Chapter 152 Command

Having Charles use Saint Chamon to fight is a trick that kills two birds with one stone:

If Charles wins, it will prove that the problem is not with the Saint-Chamond tank but with the people who use it.

If Charles loses, the myth of Charles' invincibility will collapse.

Gallieni certainly knew what James was thinking. He answered slowly, without a trace of sarcasm in his tone, and even seriously and respectfully: "Sir, please believe me: if the Saint-Chamond can drive to the enemy's trenches to provide the necessary cover for our soldiers, I will definitely suggest Charles to do so!"

Laughter broke out in the conference room again, and James sat back with a red face.

Gallieni’s meaning was very clear. If they could not reach the trenches to face the enemy, it would be equivalent to having no equipment at all. Whether Charles could win the battle had nothing to do with “Saint-Chamond”!

Other congressmen asked Gallieni questions one after another, but Gallieni remained calm and responded one by one with sharp words.

Gallieni was confident, the fact was that CA-1 and Saint-Chamond had been defeated, and Joffre had attempted four attacks so far, not only to no avail but also with the loss of more than 200 tanks and more than 5,000 soldiers.

These are the bloody prices paid. If we want to end this tragedy, we must let Charles take his tank!

Right-wingers such as Grevi and Armand sat quietly in the audience the whole time, and only a few MPs asked some irrelevant questions.

This is somewhat abnormal, as the CA-1 tank was developed with their support, and whether Charles goes into battle is directly related to the interests of the right wing.

However, they showed no reaction, which was uncharacteristic of them, as if all this had nothing to do with them.

Grevy had a smile on his face from beginning to end. He didn't even look at Gallieni on the stage, but only occasionally glanced at the parliamentarians in the meeting hall.

These fools, they don't know that they can't stop Ciel from fighting this battle, which is everyone's wish.

If they succeed in using their power to stop Charles and his tanks, tomorrow the House of Representatives will be surrounded by angry crowds and even a massive strike wave, with people shouting:

"We know that Ciel can achieve victory, so why not let him lead?"

"Our tanks have failed, but Charles' tanks are waiting. Why not send his tanks to the battlefield and give it a try?"

"We need Charles. You capitalists are preventing France from winning for your own benefit! You are sinners and vampires!"

…

This is common sense. If you have lost a battle and have tried many times but still cannot turn the situation around, then you should replace someone, especially if that person is Charles.

If it doesn't change, even a fool will understand what's going on, and no amount of media brainwashing will work.

Grevi would not do such a stupid thing. He only thought:

"If Charles and his tanks were defeated on the battlefield and were unable to break through the German defenses, there would be no problem with the CA-1, right?"

Grevy glanced at James, who was talking in a low voice with the congressman beside him with a worried look on his face, and murmured, "You should thank me, idiot!"

…

Things developed just as Grevy had expected. The House of Representatives failed to stop Gallieni, who successfully took over command of the La Faux battlefield.

When the news spread, all of France was in an uproar, and people poured into the streets and cheered loudly, as if they had won a victory by retaking La Faux.

A large group of people gathered in front of the city defense commander's office, shouting loudly:

"Long live France!"

"We support you, Charles!"

"We fight with you, and you will win!"

…

Then people organized themselves spontaneously. Some joined as volunteers to transport ammunition for Charles' troops, rescue the wounded, etc. Many people also initiated fundraising to provide additional supplies and bonuses for Charles' troops.

They all declared to the outside world: only the troops commanded by Charles are eligible, because only Charles' troops can win, and we are willing to pay for Charles' troops!

The news soon spread to the small town of Davoise, and the people in the town were also excited. Neighbors gathered at the door of Deyoka's house and shouted excitedly to Camille:

"Madame Bernard, they've sent Charles to recapture La Forx!"

"Charles is our pride, I'm so happy for him!"

"He will definitely succeed, we believe in him!"

…

Camille was frightened to death. She hurried out of the room where she was preparing dinner and asked, "They...they sent Charles to the battlefield again?"

Neighbors hurried to explain:

"No, no, send his tanks, Mrs. Bernard!"

"Don't worry, Charles is still commanding in Paris, just as he was at the Battle of Ypres."

"They won't really send Ciel to the battlefield. After all, the little guy might not even know how to use a pistol!"

The neighbors laughed.

But someone immediately added: "But that didn't stop him from defeating thousands of Germans!"

The neighbors nodded in agreement.

Camille felt relieved after hearing these words, but she still hoped that Charles could come back sooner. Only when he was at home could Camille feel truly at ease.

"If possible, they should let Charles command from home!" Camille muttered to himself: "It won't make any difference anyway!"

…

At the city defense headquarters, Gallieni officially took over the command of Lafoux after a phone call with Joffre.

He walked to the desk and said to Charles, who was looking at the map thoughtfully, "Are you ready? Its area is only one-tenth of Ypres, and its total force is only seven or eight thousand. It shouldn't be a difficult task for you, right?"

This was the first time Charles had heard of a battle being rated this way, and he replied, "General, you should ask the French commander-in-chief about this and see how he responds!"

Gallieni chuckled: "He is already very dissatisfied with me. I know that without asking!"

There is no doubt about this. No one can stand the humiliation of being proven mediocre and incompetent time and time again but still being given the title of "hero" or "commander-in-chief".

"That's right!" Charles went to his desk and took a document. He handed it to Gallieni and said, "Your signature is required, General!"

"What is this?" Gallieni took the document, took his glasses from the table and put them on.

"Grenade!" Charles replied, "I told you before, I produced it!"

"So fast?" Gallieni tilted his head, a little surprised.

From the factory to the workers to the start of production, it would take at least a month, right? But Charles produced it in just a few days!

"In fact!" Charles explained, "I signed a cooperation agreement with the Saint-Etienne Arsenal, and this is our joint production!"

Gallieni said "Oh" and understood. No wonder Steed stood on his side during the House of Representatives' questioning.

It’s all for profit!

(End of this chapter)