Chapter 553 The Last Condition
After a while, Captain Jérémie and his men returned to Charles.
"General," Captain Jérémie said, "we want the right to go home on leave."
Without thinking, Charles agreed: "Of course."
As he spoke, he nodded to the staff officer beside him. The staff officer took out a backup file from his briefcase, used his body to shield himself from the rain and handed it to him.
Charles explained: "This is the rotation plan we have drawn up, take a look."
Captain Jérémie took it and flipped through it. Then his eyes lit up and he shouted excitedly to everyone around him, "We get a week's vacation after each rotation!"
The soldiers burst into cheers instantly.
The previous rotation was rear garrison, third-line garrison, second-line garrison... moving to the front line layer by layer, staying at the front line for a week and then going back to start all over again, with no vacation time at all.
Now soldiers can get one week of leave after each rotation, which is undoubtedly good news.
However, a lieutenant with a beard beside Captain Jérémie was cautious enough. He took a look at the plan in Jérémie's hand and asked Charles, "General, it's not that we don't trust you, but does the parliament agree with this rotation plan?"
The soldiers all focused their attention on Charles.
There are many things that Charles cannot decide; the decision-making power lies in the hands of the parliament.
They were worried that if Charles agreed, the Parliament would make another decision.
Before Charles could speak, the staff officer rushed to answer:
"This was agreed by the parliament, otherwise the general would have come yesterday."
"The reason I arrived today is because the general is fighting for your interests in the parliament."
"You know, those people in the parliament are not easy to deal with!"
The staff officer's reply was timely. These words were not suitable for Charles to say himself, as it would sound like he was flattering himself. It would be much better if the staff officer said them.
Sure enough, the soldiers looked at Charles with more gratitude and respect in their eyes.
However, the bearded old soldier still had concerns, and he asked again:
"As everyone knows, we couldn't get leave before because of a shortage of soldiers."
"The problem of manpower is still there. Allowing us to take leave will inevitably lead to a shortage of manpower."
"General, how do you solve this problem?"
Captain Jeremy nodded slightly in agreement. If the root problem was not solved, the solutions given by the government and parliament would be useless.
Ciel replied calmly:
"The manpower problem can be easily solved. We will maintain a strategic defense for a period of time."
"We all know that defense requires far fewer troops than offense."
"In addition, we return to your first request. We will try our best to avoid meaningless attacks, which can also save manpower."
The bearded man thought about it for a while and nodded slightly to indicate that this was indeed feasible.
Then Ciel laughed, "You're worried that I've been deceived by the Council, too, right?"
Many of the soldiers nodded, including several representatives of Captain Jérémie.
It's not that they don't trust Charles, but they are worried that Charles has also been kept in the dark and is being used as a shield by the Parliament.
Charles spoke in a relaxed and natural tone:
"I'm not sure if the council will go back on its word in the future, but I'm on your side and will do everything I can to ensure these promises are implemented."
"On the other hand, I think you should realize that this practice is dangerous."
"I'm not talking about parliamentarians, nobles, or capitalists. We don't care about their dangers."
At this point, Charles did not forget to jokingly say: "I almost forgot that I am also a capitalist."
The soldiers laughed.
Charles is not an ordinary capitalist. They are willing to fight for him and keep him safe.
Charles moved closer and walked naturally into the crowd.
This was unimaginable for other officers. A senior officer walked into a group of mutinous soldiers?
That could result in being beaten to death by angry soldiers.
A similar thing had happened before. Although the soldiers did not fire their guns, they threw stones at the officer who came forward shouting and screaming. In the end, the officer was snatched away by the guards with a bleeding head.
Charles thought he didn't need to worry about this, as he had accumulated a lot of good reputation and made use of the wealth in his hands.
Now, it's time to put that good reputation to work.
"We also have families to protect." Charles said calmly:
"Consider the situation now, gentlemen."
"What would happen if the Germans launched an attack at this time? Can you stop the German attack?"
"If the defense line collapses, what will happen to your family? Including you!"
The soldiers exchanged glances, knowing that Charles was right.
Although the mutiny proposed "agreeing to garrison and opposing attack", the mutiny was organized and scattered and could not be controlled, and the troops had lost their combat effectiveness.
Some soldiers drove armored reconnaissance vehicles into ammunition depots and took away whatever equipment and ammunition they wanted.
Some soldiers left the trenches and took up garrison in the forest because they felt it was safer and more suitable for defense.
There were also some soldiers who occupied a nearby town, declared independence, and established a so-called "new government."
…
Can such an army stop the German attack? I'm afraid they will flee in all directions as soon as the Germans come!
Captain Jérémie had a heavy expression and his eyes were filled with worry:
"That's what we're worried about, too, General."
"Once the defense line collapses, our families will be the first to fall into danger, while the capitalists, parliamentarians, and nobles will flee in advance."
“That’s why we’re still here.”
They held their ground and did not leave, despite the unbearable conditions and the possibility of an enemy counterattack.
"I know." Charles nodded and replied, "You are the bravest and most loyal people. Your courage is unmatched."
This is the truth. Few people can stick to their posts even after mutiny.
"But this is not enough, far from enough." Charles looked around the room, "What we want is an army, an army that can hold the line, an army that can protect our families and France. Can you do it?"
Captain Jérémie stepped forward. "We can do it, General. We are willing to obey your command."
The soldiers stood up one by one:
“We can do this.”
"We believe in you, General!"
"Lead us in battle!"
…
The bearded man stood in front of the others and said, "One last condition, General."
Charles said "hmm" and listened attentively.
"We hope you can become the commander-in-chief." The bearded man fixed his eyes on Charles.
Charles was stunned. This was actually a condition?
The soldiers responded:
"Yes, let Ciel be the commander-in-chief."
“This is the best guarantee!”
"Only when he becomes the commander-in-chief will we not be lambs to be slaughtered at will!"
…
But there was something different in the bearded man's eyes.
Could it be that Charles did all this for the commander-in-chief?
(End of this chapter)
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