Chapter 739 Saint Cyr Military Academy
The Saint-Cyr Military Academy was extremely busy that afternoon. Two rows of guards wearing white feathered military caps and carrying sabers on their waists stood on both sides of the gate, ready to welcome guests. They walked along the cement road through the military academy museum and the officers' club, and ended up at the playground behind the office building.
(The picture above shows a corner of the Saint-Cyr Military Academy. During World War I, the Saint-Cyr Military Academy was located in Saint-Cyr, a suburb of Paris. Later, during the Allied counterattack in World War II, the Saint-Cyr Military Academy was razed to the ground and the new campus was moved to Rennes, 300 kilometers away from Paris)
On the playground, students from various military academies lined up nervously, but there were still some lazy students who were adjusting their uniforms while rushing to the assembly.
As a few horns sounded, a few cars drove over in the distance. The instructor, who was originally scolding the trainees loudly, immediately gave orders, and the trainees instantly stood up and made final fine-tuning.
There were five cars in total, with guards arranged by Lieutenant Colonel Laurent in front and behind. Each of them was equipped with a revolver, and Lieutenant Colonel Laurent drove the car himself.
Lieutenant Colonel Laurent accidentally leaked the secret.
He said, "I know, General. There are many people in the cadets who oppose you, and there are quite a few of them. They think that you won because of tricks and that war should not be like that, so I have to be cautious."
Lieutenant Colonel Laurent's original intention was to explain the reason for bringing 20 armed guards, but he did not realize that he had exposed Gallieni's lie.
Kobdo was sitting in the car, right next to Charles.
He was responsible for the publicity of the Saint-Cyr Military Academy and promoted Charles' military theories, so he had to explain to Charles the difficulties encountered in the process.
Kobdo seemed to be in a good mood, with a cheerful smile on his face from time to time while he spoke, as if he was excited to be able to get rid of this nightmarish part-time job.
He poured out his grievances to Charles non-stop:
"The greatest difficulty is that it cannot be verified, General."
"To be exact, if we want to verify it, we need to let them fight on the battlefield."
"But they are still trainees and have not completed their training and studies. In principle, they cannot participate in the war."
"So this forms a closed loop. As long as they don't believe it, they always have reasons to oppose it, even if these reasons are ridiculous. But we can never convince them!"
Charles understood this.
People who have never been to the battlefield and have never experienced war always have wild imaginations about how to easily defeat the enemy on the battlefield.
This was true not only of the cadets, but also of the French and British generals at the start of the war.
"What specific areas are they focusing on?" Charles asked.
"What?" Kobdo didn't quite understand what Charles meant.
"For example." Charles thought for a while and asked the question that concerned him most: "The reasons why they objected."
"Oh, that's right." Kobdo replied: "There are many reasons. I summarized them and the root of it is that I think the reason you can win on the battlefield is simply because you are 'fast'."
"Oh?" Charles smiled.
Isn't this an advantage? But in their eyes, it becomes a disadvantage?
Kobdo understood what Charles meant, and he further explained: "They said that once the enemy slows down your troops or catches up with your troops, your troops will be vulnerable."
Ciel said "hmm", theoretically this statement was correct.
But it's just theory.
Everyone can say it, but the key is to be able to do it in actual combat!
Then Kobdo handed a document to Charles: "This is the questions I have compiled, and the speech I prepared for you, please take a look..."
Ciel flipped through it and spent two minutes focusing on the speech, but he didn't have the patience to finish it.
Kobdo obviously used theory to compare theory with students'.
Charles knew that this would not work. When it comes to talking about war on paper, each party has their own reasons and no one can convince anyone else.
So, Charles handed the speech back to Kobdo.
"I know what to say," said Charles.
Kovdo looked embarrassed and reminded: "This is a military academy, General. They have a complete military theory and systematic learning process. We need to know what they are thinking in order to defeat them."
Ciel shook his head confidently: "What if their 'complete military theory' and 'systematic learning process' are all wrong?"
Kobdo was stunned and didn't know how to answer.
"I don't have that much time to point out their mistakes one by one, Kobdo." Charles gave his own answer: "I will only give them the correct answer. It's up to you whether you follow it or not!"
Kobdo still had doubts. He thought that Charles did not understand that Charles' mission this time was to convince these cadets.
In this case, we should know ourselves and our enemies and overturn their theories. Only in this way can we convince the military academy students, instead of following our own preferences.
But Charles closed his eyes and leaned back to rest, and Kobdo didn't dare to say anything more.
Kobdo thought, I hope Charles will be as good on the podium as he is on the battlefield.
But Kobdo had no hope for this, because he knew that these were two different areas: teaching oneself and teaching others were two different things.
The convoy slowed down near the military academy and finally stopped steadily in front of the gate.
This was to show respect to the military academy, and Charles needed to enter on foot.
Damn ceremony, Charles muttered as he got off the car, wondering, on the battlefield would they also get off armored vehicles and tanks and choose to walk to show respect?
Charles took a step forward, and the guard drew out the swords from his waist with a clang, raised them diagonally upwards and crossed them, forming a shining sword gate in front of Charles.
Charles maintained a steady speed and saluted them casually, and the sword gates made way for him one after another.
The military band then played the "March of the Saint-Cyr Military Academy".
Its rhythm was perfectly in tune with his footsteps, magically pulling Charles into the "one, two, one" marching pattern.
We walked along the "Jianmen" to the playground following the rhythm. As far as the eye could see, there were cadets in black and red military uniforms, all of them standing tall and handsome, with awe-inspiring presence.
Charles looked at Kovdo who was following behind him in confusion: "Didn't they change into new uniforms?"
"Uh." Kobdo took a few steps closer and answered in a low voice: "They are still students, General. The principal believes that there is no need to replace them for the time being."
At the same time, he winked at Charles.
It means: Be serious, General, this is a military academy, and there are so many eyes staring at you!
He didn't say much. Gallieni had tried to promote new military uniforms in the military academy, but was collectively opposed by teachers and students throughout the school because they all agreed that the new uniforms were too ugly and completely failed to reflect the temperament and spirit of French soldiers.
Charles was speechless for a moment.
Is it really necessary for the reserve officer force of the army to be bogged down in these red tapes and superficial efforts that have no practical significance?
Shouldn't they base their decisions on actual combat?
One day when they go to the battlefield and still have to put on new uniforms, will they lose their military temperament and spirit?
(End of this chapter)
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