Chapter 885 Belgium does not need advice from others

Seeing Albert I's expression, the Minister of the Navy instantly realized that he had made a mistake: if Albert I knew that this battle plan bypassed Charles and even had the intention of confronting Charles, Albert I would most likely not cooperate with this battle plan.

Thinking of this, the Minister of the Navy quickly changed the subject:

"You know, your majesty."

"Lorraine and Alsace have just been recovered. They need time to consolidate their defenses."

"Charles's mission is this. He is ensuring the safety of France, so I am the only one who can discuss the attack with you."

Although the Navy Minister did not say "Charles instructed", the subtext was this.

Albert I's expression eased slightly.

Even if Charles didn't come, as long as he was in command and the 6th Army was there, there would be no problem.

At this time, Major General Eden hurried in. He whispered something in Albert I's ear, and Albert I's face changed instantly.

When he faced the Minister of the Navy again, the smile on his face had disappeared, and his eyes were as cold as a knife as they flew past the Minister of the Navy.

These guys actually wanted to trick me into joining the war in this way, and what's worse is that they tried to drag Belgium against Charles!

If Major General Eden hadn't called Christine in a hurry, I would have been deceived by them.

The Navy Minister realized that something was wrong, but he remained calm:

“It’s clear that this is a mutual interest of ours.”

"The Fortress of Liege is one of the strongest fortresses in the world. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack."

"Only if the Germans are completely defeated and forced to surrender will they be able to give up the Liege Fortress..."

What the Navy Minister said might make sense, after all, Charles also pressed the pause button when facing the Liege Fortress.

Therefore, the most realistic option is to force the German army to surrender and retreat to the stronghold.

But Albert I did not hesitate at all. He firmly gave a negative answer: "I'm sorry, Mr. Minister. As you said, the Liege Fortress is easy to defend but difficult to attack, so we will not attack easily."

He added: "Unless it is Charles who is in charge, because I think only he is capable of fighting the next day."

The Navy Minister retorted: "That is your last piece of land to be recovered, and you only need to make a feint attack. We don't require you to capture it..."

"Minister." Albert I interrupted the Minister of the Navy. He stood up and said in a cold voice: "Do you need me to remind you? This is Belgium. We have the right to decide whether to attack or not. We don't need anyone else's advice."

Then he raised his head towards the gate and said, "If you have nothing else to do, please help yourself!"

The Minister of the Navy was so angry that his face turned pale. It was the first time that he was treated so coldly in diplomacy, and the other party was Belgium, which was under the protection of France.

However, he had no choice but to snort and warn: "I hope you know what you are doing, Your Majesty!"

Albert I spread his hands and said, "Of course, Your Excellency, please don't worry about it."

Before the exasperated Navy Minister left the house, Albert I and Major General Eden behind him looked at each other and laughed sarcastically at the same time.

The laugh was not loud, but the Navy Secretary heard it.

He felt unprecedentedly insulted and paused, as if he wanted to turn back and argue with Albert I, but in the end he gritted his teeth and left.

…

That night, the Minister of the Navy returned to his villa and raged in front of his mistress Hari:

"These rude and ignorant guys, don't they know this is in the national interest?"

"The government really cannot be too centralized, otherwise they will ignore the overall situation for their own selfish interests."

"There is also responsibility. This is the responsibility of being a member of the Allied Powers!"

Harry was dressed conservatively today, with a sapphire necklace and a black tight dress, exuding elegance and mystery.

She listened patiently to the Navy Minister's complaints and consoled him:

"Don't be mad at those short-sighted fellows, dear."

"Belgium is just a small country and the role it can play is very limited."

"It's no big deal to leave its cooperation."

The Minister of the Navy nodded repeatedly: "That's right, dear. The only place they can attack is the Liege Fortress, which will not have much impact on the war situation."

Harry agreed in a charming throaty voice: "Although I don't understand war, even I know that the focus is always Russia, which supports the entire Eastern Front."

"Yes, of course," the Navy Secretary said appreciatively.

"So, when are you leaving?" Harry propped up his chin on the table, looking at the Minister of the Navy with reluctance and affection: "It may be an unbearable separation. I mean, the days without you are too boring."

"Oh, no, don't worry about that." The Navy Minister was flattered and blurted out: "I am not responsible for Russia. It is too far for me. Britain is obviously more convenient."

"Really? That's great." Harry seemed to have let go of a worry, and raised his glass with a smile: "But Britain is not too close, and I heard that the sea is about to freeze over. I hope everything goes well."

"Yes." The Navy Minister raised his glass and clinked it with his own. "Don't worry, he will arrive before the sea freezes."

…

In the North Sea, the cruiser HMS Hampshire is sailing towards Russia, escorted by two destroyers.

(The picture above shows HMS Hampshire, the cruiser Kitchener was on to Russia. It was sunk by a German torpedo on the way. Only 12 people survived)

Inside the cabin, Marshal Kitchener looked through the round glass window at the endless ocean outside.

Although he was an army field marshal, the British Empire had colonies all over the world, and all British soldiers had experience in fighting on ships.

But this time, Kitchener felt something was different.

The sea was unusually calm during the typhoon season, and the sky was as blue as a gem without a single cloud in sight.

"Is it the calm before the storm?" Kitchener murmured to himself, "or does it mean that the voyage will be smooth sailing?"

Kitchener frowned at the thought of this trip to Russia.

He originally thought that it would not take much effort to persuade Russia, as it was in Russia's interests.

But surprisingly, this plan was strongly opposed by Brusilov, who believed that a combat plan without Charles' participation was neither a mature nor a feasible plan.

Ridiculous, is Charles the only one in the world who knows how to fight?

Everyone was bewitched by Charles and even regarded him as a symbol of victory.

But after thinking about it, considering the importance of Russia, Kitchener decided to go there in person before the sea froze.

How to convince the Tsar? Or Brusilov?

Suddenly, a sharp alarm interrupted Kitchener's thoughts. He heard someone shouting in panic: "Submarine, German submarine!"

(End of this chapter)