"Your Majesty!" General Gis anxiously persuaded: "This concerns all of our lives..."
"There is no room for discussion, General!" Albert I interrupted General Gis without hesitation: "I believe the vast majority of Belgians would make the same decision as me. They will likewise not hand over Shire, absolutely not!"
General Gis complained to himself, this is governance, this is politics, it’s not a place to talk about chivalry. The King does not understand the principle of "between countries, there are only interests!"
However, General Gis did not say this out loud. He knew he couldn’t persuade Albert I, just like how the King disregarded Belgium’s interests to resolutely choose to go to war with Germany, even when they could have defended themselves, he chose to raid German supply lines, consequently angering Germany and bringing trouble.
He should think about what Belgium has gained after doing all this?
Meaningless praise and admiration?
The country and its people might disappear amidst these praises!
General Gis felt he couldn’t just watch this happen. He planned to bring this matter to Parliament and let them decide!
Albert I seemed to sense this, he stared at General Gis without any expression, as if saying: I will persuade Parliament, they will support my decision, because this is the right choice!
As a few people were silently competing, a tender voice from Shire, because he still had cream in his mouth, sounded muffled and unclear: "Are you planning to build the defense line here to block the Germans’ attack?"
At first, none of them intended to pay attention to Shire. They thought they were discussing more important matters.
However, General Winter’s eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait, General Gis!" General Winter said: "Perhaps we have a third option!"
Speaking, General Winter gestured towards Shire who was intently staring at the map.
General Gis paused for a moment and soon understood General Winter’s meaning. Since Shire could help France defeat the Germans, could he also help Belgium defeat the Germans?
If they defeat the Germans, there would be no need to hand Shire over, nor worry about the Belgian people’s lives being threatened.
General Gis couldn’t help but laugh disdainfully: "You really think he can turn the tide of the war? Winter, you’re treating him like God!"
General Winter said: "I think trying wouldn’t harm us, right?"
Saying this, General Winter looked at Albert I, hopeful for his support.
Albert I understood, and responded with action, elegantly walking to the table, politely extending his hand to Shire: "You must be Shire, the Lieutenant they mentioned?"
"And you are?" Shire responded with a handshake.
"I am the King of Belgium, my name is Albert!" Albert I answered: "Pleasure to meet you!"
Shire paused, feeling a bit nervous as he realized he was meeting a king in his lifetime: "I am honored, Your Majesty!"
Albert I gestured towards the two Generals behind him, signaling them to join the discussion.
General Gis and General Winter understood, one hastily, the other calmly, walked over and stood on either side of Albert I, facing Shire.
General Gis glanced at the map, reluctantly pointing at a newly drawn line, answering Shire’s question: "We plan to station the British Army here to protect the water supply system..."
"You won’t protect anything!" Shire interrupted General Gis.
General Gis grunted and looked at General Winter, signaling: This kid looks down on your army, now it’s your turn to answer.
General Winter replied somewhat reluctantly: "I believe we can, Lieutenant! I’ve brought the finest troops, they are well-equipped..."
"This has nothing to do with quality and equipment, if you can’t see the enemy, you’ll be crushed!" Shire pointed to a spot behind the defense line: "You seem to have overlooked one point, the position less than a kilometer behind the defense is the second layer of defense at Elgin Fortress, the Germans’ heavy artillery will focus bombardment on it..."
Before he finished speaking, both General Winter and General Gis understood and exclaimed:
"Heavy artillery bombardment on Elgin Fortress will simultaneously destroy this defense line!"
"A kilometer is even within the margin of error for their heavy artillery, my God, we’re saving the Germans’ shells!"
Albert I looked at them with interested curiosity, wondering how such a mistake could happen, how two Generals adorned with medals were corrected by a Lieutenant on a rudimentary error.
This is not surprising.
Belgium has had no wars for 75 years, General Gis only gained combat experience after the Germans started their offensive a month ago.
As for General Winter, he is a Congressman, a naval Major General, his combat experience is limited to naval battles, with almost no exposure to land battles.
Shire, however, possessed modern military knowledge. In front of Shire, they weren’t even fit to be students.
"So!" General Gis’s expression grew serious: "Where do you think we should set the defense line?"
"We shouldn’t set up a defense line!" Shire had finished eating, he reached for a napkin to wipe his mouth.
"Just let the enemy attack?" General Gis questioned.
General Gis opposed: "You might not know, Lieutenant, the Germans’ heavy artillery has a much farther range than ours, we have no power to resist..."
"That’s why we should let the enemy attack!"
"What do you mean?" General Gis didn’t understand.
Shire calmly took two red flags representing the enemy and placed them on the map, pushing them slowly towards Antwerp while saying: "After the Germans destroy Wavre Fortress, they must move their heavy artillery forward to potentially hit the second layer Elgin Fortress!"
Several people nodded in agreement, waiting for Shire to continue, but Shire spread his hands, indicating he was done.
"And then?" General Winter asked.
"Then their heavy artillery will be finished!" Shire answered.
"Impossible!" General Gis smiled and shook his head with disdain, seemingly saying, see, I knew this wouldn’t work.
Winter reminded Shire: "Elgin Fortress’s cannons similarly can’t reach the enemy, Lieutenant!"
Shire countered: "Then what about Wavre Fortress?"
"Wavre Fortress has already been destroyed..." General Winter paused halfway through his sentence and then exclaimed: "God, this is a brilliant idea! We will destroy the Germans’ heavy artillery, and thus their offensive becomes negligible!"
"What?" General Gis still didn’t understand.
Albert I nodded slightly, looking at Shire with admiration and praise: "This is a good idea, as long as we camouflage Wavre Fortress to make it look destroyed! Then, the enemy will push their heavy artillery right in front of it!"
General Gis suddenly understood, his eyes widened looking at Shire, with surprise, shame, and mostly doubt, he couldn’t believe the idea came from this child in front of him!