Chapter 670: Survival or Death
Everything went according to Charles' plan.
The next day, the "Meritorious Newspaper" changed its usual low-key attitude and used an entire page to denounce capitalists for hoarding goods and driving up prices.
It lists in detail the comparison of French supplies after the victory of the "Echo Sounder", and proves with facts that after Charles achieved this remarkable victory, the supplies landed in France increased by half in an instant, and have almost doubled by now.
However, where did all these supplies go?
Why didn't they reach the people who needed them?
Photo after photo provided evidence of major capitalists transporting materials into warehouses.
There are also scenes where Bernard Group sells supplies at a fair price but is maliciously snatched up!
Of course, these photos were provided by Lucia, who was fully prepared for this moment.
Finally, Kobdo denounced in the article:
"While our soldiers are bravely fighting the enemy on the front lines, what are the capitalists doing in the rear?"
"They tried to starve the soldiers' families to death and used every possible means to drain them of supplies."
"What's worse is that they are trying to put all the blame on Charles and make people think that all this is caused by Charles!"
"Everything is a lie woven by capitalists."
"They want to destroy not only Charles, but also the faith of France, the spirit of the soldiers who resisted the invasion, and the entire country!"
…
"Xiao Daily" follows up accurately.
It used a cartoon to satirize this phenomenon: several well-dressed gentlemen were sucking blood with rubber tubes while ugly directing civilians holding kitchen knives and shotguns to attack the backs of soldiers fighting the German army in the trenches.
Next question: Is this what you wanted?
The article pointedly pointed out:
"Wake up, French people who have been blinded by lies."
"The capitalists want you to hate each other and even attack the heroes of France."
"Only in this way can they firmly grasp the power and wealth in their hands!"
…
Finally, the Little Daily was thoughtful enough to provide the address of the warehouse where the capitalists stored supplies.
…
People's anger was instantly ignited.
Young and strong workers and disabled soldiers immediately organized themselves to attack the capitalists' warehouses, and finally even the elderly and women joined in.
When people opened the warehouse, they were stunned by the mountains of supplies inside.
"It's unbelievable, this is all true, they hid the supplies in the warehouse and told us it was Ciel's fault."
"They would rather let us starve or even die than pile up the supplies here to rot, just to make us hate the Shire!"
"We can't let these bastards off easily. They are traitors to France, spies of Germany, or they have been bribed by the Germans!"
…
This logic seems to be correct.
Because as a Frenchman, there is no reason to point the finger at the hero who is leading France to victory. The only reasonable explanation for them doing so is that they were bribed by the Germans.
Once this crime is charged, it is no longer just a simple protest.
The angry people beat the warehouse manager and his minions who had hurried over to transfer the supplies half to death, then rushed into the capitalist's villa, dragged them out, and then hanged them on a sycamore tree on the roadside amid saliva and curses.
For a time, all the capitalists in Paris were in danger. Some died, some fled, and those who did not have time to escape hurriedly ran to the city hall with their families to seek shelter from the army.
The people still refused to give up. They surrounded the city hall and demanded Briand hand over the traitor:
"They are a group of criminals who betrayed France. They should be punished."
"Whoever it is, protecting them means being complicit with them."
"Yes, anyone who is willing to protect a traitor must have been bribed by the traitor!"
…
Finally, Gallieni stepped forward to calm the crowd:
"You are right, their crimes are unforgivable."
"But I don't think hanging them is the best option, because there may be bigger interest groups behind them."
"Believe me, I will track down more traitors through them and bring them to justice!"
At this time, people's anger gradually subsided and they dispersed with satisfaction.
…
That afternoon, Gallieni convened an emergency session of parliament.
Just when the congressmen thought that Gallieni was responding to people's "riots", Gallieni surprisingly proposed a wartime rationing system.
He stood on the podium, waved the documents in his hand, and said to the congressmen helplessly:
"Gentlemen, you know what happened without me having to tell you."
"The 'riots' occurred not only in Paris, but also in more than a dozen cities including Dunkirk, Nantes and Toulon. This was a nationwide riot."
"I am compelled to warn you, France is on the verge of collapse, gentlemen!"
Having said this, Gallieni paused intentionally and swept the entire audience with a sharp gaze that contained both sarcasm and threat.
As the deputies looked on in horror, Gallieni continued:
"Our front line is not optimistic. We just experienced a mutiny not long ago. It was only stabilized thanks to Charles' efforts."
"The battle of Verdun is still going on, and it will take a lot of supplies to win."
"The northern bank of the Somme has been defeated, and the southern bank where General Foch is stationed is in a state of being unable to hold on alone."
"At this time, if there is a nationwide unrest in the rear and it cannot be quickly quelled, it will be fatal to France!"
The whole room was silent. All the congressmen knew that Gallieni's threats were not empty words, but facts before their eyes.
If France collapses completely, it will benefit no one except those MPs who have been bought by Britain and Germany.
After a long while, Armand's scattered voice finally rang out in the meeting hall: "So, Mr. Minister, what do you think we should do to quickly quell this unrest?"
Gallieni nodded slightly to Lieutenant Colonel Fernando who was waiting in the audience, and Lieutenant Colonel Fernando immediately led his men to distribute the documents one by one.
Gallieni explained: "This is a wartime rationing system. We intend to centrally purchase and distribute the materials that come ashore."
This decision was immediately opposed by parliamentarians, many of whom had their interests tied to capitalists and some of whom held considerable shares.
"You can't do that, this is market freedom."
"Doing so would deal a huge blow to the French economy."
"This is excessive government interference in the market and an act of dictatorship..."
Gallieni interrupted the parliamentarians coldly: "Gentlemen, the decision of life or death is yours!"
The venue fell into silence again.
If we don't agree, we won't be able to get through this hurdle. People will not tolerate capitalists continuing to manipulate materials in this way.
Glancing at the silent congressmen, Gallieni nodded with satisfaction: "Now, let's start voting on this issue!"
(End of this chapter)
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