Chapter 168 Is This Really a Wise Choice?

The 19th arrondissement of Paris is synonymous with "poverty" and "chaos" in people's eyes.

The sky here is always gloomy, and smoke gathers from nowhere all year round. The air is filled with unknown strange smells. The only thing to be thankful for is that they keep changing, and sometimes they are fragrant, allowing people living here to deeply experience what "multi-flavor life" is.

The ringing of church bells, the sound of rain, and the noise of the market downstairs spread into Kobdo's messy single room. He was awakened by the noise, turned over and got up to glance at the clock hanging on the wall. It was ten o'clock in the morning.

After a moment's pause, he remembered that he had already resigned, and lay back heavily on the bed.

At this time of year, he should be somewhere running around chasing hot spots, but now all he can do is wait for the call.

There was a knock on the door. Kobdo tilted his head and immediately decided to pretend to go out and keep silent. He guessed that it was Mrs. Chloe who came to collect the rent.

Mrs. Chloe knocked on the door for a while and got no response, so she shouted outside the door: "I know you are in there, Kobudo, if you don't pay the rent, I will have to ask you to move out!"

After a pause, Mrs. Chloe emphasized again: "I'll give you three days."

Kobdo closed his eyes weakly and covered his head with the quilt.

As a journalist, perhaps he should not be so destitute. After all, journalists have a basic salary of 25 francs, and if their articles are accepted, there are additional rewards. If he is lucky, he can get 45 francs a month, which is already quite considerable.

However, living in this place full of exhaust gas and sewage comes at a price. His eight-year-old child developed asthma and needs long-term medication and treatment. In order to avoid the bad air, he had to let his wife and children hide back in the countryside.

Therefore, all the burdens fell on Kobdo alone.

Living expenses, medical expenses, rent, electricity bills... every month they come to him like a nightmare.

But he resigned!

Is this really a wise choice, or is it an impulsive move that will drag their family into the abyss?

The phone rang. Kobdo suddenly pulled back the quilt. After confirming the ringtone, he jumped up as if he was pricked by a needle and rushed to the phone.

He was about to pick up the phone but quickly retracted his hand, wiped his face nervously to make himself more awake, and then carefully answered the phone.

Disappointment immediately appeared on his face. It was still Mrs. Chloe who "harassed" him in a more effective way.

After hanging up the phone, Kobdo sat there in a daze for a while, then suddenly lowered his head and burst into tears.

He has endured too much helplessness and has persisted too much, but nothing has gotten better and instead has gotten worse. What should he do?

The phone rang again, and Kobdo impatiently grabbed the phone and shouted: "I know, Mrs. Chloe, you win, I will move out tomorrow..."

"What do you mean by moving out?" A clear and slightly childish male voice came from the other end of the line.

Kobdo's eyes lit up instantly: "Mr. Charles?"

After a moment of surprise, Kobdo immediately changed his tone: "No, no, I'm very sorry, Mr. Charles, I thought... it was someone else. No, it's not important..."

"A question, Mr. Kobdo." Charles didn't mind, he said: "Last time regarding your suggestion, it seems that something unexpected happened!"

Kobdo's heart sank again. Although he still held the microphone in his hand, his head was so heavy that he needed to support it with his hands.

"I think what we want to publish is not an ordinary newspaper!" Charles's calm voice came from the microphone: "We want to publish a military newspaper. I wonder if you are interested."

Kobdo raised his head suddenly, his eyes regained vitality, and he answered excitedly: "Of course...Mr. Charles, are you sure? Are you sure you want to publish a military newspaper?"

As a military columnist, Kobdo certainly understands the significance of the military newspaper. Its status is unique, especially in this war period.

The reason why France still has no military newspaper is that small and medium-sized capitalists do not have sufficient financial resources and qualifications, while qualified big capitalists do not think it is necessary as they can control the army through parliament and equipment.

Charles has financial resources, a military background, popularity and prestige. He also has great influence in the army, so there is great potential for him to run a military newspaper!

"Of course!" Charles on the other end of the phone gave a positive answer: "But there is another question. If it is a military newspaper, we may send you a conscription order. If you have any objection to this..."

"No, no, Mr. Charles!" Kobdo agreed immediately: "I have no objection, I feel honored!"

This is the truth. Kobdo knows very well that if he does not accept it, sooner or later he will receive a conscription order and go to the battlefield as an ordinary infantryman carrying a rifle.

If you accept, you will receive a completely different treatment. Only a fool would refuse!

As expected, Charles continued, "If that's the case, then there will be no problem! You will be responsible for this matter. You will become a second lieutenant and receive a 60-franc allowance. In addition, I will pay you 40 francs per month as the editor-in-chief's salary. There will be additional rewards if the article is accepted. If there is no problem, you can report to the city defense headquarters tomorrow..."

"I'll report in this afternoon, sir!" Kobdo's eyes widened: "Is that ok?"

"Of course, sir!" replied Charles. "We are in a hurry. The sooner the better!"

After hanging up the phone, Kovdo jumped up excitedly. He twisted his body nervously to vent his anger, then picked up the phone again:

"Mobiwick, please, Mr. Gratton, yes, thank you!"

"Mr. Gratton, could you please call Elisa for me? Thank you very much!"

Graton is the town's doctor. He is one of the few people in Mobywick who has a telephone. He is helpful and lives nearby, so Kobdo always contacts his wife through him when he has urgent matters.

After a while, the worried voice of his wife came from the other end of the phone: "It's me, Kobdo, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Elisa!" Kobdo said excitedly, "Do you know Charles?"

"Yes, I have heard a great deal about him; he is a hero of France."

"Do you believe it?" Kobdo's voice trembled: "I'm going to work for him!"

"Really? That's great! Are you going to be his reporter?"

“No, no!” Kobdo’s eyes were red with excitement: “Yes, the editor-in-chief, Elisa, I am the editor-in-chief of Shire!”

"Editor-in-chief? What's that?"

"Head of the newspaper!" Kobdo explained: "I will have many reporters under me. I will be responsible for everything. I will get a basic salary of 100 francs..."

"100 francs!" Elisa exclaimed from the other end of the line: "Did I hear it right? Is it every month?"

"Of course!" Kobdo nodded excitedly: "You heard it right, everything will be fine, Elisa! I will take you to Paris soon, we should... find a place in District 15, Jeremy will be fine!"

There was suddenly no sound from the other end of the phone, only a faint sobbing could be heard, and Kobdo couldn't help but feel a sore nose.

Thanks: Du Nai Lai Le, book friend 20220807084628363’s reward, thank you very much!

(End of this chapter)