Chapter 220: The popular "Charles A1"

Charles didn't go anywhere that day. He just stayed at home and slept. When he woke up, he read a book. When he was tired, he went back to sleep. He only went downstairs for lunch when Camille called him.

He didn't care about anything and didn't think about anything. He put all the political intrigues, business deceptions, and the open and secret fighting on the battlefield behind him.

Only then did Charles realize that these days, which he had previously considered boring, seemed to be beautiful.

In the evening, when Deyoka came back from the factory and sat at the dining table, he said casually: "Count Spee did not abandon the ship in the end, he deserves respect!"

"Count Spee?" Charles asked. "Scharnhorst?"

"You don't know?" Deyoka was a little surprised. Charles usually knew military affairs first.

The next second Djoka understood that Charles had stayed at home for a day and was almost isolated from the outside world.

"It happened this morning," Deyoka explained. "I'm not sure about the exact time, but the Spey fleet was almost completely wiped out. Only an auxiliary ship and a light cruiser escaped."

There was a hint of regret on Djokovic's face when he said this.

This is a bit strange. The Spee fleet was the enemy and they were defeated by their ally Britain, but Djokovic had this expression.

Charles said "hmm" and said nothing.

This was the problem with naval warfare of the period; it was almost impossible for slow warships to escape, as Lord Spee should have known when he decided to attack the Falklands.

However……

He chose to retreat after failing to hit the target, which seemed a bit hasty.

Even if they had to retreat, they should have left one or two warships at the main positions for cover. Even if they were sunk, they could block the British army's route out of the port, giving the main force a chance to escape.

Otherwise, one ship after another would be sunk by the faster battlecruisers without any suspense.

…

The next day, when Charles returned to Paris to serve as usual, as soon as he walked into the second-floor command post, the staff cheered Charles again:

"Hail to Colonel Charles!"

…

Lieutenant Colonel Fernand saluted Charles respectfully and said half-jokingly, "Colonel, finally I don't have to call you sir!"

As a lieutenant colonel, it was indeed a bit awkward to obey the command of a major and address him by his rank. This problem would not arise if Charles was promoted to colonel.

Charles looked at Gallieni in confusion.

If he was promoted from lieutenant to major by jumping two levels, it was understandable, as he was a low-ranking officer. But if he was promoted from major to colonel by jumping two levels, it was a bit exaggerated.

Pétain did not become a colonel until he was 58, and Charles was only 17 years old.

Gallieni seemed to understand Charles's thoughts. He handed the promotion documents to Charles and said meaningfully, "This is what you deserve, Colonel. You saved more than 30,000 people. I don't think they will have any objections. Besides, this can also be regarded as an early gift of adulthood!"

Charles' heart skipped a beat; he understood what Gallieni meant.

Once Charles reached adulthood, the restriction of "not being able to go to the battlefield" no longer existed. In the French army, even famous figures like Foch had to command in person on the battlefield, and Charles was certainly no exception.

Therefore, Charles was always promoted during this period, not only because of his military achievements, but also because of Gallieni's deliberate intention.

His intentions were obvious, and if Charles had to go to the battlefield one day, the rank of colonel would undoubtedly bring him more resources.

Ciel silently compared his power in the parliament in his mind:

Steed's Republican Party plus Wells's Radical Socialists are still inferior to Schneider's Socialists and the right wing combined, not to mention the dozens of political parties with complex relationships.

It seems that it is too late to make a comeback before adulthood!

"Another good news!" Gallieni nodded to Charles: "How much do you plan to sell your 'Char A1' tank for?"

Charles had already thought of the price, and answered simply: "Thirty thousand francs, General!"

This time Charles learned his lesson. The "Saint-Chamond" tank cost 21,000 francs. The "Charle A1" tank was a tank that could win battles, and it was not excessive at all to sell it at a higher price than the "Saint-Chamond".

In fact, Charles still left Gallieni some room for bargaining, but Gallieni just frowned and said "hmm", and contrary to his usual behavior, he did not bargain.

After thinking for a while, Gallieni asked again: "I want to know if we can fully break through the enemy's defense line if we buy a certain number of 'Charter A1' tanks?"

Charles instantly understood what Gallieni meant.

Although Charles often won on the battle front, the two armies were generally in a stalemate.

Gallieni seems to want to change this situation with the "Charles A1".

But Charles shook his head and replied: "I don't think so, General. The 'Charr A1' tank can still only be used for short-distance breakthroughs. It always has track or other problems. In addition, the enemy may use some simple methods to prevent the tank from moving forward."

"What method?" Gallieni asked doubtfully.

Ciel leaned closer and answered in a low voice, "They just need to make the trench wider."

Gallieni nodded and said "Oh" to show that he understood. This was indeed a "simple method".

Actually, Charles didn't go into detail.

As the saying goes, "The higher the virtue, the higher the evil." If Germany knew how to dig an "anti-tank trench," that is, to dig a trench deeper and wider than an ordinary trench in front of the position and set up barbed wire and mines in it, then the tanks would have been unable to do anything but stare blankly in front of it.

Of course, Charles would not easily express this idea. This would be as stupid as Britain developing torpedo boats when it had the most battleships.

If one day the Germans find this method themselves, Charles will have no choice but to accept his fate.

"Okay!" Gallieni said helplessly, "The military plans to buy 500 of them!"

Charles was shocked by the number. 500 vehicles means 15 million francs, a big business!

But when you think about it, it’s not surprising. In history, this tank sold more than 3,000 units in just one year. Now it’s just the beginning!

Then Gallieni handed Charles a list and said, "In addition, several other countries have also applied to our government. They hope to buy this tank, including the United States. I think you should find time to talk to them!"

"Yes, General!" Charles responded.

He took the list and looked at it, and suddenly understood why Gallieni didn't bargain.

So many countries are vying for it, and the orders are quite large. The United States even hopes to authorize production...which means they want to produce a batch.

If Gallieni continued to bargain at this time, Charles might find an excuse to reduce the supply.

Charles sighed in his heart: It’s different when there are people rushing to buy. Next time, I should try my best to create this kind of shopping atmosphere.

Or, you can find a few collaborators!

(End of this chapter)