Chapter 865 Everything is a trap

Charles brought the representatives to the desk and pointed at the map to continue analyzing:

"Also, I have some different ideas about the independence of the colonies."

"First of all, I want to make it clear that I really hope you can break away from other countries and gain complete freedom."

"But if we suddenly withdraw our troops, do you know what will happen?"

Xia paused and glanced at the representatives.

They looked confused, not knowing what Charles wanted to say.

This was within Charles's expectations. Although they were quite popular among the people, they had no political experience.

"War, gentlemen," Charles warned.

"The power of your country will be in the hands of the military because they have the guns and the soldiers."

"And the military is belligerent. They will use their weapons to defeat anyone who dares to offend them."

"And the unarmed people have no power to resist and can only succumb to their force. Your country will most likely be controlled by warmongers."

Haji thought about it for a while and nodded:

"Yes, that is indeed very likely to happen."

"We don't have a political power but we have an army, and our army has fought wars and has combat experience."

"If the French troops withdraw, they can easily seize control and do whatever they want, and no one can stop them."

The representatives nodded one after another. This phenomenon was not uncommon in their tribe.

Kenya's representative Haku added: "There is even the possibility of civil war as the army could split into several factions fighting for power."

Haji agreed: "Even if the country is finally unified, the people will still live under the brutal suppression of the army, and the military government will launch foreign wars to gain more territory and more interests. Then..."

Haji looked at Charles with a trace of fear in his eyes: "Africa will be in chaos and will be trapped in war for a long time.

Charles was a little surprised by Haji. He thought much more and more deeply than the other colonial army representatives.

But this does not seem surprising. Algeria is regarded as one of the three overseas provinces by France. Although it is still exploited, its resources such as education are much better than those of other African colonial countries.

"That's what I wanted to say." Charles gave Haji a thumbs up:

"By fraternity, the French mean love for all mankind, gentlemen."

"We hope that all mankind can live in peace, without war, exploitation or suffering, and that everyone can live and work in a free and equal country."

"If we suddenly let go of the colonies and it eventually turns into war and chaos, that's not what we want. We would even become sinners."

The colonial representatives looked at Charles with admiration. What Charles said made sense and was for their own good.

"So, my idea is to open it up gradually." Charles pointed to the location of Algeria on the map:

"For example, we should have a military base in Algeria to station troops there, and these troops should be used to ensure the security of Algeria."

"They can save Algeria from civil war and invasion by other countries without interfering in Algeria's internal affairs."

"At the same time, we will also help Algeria with national construction, such as developing agriculture, industry, military and so on."

"If one day Algeria develops and no longer needs us, we will withdraw our troops from Algeria."

Charles turned his gaze to the representatives: "What do you think of this plan?"

The representatives thought for a while and nodded one after another:

"Very good plan, Lieutenant General."

"That makes sense, but it's a pity that the British don't think that way."

"Yes, the British will not give us such a plan, they will only exploit us!"

…

Then the delegates looked at Haji with envy:

"You're lucky it's a French colony."

"You have Ciel, he's the only one willing to do this."

"Yes, Charles is the one who truly speaks of the 'French spirit'!"

…

Haji was so excited that he didn't know what to say. There seemed to be two balls of fire burning in his eyes. He asked Charles excitedly: "General, are you really going to do this? Implement this plan in Algeria?"

"Of course." Charles nodded confidently: "In fact, I will do this not only for Algeria, but also for all the colonies I can control!"

Then he added: "This is normal, don't you think? Everyone should have equal rights."

The representatives responded:

"Yes, General, you are right."

"I salute you, General, you are the greatest man in the world!"

"You give us hope, General!"

…

However, everything is a trap.

…

A week ago, Gallieni had asked a related question: "What will France do after giving freedom to the colonies? We are at war, Charles, have you forgotten this? We need the resources of the colonies!"

"I didn't say give them freedom, General," Charles replied calmly.

Gallieni looked at Charles in confusion, with a hint of surprise on his face.

What the hell is this guy talking about?

Sometimes it’s “freedom”, “equality” and “fraternity”, and sometimes it’s “no freedom”.

"We can colonize them in another way." Charles leaned back in his chair and crossed his fingers in front of him. "In this way, we will not get war, nor resentment and resistance from the colonies, but more resources and wealth."

Gallieni laughed. "That's impossible. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If there is, it must be a scam."

"It is indeed a scam." Charles smiled slightly, "It's just a very secret scam."

Gallieni didn't believe it at first, but seeing that Charles didn't seem to be joking, he asked half-doubtfully: "Tell me, what are you going to do?"

This guy always thinks of ways that others can't think of. Maybe he can really do it.

"First, we have to make them believe that they have gained freedom." Charles replied: "It's very simple. Return the regime to them. We are just stationed troops and do not interfere in their political affairs on the surface..."

"Wait a minute," Gallieni interrupted Charles.

"it's out of the question."

"If we return the regime to them, they will definitely drive our troops out."

"Even if it's needed in the short term, once they become stable, they will drive our troops away."

"No." Charles kept smiling, his voice full of confidence:

"We can ask them to adopt a republic like ours, so that their various parties fight each other and never unite."

"It's different, exactly."

"The republic we use operates under the constraints of the law, and the law is the only criterion."

"But the republic we gave them is one in which 'liberty' is above the law."

"The military, police, and law are all tools of the dictator. We emphasize that people should break these shackles and fight for their own 'freedom'."

"Then the law will be nothing but a dead letter, and the vague concept of 'freedom' will become their only criterion. As long as they use the banner of 'freedom', they can do anything without being punished by law."

"When do you think they will be able to drive out our garrison?"

(End of this chapter)