The Belgians, united in a state of war, some even went to Paris to hand out flyers:
"Look, we cannot let true heroes be buried."
"It was Shire who defeated the Germans and saved Belgium; only he can represent the Allies in receiving the German surrender."
"Shire also saved France and many soldiers. We will not bow to power and manipulation; we seek the truth!"
The Belgians are smart, or rather, it was a tactic of Albert I, learned from the British.
Belfort’s statement hoped to stand on moral high ground, using the frontline soldiers to support Xia Fei, but Belgium’s publicity made it easy for people to think of possible insider trading between Belfort and Xia Fei.
The truth is not important; what matters is how people will associate.
Britain plays this game masterfully; for instance, their newspapers once inscribed the German Army with cannibalism, or laying mines targeting civilian ships.
(Note: Britain did indeed do this during World War I, the first claim was unconfirmed rumors. As for the mines, most were British; they used a large number to block the German Navy, inevitably some were washed away into the ocean and occasionally sunk civilian vessels. But the mines were already shattered, saying the Germans laid them is irrefutable and nobody would seek evidence.)
Unexpectedly, the boomerang now hit the British themselves.
The French felt guilt towards these Belgians rallying for Shire: Shire was French, yet he needed Belgians to voice for him, and the truth was so clear and bright.
Thus, French civilians and soldiers quickly organized marches and protests, vehemently opposing the moral coercion on Shire:
"We support Shire representing the Allies in receiving the surrender."
"Whoever defeated the Germans should be the one to accept their surrender!"
"Don’t try to pit us against Shire; we are his staunch supporters!"
Public opinion continued to ferment, and the fervent sentiments were unstoppable.
If Xia Fei was smart enough, he should choose to let go at this point.
He just needed to speak out in support of Shire receiving the surrender; since he was not the proposer, his prestige would not be affected, and he might even gain a reputation for "generosity" and "understanding."
However, Xia Fei never wanted to forgo any potential fame and fortune.
He still tried to struggle to see if he could reverse the public opinion.
Therefore, he emphasized through newspaper the victory achieved by the First Specialized Artillery Regiment at Combray:
"As everyone knows, the First Specialized Artillery Division achieved great success at Combray."
"I believe that victory was decisive. In that battle, we crushed the main armored unit of the Germans, which laid the foundation for the success of the Second Battle of Combray."
"Of course, I won’t dispute the matter of surrender, as Shire’s success is equally important."
"But we cannot quantify success and compare who is more important; I respect the public’s choice, although many know little about military matters."
It was a very successful rhetoric.
Xia Fei cleverly utilized the role of the First Specialized Artillery Division and made people doubt themselves: "Is our belief that Shire is more successful because we don’t understand military?" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
At this moment, Xia Fei did not realize that his statement, seemingly brilliant, effectively cut off his own retreat.
Just as the people were half-believing, suddenly a news broke: "In the First Battle of Combray, the First Specialized Artillery Division, winning the night battle, was not due to Xia Fei’s command, but Shire’s idea."
An injured retired staff of the Specialized Artillery Division candidly told media:
"At the time, the First Specialized Artillery Division was in a predicament; our tanks couldn’t match the Germans’ ’Upper Silesia.’"
"Major General Kristen was helpless, and the Commander (referring to Xia Fei) still ordered us to attack; we can almost say we were in a desperate situation."
"Helplessly, Major General Kristen had to call Shire for help."
"Shire’s reply was only two words: ’Night battle,’ and we won!"
Public opinion was once again boiling.
Immediately, the focus of the debate turned to Xia Fei, with people exclaiming:
"So Xia Fei is the one who doesn’t understand military."
"So all the credit goes to Shire, including the First Battle of Combray."
"Shameless Xia Fei, he was saved by Shire, yet tried to use this point to defeat Shire!"
In this regard, Xia Fei can be said to be innocent; he didn’t know the First Specialized Artillery Division could win that battle because of Shire’s help, Kristen didn’t inform him about this.
He angrily summoned Kristen, received a definite answer, and then berated Kristen fiercely.
Kristen timidly stood before Xia Fei, but a faint undetectable smile appeared in his eyes.
The staff who spoke out to the media was instructed by him.
"General, now we..." Kanes asked Xia Fei with a difficult expression.
Xia Fei frowned in silence, not knowing what to do, finding himself in a dilemma.
Admitting the mistake would be a heavy blow to his prestige.
Not admitting it, the irrefutable facts were right in front of him, and they had witnesses.
The key was his prestige being very important; the parliament allowed him to stay as Commander not because Xia Fei had extraordinary command ability, but because he was shaped into a hero to unite the military morale and civilian sentiment in France.
If this function was lost, his role as Commander would essentially come to an end.
Xia Fei gritted his teeth, looking at Kristen: "Is there any battlefield record of this incident?"
"Of course not, General," Kristen replied. "If there were records, it would already have spread worldwide."
Xia Fei "hummed" in reply, expressionless: "Then it’s a rumor. You never received Shire’s telegram, understand?"
"General," Kristen said with difficulty, "but Major Ede..."
"You don’t need to concern yourself," Xia Fei interrupted Kristen.
Kristen reluctantly replied: "Understood."
This guy might want to bribe Major Ede to change his testimony, this bastard, I can’t believe I’ve been under his command for so many years!
Xia Fei’s obsession with fame and fortune is unimaginable; he never gives up until the last moment, even if it means resorting to any means.
At this time, a communications soldier rushed to Xia Fei: "General, German Admiral Byrd has issued a statement through the Belgian Patriot Newspaper, saying they will only surrender to Shire!"
Xia Fei, shocked, looked up at the communications soldier, the fat on his face twitching uncontrollably.