Chapter 110: Collision between Upstairs and Downstairs
Upstairs is Gallieni's lounge, and downstairs is the officers' mess. Although the two are separated by only a wall, the issues discussed are in two different directions.
Above: There is an urgent shortage of pilots. This number is far from meeting our needs, and we will need more in the foreseeable future.
Downstairs: Will the military want us? It’s not easy to find a long-term and stable job now!
Upstairs: If they don't want to, we can increase the allowance at our discretion. If 60 francs is not enough, then 80 francs!
Downstairs: 20 francs a month is enough for us. After all, ordinary workers only earn this much. It is a luxury for us!
Upstairs: This involves risking one’s life, and it cannot be bought with money!
Downstairs: What kind of life-threatening situation could a pilot face? He was just flying a plane to see where the enemy was. The most dangerous thing was to launch a rocket to hit a balloon! Compared to being poor and starving to death on the street, this can be called dangerous?
Carter even thought of a great idea. He put one hand on Eric's shoulder and tried to make his tone sound friendly: "Brother, if Charles can buy my flying club, all our problems will be solved!"
This suggestion immediately attracted the approval of a bunch of pilots:
"Yes, yes. Then we won't have to worry about the military not assigning us any tasks, because Charles is a member of the military!"
"He'll definitely take care of his business!"
"This way, we don't have to rely on Ciel's connections to get the mission. As long as he is willing to buy the flying club, that's enough!"
Eric stared around in amazement. Are they going too far? Buying a flying club is no small matter!
…
Charles went downstairs with a sad face, thinking in his mind, if he issued a conscription order to the pilots and recruited them into the army... wouldn't they beat him up?
He even glanced at the guard room and considered whether to take Laurent with him, but finally decided to forget it. The army could not point its guns at its own people, and the guards could not solve such a problem.
As soon as he entered the cafeteria, Ciel was surrounded by a group of pilots.
Charles was stunned, thinking to himself that something was wrong, could it be... they heard the news?
Eric stood up reluctantly and asked hesitantly: "Well, Lieutenant... they said they hope you can buy the flying club!"
"What?" Charles was confused.
That was one of his tasks, as Gallieni said, the army needed a dedicated airport.
Carter immediately stepped forward, pleading in his tone, "Don't worry, Lieutenant, I won't raise the price. I invested 200,000 francs in this club, and I'm willing to sell it to you for 100,000 francs. What do you think?"
"One hundred thousand francs?" Charles looked surprised.
Just now he spent some time to check some information with Lieutenant Colonel Fernan, and they both agreed that it would cost about 300,000 francs to purchase a flying club.
The military always estimates prices high, after all, they often purchase materials at sky-high prices from capitalists.
As soon as Carter saw Charles's surprised expression, he immediately extended his hand and updated the price: "No, Lieutenant! As long as you are willing, 80,000! 80,000 francs is enough, but there is a condition, you have to bring all the pilots of the club, and I am one of them!"
"You mean... buy a club and give away a pilot?" Charles couldn't believe what he heard.
He also needs pilots, and the resources are in urgent need, so he needs to recruit them in large numbers!
Carter raised his hand and assured, "Please rest assured, Lieutenant! We are all experienced pilots. Most of us have more than two years of flying experience!"
The airplane has only been invented for 11 years. It is quite difficult to have two years of flying experience and still be alive.
The pilots all said:
"Yes, Lieutenant, we don't ask for much, 20 francs a month will be enough!"
"We won't cause you any trouble, we will do our best!"
"You can let Carter continue to manage us, he is a good manager!"
…
Charles looked at the pilots, then swallowed hard and replied, "I will buy the flying club for 100,000 francs!"
Carter was so grateful that he held Charles' hands tightly with both hands and said in a choked voice: "Thank you, Lieutenant, thank you very much!"
Charles went on to say, "And take all the pilots with you, and all the pilots you know, and have them all work for me!"
The pilots cheered and some even shed tears of excitement. They could finally have a stable income.
However, this is just the beginning...
Charles continued: "I will give you a minimum salary of 60 francs per month, and then increase it depending on the situation..."
The cheers of the crowd suddenly stopped. They couldn't believe what they heard. It took them a while to react:
"Did I hear you right? Sixty francs a month?"
“That’s three times what we asked for!”
"Can I get a raise depending on the situation?"
…
Charles nodded to confirm their guess, and then said the key point: "There is only one condition. I will implement militarized management of the club. In the future, it may be converted to military use. You may also become soldiers, soldiers who fly airplanes. Is that okay?"
Charles immediately received a bunch of affirmative answers:
"no problem!"
"Of course!"
"God, 60 francs a month, that's crazy, no one would refuse that offer!"
…
Charles was somewhat surprised by the pilots' performance.
However, Charles believes that this is because most pilots are not living a satisfactory life. They are fed up with the beatings from society and now cannot refuse a high salary of 60 francs a month.
Another reason is that they simply don't realize how dangerous being a pilot will be in the future. They still think that a pilot's job is just to deliver documents or look around with a telescope.
Is this a form of deception?
Charles looked at the excited pilots and thought, perhaps for them, being able to survive and continue flying in the sky is the most perfect life.
So, this is not a deception, but helping them realize their dreams.
"If there's no problem!" Charles made up his mind: "Then get ready to sign the contract. I want to sign all of you!"
The pilots cheered and came forward to shake hands with Charles with gratitude, as if Charles was their savior.
(End of this chapter)
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