Chapter 781 Land Buyer

The citizens of Metz are in a frenzy.

Since the Franco-German War in 1870, Metz has been under German rule for 46 years, and now it has finally returned to France.

People sang and danced, scattered flowers everywhere on the streets, and welcomed the French army entering the city with cheers.

But in the town hall of Chambre Island, Charles was discussing the replacement of defense with the British army with Tijani.

(Note: Metz has three islands surrounded by rivers, namely Grand Sol Island, Petite Sol Island and Chambre Island)

Tijani didn't understand what Charles did. He was very confused and said excitedly:

"We are only one step away from regaining the entire territory, General, victory is waiting for us!"

"The Germans were ill-prepared, and we had a panzer corps and two motorized divisions, and Foch and Pétain's armies behind us."

"Why don't we attack Alsace and put an end to this?"

Ciel asked back: "And then? Is the war over?"

Tijani was stunned.

Even if the entire territory was recovered the war would not end because Germany did not surrender.

What the capitalists wanted was Germany's unconditional surrender. Only in this way could they receive huge reparations and pay for Britain's huge loans.

"We need to consider further issues, Major General," said Charles, "including political factors."

"Politics?" Tijani looked confused. "Will winning the war be bad for politics?"

Ciel couldn't answer in order to keep the external threat at bay.

But he had plenty of excuses.

Tijani was only concerned with the art of war and was completely blank on politics.

"Of course." Charles nodded. "Our soldiers have been fighting for several months. They need a rest. At the same time, they are quite resentful of the British for doing nothing. You don't want another 'mutiny' to happen, do you?"

Tijani nodded slowly.

This is indeed true in the long run. After conquering Lorraine, there is Alsace, and after conquering Alsace, there is Germany.

Is it always the French army that is at the forefront while the British army does nothing in the rear?

“Okay!” Tijani compromised. “You’re right.”

But he asked again:

"But what about Mace? You keep stressing that she's important."

"The British might lose it, and then all our efforts would be wasted, and the Germans would strengthen her defense accordingly."

"It will cost us a lot more to take it down then."

Ciel smiled softly, "Don't worry about that. We can dismantle some of the defenses here, such as certain fortresses that we think are threatening."

Tijani looked at Charles in astonishment: "But this will cause trouble for the British defense..."

He stopped talking before shrugged, "Why not?"

If the British have trouble defending themselves, that's their business. What does it have to do with the French army?

Charles added: "Those forts were destroyed in the war."

"Of course." Tijani nodded heavily. "To be exact, they were half-destroyed during the war and could collapse at any time. We had no choice but to demolish them by blasting them."

Charles nodded in satisfaction.

No one is better at making excuses than the rich second-generation Tigiani.

"I'll leave these matters to you." Charles said, "Retreat to the west bank of the Meuse River after the rotation. I'm going to Paris."

"Yes, General," Tijani stepped forward and answered.

…

Manor Armand, Paris.

When he had nothing to do, Armand would mostly lie in bed, even at noon.

Of course, he would never be alone in his bed.

After Greve was sent to the guillotine, Armand, who felt like he had a close call with death, customized a large bed for himself that could accommodate five or six people at the same time.

Only by enjoying life while you can you make it worthwhile. Otherwise, when it is his turn to go to the guillotine, he will surely regret having wasted his life.

Just as they were enjoying themselves in bed, there were several knocks on the door, and the housekeeper's trembling voice came: "Sir, I think you should..."

"Get out of here!" Armand grabbed the empty wine glass from the bedside and threw it over.

The housekeeper was frightened by the sound of breaking glass and dared not say a word for a long time.

But he finally summoned up his courage: "Sir, it's General Charles, he wants to talk to you..."

"No one can do it. Get him out!" His voice was sleepy and drunken.

But the next second he suddenly woke up and raised his head from the pile of erotica: "What? Who are you talking about?"

The butler replied: "It's General Charles, sir, he is waiting for you in the living room!"

Armand jumped out of bed as if he was pricked by a needle. He quickly put on his clothes and shouted, "Wait a minute, I'll be there soon. Get the general a cup of coffee!"

"Yes, sir!"

…

In the luxuriously decorated living room, Charles had just taken a sip of coffee when Armand came in in a panic. His clothes were disheveled and his long hair was tangled like weeds.

Despite this, he still tried to remain elegant and bowed to Charles: "It's an honor to meet you, General!"

Armand was surprised by Charles' appearance.

It is not appropriate for Charles to be associated with the right-wing royalists, as this would lead people to misunderstand that Charles wants to overthrow the republic and become emperor.

But Armand figured it out the next second, and Charles no longer needed to worry about this.

He controlled the army, the Second Bureau, public opinion, and even had a majority in Parliament.

Who else dares to challenge Charles?

Armand tried to relax himself. He walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself a glass of red wine. He turned back and asked Charles politely, "Would you like a drink, General?"

"No." Charles raised his chin towards the coffee on the table: "I'd rather drink this!"

Armand sat opposite Charles with a glass of wine in his hand and raised it: "I should congratulate you, General. You have successfully defeated your opponent in less than two years. It is a miracle!"

This is admiration from the heart, no one can do it, not even Napoleon.

"Not enough." Ciel said calmly.

"What?" Armand took back the wine glass that was brought to his mouth and looked at Charles in confusion.

"Land, Armand." Charles explained his purpose: "France needs land to ensure its safety."

Land is the foundation of everything.

Whether it is agriculture or industry, or food, clothing, housing and transportation, all are based on the land.

Although it can be found everywhere, once it is monopolized by capitalists, it will have extremely terrible consequences.

Armand seemed to understand what Charles meant: "You want me to buy land for you?"

"Yes." Charles nodded.

The right wing has always advocated preserving arable land and opposed industrialization. They have also given farmers many benefits. There is no more suitable buyer than them.

And there is another advantage of letting Armand come forward: it will not arouse the suspicion of the capitalists.

"How much do you need?" Armand asked, raising his glass to his lips.

He thought Charles was just going to expand his factory.

"Everything," Charles answered word by word. "Everything you can buy."

Armand almost spit out the wine he had just drunk. He coughed a few times in pain and looked at Charles in surprise.

(End of this chapter)