I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 1016 1016: Shire Defeats the British Mediterranean Fleet in Less Than One Day

Admiral Scheer was in a car traveling from Weimar to Wilhelmshaven, a distance of about 500 kilometers, which would take most of the day.

Admiral Scheer lifted his head from a pile of documents and looked through the car window at the farmers working on both sides of the road, most of whom were elderly, women, and children. He couldn't help but sigh.

Admiral Scheer was unsure if his decision was correct.

Since being forced into retirement a few months ago, he had chosen to settle in Weimar and began writing his memoirs, "The German High Seas Fleet in World War I."

The memoir had even started.

But then Eitzberger suddenly came to persuade him to return to duty.

"I cannot return," Admiral Scheer firmly stated:

"We all know Germany has been defeated. What remains is only to decide to whom to surrender: France, Britain, or the United States."

"I am very glad to have been relieved of my duties at this critical moment, sparing me the humiliation of surrender!"

"So, unless I've lost my mind, I won't accept your invitation."

But Eitzberger was confident: "Admiral, I know you've always had a wish to lead the German Navy in breaking through the British Royal Navy blockade."

During his tenure, Admiral Scheer often suggested to William II to launch a bold attack on the British Fleet, breaking through their encirclement with a decisive victory, especially after learning about "torpedo planes" from Shire.

But this plan was deemed more like a suicide mission by William II and thus was rejected.

Admiral Scheer laughed: "Do you think we still have the capability to defeat the British Royal Navy now?"

Eitzberger nodded confidently: "Of course."

"You underestimate the British Royal Navy, Eitz." Admiral Scheer stood up and poured Eitzberger a glass of red wine, filling one for himself as well:

"Even at our peak, we only had a thirty percent chance of defeating the British Fleet, which is why my attack plan was called a 'suicide plan.'"

"Now the German Navy is fragmented, with disobedience and mutiny being commonplace."

"No one can defeat the British Fleet under such circumstances, not even God!"

A few months ago, a "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and North Sea Fleet" emerged within the German fleet. Under this committee's promotion, the navy gradually slipped out of control and eventually launched a revolt to overthrow William II.

Eitzberger responded briskly: "The 'Committee' will fully cooperate with you, Admiral."

Scheer was not surprised by this; it was clearly the work of the interim government.

"Even with their cooperation, it would be to no avail," Admiral Scheer sipped his wine, sitting down in front of Eitzberger, shaking his head helplessly: "The lost morale and spirit of the military cannot be regained."

Morale and military spirit are invisible yet real.

Once shattered, it is challenging to restore them to their previous state.

Soldiers will feel disheartened, be sluggish, and may flee during fights...

"I know," Eitzberger said. "But what if we add Shire?"

"What did you say?" Admiral Scheer looked at Eitzberger in confusion: "Shire will help us?"

"No," Eitzberger replied. "We're helping Shire."

Seeing Admiral Scheer still puzzled, Eitzberger explained:

"To put it briefly, we and Shire are currently bound by common interests, Admiral."

"Shire gives us quite 'lenient' surrender terms, but the British and Americans are not so charitable."

"Moreover, Britain is trying to coerce France to stand with them to demand reparations from us."

Saying this, Eitzberger handed Admiral Scheer a document, a record of Britain hoping France would accept reparations of 15 billion USD.

Eitzberger added:

"This is about saving Germany, Admiral. Helping Shire is helping ourselves."

"If we lose this war, we will be forced to accept 15 billion from France, 13 billion from Britain, and 10 billion USD from the United States in reparations."

"But if we win, we only need to accept Shire's terms, and he only demands 2 billion!"

Eitzberger got up and glanced at the manor Scheer had purchased for his seclusion, feeling somewhat emotional:

"Think about it, if we have to pay 38 billion USD in reparations, your secluded life here might even be affected."

"High prices, extreme scarcity of supplies. At that time, even a loaf of bread might cost 500,000 Marks!"

"Do you think you can remain unaffected?"

Admiral Scheer was astounded; he had been out of touch with worldly affairs for a while and did not expect the situation to have become so abstract, with Germany becoming "allies" with France!

...

Admiral Scheer had no choice but to agree to come out of retirement and reorganize the High Seas Fleet.

But he had no confidence whatsoever.

He spent almost every moment in the car reviewing fleet-related documents, despite it giving him a headache.

The entire fleet command had been overthrown, and the officers in key positions, including the captains of the main battleships, were not people he knew.

Admiral Scheer couldn't help but question:

Will returning be useful?

Will I be treated as a figurehead?

Would I nominally be the commander but actually be there to tame the old troops?

Most importantly: Even if the High Seas Fleet could come together again, even with an alliance with the French Navy, it might still not be a match for the British Royal Navy.

The ultimate result would still be 38 billion USD in reparations.

While Admiral Scheer contemplated how to face this series of problems, the car was stopped at a checkpoint.

Admiral Scheer rolled down the window, impatiently urging: "I'm Scheer, I'm carrying out an urgent military order..."

"I know, Admiral." the sentry stood at attention and saluted: "Prime Minister and Chairman Eitzberger wish to speak with you."

Admiral Scheer frowned, the phone intercepting him halfway—could it be that the plan had changed again?

These bastards, they're treating me like a fool and playing tricks!

With a bit of displeasure, Admiral Scheer got out and followed the sentry to the checkpoint booth.

The call was made from this side, evidently previously arranged, to connect immediately once the target was intercepted.

"It's Scheer." Admiral Scheer spoke, his tone unfriendly: "What's the matter?"

"Admiral, you won't believe it!" Eitzberger's excited voice came from the other end of the line: "We have won, the British Fleet has been defeated! Yes, the invincible British Royal Navy has been defeated!"

Admiral Scheer was bewildered.

Victory was achieved before I even reached Wilhelmshaven?

The British Fleet defeated?

Am I dreaming?

To Scheer's surprise, Prime Minister Albert's voice came over the phone:

"It's true, Admiral."

"Shire defeated the British Fleet in the Mediterranean."

"The British Fleet has surrendered, over a hundred warships have all surrendered!"

Admiral Scheer was stunned. He glanced at the sky; the sun had not yet set.

Which meant, Shire defeated the British Mediterranean Fleet in less than a day?