Chapter 587 Hand over Ciel

At the Jean-Blu headquarters, artillery fire roared from the front line and staff officers ran back and forth in the office, passing information in and out.

This is an unpeaceful Christmas Eve.

It's not because the war with the German army is so fierce, but because the "battle" between Charles and the Parliament has not yet settled, and both sides dare not take it lightly.

Charles was fine. The reason why he hadn't rested until the second half of the night was because he had just taken back the command and had a lot of things to deal with.

Gan Molin was different. He had nothing to do but didn't dare to leave. He could only stare at the almost blank desk.

In order to hide his embarrassment, he could only brew coffee one cup after another and drink it quietly.

Gamlin didn't understand why he lost to Charles. He took advantage of Charles's vacation to arrive at the army a few days in advance and launched a series of deployments. He arrested those who should be arrested and detained those who should be detained. All the important positions were controlled by his confidants.

He originally thought that even if Charles had extraordinary abilities, he would be unable to turn the situation around. Unexpectedly, in just two days, the command was smoothly and naturally transferred to Charles' hands.

What was even more unacceptable to Gamelin was that the people who transferred the command to Charles were his subordinates he brought from Paris, who he considered to be trustworthy confidants and who he intended to use to control the 6th Army!

These traitors, shameless bastards, Gan Molin cursed in his heart.

Then Gan Molin turned to look at Wei Gang who was standing beside him. He was one of the few staff officers who insisted on standing on his side.

Yes, he is Foch's man and will never and should not stand with Charles at any time.

"Where are the British?" Gamlin asked weakly.

"General." Wei Gang answered with difficulty: "The British..."

Seeing Wei Gang's hesitation, Gan Molin felt a little strange. Could it be that the British troops were also in trouble? That was his only hope.

Although Charles said that the British were used to take the blame, Gamelin believed that the British, who controlled the supplies, had a certain say.

"What's going on?" asked Gan Molin.

Wei Gang stepped forward and answered courageously: "General, the railway from Brussels to Gembloux was blown up by the German guerrillas, and the road collapsed due to the rainy season, so..."

"So the British can't make it?" Gamelin asked back.

"No, General," Weygand replied, "They have arrived, but only one regiment. It may take several days for the others to arrive..."

Gan Molin was speechless for a moment.

What role can a regiment play? Two or three thousand people are not enough to fill the gaps in the 6th Army's teeth.

The main force would take several days to arrive, by which time the Sixth Army would have been completely subdued by Charles.

Then Gan Molin realized that this was not normal.

The Germans happened to blew up the railroad tracks at this moment, and they accurately blew up the British railroad tracks leading to Gembloux!

Is it Charles again?

Gamelin glanced at Charles, who was busy signing documents and discussing with his staff a few meters away.

Damn guy, he is young but has such amazing strength!

…

This was actually Gamelin's guess, it had nothing to do with Charles.

It was not an accident, nor were they German partisans, but Belgian partisans.

At this time, Albert I's troops were rushing to Gembloux by train in batches.

Two divisions of regular troops plus militia, totaling 60,000 people, controlled all traffic leading to Gembloux outside the town, including mountain roads.

As soon as there was any unusual movement of the British and French troops in other directions, Albert I would be the first to receive the news.

As a result, the British railway and road to Gembloux were cut off, and only one regiment of British troops stationed nearby arrived on foot.

But as soon as this British regiment arrived, it was surrounded by Belgian troops and was almost disarmed.

…

At the Sixth Army Headquarters, the church bells told everyone that it was four o'clock in the morning.

Charles has been busy signing various orders.

There were troubles when the command was just taken back. Almost all orders at the regimental level and above in the entire army group needed Charles' confirmation. Matters that could usually be decided at the brigade or division level were all sent to Charles, the commander of the army group.

So I signed documents until my hands were tired and granted authorizations until my mouth was numb.

But it is worth it, as it is better than the power returning to the hands of the "middle" officers and eventually being concentrated in Ganmolin.

At this time, a staff officer stood in front of Charles and reported: "General, Albert I with the Belgian army blockaded Gembloux, and he sent people to shout at us to hand you over."

"Hand me over?" Charles stopped what he was doing and looked up at the staff officer in confusion: "What do you mean?"

"I, I don't know either." The staff officer also looked confused.

The next second Charles understood that Albert I must have thought that he was under house arrest and under control, so he brought troops to rescue him.

Charles couldn't help but laugh. At least this guy had some conscience.

"Put the phone through to Albert I and tell him I want to speak to him."

"Yes, General." The staff officer responded and immediately went to arrange it.

Less than ten minutes later, the phone rang. The staff officer answered the phone, confirmed his identity, and handed the microphone to Charles: "General, His Majesty Albert I."

Charles threw away his pen, picked up the phone and said "Hello".

"General, are you okay?" Albert I's nervous voice came from the microphone.

"Nothing." Charles replied: "How many people did you bring?"

"A total of 60,000." Albert I replied: "Don't worry, the British have been blocked on the road by me and can't move. They won't arrive in a few days."

Charles was speechless for a moment.

If the British can't come, who will take the blame?

If Parliament can't find a way out, things will drag on, Your Majesty!

Fortunately, Albert I added: "But Lieutenant General Avis is coming with his elite cavalry division, and I can't find an excuse to stop them."

The advantage of cavalry is their strong off-road capabilities. If a road is blocked and cars may not be able to pass, cavalry can easily take a detour.

"Don't stop them." Charles said quickly, "Let them come."

"Are you sure?" Albert I asked, his voice a little strange.

He was actually making a double entendre, and his real intention was to ask whether Charles was free.

"Don't worry," Charles replied, "The Sixth Army is under my control."

Albert I felt that Charles' tone was relaxed and he didn't sound like he was being coerced, so he felt relieved.

As expected of Ciel, he was able to regain command on his own without any external help.

After hanging up the phone, Charles stood up, walked to Gamelin, and said, "General, this may be good news for you: Lieutenant General Ives's cavalry division will arrive in about an hour."

Gan Molin was delighted, it finally came.

"So." Gan Molin said with a hint of pride: "Are you ready to welcome him?"

Charles looked at Gamelin in disbelief. Could it be that this guy still had hope in the British?

(End of this chapter)