I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 277

Chapter 277: The Ancestor of the Landing Ship

By mid-February, the temperature had risen, and the ice and snow began to melt.

This year's heavy snow came early and stayed late, an unusual climate pattern that brought a significant flood to Paris. The "first river of Paris," the Seine, rose dramatically, and parts of the riverbanks were submerged.

Near the Eiffel Tower, the famous "Joffre's Soldier" statue on the Alma Bridge was already submerged by one-third.

In the past, such events might have drawn the attention of the citizens of Paris, and preparations would have been made for the potential flood, but this year, people seemed indifferent to it.

Compared to the war, the rising river seemed trivial.

...

At the Schneider munitions factory office, James gazed out at the incessant drizzle, lost in thought.

The Allied forces had already launched the landing campaign at the Dardanelles Strait.

James had noticed something interesting: Charles' inventions seemed ineffective at sea. Although he had been in close contact with Wells recently, that was only because Charles had saved his only son, Tigani.

Did this mean that Charles could only invent equipment for land use?

This was good news.

Schneider should seize on Charles' limitation and focus on making advancements in naval warfare, thus competing with Charles for influence in the arms industry.

No, not just the market, but influence.

James was very clear that this was not about money; it was about power—the real power in this country.

If, one day, the French military's artillery, firearms, and ships were all produced by Schneider or associated with Schneider, even the politicians would have to answer to James.

This would be another form of rule. France might be a free country, but if those in power, including the politicians, could not make decisions without Schneider, then James would be the de facto ruler.

However, this plan faced a major challenge: Charles and his inventions.

James appeared calm on the surface, but inside, he was screaming: Creativity, creativity, I need creativity! Only creativity can defeat Charles. Otherwise, it's all just talk!

Polina's cheerful and hurried footsteps sounded behind him. James turned around, knowing this meant good news.

Sure enough, Polina entered, beaming with joy. Before she even reached James, she pulled a document from her handbag, raised it with a hint of pride, and said, "Sir, you should take a look at this!"

James took the document, flipped through it, and looked up in confusion. "A ship?"

"Yes," Polina nodded.

James studied it more carefully and said, "I guess this is a coal transport ship."

Having worked in the steel industry for many years, he was familiar with the features of such ships, which typically had wide hulls, allowing them to carry more weight while having a shallow draft.

"Yes!" Polina nodded again.

James felt disappointed and handed the document back to her. "You want me to buy this ship? Fine, just buy it!"

"Yes!" Polina answered but did not take back the document. "Please take another careful look, Sir!"

James became a little impatient but still gave the ship one more look, and then he noticed something different. "Hmm, the bow has two side doors, and there are also gangplanks added. Are you trying to tell me that this is how the coal can be unloaded from the side?"

"No, Sir," Polina answered. "It’s for transporting soldiers to land. To be precise, fully armed soldiers!"

"Soldiers?" James' eyes lit up. Was this a military innovation?

Indeed, Polina explained: "The Allied forces are landing at the Dardanelles Strait, but progress has been slow. One reason is that when the transport ships arrive, the soldiers need to climb down rope ladders and row small boats to the opposite shore..."

James suddenly understood: "During this time, the soldiers are exposed to enemy artillery and heavy fire, and many of them are killed or wounded before even reaching land!"

"Yes," Polina confirmed. "But this ship solves the problem. It can carry 2,000 soldiers and run aground on a shallow beach. The soldiers can disembark from the side doors at the bow, then use simple floating bridges or directly charge ashore. The whole process only takes a few minutes..."

"Wonderful, Polina, simply wonderful!" James exclaimed. This was exactly what he needed—he had finally beaten Charles to the punch.

Then James hesitated for a moment. "Whose invention is this?"

He worried it might be related to Charles.

"It's from a Navy Lieutenant Colonel named Angwin," Polina answered. "He provided this idea, and I contacted him in time and bought the industrial rights for 20,000 francs!"

James almost laughed out loud. For just 20,000 francs, they had bought such an idea.

These fools, didn't they realize that the Navy might need hundreds of such ships for the landings? This could even help the Allies win the war!

With that thought, James gave his orders without hesitation: "Immediately begin modifying these ships and their accompanying landing facilities. I’ll take care of contacting the military!"

"Yes, Sir," Polina answered happily.

Over the past period, she had dispatched many informants within the military to keep an eye out for possible innovations, and she had finally found something practical.

Now, it was time to make a comeback!

...

In the noisy Chamber of Deputies, Gallieni was being questioned for the third time about his refusal to send Charles to the Dardanelles Strait for battle.

They were asking the same question again: "General, we would like to know why you refused."

"Isn't the reason obvious?" Gallieni answered. "Charles is a researcher and inventor, and the equipment he has created has changed the course of the entire war. Yet you want to send him to the battlefield where he might risk his life..."

"But General, the battlefield desperately needs him!" Grevy stood up and responded. "This could be the decisive battle. If we win, we might be able to end the war!"

"Yes," Armand stood up in agreement. "We only ask that he stay on the warship to boost the morale of the troops, because the soldiers believe in him! He can stay away from the front line—how is that a risk?"

Another voice joined in:
"If that's considered a risk, then what do we call the General’s inspection of the front?"

"He’s just a colonel and he’s already an adult."

"No one is special, everyone should do their part for the war effort!"

...

Gallieni cursed under his breath, thinking: Aren’t you guys the ones who should be on the front lines? You’re the ones who need to be there the most!

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