I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France - Chapter 679

The wartime rationing system was successfully passed in parliament.

This was the responsibility of the Reserve Army led by Gallieni.

In the rationing system, Gallieni restricted unnecessary entertainment and luxury consumption, such as the cinema changed to three days a week, the Paris Museum was closed, and the whole people provided natural gas, electricity and coal regularly and quantitatively.

At the same time, the price of tobacco and alcohol has been greatly increased, except for the supply of troops.

This is aimed at the enjoyment of capitalists and wealthy classes in the rear.

In addition, it also distributes bread and food to civilians on a free basis, and sells food supplies at a prescribed quota at a fair price.

This is to ensure the survival of civilians, and quantitative measures prevent capitalists from allowing the poor to purchase supplies. Once the poor do so, it means that they have to contribute their quota and go hungry.

All facilities are only open to the Invalides.

Because the Invalides can display the spoils seized on the battlefield, including the “A7V” tanks captured from the German army, Gallieni believes that this is conducive to promoting the spirit of patriotism and inspiring the morale of the military and civilians.

(The picture above is the French Invalides House, also known as the “Paris Disabled Old Military Academy”, which is a building used to resettle disabled soldiers in the army in 1670. It was used to display trophy during World War I. It was used as an archery during the 2024 Olympic Games. Used in track and field competition venues)

All of these Charles did not come forward or intervene.

In order to avoid suspicion, Shire was criticized for using this method to further control the materials.

Although everyone knows that the actual control of materials is in the hands of Shire, and even capitalists are no exception, politics sometimes requires this unbreakable piece of paper.

The French people also knew it, but they did not object, but instead expressed their support:

“The only thing we can believe in is Charles, and the materials should be controlled and distributed by him.”

“If you don’t believe him, do you still believe in the capitalists who hoard materials? Or are you a member of parliament who doesn’t do anything with the capitalists?”

“I believe Charles won’t let us go hungry, everything will be fine!”

…

Shire did not disappoint. He immediately distributed the seized materials to civilians, and even promised to sell them to civilians with low-interest loans to prepare for the seeds that would not be long before.

This is not difficult for Shire. He only needs to acquire seeds from the United States and put them on the ship. In seven days, it can be shipped to Dunkirk and delivered to people continuously.

France was instantly aroused, and people who were reborn were chanting the merits of Charles everywhere:

“Only Shire will do this, low-interest loans. If we don’t have a harvest, we are unable to pay, and the one who loses is Shire. Other capitalists will not do such a loss-making business.”

“Yes, other capitalists will take advantage of this time to raise the price of seeds and take advantage of the current tense situation to exploit us.”

“Shar saved us, not only on the battlefield, but also prevented us from starving to death!”

…

In the town of Davaz, neighbors who received food surrounded Djoka’s hut, and people came to thank him in a constant stream:

“We’re wrong about Shire, Mrs. Bernard.”

“Shar is a good guy, we should trust him, he will not do anything bad for us.”

“Thank you, your family is a good person and a very good person. May God bless you!”

…

Camille shook hands with her neighbors while crying. She didn’t know why this was the case, but tears just burst out from her eyes.

Djoka seemed quite calm. He politely thanked the neighbors one by one and told them to prepare for sowing.

“Only we grow more food can we really relieve the food crisis,” Djoka told his neighbors: “Because we have millions of troops fighting on the front line, they need our supplies!”

The neighbors nodded, their eyes shining with tears.

…

Shire stayed in his room and didn’t go downstairs. He didn’t like such social engagements, nor could he do so.

Neighbors always come in groups of three or three, and occasionally people from other villages and towns or even Paris come to shake hands with Charles or say thank you.

If everyone was going to receive it, Charles might have to stay here these days and cannot leave.

He sat alone at the desk quietly flirted with the report sent by Djoka, which was the recent progress of the Bernard Group in business.

The insurance industry and shipping carried out by Britain and France were very smooth, and it had even expanded to the United States, because there were shipping companies in the United States that needed to join the escort formation of Charles.

In terms of laboratory, Stokes moved the whole family to Dawaz town on the grounds of business, and brought a group of backbones of Scott Machinery Company.

Shire frowned.

Of course it’s good to bring talents, that is, they are British, and their hearts will be different if they are not of our race. There are still a hundred years of grudges between Britain and France. They hate each other…

“These backbones have been screened.” Djoka was standing next to Charles at some point. When he saw Charles being embarrassed at the list in his hand, he guessed what Charles was worried about.

Shire turned his head and glanced at Djoka, “Hmm” and said, “I believe Mr. Stokes will screen.”

After all, Stokes is treason, and he doesn’t want a few more spies around him to be unfavorable to him.

“The situation in Britain is not good either.” Djoka explained: “Especially after the British Expeditionary Force was defeated in the Somme, I heard that the British country launched an emergency recruitment again, and it would cost 300,000 new recruits at one time!”

This is Heg’s “military talent”.

His idea is very simple. If the battlefield cannot win, it means that there is not enough troops. If there is not enough troops, there will be recruitment.

As for whether these lives can be effectively utilized, it is not a question that he, the “butcher”, needs to consider.

Djoka raised his chin toward the list: “If they don’t come with Stokes, they may be called up for the sack.”

Shire understood instantly.

The group of people who followed Stokes were to some extent “descendants”, and the employment contract of the Bernard Group prevented them from going to the battlefield.

In other words, companies have their life and death in their hands, so there is little need to worry about loyalty.

A trace of helplessness hung on the corner of Shire’s mouth, which seemed to be a kind of irony. The battlefield gave Shire the opportunity to gather talents.

Then, Djoka sighed softly and said without end: “I am proud of you, Charles, so is your mother.”

“What?” Charles looked at Djoka in surprise. He usually didn’t say this.

Djoka stepped forward and held Charle’s shoulder, jumped over the window and looked at the neighbors downstairs who had been reluctant to leave for a long time, and said thoughtfully:

“They think you saved them, and I think so too. It’s more important than winning a battle!”

“The soldiers will fight for you because you protect their families so they don’t have any worries.”

“You’re doing a great job, Charles, you’re heading for victory!”