Chapter 369 Asset Management
It was Charles' day off, given by Gallieni.
Gallieni called Charles and said, "Go home, Brigadier General. Your fans are protesting downstairs at the headquarters!"
This is indeed the case.
Someone in Darwaz first brought the news: "Charles has not returned home since he blocked the German poison gas."
Soon the rumor spread and became more and more exaggerated, and even rumored that Charles had not been home since the Battle of Gallipoli.
People took it for granted that Gallieni was not giving them a holiday, so tens of thousands of people spontaneously gathered in front of the city defense headquarters and held up banners in protest:
"We should let Charles take a break from work. He just turned eighteen."
"If you need Ciel to win during the war, we understand. But now the war is at a stalemate. Is there anything you cannot do without Ciel?"
"Is there no one left in France who can help except Charles? All the burdens must fall on him?"
…
As a last resort, Gallieni called Charles himself to ask for a day off.
At the same time, Gallieni secretly gave Charles a little help. He stood on the balcony and explained to the people:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I need to explain something."
"I never held Ciel back or denied him a holiday."
"There's only one reason why Ciel didn't go home. He thought he should set an example by staying with his troops. He volunteered!"
People praised:
“What a wonderful child!”
"Charles is the hope of France. We can't live without him."
"If all officers could be like him, France would be great again!"
…
Charles was speechless when he heard about this. Perhaps it was a characteristic of France at that time to frequently demonstrate and protest at any time. Even a small matter like a holiday could cause such a big fuss.
…
In the small town of Darvaz, before Charles' car had even stopped, Camille rushed out of the house screaming and hugged Charles, who had just got out of the car.
Then she suddenly woke up, pushed Charles away a little, looked him up and down, checked his hands and feet, and looked into his eyes carefully. She was relieved to confirm that he was fine.
"I heard that poison gas can damage eyes." Camille said with lingering fear: "Several people in our town became blind because of it."
"Don't worry, Mom." Charles comforted her, "I have a gas mask."
Djoka patted Charles on the shoulder and walked him into the house with a proud smile on his face: "So, you did defeat the Germans in the gas?"
"Yes." Charles glanced at Camille as he answered, worried that Camille would be worried.
"Don't worry," Djokovic said. "She has figured it out."
Charles looked at Camille doubtfully.
Camille shrugged helplessly: "Everyone is in danger, Charles, we are not immune either, I understand."
The reason why Camille decided not to be the same as before was because of a conversation between her and Djokovic.
"Do you know why Charles doesn't dare to come back?" Djoka said, "He might be worried that you will stop him from going to the battlefield."
Camille, who was washing dishes, stopped what she was doing.
Djokovic continued:
"That's his mission, Camille."
"He is a natural born military strategist. His presence on the battlefield means victory and saving many lives, including ours!"
"Yes, when the Germans reached the small town of Oise, Charles invented the tank and saved our lives and those of our neighbors."
"We can't stop him, and we can't stop him, and we shouldn't stop him!"
Camille thought of the neighborhood children, many of whom came back alive because of Charles's resistance to the German gas troops, although some of them were blind.
Neighbors came one after another to express their gratitude, with tears in their eyes.
This was all earned by Charles on the battlefield. If I had stopped him from going to the battlefield, the result would probably have been different.
Thinking of this, Camille decided not to be as passive as before, but to actively support Charles.
After knowing this, Charles suddenly felt a little relieved. At least he no longer had the same concerns as before. This was indeed the reason why he was reluctant to go home for some time.
…
"570,000 for the motorcycle factory."
"1.21 million for the tractor factory."
"3.29 million for the aircraft manufacturing plant."
…
At the dining table, Djokovic was counting the items with an account book.
The final calculated data shocked Charles. Including the income from "industrial property rights" and the share of the "Saint-Etienne" arsenal, Charles' monthly net profit has reached 21.87 million francs and its total assets are close to 100 million.
"If we hadn't spent 30 million to buy the steel plant last month, we would have exceeded 100 million." Djoka said with some regret in his eyes.
But Charles was just the opposite. He felt a little panicked with so much money in his hands.
It’s not because of the huge amount… Charles admitted that this might be one of the reasons.
"We must spend it," said Charles.
"What?" Djokovic looked at Charles in confusion. Who would feel that money is hot in their hands and can't wait to spend it?
"Money will depreciate, father." Charles reminded: "Now is a war time, the labor force is going to the battlefield and the materials are consumed in large quantities on the battlefield, and the price of goods will inevitably rise."
Djokovic said, "Oh!" and understood: "You are right. By then, the 100 million will not be worth 100 million. It is likely to be cut in half or even less."
Then Djokovic was in a dilemma: "But...how are we going to spend it?"
Charles said without hesitation: "Change it to US dollars."
The United States was the country least affected by the war, and its domestic economy has not been affected.
More importantly, she will create "dollar hegemony" and needs to continuously enhance the credibility of the dollar, so the dollar has been appreciating for quite a long time.
(Note: The hegemony of the US dollar began in January 1918 after World War I, when US President Wilson proposed the "Fourteen Points Plan" with the intention of establishing an international trade and alliance system dominated by the United States after the war. After World War II, the United States linked the dollar to gold to establish the Bretton Woods system. Many people believe that this was the starting point, but in fact it had already taken shape at that time.)
Djokovic also thought this plan was feasible and nodded in agreement.
"Also," Charles said, "I heard that the insurance industry is in a downturn recently?"
"Yes." Djoka nodded. "This is because the Germans bombed Dunkirk and caused a fire. This fire caused two insurance companies to go bankrupt and the other three were half dead."
The Germans learned another thing from France, aerial bombs, and then they couldn't wait to launch bombing at Dunkirk.
Then Djokovic added: "As you said, now is a time of war, and insurance has become a high-risk industry."
Charles didn't say anything, just looked at Djoka quietly.
Djokovic seemed to understand something and looked at Charles in shock: "You don't want to invest in the insurance industry, do you?"
"Why not?" Charles asked back, "If I knew the military plan, the risk would be much smaller!"
This is not the real reason.
What Charles really wants to say is: If I knew how the war would develop in the future, wouldn't investing in the insurance industry be a win-win situation?
(End of this chapter)
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