Chapter 493 Cooperation with Pétain
Soon, the news of Charles's help to Verdun spread throughout the streets of France, and major newspapers also rushed to report it, especially the "Petite Journal":
"It's hard to imagine. Verdun is no longer Charles's defense zone. Why did he spare no effort to provide assistance to Verdun?"
"Even if we win the battle, the credit will go to Pétain. Doesn't he know that?"
"No, Ciel knows."
"But Charles doesn't care about fame and fortune. He cares more about the safety of the country and the lives of the soldiers."
"Thinking from this perspective, we can understand why Charles did this. This is undoubtedly a noble quality..."
People were so excited that they cheered loudly, and people were discussing Charles' selfless behavior everywhere in the streets and alleys:
"He not only possessed a military genius, but also a great soul."
"I think it has something to do with his age and experience. He is only 18 years old and has hardly been contaminated by politics and capital, so he is different from other politicians and capitalists."
"France needs a general who can put aside his own interests and unite the army. He can lead us to face the outside world in unison!"
…
The Meritorious Newspaper always keeps a low profile; after all, it is a newspaper directly controlled by Charles.
However, a few days later it continued to report on the role played by the new type of mine in Verdun:
"The most common one is an anti-personnel mine. Its advantages are simple structure, low cost, and can be mass-produced in a short time. This anti-personnel mine, combined with reverse slope fortifications, can make it almost impossible for the enemy to move."
"Then there's an anti-tank mine. They've laid it on the paths between the heights and it's destroyed several tanks."
"The most powerful one is a jumping mine, which can bounce to a height of one meter and explode, causing large-scale casualties to enemy infantry. The Germans are terrified by it!"
…
There is not a single word about Charles in the article, yet Charles is everywhere.
Because everyone knew that these mines were invented by Charles, especially the kind that could jump to a height of one meter and explode. No one had ever heard of this kind of mine before.
Interesting speculation:
"What does that kind of thunder rely on to jump?"
"How can it be controlled to explode at a height of one meter?"
"This is amazing. Ciel's inventions can overcome everything. He always surprises us!"
…
Everything went just as Charles had expected.
Charles knew that under the pressure of war, people would naturally lean towards generals who could win battles, because this would bring them a sense of security and pride, and even save their lives.
However, Charles felt that he should still meet Pétain, otherwise, the sixty-year-old Pétain would probably be driven crazy by such public opinion and atmosphere, or simply lose face and become Charles' enemy.
…
Charles was right.
That afternoon, when Charles rushed to the Fort Saint-Michel to see Pétain, Pétain did not give Charles a good look.
"Isn't this 'Mars of France'?" Petain looked at Charles sarcastically, "You are here to teach me how to fight, right? I'm listening!"
"No, General," Charles answered, "I am here to cooperate with you."
"Cooperation?" Pétain laughed. "We have always been cooperating. Look, I am using your tactics and equipment now."
Pétain cursed inwardly, thinking that he must be here to make fun of me. I was like a puppet in his hands, but I couldn't refuse.
Now, he wants to "cooperate" with me? !
However, Pétain admired Charles in his heart.
He knew that the reason why he was "treated as a puppet but could not refuse" was not because of anything else, but because the solutions given by Charles were always the optimal solutions that could not be changed.
Or if it is changed, it will come at the cost of soldiers' lives or the failure of the battle.
For example, anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, jumping mines... Can he refuse?
Charles did not take Pétain's ridicule seriously.
Pétain was not a pedantic person. He just needed a way out. As he got older, his temper became like that of a child. He was unwilling to be defeated by an 18-year-old boy at his age.
"I know that our combat philosophies are different, General." Ciel said, "But this will not be an obstacle to our cooperation, because we have a common enemy."
Pétain raised his eyebrows: "Common enemy? You mean the Germans? No, you can defeat them alone, you don't need me."
This is exactly what Pétain really thought.
He watched Charles' new tactics and new equipment being introduced into Verdun one by one, and taking effect right under his nose, beating the Germans into a miserable state. Sometimes he couldn't help but lament that he could not keep up with the times.
Charles sighed inwardly, this was where he felt sorry for Pétain.
Pétain's defensive tactical theory was originally in line with the times and was perfectly suited for the trench warfare of World War I.
But Charles raised the tactical level of both sides, which resulted in Pétain being left behind and becoming out of date.
"No, General," said Charles, gravely, "I don't mean the Germans."
Pétain looked at Charles in confusion, but he said nothing.
This guy must be waiting for me to ask, Pétain thought, but I won’t ask!
In order to cover up, he opened the document in front of him and pretended to review it. While signing, he replied calmly: "If it's not about the Germans, there's no need to talk about it, Brigadier General. I'm busy."
Charles ignored him and continued:
"You must not know who will succeed you as commander-in-chief, am I right?"
"It's Nivelle, General."
Pétain was stunned, and looked up at Charles in surprise: "No, he is just a commander of the army, a major general, and he has no achievements."
"I know." Charles nodded. "He used to be your subordinate. While you were fighting here, he was operating in the rear, striving to become the commander-in-chief of France and command our battles."
Charles got the news from the "Lady in White".
He wasn't surprised at all, this was something that happened to him before.
Pétain slowly closed the document, was stunned for a while, and then sighed softly.
He had no qualms about his former subordinate becoming commander-in-chief, which was common in the military.
But Pétain knew Nivelle, and he knew that Nivelle was not a qualified commander, even worse than Joffre.
Charles expressed what Pétain was thinking:
"Joffre is just incompetent. He always leaves things to others."
"Nivelle is ignorant, unaware of his ignorance and arrogant."
"It would be a disaster for such a man to be the Commander-in-Chief of France, am I right?"
"This is not something I can stop alone, General!"
Pétain looked at Charles in confusion: "You seem to know Nivelle very well?"
Charles was confused: "I have my own intelligence channels, General."
Charles alludes to the "Lady in White".
But this is not the case. In history, Nivelle always claimed that he could end the war and win in a few days, but he always failed in the long tug-of-war.
To be exact, it was a disastrous defeat!
(End of this chapter)
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