Chapter 671 You are on the road to victory

Wartime rationing passed smoothly through Parliament.

This matter was handled by the reserve army led by Gallieni.

Under the rationing system, Gallieni restricted unnecessary entertainment and luxury consumption. For example, cinemas were changed to open three days a week, Paris museums were closed, and natural gas, electricity and coal were supplied to the entire population on a regular basis and in fixed quantities.

At the same time, the prices of tobacco and alcohol were greatly increased, except for supplies to the troops.

This is aimed at the capitalists and wealthy classes who enjoy themselves in the rear.

In addition, bread and food were distributed free of charge to civilians on a per capita basis, and food supplies were sold at a fair price according to prescribed quotas.

This is to ensure the survival of civilians, and the rationing makes it impossible for capitalists to let the poor purchase supplies. Once the poor do so, it means that he will contribute his quota and go hungry.

Of all the facilities, only the Invalides is open without restrictions.

Because the Invalides could display trophies captured on the battlefield, including the "A7V" tank captured from the German army, Gallieni believed that this would help promote patriotism and boost the morale of the military and civilians.

(The picture above shows the Invalides in France, also known as the "Paris Invalides", which was built in 1670 by order of Louis XIV to house disabled soldiers. It was used to display trophies during World War I and will be used as a venue for archery, track and field and other competitions during the 2024 Olympic Games)

Charles did not show up or interfere in all this.

Charles wanted to avoid suspicion and avoid being criticized for using this method to further control supplies.

Although everyone knows that the actual control of materials is in Charles' hands, even the capitalists are no exception, politics sometimes requires this unbreakable paper.

The French people also knew this, but they did not oppose it. Instead, they expressed their support:

"The only person we can trust is Ciel. The supplies should be controlled and distributed by him."

"If you don't trust him, do you trust the capitalists who are hoarding supplies? Or the congressmen who do nothing and are in cahoots with the capitalists?"

"I believe that Ciel won't let us starve, everything will be fine!"

…

Charles did not disappoint. He distributed the seized supplies to civilians as soon as possible and even promised to sell seeds to civilians with low-interest loans in preparation for sowing in the near future.

This was not difficult for Charles. He only had to purchase seeds from the United States and load them onto ships. Seven days later, they would be transported to Dunkirk and delivered to people continuously.

France was immediately in an uproar, and the people, as if reborn, spread the praises of Charles's merits everywhere:

"Only Shire would do this, providing low-interest loans. If we don't have a harvest and can't pay, Shire will be the one that loses. Other capitalists won't do such a loss-making business."

"Yes, other capitalists will take this opportunity to raise the price of seeds and exploit us severely by taking advantage of the current tense situation."

"Char saved us, not only on the battlefield, he also saved us from starving to death!"

…

In the small town of Darwaz, neighbors who received food surrounded Deyoka's hut, and there was an endless stream of people coming to express their gratitude:

"We are wrong about Charles, Madame Bernard."

"Charles is a good man. We should trust him. He won't do anything bad to us."

"Thank you, your family are all good people, very good people, may God bless you!"

…

Camille was crying while shaking hands with her neighbors. She didn't know why, but the tears just kept flowing out.

Djokovic seemed quite calm. He politely thanked his neighbors one by one and asked them to make preparations for sowing.

"Only if we grow more food can we truly alleviate the food crisis," Deyoka told his neighbors, "because we have millions of troops fighting on the front lines, and they need our supplies!"

The neighbors nodded, tears in their eyes.

…

Charles stayed in his room and didn't go downstairs. He didn't like such social activities and couldn't attend them.

Neighbors always came in twos and threes, and occasionally people from other villages and towns or even Paris came, just to shake Charles' hand or say a word of thanks.

If everyone has to go to the reception, Charles may have to stay here for a few days and won't be able to leave.

He sat alone at his desk, quietly flipping through the report sent by Deyoka, which was about the recent business progress of the Bernard Group.

The insurance and shipping industries developed by Britain and France were very successful and had even expanded to the United States, because there were also shipping companies in the United States that needed to join Charles' escort fleet.

As for the laboratory, Stokes moved his entire family to the small town of Davoise for business reasons, and also brought a group of backbones from Scott Machinery Company.

Ciel frowned.

It's good to bring talented people, but they are British. They are not of our race, so their hearts must be different. There is a century-old feud between Britain and France, and they hate each other...

"These backbones have been screened." Djoka had stood beside Charles at some point. Seeing Charles looking at the list in his hand with difficulty, he guessed what Charles was worried about.

Charles turned his head to look at Djoka and said, "Hmm," "I believe Mr. Stokes will do the screening."

Stokes was a traitor after all, and he didn't want a few more spies around him that could harm him.

"The situation in Britain is not good either." Deyoka explained, "Especially after the British Expeditionary Force was defeated on the Somme River, I heard that Britain launched an emergency call again, and 300,000 new soldiers were needed at one time!"

This is Haig's "military talent".

His idea was very simple. If he could not win on the battlefield, it was because he did not have enough troops. If he did not have enough troops, he would have to recruit more soldiers.

As for whether these lives can be utilized effectively, that is not a problem that he, the "butcher", needs to consider.

Djoka raised his chin at the list: "If they don't come with Stokes, they may be called up for dismissal."

Charles understood instantly.

The group of people who came with Stokes were "deserters" in a sense, and the employment contract of the Bernard Group prevented them from going to the battlefield.

In other words, the company holds the power over their lives and deaths, so there is little need to worry about loyalty.

There was a trace of helplessness on Charles's lips. It seemed like an irony that the battlefield gave Charles the opportunity to gather talents.

Then, Djokovic sighed softly and said without much context: "I'm proud of you, Charles. So is your mother."

"What?" Charles looked at Djoka in surprise. He usually wouldn't say these things.

Djoka stepped forward and held Charles' shoulders. He looked through the window at the neighbors downstairs who were reluctant to leave, and said thoughtfully:

"They think you saved them, and I think so too. This is more important than winning a battle!"

"Soldiers will fight for you because you protect their families and make them worry-free."

"You're doing great, Ciel, you're on your way to victory!"

(End of this chapter)