Chapter 887 The Role of the Opposition
It was the rainy season at that time, and although Metz was still the front line and a few shells occasionally exploded nearby, a large number of workers had already moved in to begin building the "super defense line".
The reason why Metz can become the core section of the super defense line is that it has large-scale ground fortresses, and the fortresses are connected by tunnels. With just a little modification, they can be connected to the defense line to form a whole.
Charles set up the main defense line about 10 kilometers north of Metz, forming a salient toward the German army.
This took advantage of the fact that Metz was easy to defend and difficult to attack to set the German army up for a "trap".
Once the German army broke through this line of defense and tried to advance into France, they would be blocked by Metz and fall into a dead end.
Charles has recently become obsessed with the "Super Defense Line" and he feels like building a "Doomsday Fortress".
The power system, hospital, kitchen, dormitory, warehouse, etc. were all moved into the underground bunker, which can provide self-sufficiency for tens of thousands of soldiers for three months.
There was even a narrow-gauge railway that could transport supplies from other cities without leaving the ground, thus extending the duration of operations.
Charles couldn't help but imagine the doomsday scene in his mind: a global virus outbreak and zombies everywhere, or a nuclear war breaking out and people having to hide underground, or a century-long winter... then people would need this huge underground fortification.
However.
But none of them were designed for warfare, and Charles knew very well that such fortifications were no longer suitable for modern warfare.
In the era of cold weapon warfare, the equipment with the longest range were bows and catapults, and fortresses could block them and ensure the safety of the rear.
In the era of hot weapons, artillery had the longest range, so several more lines of defense were added to form a defensive depth.
But when it comes to bombers and even airborne troops, there will be no line of defense that can stop them from carrying out precision strikes on key areas in the rear.
However, Charles could still understand why the French military and civilians actively supported the construction of the "super defense line".
It's not just because Charles proposed this plan, but also because they need a sense of security after the war, just like people need a safe haven before the end of the world.
Although it doesn't work, it can be a kind of psychological comfort.
Just as Charles was perfecting the composition and thinking about its effect, Tijani hurried out of the telecommunications room.
"Have you heard?" he shouted from a distance. "HMS Hampshire was sunk. Guess who was on it?"
"Who?" Charles asked casually, thinking about the cinema.
A cinema may seem like a luxury for an underground defense line, but it is very important for the spiritual enjoyment of officers and soldiers. After all, staying underground for a long time requires psychological considerations.
"Kitchener," Tijani said. "The British Field Marshal, he's on that ship."
Charles hummed, and then reacted a second later. He looked up at Tijani in astonishment: "You mean, Kitchener died heroically?"
"That's about it." Tijani nodded: "Although the British side claims that they can't confirm it, you know..."
“Unable to confirm” because the body could not be found, but martyrdom is almost certain.
Ciel had no idea that this was happening at this time, and it was indeed a bit unexpected.
Tijani looked to both sides, then leaned in closer and asked in a low voice, "This matter has nothing to do with you?"
"What?" Charles didn't understand what Tijani meant.
"I mean..." Tijani smiled lightly:
"They wanted to form an 'anti-Shire alliance', but things went wrong one after another."
"Belgium explicitly refused, Brusilov also objected, and Romania claimed that the time was not right."
"The only country that was willing to cooperate was Italy, but it was unable to protect itself under the German attack and was unable to cooperate at all."
"You mean, all this was done by me?" Charles stared at Tijani in disbelief. What was this guy thinking?
"Isn't it?" Tijani said with a wicked smile on his face: "Lieutenant General, I have seen your methods. You are not as kind as you seem."
Ciel spread his hands and turned his attention to the design drawing on the table again: "Do you think I need to care about the so-called 'Anti-Ciel Alliance'?"
Tijani thought for a while and nodded thoughtfully:
"You really don't need to care. Your best interest would be to ignore it."
"Let them successfully form a counterattack army and launch an attack."
"Finally we learned a hard lesson in front of the Hindenburg Line."
Tijani believed it, and thought that this matter might indeed have nothing to do with Charles.
This is just what should have happened in history, and the reason the German submarine was able to successfully intercept Kitchener was because of Harriet.
Harry is a double agent. Although she serves the French intelligence department, it is still difficult for her to escape German control.
Because once she stopped providing intelligence to Germany, Germany would make her identity public, she had to provide Germany with some valuable intelligence regularly.
"I still have a small question." Tijani stared at Charles: "I thought you had enough power to take action against the parliament. I mean, to eliminate or control those opposition members. Why didn't you do it?"
Tijanni knew that Charles controlled Clemenceau, which was a "semi-open secret" in French politics.
"You talk too much." Charles added some ruthlessness in his tone: "Aren't you worried that I will kill you?"
Tijani chuckled: "Then you might have to wipe out half of the French people."
France at this time advocated freedom of speech and people were keen to discuss these topics.
He pressed on, "Are you worried that others would say you are a dictator?"
"That's the reason." Charles nodded.
Admitting that it was no big deal, the public trust had given Shire the "ultimate right of interpretation".
“Another reason is that they are useful.”
"Useful?" Tijani was puzzled. What use could the opposition be?
Ciel stopped writing. "For example, if the 'Anti-Ciel Alliance' is frustrated, what do you think they will do?"
Tijani thought for a moment: "They..."
"There is only one way." Charles gave the answer: "The British and American coalition forces act alone, but they will worry that their own strength is not enough to break through the Hindenburg Line."
Tijani stared at Charles with wide eyes: "Is it possible that they will ask you for help?"
Charles raised his eyebrows. Only the equipment produced by Bernard Company could provide them with security, especially Pershing, because he knew what these equipment were used for.
“Unbelievable,” Tijani said. “They’re fighting against you, trying to isolate you, and they want to get equipment from you?”
"Nothing strange." Charles replied: "Bernard Group is open for business. As long as they can pay, they cannot refuse any customers in principle. Especially since the United States has provided Bernard Group with low-interest loans."
Tijani suddenly realized: "This is when the opposition comes into play!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
