Chapter 554: Don’t you want to make some demands on yourselves?

The bearded man actually dug a trap for Charles to fall into.

Among the grassroots soldiers and civilians, many have deep-rooted hatred and vigilance against capitalists. They have been exploited by capitalists since they were old enough to understand, and continue to do so until now.

The ice is three feet thick, and it didn't freeze overnight. Having been deeply bullied, they don't believe that there are good people among the capitalists, and even Charles is no exception.

They believed that everything Charles did was fake and purposeful, and that he was using commoners to gain power:

“Those money and materials are just a drop in the bucket for capitalists, but they can win people’s support for them.”

"Char is indeed able to win and develop equipment, but this also brings him huge rewards."

"All of this is to pave the way for his promotion. Charles is the smartest one. He knows how to control the people's hearts!"

…

There are many people who hold this idea.

Bearded Man is one of them, and he is convinced that Charles has ulterior motives.

For example, this time, Charles hoped to replace Nivelle as the commander-in-chief of the French and Allied forces.

The bearded man had made up his mind that if Charles accepted the invitation from the "Commander-in-Chief", his inner thoughts would be exposed.

From this we can infer that Charles is no different from other capitalists, he just hides himself more deeply.

Then, this mutiny should not have ended, otherwise many people would have been "liquidated" afterwards. This concerns their lives and honor, so they must think twice before acting.

(Note: In history, more than 20,000 people were finally liquidated in this mutiny, and most of the leading representatives were shot)

Unexpectedly, Charles refused without hesitation: "No, I don't think I should be the commander-in-chief."

The bearded man was stunned. He didn't expect Charles to refuse, let alone refuse so straightforwardly and firmly.

The other soldiers did not have the same scheming as the bearded man. They asked anxiously, with disappointment in their voices:

"Why?"

"Is it the parliament that disagrees?"

"We can get you that, General!"

…

"No, gentlemen," Charles replied, "you do not understand the position of commander-in-chief, which requires accountability to Parliament and even to the British people."

The soldiers were stunned. Some of them nodded, not quite understanding what was going on, and whispered:

"Yes, if Ciel becomes the commander-in-chief, he will face the orders of the Council directly."

"And the British, the British will still use supplies to put pressure on the commander-in-chief."

"Then Charles will have no freedom and room to maneuver, unlike now when he can seize the opportunity to attack the enemy's weak points."

"That makes sense. Once he becomes the commander-in-chief, Charles will need to report everything to the parliament, and the parliament will send the plans to the Germans."

…

Ever since the incident of Grevi collaborating with the enemy was exposed, everyone knows that the parliament is full of good and bad people and cannot keep secrets.

This is one of the reasons why Parliament is under lockdown at this time.

Martial law was not imposed by Charles, but was proposed by Charles and implemented with the approval of Parliament.

The parliamentarians knew that they had leaked information everywhere, and the large-scale mutiny of the front-line troops was a serious matter. Once the Germans found out, France would be finished.

Therefore, considering the overall situation, the members voted to pass the proposal to impose martial law:

All members of parliament are not allowed to leave the Bourbon Palace and have no contact with outsiders.

The blockade was enforced by the guards of War Minister Gallieni.

Order Charles to go to the Somme River to negotiate with the mutinous soldiers. Parliament must not lift martial law until the mutiny is resolved!

…

Charles added:

"Also, have you ever considered that if I rely on your support to become the commander-in-chief, the parliament will regard me as an enemy."

"Because today I can use you to force the parliament to become the commander-in-chief, and tomorrow I can also use you to force the parliament to pass other proposals."

"What do you think this is?"

The soldiers looked at each other.

They only knew to support Charles, but they didn't expect that they would unknowingly embark on the path of the dictator they had always opposed.

"I won't do that." Charles reiterated: "Although the parliament has made many wrong decisions, I think this is the embodiment of freedom and justice in France. We should protect this system instead of challenging it. What do you think?"

This is nonsense. Charles knows what parliament is like. It is nothing more than the result of a struggle for interests among capitalists.

The problem is that the French people have generally accepted the parliamentary system under the long-term propaganda of capitalists, and Charles can only say things that meet their psychological expectations.

Otherwise, even if Charles's reputation is unmatched, he may be abandoned like Boulanger.

This is dangerous, and Parliament is very good at using this to take the moral high ground.

Charles' words immediately received widespread support from the soldiers:

"He was a respectable general who had the conditions to become a dictator but didn't do it."

"Yes, he gave it up on his own initiative. He gave up power, status, and immeasurable benefits!"

"This is the French spirit. He is the commander we really need and our hope!"

…

The bearded man was stunned. He had thought of many answers, and even thought that Charles would refuse hypocritically, but he never expected Charles to answer like this.

Charles' words almost sealed his own retreat, because becoming the commander-in-chief with the support of the soldiers meant dictatorship.

This completely overturned the bearded man's previous positioning of Charles.

Charles may indeed be a pure capitalist and general who fights for the interests of France and its citizens.

"Any other questions?" Charles spread his hands around and finally locked his eyes on the bearded man.

"No, General," the bearded man replied, "at least I don't have any."

"Are you sure?" Charles stared at the bearded man, then glanced at Captain Jeremy and the other representatives: "Don't you want to make some demands for yourselves?"

The bearded man and Captain Jeremy looked at each other and shook their heads slightly.

"No, General," Captain Jérémie replied.

"Thank you very much, General." There was sincerity in the bearded man's eyes, and he completely believed everything Charles said.

Charles' words may seem simple on the surface, but they are profound and heavy.

Don't you have any demands for yourself?

Another meaning of this is: you are likely to be liquidated afterwards, and you should consider how to protect yourself!

No one would say such a thing, except Charles.

Any officer who came to negotiate would tell them solemnly: "You will not be liquidated, we will forget all this, as long as you reorganize the troops now."

Only Charles not only did not say these words, but reminded them instead.

So, he was on the side of the soldiers, for sure!

"Okay!" Charles nodded to several representatives: "You are true warriors, warriors who dare to face life and death. I will do my best to protect you!"

The bearded man collapsed instantly, looking at Charles speechlessly with red eyes.

I have actually been doubting Ciel all along? !

(End of this chapter)