Chapter 715: Have you already declared war?
Paris today is in an unprecedented carnival.
People sang and danced in the streets, or gathered in circles to the sound of accordion, singing and dancing. Hundreds of people gathered together and were reluctant to disperse until dusk.
The dense crowds forced the cars on the street to move forward as slowly as snails, but the drivers didn't care and even stretched out their arms to interact with people outside.
In one of the taxis sat a woman in a gorgeous frilly skirt, and there were two plainclothes guards in the car, looking around vigilantly.
(The picture above shows Queen Marie Alexandra Victoria, the wife of King Ferdinand I. She actively mediated with the Allied Powers during World War I and helped Romania gain huge benefits)
"What's going on today?" The woman cast a puzzled look at the almost crazy people outside the car window and asked the driver in front in fluent French: "Is today a French holiday?"
The woman was Queen Marie of Romania. The purpose of this trip was to win the support of the Allies for Romania to retake Transylvania.
"No, ma'am." The driver turned around and replied, his tone excited and full of pride:
"You don't know? Today is the day the Charles defeated the Germans. We won, a great victory."
"God, he penetrated from the Meuse River to Verdun and cut the German line in half."
"Germany collapsed just like that. Charles taught them a hard lesson!"
…
The driver kept talking, driving the car at a snail's pace while happily recounting Charles's great achievements:
"There's no one as good as him. You won't believe it. He's only 19."
"Charles is also a great capitalist with a conscience. He took back the control of materials from the capitalists and made us no longer hungry."
"What a perfect man, can you imagine? He could have taken all the wealth of France, all of it!"
"But he didn't do that. He brought us hope! The hope of France!"
…
Queen Mary was silent. She looked at the people celebrating outside the car window and fell into deep thought.
She felt like she was heading down the wrong path.
If the people of France trust Charles so much, this is a republican country, and at least in the situation, decisions are made by the will of the people.
So, if one wants to gain the support of the Allied Powers, the first person to consider should be Charles.
Thinking of this, Queen Mary exclaimed: "What a great man, he has a noble soul, I can't wait to meet him."
"He's still at the front, ma'am." The driver laughed. "It's not easy to see him."
"That should be the case. I believe there are many people who want to meet him." Queen Mary said with anticipation in her eyes.
“Of course.” The driver raised his chin and said, “Do you know why there are so many people on this road? Because the city defense headquarters is right in front of us.”
"City Defense Command?"
"Yes." The driver was completely unaware that the woman was trying to get information out of him, and she wanted to tell him everything she knew. "That's where Charles used to work. General Gallieni was there, and Charles often came back to see him!"
"Oh!" said Queen Marie, "they must be on good terms, aren't they? Charles and General Gallieni, I mean."
"Of course." The driver nodded heavily. "If there is anyone who stands with Charles, it is General Gallieni. He is also a respectable man. We are very lucky that France has such a general!"
Queen Mary nodded contentedly: "Stop the car right in front!"
Then he took out a stack of francs and handed it to the driver: "Here's a tip for you as a thank you!"
…
City defense headquarters.
Gallieni had been here since the afternoon.
He was supposed to go to City Hall to handle official business as Minister of War, but he was not used to it.
"There is no battlefield feeling there," Gallieni said to Lieutenant Colonel Fernan. "There are only politicians fighting each other. I am more suitable here, especially when the front is winning."
At that time, he was reviewing Charles' attack with Lieutenant Colonel Fernan under the light based on the contents of the telegram.
While demonstrating, he praised: "Good fellow, every time he launches an attack unexpectedly, no wonder it goes so smoothly."
At this time, the guard came forward and reported: "General, someone wants to see you. She said she is Queen Marie of Romania."
"Queen Marie?" Gallieni was stunned.
He had met her once three years ago when he visited Romania, but she certainly had no impression of him.
What is she here for?
Gallieni understood in the next second.
"Let her in!" Gallieni said anxiously.
Queen Marie walked up the stairs with a smile on her face. When she saw Gallieni, she smiled in surprise: "Long time no see, General. The last time we met was three years ago, right? I remember it was in Bucharest."
There was a flash of surprise in Gallieni's eyes. He didn't expect Queen Marie to have such a good memory.
"Your Majesty." Gallieni bowed politely to Mary, and when he stood up he said bluntly: "If you are here to declare war on Romania, I hope you can give up this idea."
Queen Mary shrugged. "May I know why?"
Gallieni took Queen Marie to the map, spread out the telegrams before her, pointed to the map and said:
"Everyone thought Charles easily penetrated Verdun and won the victory in the end, but no one knew that there were many dangers involved."
"Charles encountered a danger while in Mezières. He might be trapped in the city and bombed, but he invented the 'amphibious tank' to get through the crisis."
"Then he encountered another danger in the town of Truk. At that time, the armored division had few shells left, and he might have been defeated by the German First Tank Division."
"But he solved that problem with the incendiary bomb, which had just been invented."
Gallieni stopped talking and turned to stare at Queen Marie.
Meaning: You know what I mean?
Queen Mary's face changed: "You mean, the Germans are not as weak as they appear?"
"Yes, of course." Gallieni nodded. "The reason why the Germans look weak is because Charles is too strong. But if anyone else dares to challenge, you know what the consequences will be!"
Queen Mary's breathing became increasingly rapid and her eyes were a little panicked.
She knew that the "others" Gallieni was referring to were Romania, and that this was a subtle warning to her.
"But..." Queen Mary hesitated.
Gallieni understood the queen's expression: "You, haven't you already declared war?"
Queen Mary nodded and said, "Yes, we are worried that you will stop us like last time, so we plan to declare war first and then seek support from the Allies."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
