Chapter 185 Capitalist Methods

The updated fourth chapter will be uploaded soon. Thanks to loloipp for the reward!

…

Winter is approaching, the weather is getting colder and colder with continuous rain.

Charles had to change into a thick infantry coat before going home.

The French army was very particular about their uniforms. They issued two pairs of socks every month, plus additional pairs when promoted to higher ranks. Charles simply didn't have enough socks to wear.

However, Ciel thinks this is because the war has just begun.

A year or two later, when the war consumed a large amount of France's supplies, the French Army Recruiting Office even required recruits to bring their own boots.

The reason was that there was a serious shortage of boots on the front lines. The soldiers on the front lines could only take off the boots from the dead, so that they would not have to wear civilian canvas shoes to step into muddy trenches or cross the enemy's barbed wire.

This time, when Camille saw Charles, he noticed two extra golden stripes on his cuffs.

Since Charles joined the army, she has learned a lot of military knowledge from Deyoka, including military ranks.

"What's this?" Camille quickly came forward and grabbed Charles' hand, looking up and asked, "Does this mean that you are now a major?"

"Yes, mother!" Charles turned around and waved goodbye to Major Laurent, patted the raindrops on the infantry coat, and comforted her as he walked towards the door: "Don't worry, this is the credit of the Battle of La Faux!"

Camille's face instantly lit up with a smile: "Yes, I've heard about that battle. Joffre attacked more than a dozen times without making any progress, but you only launched one attack for more than an hour and made the enemy surrender!"

Charles looked at Djokovic in confusion. He remembered that Joffre only attacked four times.

Djoka spread his hands helplessly: "Everyone in Darwaz thinks so, and your mother also firmly believes it."

Then Dejoka added: "They say that the four attacks written in the newspapers were large-scale attacks involving tanks, and that there were many more attacks that were not actually counted."

Well, there is nothing wrong with this calculation. If you include exploratory attacks and reconnaissance, there may be more than a dozen times.

Charles spoke up for Joffre in his heart: I'm sorry, Commander-in-Chief, I can't help you!

Breakfast was freshly baked pizza. When Camille brought it to the table, he said, "The weather is cold and we need more calories. Pizza will warm us up!"

Charles had no objection to this, except for the word "change".

Bread with sausage or apple crisp, replaced by pizza... Charles had to think carefully about the difference between them.

"Francis' tractor is now on sale." Deyoka looked at Charles cautiously and said carefully, "The price is the same as our 'Holt 75', both are 1,200 francs. In addition, the price he sells to the military is the same as that to the civilians, which is half the price of ours!"

Charles hummed, he knew this.

This is Schneider's method, especially the price sold to the military, which will squeeze Charles' tractors out of the arms market.

At the same time, Charles also knew that Schneider and the right wing took this opportunity to spread unfavorable remarks against Charles in the media.

Le Figaro, Le Matin, Le Petit Paris, and several unknown newspapers carried a headline on their front pages: "Charles makes war profits with tractors, selling the outdated Holt 75 to the military at double the price of a Holt 120."

Those who understand the reasons behind this will of course know that this is not true.

Before Charles, capitalists had been selling supplies to the military at four or five times or even higher prices. Charles was considered a conscientious person among them.

But citizens don't know this, they will simply compare and conclude that the "Holt 75" of Charles is indeed more expensive than the "Holt 120", which is unreasonable, it is sucking blood, it is a loss of our tax money...

This is the method used by capitalists. They can use the media and the resources in their hands to "quote things out of context", easily discrediting what is white and whitewashing what is black.

And the citizens are nothing but objects of their deception.

Djokovic didn't want to bring this bad news to Camille and Charles, so he acted cautiously.

Ciel calmly replied, "I know what happened, Father!"

Deyoka turned his head and glanced at the kitchen behind him, then turned back and lowered his voice: "One day, the news will reach your mother. Everyone in the town knows it, they just didn't say it..."

"Yeah!" Charles nodded.

"What are you going to do?" Djokovic said anxiously, "I think you should issue a statement to explain this matter. You also have the Meritorious Service Newspaper in your hands. It's time for you to fight back..."

"It's no use, father!" Charles interrupted Dejoka: "The price is there, we do sell it for more!"

"So..." Djoka looked at Charles in confusion: "You plan to do nothing?"

Charles didn't answer.

Of course, Charles would not do nothing. He knew that his greatest advantage was the support of the military and civilians. If he allowed the capitalists to destroy his image among the citizens, then Charles would just be an ordinary capitalist.

"I'll take care of it!" Charles answered while eating pizza. This matter was not urgent and was not suitable to be solved by the "Meritorious Newspaper".

"Okay!" Deyoka was a little helpless. He could only change the subject: "Matthew's track has already produced a prototype, and Colonel Estiny has also drawn the blueprints of the new tank. They want to hear your opinion."

"I'm not going to the factory today." Charles said calmly, "They should be more confident, or learn from their failures."

Then Charles added, "By the way, let Matthew prepare to study with Eric."

"Further study?" Djoka looked at Charles in confusion: "But Eric runs an aircraft manufacturing plant..."

"There are also the automotive technicians who were just signed." Charles explained, "They are responsible for developing engines. I think Matthew will be interested in this."

Djokovic nodded. He seemed to understand Charles' plan:

The automotive technician developed engines for use in aircraft, and Matthew returned from his studies to upgrade tank and tractor engines, then…

Dejoka nodded slightly. This is why Charles is in a hurry to sign the car technician. The dilemma of "Holt 75" is likely to be solved in the near future.

"So, where are you going today?" Djokovic asked Charles.

Charles looked up at Djoka: "It's not me, it's us. I made an appointment with Steed to meet at the hotel!"

Djoka was stunned. Charles made an appointment with Steed?

In Djoka's impression, it was difficult to meet a big capitalist like Steed, but Charles casually made an appointment with him and asked him to wait there!

This made it difficult for Djoka to adapt for a while, as Charles had grown to the point where he could stand on equal footing with Steed.

(End of this chapter)