Chapter 444 Security
In London, England, the "Secretary of the Admiralty" stood at the window with a grim face.
His eyes were dull, and the cigarette in his hand was slowly emitting blue smoke. It had accumulated a finger-wide layer of ash, but the "Secretary of the Navy" did not notice it at all.
This bastard actually deceived the Germans using this method.
I told those idiots in Germany the answer, but they thought it was a lie!
But this is not what the "Secretary of the Navy" is really worried about.
There was no doubt that Charles was on the road to victory. The surrounded German army could not hold out for long and surrender was only a matter of time.
What we need to consider now is the division of benefits.
Although Belgium had not yet been fully recovered, the capture of the capital Brussels and Antwerp had extraordinary significance. Albert I could then begin to rebuild the Belgian army.
Equipment is big business, but it's not just about the money, it's about control over Belgium.
Whoever controls Belgium’s arms can control Belgium. That is Belgium’s lifeline and can determine Belgium’s survival at critical moments.
There is no doubt that this person is Charles.
Because he led the army to defeat the Germans and liberate Belgium. He was also an arms dealer. His equipment and tactics were invincible on the battlefield...
Anyone who is not a fool would know that Charles is the best choice, and Albert I is no exception.
But the "Secretary of the Admiralty" was still unwilling to accept this. Britain was the world's most powerful country and it was impossible for it to sit idly by and watch its influence disappear. Even Belgium, which was right in front of it, had to slip out of its control and into the arms of another country, especially when that "other country" was France.
At this time, the fireworks had burned near his fingers. The "Secretary of the Navy" twitched his fingers due to the burns, and hurriedly turned around to put it out in the ashtray.
At that moment, he suddenly made a decision.
Give it a try anyway!
…
Albert I returned to his villa in Antwerp excitedly, armed with the defense plan given by Charles.
The villa is a bit dilapidated. Before the war, it was used as a headquarters by the Germans, and they made a mess of it.
There was a small battle on the day of the recapture, where the Germans resisted for a while to buy time to burn the documents.
This left the villa full of bullet holes and wooden walls blown apart by grenades.
But Albert I didn't mind. He insisted on living here despite Colonel Eden's objection: "You don't know how lucky I am to be back here, Colonel. No matter how dilapidated it is, it is still my home."
The carriage drove into the gate, and the guard told Albert I: "Your Majesty, General Winter is here, he is waiting for you in the study."
Albert I's face darkened and he couldn't help but snorted.
The carriage stopped, and Albert I took off his gloves and hat and handed them to the servant who came up to him, his steps hesitant.
He originally wanted to leave General Winter alone, but ultimately thought it unnecessary.
Walking into the study along the broken passage, the first thing Albert I said when he saw General Winter was: "You came just in time, General. I think you must have brought us fuel!"
General Winter's face turned red, he heard the sarcasm in Albert I's words.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty." General Winter explained, "It was an accident..."
"Well." Albert I interrupted General Winter: "I believe it was an accident. It must have been a German submarine. There is no doubt about it."
Albert I's words made it difficult for General Winter to explain anything.
General Winter sighed inwardly. Everyone knew that any explanation was unnecessary. The behavior of the "Secretary of the Navy" was once again proved to be wrong.
But it is yourself who bears the price.
"I would like to make some compensation, Your Majesty," General Winter said. "We can help your country rebuild its army."
"Help?" Albert I said with a hint of sarcasm. "Like helping us against the Germans?"
"No, Your Majesty," General Winter replied, "We can provide your country with artillery production lines for free, and if necessary, we can also share fighter aircraft technology with your country."
General Winter did his homework before coming here.
After he received the order from the "Secretary of the Navy", he was already thinking before he set off: What does Belgium need?
Belgium had previously obtained production authorization from the German Mauser company, and was now capable of producing it on its own.
When it comes to machine guns, no one can compare to Charles' "Saint-Etienne 2", which is the king of light machine guns.
Tanks. Britain is trying to produce a tank of its own based on the "Charter A1", but of course it cannot compete with the Charr.
The only thing that could give Charles an advantage was artillery, after all, Charles also produced 6-inch 26-cwt howitzers from Britain.
However, the French artillery either had insufficient production or was too small in caliber to meet current combat needs.
Albert I laughed. "That's very interesting, General. I wonder what makes you think I would choose British equipment?"
Charles can provide everything you can provide, Albert I thought, but what Charles can provide may not be what you have.
General Winter didn't waste any time and answered directly: "Because you need checks and balances, your majesty."
"Checks and balances?" Albert I narrowed his eyes.
Then it dawned on him: "You mean Belgium will be controlled by Charles?"
General Winter nodded and said:
"Just think about it, what would happen if all of Belgium's equipment, or most of its equipment, was purchased from Charles?"
"One day, Charles only needs to do something to his own arsenal, or stop supplying Belgium, and Belgium will suffer a devastating disaster."
"You are a wise king, Your Majesty. I believe you can make the right judgment and decision."
Albert I smiled and replied: "I'm sorry, General. I may not trust Britain or France, but I believe in Charles. He will not do such a thing."
General Winter looked at Albert I in confusion: "You shouldn't trust anyone, Your Majesty."
This is not something a mature politician can say. In politics, there is only "interest" but no "trust".
"I know what you mean," Albert I replied, "but you are wrong. You think you can balance Charles by purchasing equipment from Britain, but it is not a matter of equipment."
"What?" General Winter became more and more confused.
"Safe, General." Albert I stared at General Winter and said calmly, "Only Charles can guarantee the safety of Belgium in the war. Neither Britain nor France can."
After a pause, Albert I asked, "Then please tell me, how can I check Charles?"
General Winter was stunned; he had never thought of this.
But what Albert I said was true. Only Charles could defeat the Germans and ensure the safety of Belgium.
(End of this chapter)
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