Chapter 856 Silent Contest
Haig did not go to greet Charles. He sat at his desk in the headquarters, pretending to review documents while waiting for Charles to report.
He felt that there was nothing wrong with this. After all, he was the commander of the expeditionary force and Charles was the deputy commander. Wasn't it normal for Charles to report?
But no one showed up after waiting for a long time, and we only heard cheers outside the command center.
Haig stopped writing and asked the staff officer in confusion: "What is Charles doing?"
"General," the staff officer replied, "Charles seems to be chatting animatedly with the colonial soldiers."
Haig's heart skipped a beat. The colonial army was originally on Charles' side. If they were allowed to continue to get to know each other like this, it would become increasingly difficult to control the colonial army.
Thinking of this, Haig hurriedly put away his pen and stood up. He walked a few steps and turned back, took the belt from the coat rack and tied it on, then straightened his general's cap in front of the mirror.
He didn't want to be outdone by Charles in appearance and aura.
However, what was embarrassing was that there were too many people crowded around Charles, and it was packed three circles inside and three circles outside.
They cheered and jumped for joy, and one after another pushed forward to shake hands with Charles and ask for his autograph, and they seemed not to notice Haig coming.
As a last resort, the staff officer blew the whistle and shouted: "Attention!"
Only then did the crowd stop shouting and separate to make way for Haig.
At the other end of the aisle stood a young French general, Charles.
He signed his name in the notebook quickly and skillfully, then handed it to the soldier, patted the soldier on the shoulder affectionately, and encouraged him in stiff English:
"Do your best, and I look forward to fighting alongside you on the battlefield!"
"Trust me, we will win."
"There's nothing to worry about. Someone said I could predict the Germans' every move, and he was right!"
…
The soldiers laughed easily, and there was confidence and pride on their faces!
What kind of magic is this?
Haig frowned, but in just a moment, Charles actually became friends with the colonial soldiers, like a comrade-in-arms who had met again after a long separation, and he also brought morale to these troops who refused to follow orders.
He didn't even bring anything, no advanced equipment or supplies, no reinforcements, only Charles.
Charles looked back at Haig across from him with a smile on his face.
That's respect, idiot.
The colonial troops, who had been treated unequally for a long time, needed more than equipment, supplies, or reinforcements.
What they need is to be "treated equally" and to be "treated as human beings."
This is exactly what the arrogant British cannot give, and Charles is willing to be the general who treats them as human beings.
Charles didn't move.
Haig didn't move either.
Both seemed to be waiting for the other to come forward.
It's a silent contest, like a blinking game, whoever blinks first loses.
But Charles didn't care. He continued chatting and laughing with the soldiers around him:
“What country are you from?”
"Nyasaland? I know. I like the burley there."
"Can you bring me some next time you come?"
The soldier replied excitedly: "Of course, General, I'm happy to serve you!"
(The picture above shows burley tobacco. Compared with flue-cured tobacco, it has stronger elasticity, higher filling value, better ability to absorb spices, and stronger smoke. Nyasaland is now Malawi, the main producer of burley tobacco.)
On the contrary, Haig and a few staff guards stood there alone, no one paid any attention to them, and the atmosphere was very awkward.
Heiger realized that he had lost the "competition". Charles could maintain this state for a whole day, but he could not "stand guard" here for a whole day.
He cleared his throat and reluctantly stepped forward and held out his hand: "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant General. Long time no see."
"Long time no see, General." Charles smiled and shook hands in response, his demeanor as if he were welcoming another soldier who was looking for his autograph.
Haig puffed out his chest and raised his head, looking down at Charles with his eyelids drooped. He tried to use his height advantage to "defeat" Charles.
"You saw it." Haig looked around and said, "We are resting here. Are you here to bring us back to the battlefield?"
This was ostensibly a question to Charles, but it was actually addressed to the colonial soldiers: The people you welcome are trying to bring you into war. So, what is there to be happy about?
"No, General." Charles met Haig's gaze: "I am here to lead them to victory. After all, they have been in failure for too long!"
The soldiers cheered and some even applauded.
Charles' answer was very clever. Not only did he easily resolve the trap that Haig had set for him, he also mocked Haig's failure.
Heiger was so angry that his face turned red and white, but he couldn't do anything to Charles. He could only grit his teeth, turn sideways, and make a gesture of invitation.
…
Walking into Haig's headquarters, Charles walked to the window and looked out, saying sarcastically: "You seem to have great confidence in my air force, General."
"What do you mean?" Heger had just sat down on the chair and asked with a dark face when he heard this.
"It's a wooden house, and there's nothing around." Charles smiled and shook his head: "I don't dare live here."
Haig instantly understood what Charles meant.
He was mocking Haig for being unprofessional and saying that Haig should not have set up his headquarters in such an obvious place.
"Don't worry, Lieutenant General." Haig said with disdain: "It's safe here. Our Camel fighters have set up an air defense network around it."
Charles asked meaningfully, "Really?"
Haig was speechless. After the German triplanes appeared and destroyed the British Lambeville Airport, the air defense network set up by the "Camel" fighters was no longer safe.
Haig remained silent. He didn't want to waste any more time on this topic, but Charles still didn't let him go.
"General," said Charles, "this place might have been safe before this, but it may not be the same after I come. Please forgive my cowardice."
At first, Hegge didn't understand what Charles said, and was wondering why Charles would take the initiative to admit that he was "cowardly".
But after thinking about it, I realized the "deeper meaning" of Charles' words:
"It's safe here until then", implying that the British command, including him, Haig, was not worthy of the Germans.
"Maybe things will be different after I come", which clearly means that he is the important target of the Germans.
Haig snorted coldly and put the coffee cup in his hand on the table: "Lieutenant General, it seems that you are here to demonstrate to me, not to assist in command!"
Ciel turned his gaze back to Haig and asked, "Can you let me 'assist in command'?"
Haig was silent for a moment, then smiled softly: "Why not? I will also invite representatives of the colonial army to listen to your battle plan."
The colonial army has no tanks, most of them only have rifles and artillery. I want to know how you fight this battle.
If you can only charge forward at the cost of human lives like us, it will prove that I am right and you are no different from us!
(End of this chapter)
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