Wilhelm II's statement without holding back.

But he could only suppress his anger and put on an approving expression: "You're right, Chief of the General Staff. So, where should we attack first?"

Hindenburg's spirited and eloquent reply:

"Romania, and Italy."

"Reinforce up troops in these two directions and completely defeat them to prepare for the attack on the western front."

“We can get oil and food from Romania, and military factories and equipment from Italy.”

In the past two years, in preparation for war, Italy has increased its investment in the military industry and built five military factories.

Wilhelm II, on a tentative note, asked, "So, what about the negotiations with Charles that we discussed earlier..."

“You may continue to seek a truce with the Charles, Your Majesty.” Hindenburg bowed slightly to Wilhelm II. “As you know, I may need time to resolve the issues with Romania and Italy.”

Wilhelm II suddenly realized.

Hindenburg used him as a pretext, claiming that the armistice negotiations with the Charles were actually a delaying tactic. He planned to turn against them after defeating Romania and Italy and making full preparations.

“Charles will not be fooled,” Wilhelm II said.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty," Hindenburg replied. "I will also reinforce the western front and prepare accordingly. Even if Charles doesn't fall for it, I can hold off his attack!"

Finally, Hindenburg added, "Charles can only wait, because he, too, cannot break through Hindenburg's defenses!"

At the Mays command post, a continuous spring rain began to fall. The river outside the city swelled rapidly due to the combined effects of rain and snowmelt, exceeding the warning level and threatening to flood into the city.

But nobody took it seriously, because it was insignificant compared to the recent dramatic changes in the international situation.

The faces of the soldiers and civilians showed some disappointment and regret.

Not just Ciel, but everyone else believed that Ciel had done the best he could, practically perfect.

But man proposes, God disposes; no one could have predicted that Russia would collapse at this time.

"It's such a pity, the Germans were about to surrender."

"It's not surrender, it's ceasefire negotiations."

"There's not much difference. The war could very well have ended because of Charles's mercy, but now the Germans have the upper hand again."

……

This was what Charles wanted, allowing the military and civilians to return from "ceasefire preparations" to "war preparations."

At the same time, it perfectly covered up the previous lie about the ceasefire:

It's not that I'm unwilling to cease hostilities, but the Germans have once again harbored wolfish ambitions, so I have no choice but to return to the battlefield and defeat them!

Tijani held the newspaper in his hand, looking utterly bewildered.

No matter how hard he racked his brains, he never imagined it would end like this.

He smiled, put down his newspaper, picked up his coffee, and walked over to Charles, who was watching the paratrooper training. He stirred his coffee gently with a spoon. "I'm curious, how did you know these things would happen in Russia?"

Charles had already prepared his answer. Without looking up, he replied, "Intelligence, Major General. With enough intelligence, you can predict the future."

In fact, the Charles relied entirely on his "foresight".

Tijani believed it, because Charles did indeed have a mysterious intelligence organization, an organization more efficient than the Second Bureau.

"So, what's our next step?" Tijani asked. "To fight the Germans?"

This seems inappropriate; the Germans are still talking about a "ceasefire," at least on the surface.

“Wait,” Charles replied.

"Wait for what?" Tijani asked, puzzled.

At this moment, a staff officer sent a telegram to Charles: "General, a telegram from the Queen of Romania: the Germans are significantly increasing their troop presence on the front lines."

Charles took the telegram and read it. The Queen had used rather nauseating words in the telegram: “Dear Lieutenant General,” “I know you will not abandon me,” and “I am your staunchest supporter and your admirer.”

Charles was a little embarrassed, afraid that Tijani would see it, so he crumpled it into a ball.

Soon after, another staff officer delivered a telegram: "General, Italian Chief of Staff General Cadorna has telegraphed that the Germans are reinforcing their troops on the Piave River, and General Cadorna is certain that they will force their way across the river."

Tijani glanced at the map:
"Simultaneously increase troop deployments in Italy and Romania?"

"Let's not even talk about the resources the Germans can obtain if the pressure from these two directions is resolved."

"The only thing left is the western front!"

Charles hummed in agreement: "This is what I've been waiting for."

It's time for the League of Nations to make its mark, and the Shire needs a victory to establish the League's authority!
(End of this chapter)