Chapter 188 Training

Charles easily won the war of public opinion.

After the citizens realized that they were almost exploited by the capitalists, they developed a rebellious mentality and the workers launched a massive strike. They gathered in front of the Schneider headquarters and the Francis Tractor Factory with national flags in their hands to protest and organized marches and demonstrations.

More people expressed their support for Shire with practical actions. They cancelled their orders for Francis's "Holt 120" and insisted on buying Shire's "Holt 75", even though they knew that Shire's tractors were more backward.

There is a popular saying:

"You plan to buy 'Holt 120'? You are free to do so, but if the Shire factory cannot survive because of this, just wait, the price of 'Holt 120' will immediately rise to twice its original price or even more!"

"Charles' factory is the reason why the capitalists cut prices. We can't let this reason be buried by the capitalists!"

"We know the methods of the capitalists. Many of us have been swallowed up by them in this way. Do you want to see the factories in Shire go the same way?"

…

As a result, Charles' "Holt 75" not only did not become unsalable, but it became more and more popular, and was even in short supply.

This surprised Charles a little. In fact, he was well prepared and did not care about the loss of the tractor factory. From the beginning to the end, he bought the tractor factory for tanks. Tractors were just a by-product, and some profits were generated to subsidize the funds for tank research and development.

But it’s fine this way, who doesn’t want to make more money? Especially since Charles is a capitalist.

…

In the 12th arrondissement of Paris, which is adjacent to the 4th arrondissement, there is a police training base near the Bastille Prison. Many police officers go to work here after basic training in firearms, physical fitness, etc.

But on this day, the training base welcomed a group of unusual students. They were not police officers, but soldiers, or officers to be exact.

Most were majors and lieutenant colonels, and there were a few colonels.

They came from 44 divisions on the front line, with two officers, one artilleryman and one infantryman drawn from each division.

On the third floor of the training base building, there is a tiered conference room that can accommodate more than one hundred people. It is used as a classroom for training officers.

Dominic was a little nervous when facing these cadets. Although his military rank was colonel, he had never been on the battlefield as a gun tester.

When Dominic saw these murderous officers with scars on their faces, he was almost frightened by their aura.

Among them was a colonel named Christian, who was a combat hero. Although the First Special Artillery Regiment he led failed to win the Battle of La Fox, this did not affect his reputation in the army at all.

"Hello, gentlemen!" Dominic stood on the podium and introduced himself tremblingly: "My name is Dominic, and I am your chief instructor. In the next week, I will teach you... how to use mortars!"

Colonel Christian glanced at Dominic in confusion and asked politely, "Excuse me, Colonel Dominic, wasn't this training organized by Charles?"

"Yes, of course!" Dominic replied nervously: "But you know, Charles is very busy. He is only responsible for explaining the tactics. As for the use of mortars..."

"Hey, Colonel!" An officer interrupted Dominic, his tone clearly showing disdain: "Have you ever been to the battlefield?"

This statement hit the nail on the head. Everyone could see that this fat and white chief instructor was not from the battlefield. He might even be from an aristocratic or capitalist family, otherwise he would not have been able to obtain such a high military rank.

Dominic hesitated and answered truthfully: "No, I haven't! But I..."

"Then why are you supposed to teach us how to use weapons?" Another officer interrupted Dominic.

Before Dominic could answer, another officer asked: "Do you know the battlefield better than us? Or do you know what we need?"

There was laughter in the classroom. The officers regarded this training as a farce.

At this time, a young man in a major's uniform walked in from outside. He put away his umbrella. Two guards immediately stood outside the door, and a major respectfully took the umbrella from the young man.

The boy glanced around the conference room with sharp eyes and said calmly: "Sorry, I'm late!"

The conference room fell silent instantly.

Most of the officers had never seen Charles and didn't know him... There were photos of Charles published in the newspapers, but only his outline could be vaguely seen, and his face and facial features could not be distinguished at all.

However, the officers still knew that the young man in front of them was Charles.

There is currently no major this young in France. Most of the people of this age are just privates... no, they probably haven't served yet.

Charles was as well-maintained as Dominic. He had also never been to the battlefield, and his military uniform was spotless and looked as good as new, but no one dared to look down on him.

"Nice to meet you!" Charles nodded generously to everyone, turned his head to look at the podium, and the instructor was standing there with an awkward look on his face, not knowing what to do.

Looking at the disdain on the faces of the officers below, Charles seemed to understand something.

"That's right." Charles looked around the entire room and said in a relaxed tone, "First of all, I should emphasize that our training this time is based on the principle of voluntariness. Those who don't want to participate can completely withdraw!"

"Are you telling the truth?" an officer asked.

These officers had just come back from the front line and there was nothing they were afraid to ask.

"Of course!" Ciel nodded with a smile: "I will even give you an explanation, so you don't have to worry about not being able to report to your superiors!"

"Can you show us what kind of gun it is?" Some officers expressed their curiosity. "After seeing that gun, we will probably know whether this training is meaningful!"

These words immediately resonated with the officers.

Ciel nodded to the instructor.

The instructor understood and he quickly went out to greet them. After a while, several instructors came in carrying several parts. They assembled the mortar in no time and placed it on the podium.

After seeing this cannon, the officers talked about it:

"Just a small cannon?"

"I thought it was a better gun than the 75, but it looks like a child's toy."

"It's unimaginable that we have to learn to use this thing."

…

But Colonel Christian's eyes showed caution. He looked at Charles in surprise, feeling a little strange. Charles had never been to the battlefield, so why did he know so much about it? Why know what frontline soldiers need?

Ciel spoke, his tone even expectant: "Now, those who are not needed can withdraw, please!"

Everyone turned their eyes to Colonel Christian.

Colonel Christian shook his head and said firmly: "No, sir. We need this kind of gun!"

Ciel shook his head regretfully, "Damn it, I can't fool you."

"To be honest!" Charles spread his hands. "The production of this kind of artillery is not enough to equip the front-line troops. I really hope that some of you can withdraw, but..."

The officers burst into laughter, and those who had originally planned to withdraw were secretly glad that they did not do such extreme things.

(End of this chapter)