Chapter 613 Maintaining the Status Quo

After Charles's First Armored Corps captured Hasselt, it handed it over to the Belgian First Special Reconnaissance Corps for garrison.

In some ways, the Belgian army was more suitable for garrisoning Hasselt.

It is a Belgian city where Albert I can easily raise a militia. Under his unified command, the regular army and militia can unite as one to resist foreign invasion and exert combat effectiveness several times greater than usual.

The freed 1st Armored Army continued to advance and reached the Belgian-Dutch border a few hours later.

Seeing the French army gathering at the border, the Dutch soldiers treated it as a serious enemy and immediately dispatched troops to organize defense in the trenches with rifles.

Tijani and a group of French soldiers looked at the Dutch defense line and soldiers in front of them in bewilderment.

Their fortifications consisted of simple barbed wire, no anti-tank trenches or fortresses, and the trenches were not widened. After half an hour, only one infantry regiment was dispatched.

The French army opposite them had tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and occasionally a dozen fighter jets flew through the air for coordination.

Tijani could even imagine the desperate eyes of the Dutch soldiers. They must have been clutching the cross around their necks, shivering and praying that they would not become enemies of France.

Otherwise, this iron army would crush them underfoot like a stink bug.

(The above two pictures are of the Dutch army during World War I. Although the Netherlands was neutral during World War I, it was surrounded by several major powers and therefore actively expanded its army. One of its characteristics was that it was equipped with a large number of dog-pulled machine guns)

Tijani put away the telescope, turned around and walked to Charles who was hiding in the cab of the reconnaissance vehicle and eating bread, and said with disdain: "General, they want to use an infantry regiment to stop our armored corps."

Charles chewed the frozen bread with difficulty and answered:

"You should understand them, Major General."

"Although they claim to be 'ready to defend the country', this preparation is seriously out of touch with the times."

"At the same time, their border is very long and they cannot prepare sufficient troops in every direction."

Tijani nodded. He was used to facing the Germans, and suddenly he felt a little uncomfortable seeing the Dutch fortifications and military strength.

"Organize defense," said Charles.

"Organize defense." Tijani passed on Charles' order.

This is not an easy job in windy and snowy days. Sometimes the soldiers even have to build a fire to melt the frozen soil before they can dig it up.

But Charles was not in a hurry. His purpose was not to defend here, but to show his military appearance and formation to the Queen of the Netherlands.

…

In Amsterdam, Queen Wilhelmina, in a dilemma, paced anxiously in her office.

She had left the ambassadors of two countries aside, or to be exact, the ambassadors of three countries. After the French ambassador, the British ambassador also came.

But the British ambassador had discussed this with the French ambassador, so they could be considered to have a common position.

Germany, or Britain and France?

Queen Wilhelmina urgently summoned Lieutenant General Thomas, who was the backbone of the Dutch army and had participated in many wars against colonies. The Queen believed that he was the one who truly knew the interests involved.

Soon, Lieutenant General Thomas hurried into the Queen's office.

Before the lieutenant general could salute, the queen stepped forward and asked, "You already know the current situation, General, what do you think we should do?"

"Your Majesty." Lieutenant General Thomas answered straightforwardly:

"I hope you understand that Charles' First Armored Army once marched dozens of kilometers in one day to capture Antwerp, surrounded more than 100,000 German troops and forced them to surrender."

"Now we have rushed to Hasselt in one day and surrounded more than 200,000 German troops."

"And his military strength is no more than 20,000 people, and it remains the same until now."

The Queen, who knew little about military affairs, looked at Lieutenant General Thomas in shock: "You mean, more than 20,000 people surrounded more than 200,000 German troops? How did he do it?"

"Tanks, Your Majesty," Lieutenant General Thomas replied helplessly, "This new equipment can destroy all strong fortifications and cross trenches. All obstacles are vulnerable to it."

Then Lieutenant General Thomas added:

"The Germans can probably be ignored. They are fighting on several fronts and are short of manpower. They will not go to war with the Netherlands unless it is absolutely necessary."

"The British may also be ignored. They sent warships. Land occupation ultimately requires an army, and the British army was trapped in the Somme River and suffered heavy casualties."

"But the First Armoured Corps of Ciel..."

Lieutenant General Thomas swallowed his saliva and said with difficulty: "For this army to destroy the Netherlands, it will be as easy as playing a game. They won't even suffer many casualties, and it won't take a few days."

The queen's face was ashen and she nodded slightly to show that she understood.

But even so, the Queen still did not dare to make a decision easily.

She was worried that if she sided with Britain and France, the German army would start a war for the more than 200,000 trapped troops.

…

On the Belgian-Dutch border, in an unfinished trench, soldiers were building trenches with engineer shovels while Tijani and Charles were sitting around a fire.

"Do you think the queen will stand on our side?" Tijani skewered bread on a branch and roasted it over the flames. He wanted to eat something hot.

"Yes." Charles stared at the slightly burnt bread and suddenly felt hungry again.

"Why?" Tijani carefully turned the branches so that the bread would be heated evenly. "I mean, how can you be sure of this?"

"Want to know?" Charles asked.

"Yes."

"Then bring something in exchange."

Tijani was startled, and then he noticed that Charles was staring at the toast. He suddenly laughed and said, "No problem, General. I'm happy to serve you."

He handed the branch to Charles: "It's yours."

This guy actually sold his dignity for a piece of toast.

Charles took it and couldn't wait to tear off the charred skin. The fragrance filled the air instantly.

Regardless of the fact that the bread was still hot, he leaned in and took a bite. The taste was indeed much better than cold bread. Not only did it fill his stomach, but it also made his body feel warm.

"Because I gave the Queen a plan." Charles answered vaguely: "A plan that can continue to maintain neutrality."

"What?" Tijani didn't quite believe it.

He thought that in this situation the Netherlands could only choose sides, either with the Allies or the Central Powers, there was no other option.

However, Charles has a way to keep the Netherlands in its current state?

…

In Amsterdam, the French ambassador gave the queen a suggestion: "Your Majesty, if the Germans dare to violate the neutrality of the Netherlands, then it is reasonable for you to agree that the British and French troops will pass through the Netherlands. No one will think there is anything wrong with this."

The Queen's eyes lit up. That's right. In this way, Charles' troops could bypass the Liege fortress and directly attack the German mainland!

(End of this chapter)