Chapter 794: Hitting the United States

The British Expeditionary Force was chased by the German Army for more than 60 kilometers. After suffering the loss of more than 200,000 troops, it escaped to the Nancy Defense Line of the French Eastern Army Group and breathed a sigh of relief.

The German army originally wanted to pursue the victory, but Charles' bomber flew towards Metz and dropped several bombs, and the German army stopped its offensive momentum.

Hindenburg seemed to realize that this was a warning from Charles.

Charles had a "belt bridge" that could build several floating bridges on the Meuse River at any time for armored troops to pass quickly.

This meant that the entire German flank was exposed to the attack of Charles's troops.

If Hindenburg did not want to get caught in the dilemma of fighting on two fronts, his best option would be to quit while he was ahead.

Charles was happy to see this.

Let the British Army and Gamelin's Eastern Army Group fight the German Army to the death on the east bank of the Meuse River, while he watched the fire from the other side of the river.

To be precise, it was not a case of "watching the fire from the other side of the river". Charles made a lot of money during the days when the German army successfully counterattacked.

The arable land was purchased at US$60 to US$70 per hectare, which is about one-seventh to one-ninth of the original price.

Pastures and construction land were purchased at one-tenth of the price.

Factories and companies related to construction, such as power stations, cement, and steel, also sold at reduced prices. Dejoka even successfully took control of two railway companies.

It was a surprise that the railway company was able to take over smoothly. During wartime, railways were a scarce resource. Troop transportation and material supply all required railways. The more intense the war, the more important it was, and the higher the transportation costs.

However, no matter how important or expensive it is, it needs protection.

The owners of these two railway companies were smart men. They knew that the French sky belonged to Charles, and whether a place could be defended or bombed by the German army was often just a matter of Charles's words or thoughts.

Therefore, it would be a good choice to bring Charles into their railway company.

This can be said to be a "siphon" effect.

When the Charles grows into a towering tree that can provide shelter for other industries, even if the Charles does not look for them, they will actively seek the Charles's protection.

…

At the Bizangsi training base, Charles took some time to look through the report sent by Djoka.

The acquisition task in the first phase was quite satisfactory, but the funds had also run out.

About one-sixth of the arable land and building land was seized, which was almost enough to meet France's needs.

Charles didn't expect or need to get 100%, not even half.

Ensuring national security means that in extreme cases the food grown on these farmlands can ensure that French citizens do not starve to death.

In peacetime, when capitalists attempted to hoard food and raise prices, Charles could release food at a low price to lower prices.

This is the state’s “macro-control” of the market.

But Charles only controls one-third of the vital industries near Paris, such as power stations, communications, railways, and energy.

This is still a long way from ensuring national security, and at best it can only achieve the level of regulating Paris.

More funds are needed, at least two to three times the current scale, to pose a threat to capitalists in various industries. Only in this way can we reach the level of "regulation".

Where to raise funds?

Charles thought of America.

The various military supplies Joseph had stockpiled in the United States had begun to take shape, and the production at the arsenal had become stable. It was time to cash in.

In other words, it's time to hit the United States.

Thinking of this, Charles sent a telegram to Clemenceau:

"Mr. Prime Minister, given the current situation, France has basically recovered its own land, but Germany still has strength. We cannot force it to surrender in a short period of time."

"I think there is little point in continuing this war except for more casualties."

"The wiser choice would be to consult with Britain and actively seek armistice negotiations with Germany."

"Our condition is that Germany return all our territories, including Lorraine and Alsace."

Charles' telegram instantly caused a sensation in Paris.

First, there was a vote organized by Clemenceau in parliament, in which as many as 63% of the members supported negotiations with Germany.

"If Germany is willing to return Lorraine and Alsace, our goal will be achieved."

"Yeah, what else could we expect? This is the best outcome."

"Should we ask the Germans to cede land? No, the Germans on those lands will not obey our management, and this may not be worth the loss, and will eventually lead to war."

…

The news spread from the parliament to the people, and the military and civilians also agreed to make peace with the German army:

"We have had enough of this war. Ciel is right. There is no point in continuing like this."

"I even forgot what we were fighting for, to stop the Germans? We've done that."

"Yes, return Lorraine and Alsace to us, and we can end this war with honor."

…

London, the War Office Building was in fog as it is most of the time.

British Prime Minister Lloyd George was reviewing documents in his office. The advantage of Britain was that it was an island country, and the war took place in France, which had little impact on British industry.

If anything, it was the shortage of manpower and the weakening of world status and control over colonies due to failures on the front lines.

At this time, the Minister of the Navy Balfour came in and handed George a telegram: "From France, Prime Minister, they think now is the time for negotiations."

George took the telegram, glanced at it, and put it aside. He was more inclined to continue the war.

"We are on the verge of victory, so why not beat the Germans until they surrender unconditionally?" he said. "That way, we can get a huge compensation."

Balfour reminded George:

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, our army was defeated in Metz, and even Charles was helpless against the Germans' Paris Cannons' and new tanks."

"I believe the Shire will eventually triumph, but the cost may be extremely heavy."

"This may be the reason why Ciel proposed a ceasefire negotiation."

George was noncommittal: "The Western Front is just one of the fronts the Germans have to face. They are fighting on many fronts and are now exhausted."

But just as he finished speaking, the staff sent several battle reports in succession:

"The Italian Third Army organized the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo River, but due to a lack of reserves, it failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough and the battle ended."

"In Romania, the German Alpine Army marched 80 kilometers at high speed in three days, defeated the Romanian army in Sibiu, captured 25,000 Romanian soldiers, and forced the Romanian army to retreat."

"On the Eastern Front, the German army launched a full-scale counterattack, and the Russian army is retreating."

George felt that the world had changed in an instant. He had originally thought that Germany was being defeated, but the fact was that they were winning in all directions.

"Your Excellency," Balfour added, "the German fleet seems to have made some moves at sea recently."

(End of this chapter)