I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 982: Has the War Really Ended?

Paris Square is not in Paris; it is in Berlin, Germany.

This square, located at the west end of Unter den Linden in central Berlin, originally had a hasty and simplified name: Square.

But in 1814, after Prussia and allied forces defeated Napoleon and occupied Paris, the Prussians renamed the place "Paris Square" to celebrate the victory.

(The image above shows the celebration of the Prussian army in front of the Brandenburg Gate at "Paris Square" after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871)

(The image above shows the modern Paris Square and Brandenburg Gate)

Eitzberger was treated like a hero here upon his return to Germany.

Everyone knew Eitzberger led the "Armistice Committee" to reject the demands from England and the United States for reparations of 13 billion and 10 billion US Dollars.

More importantly, he reached an armistice agreement with Shire at a low cost of 2 billion US Dollars.

Before this, everyone, including Prime Minister Albert, thought France’s reparations would surely be the highest, and Shire would be the hardest to deal with.

Because Germany had no conditions to refuse: either destruction or payment!

The Germans generally believed it would be over 10 billion US Dollars because Germany was worth that much.

No one expected the final result to be just 2 billion US Dollars.

This made the Germans cheer loudly as if they had won a battle, with smiles on everyone’s faces, as people surrounded Eitzberger and walked through the Brandenburg Gate.

The cheers gradually quieted down.

Eitzberger shouted to the public: "Do you know how arrogant the British were in front of us?"

Saying this, he held his head high and mimicked the disdainful voice of the British: "Germans, you must pay reparations of 13 billion US Dollars, and 10 billion US Dollars to the United States. Otherwise, what awaits you is war!"

The German soldiers and civilians below burst into laughter, amused by Eitzberger’s vivid imitation.

Eitzberger resumed his voice and demeanor:

"Do you know how we answered them?"

"I said, then bring it on, British, and Americans."

"We have never feared you on the battlefield, you have never defeated Germany, so don’t expect to get a penny from me!"

The soldiers and civilians below cheered to show support:

"Let the British and Americans go to hell!"

"They are our defeated foes yet hope to gain enormous reparations from us."

"Tell them, if they are willing to pay Germany 10 billion US Dollars, we won’t knock them down!"

...

Eitzberger raised his hand to quiet the soldiers and civilians, his playful demeanor turning to emotion and solemnity.

He spoke very directly: "I met Shire, gentlemen; he is a worthy adversary and also a friend worth befriending."

The soldiers and civilians nodded in agreement, fully understanding.

Eitzberger believed that to make the soldiers and civilians naturally accept Shire’s conditions, they should recognize Shire’s "greatness."

Thus, he spoke "from the heart," listing Shire’s excellent qualities:

"Shire is a very easygoing person; if you meet him, I assure you, you would never believe he is Shire."

"Because he looks just like an ordinary person."

"I mean, he is different from the British and Americans; he has no airs, even though he should!"

The soldiers and civilians nodded.

Yes, Shire is the general who defeated Germany; it would be abnormal for him to lack airs.

Then Eitzberger’s voice turned deep:

"Shire is the most wise person I have ever met."

"Not just military wisdom but also political and intellectual."

"He knows this war’s fault is not ours, unlike others who are blinded by hatred."

The soldiers and civilians nodded, moved.

Yes, most French people want to completely defeat Germany.

If Shire did so, he would undoubtedly gain greater prestige and support.

But he did not; he chose forgiveness.

Eitzberger’s voice turned high-pitched: "Shire is also the most merciful person I have met; he is willing to conditionally provide us with ammunition produced in the Ruhr District because we need ammunition and arms to protect ourselves!"

The soldiers and civilians gasped in astonishment.

This was something they didn’t know; all their attention had been focused on reparations.

Germany indeed needed Ruhr District’s arms; otherwise, they would be hit by those British and American buffoons into paying enormous reparations.

Eitzberger waved his hand and shouted:

"You may not believe it."

"He even agreed that we and France mutually release all prisoners."

"Even though we only have over 300,000 French prisoners while the French have over a million German prisoners!"

The soldiers and civilians simply couldn’t believe their ears.

Exchanging over 300,000 prisoners for over a million, everyone knows that’s unfair.

What’s more, Shire doesn’t need to "exchange"; he could easily use force to "coerce" Germany into releasing prisoners.

Eitzberger recovered his calm:

"Do you know what I thought of?"

"I thought of when we defeated Austria, taking a lenient policy towards Austria."

"At that time, we didn’t demand Austrian territories."

The soldiers and civilians replied loudly: "Yes."

Shire did not either; the Lorraine and Alsace he wanted were originally French territories.

"We did not ask for huge reparations, only that Austria pay a small military fee as compensation."

"Yes." The soldiers and civilians nodded.

Shire did not either; he only demanded 2 billion US Dollars, which is appropriate and within Germany’s ability to pay.

"We preserved Austria’s international status, giving it enough respect."

"Yes." The soldiers and civilians responded loudly.

This is the most important; Shire allowed the German people to live with dignity.

Finally, Eitzberger said: "Now, do you know who to support and who to oppose?"

The square instantly boiled over, with people loudly shouting:

"We support Shire."

"God punish the British and Americans; they are all liars."

"They are despicable war mongers who joined the war for money!"

...

Eitzberger knew very well how to win hearts and minds; he brought two French generals on stage and introduced them to the soldiers and civilians: "Gentlemen, they are Major General Bolezak and Vice Admiral Rufy. Out of trust for Shire, we have decided to immediately release all French prisoners. Including them!"

Eitzberger shook hands with the two French generals: "Congratulations, generals. You have been released. As long as you wish, you can leave Germany and return to France at any time. Of course, we will send vehicles and guards to escort you!"

The two French generals seemed a bit at a loss, not knowing what was happening, bewilderedly watching the German soldiers and civilians below, who were clapping and cheering for them.

Could it be that the war is over?