Chapter 502 Enemies and Friends
All this was not Charles's intention, but was done intentionally by Albert I.
He received the telegram appointing the Allied commander at about the same time as Charles.
At that time, he was enjoying afternoon tea with Colonel Eden in the manor and happily discussing the cooperation between the "Saint-Etienne" and "FN" arsenals.
"God, why didn't I think of this." Albert I excitedly opened the champagne and poured a glass for Colonel Eden himself: "I should have facilitated the cooperation between the two arsenals a long time ago. Fortunately, they reached a cooperation intention on their own."
Colonel Eden was flattered and stood up to take the wine. After expressing his gratitude, he agreed: "Yes, this will not only deepen Charles' interests in Belgium, but also further enhance our military equipment."
"Further upgrade of equipment?" Albert I, who was holding the bottle of wine, was stunned.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Colonel Eden replied: "If the cooperation between the two arsenals is further strengthened, if Charles has any new equipment in the future, FN Arsenal will certainly have a better chance of obtaining the production rights."
Albert I suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Aha!" He nodded with joy, "You're right, Colonel, I didn't think of that. It's a good thing indeed, a very, very... very good thing!"
He raised his glass and clinked it with Colonel Eden's. "This is worth celebrating. I even want to set a commemorative day for today. Today may be a turning point for Belgium to become rich and powerful!"
At this time, the signalman handed a telegram to Albert I: "Your Majesty, a telegram from the Allied General Headquarters."
Albert I took the telegram and read it:
Charles was promoted to major general.
Another good thing worth celebrating, Charles is definitely worthy of this rank. In addition, Eden was finally promoted to brigadier general.
Nivelle was appointed commander-in-chief.
He had no feelings about it, or rather, Albert I didn't care, he only cared whether Charles was in Belgium.
Looking down again, the smile on Albert I's face gradually disappeared, and soon turned cold, with even some anger in his eyes.
Colonel Eden sensed something was wrong, and quickly put down his glass and asked cautiously, "Is it bad news?"
Albert I snorted coldly without saying anything, handed the telegram to Colonel Eden, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.
Colonel Eden took the telegram and frowned:
"They moved the British Expeditionary Force to the Antwerp Line?"
"My God, these troops are working in conjunction with the armored and mechanized forces of the Charr."
"Do they understand this?"
"In addition, the language, guns, ammunition, etc. are all different..."
Albert I interrupted Colonel Eden: "That's all you're worried about?"
"Then, what else?" Colonel Eden asked in confusion.
Albert I shook his head slightly. "They sent a lieutenant general to command the battle of the Antwerp defense line, and Charles is only a major general."
Colonel Eden said, "Oh!" "Charles will lose his command."
The next second, his eyes widened and he screamed, "What? Charles will lose command? The British will lead us to fight? Then our fortress defense system..."
"It's more than that, Colonel." Albert I said coldly, "This is a conspiracy. The British don't want to see France rise again, and don't want to see Belgium fully side with France. They are trying to weaken Charles' military achievements and even drag him into the quagmire!"
Colonel Eden suddenly realized: "This is a conspiracy against Charles. The pro-British Nivelle becoming the commander-in-chief may also be part of it."
Everyone knew that Nivelle became commander-in-chief thanks to the British, and Colonel Eden was no exception.
Then Colonel Eden asked doubtfully: "But will the French allow the British to target Charles like this?"
Albert I smiled lightly and said sarcastically: "This is exactly what France would like to see, Colonel. To be more precise, it is what the French Parliament and the generals would like to see."
Colonel Eden, who was unfamiliar with politics, was stunned for a moment. The British wanted to deal with the French hero, but the French Parliament and the military not only refused to help, but also welcomed it? This doesn’t make sense!
Colonel Eden looked at Albert I with doubt.
Albert I seemed to see through Colonel Eden's thoughts. He analyzed slowly, "Charles' achievements are too dazzling, Colonel. They are so dazzling that they overshadow all other generals. Charles has therefore become an obstacle to their promotion."
Colonel Eden said "Oh" and nodded slightly in agreement.
Except for Gallieni, who was Charles's strong backer, everyone else's tactical ideas were different from Charles'. They were either "offensive" or "defensive", including Foch.
But Charles is a "adaptable person".
If Charles is right, it proves that everyone else is wrong and they all need to learn from Charles and follow Charles' tactics.
This was something the old French generals could not tolerate; it would require them to overturn the military theories they had believed in for decades and surrender to an 18-year-old boy.
but……
"And what about Parliament?" asked Colonel Eden. "It has no such conflict, sir, and it is on Charles' side in dismissing Joffre."
Albert I snorted disdainfully:
"They sided with Charles because they knew Joffre was finished."
"But this does not mean that the Council supports Ciel. You don't understand, Colonel."
"Congress, we don't want a powerful person to appear in the military at any time!"
Colonel Eden understood instantly and was so shocked that his mouth remained half open for a long time.
The French system is designed to curb the emergence of military dictatorship, and Charles now has a very good reputation both in the military and among the people, especially in the army. There is no grassroots soldier who does not support Charles.
One day, Charles waved his hand and shouted to the soldiers: "Soldiers, it's time to liberate France!"
The soldiers would follow Charles without hesitation and storm the parliament to dissolve it, to the loud cheers of the French people.
Moreover, Charles also has his own power in the parliament, and this power is growing stronger day by day...
All this made other lawmakers feel uneasy and worried.
Colonel Eden even thought that the reason why Charles was not sent to prison and then to the guillotine for a certain crime was only because there was a powerful enemy on the opposite side: Germany!
"I, I didn't expect this." Colonel Eden panicked: "This is so unexpected. There are enemies of Charles everywhere."
"No," Albert I objected, "He has friends everywhere, Colonel. French soldiers and civilians, Belgian soldiers and civilians, and us. It is precisely because he has so many friends that the parliament is afraid of him!"
Colonel Eden nodded firmly: "Yes, we will stand on Charles' side at any time, there is no doubt about that."
(End of this chapter)
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