Chapter 616 Intensification of Conflict
The battle of Hasselt caused a global sensation, and media from all over the world reported this victory in great detail on their front pages.
The Times:
"It's still one day, only one day before and after."
“Although Germany surrendered on the fifth day after the battle, it took only one day from the departure of Charles’s First Panzer Army to the decisive victory in the capture of Hasselt.”
"Charles has created his own legend once again. It only takes him one day to defeat his opponent."
"What is even more incredible is that he achieved such a brilliant victory at the cost of only more than a thousand men, and the Belgian army suffered only more than 8,000 casualties."
"On the other hand, our battle on the Somme River is still going on. It only takes one day for our army to catch up with the Shire. I mean the casualties."
…
Stars and Stripes:
"Many people were skeptical of Charles's tactics, believing that his victory in the Battle of Antwerp was a stroke of luck, an unrepeatable fluke, and that such a quick end to the battle would not have occurred if the Germans had been prepared."
"Some people even doubt the importance of tanks, believing that they are just a 'luxury toy'."
"However, Charles has proven with facts that this view is extremely wrong."
"Charles penetrated Hasselt while the Germans were prepared, and used the same tactics and the same troops to create an incredible miracle again."
…
The Tsarist newspaper St. Petersburg News also used a whole page to report on the battle, emphasizing:
"The Allies are winning on the Western Front, a huge victory."
"First there was the Siege of Antwerp, then the Hasselt Piercing Campaign. Each time we were able to encircle hundreds of thousands of German troops."
"We have reason to believe that as long as Charles' troops are there, there will be a third and fourth similar victory."
"Once the Germans are defeated on the Western Front, they will not be able to maintain their offensive on the Eastern Front. We are not far from victory!"
…
Russia needed this kind of propaganda because it would inspire its people to continue the fight rather than to riot and revolt.
(Note: The St. Petersburg News, also known as the News, was an official newspaper ordered by Tsarist Russia in 1702 and was discontinued in 1917 due to the fall of Tsarist Russia)
The French and Belgian media reported every detail of the battle. They analyzed the troops involved in the battle one by one, and even the casualties in small battles became hot topics.
…
In the city of Hasselt, Charles' headquarters is located in a brewery on the outskirts of the city.
The brewery had been abandoned for some time, and was filled with cobwebs and dusty brewing tools.
During the war, especially when supplies were scarce, neither Germany nor the Allies could support a luxury industry like brewing.
People wanted to fill their stomachs first and have a drink second, and the sharp drop in market demand caused breweries to close down one after another.
This brewery called Limburg is one of them.
Charles' headquarters was in an empty factory building. He thought it was more suitable for wartime than the manager's office. At least the various departments would not be separated by small offices, making communication difficult.
Charles sat at his desk and leisurely read the newspaper. Up to now, there was basically nothing that required his command. He was just waiting for the Belgian army to receive prisoners and equipment. Every day he looked at the increased supplies and equipment.
At this time, Tijani walked up to Charles with a telegram: "It can be said that this is good news, Lieutenant General. The parliament has nominated you to be the commander-in-chief."
When the staff officers in the headquarters heard this, they couldn't help but turn their heads and look over here and exclaimed, and then they all showed joy:
"It should have been done long ago."
“No one is more qualified to be the commander-in-chief than Lieutenant General.”
"Yes, the Lieutenant General should command all the troops. This kind of war will end soon and we will win the final victory!"
…
Charles remained calm, his eyes fixed on the newspaper in his hand. The breakfast in front of him was still mashed potatoes and smelly Limburger cheese.
If anything, the Limburger cheese is bigger, more than twice as big.
Charles asked why, and the staff officer replied: "Hasselt is the capital of the province of Limburg, Lieutenant General, and there is a lot of Limburg cheese here."
He put the cheese as far away as possible, ate the mashed potatoes that were as thin as vegetable soup with a spoon, and asked casually: "Why do you say it's 'good news'?"
Tijani moved a stool and sat down in front of Ciel. "I don't think the parliament will let you become the commander-in-chief so easily. General. This is something they have always avoided."
Charles nodded approvingly. Tijani's understanding of politics had improved, at least better than the staff around him.
"You're right." Charles put down the newspaper and took the napkin to wipe his mouth, finishing his breakfast, which was only meant to fill his stomach. "They want to intensify the conflict between me and other people."
"Intensify the conflict?" Tijani was stunned, then suddenly realized: "Foch, and Pétain, and the commander of the army group who hopes to become the commander-in-chief."
"And the English," added Charles.
"Yes, and the British too." Tijani nodded to show that he understood.
The British hoped to control the French army by controlling the commander-in-chief, but Charles obviously would not be controlled by the British.
As a result, everyone will regard Charles as a target, and the British may even send out intelligence personnel to frame and slander Charles.
And those old guys in the parliament don't need to do anything. They just "nominate" in the parliament, but they won't really pass it, which will put Charles under siege by others.
"So." Tijani stared at Charles: "What are you going to do?"
There was some anxiety in Tijani's voice. He absolutely believed in Charles' military genius, but the political struggle and so many opponents, many of whom were hiding in the dark, were not something Charles could handle.
Charles smiled softly: "When the enemy comes, we will stop him with our generals; when the water comes, we will block it with earth."
The situation was not as bad as Tijani thought.
Charles thought that few people in the military would be fooled.
For example, Foch and Pétain, would they regard Charles as an enemy just because of a false move by the parliament?
The two old guys were well aware of the parliament's methods, and they believed that it was impossible for the parliament to allow Charles, a capitalist who combined military, political and economic skills, to become the commander-in-chief.
If they believed it, they would not be worthy of being Ciel's opponent.
Therefore, at most, a few fools would believe this and target Charles.
Parliament can't do much by doing this.
Secondly, and more importantly, Charles is controlling the supplies through the "echo sounder".
No matter who borrowed the money or bought the supplies from the United States, as long as you offend Charles, you will most likely be sunk by a German submarine.
Then, even if the British capitalists couldn't do anything to Charles, they might even be controlled by Charles instead.
With this foundation, what big waves can they create?
(End of this chapter)
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