Chapter 982: Targeting Britain
Charles took the document handed to him by Erzberger and flipped through it. It was the population statistics of Lorraine and Alsace over the years. They also carefully drew a chart with a curve.
The subtext of this was that the population of Alsace and Lorraine grew steadily under German rule, and no large-scale massacres occurred.
Charles asked, "Should the troops in these two places also be returned?"
Erzberger's eyes suddenly widened. How could he have missed this?
Yes, after the war broke out, Germany recruited soldiers from these two places and sent them to fight on the Eastern Front.
It is impossible to send them to fight on the Western Front. They are French and have a deep sense of identity with France. They will turn against their own side on the battlefield.
Erzberger turned his eyes to the secretary.
The secretary nervously flipped through the documents, but of course he couldn't find it since he didn't bring it with him.
"I'm very sorry, Lieutenant General." Erzberger's forehead was covered with sweat. "We will transfer the soldiers from these two places back to the Western Front as quickly as possible and hand them over to you."
Charles said, "Well, let's discuss the issue of prisoners of war..."
Before Charles could finish, Erzberger responded: "We will release all the prisoners of war, French prisoners of war!"
As long as Charles wanted, all Germans would become his prisoners of war. Germany certainly did not have the courage to detain French prisoners of war.
"Very good," Charles replied. "We will also release the German prisoners of war. All of them."
Erzberger was stunned.
Release German prisoners of war?
All of them?
At least one million German soldiers were captured by Charles on the battlefield, while the number of French soldiers captured by the Germans was only over 300,000.
Exchanging more than 300,000 prisoners for more than one million prisoners is a profit no matter how you look at it!
Erzberger was worried that he had heard wrongly: "You, you will really release all the prisoners, but this..."
"Of course!" Charles answered confidently, "Any questions?"
There were too many German prisoners, and Charles had previously promised them "favorable treatment", so they had become a burden to France, and Charles was eager to get rid of them as soon as possible.
"No, no, it's okay!" Erzberger shook his head quickly.
"As I said, sir," Charles stressed, "German soldiers and civilians are not enemies of France. Now that you have overthrown the dictatorship of William II, we certainly have no reason to detain prisoners."
Charles took this opportunity to add a little glory to the "League of Nations".
From now on, if the Charles disliked a country, he would say that he was targeting its political system rather than its citizens.
Then, there is a risk that the country will experience the first "citizen-state" split.
Erzberger stood up excitedly and held Charles' hand tightly with both of his hands:
"Thank you very much, Lieutenant General."
"You are indeed as true a Frenchman as people say you are."
"We are lucky to have a general like you leading the 'League of Nations'!"
As the chairman of the "Armistice Commission", Erzberger is neither a man nor a womanizer.
He maintained his bottom line and argued with Charles, and the next second Charles commanded the armored forces to advance towards Berlin.
If he abandons his bottom line and caters to Charles, he will be called a "traitor" by the Chinese people.
Erzberger once wanted to turn down this thankless job, but someone had to take the blame.
Now it's okay, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Charles didn't seem harsh, he could even say he was very friendly.
But what is Charles's intention in doing this?
Or is it purely because of the French spirit, as he said?
…
Freeman Joint Command.
General Winter said to Fischer in a condescending manner: "First of all, we hope that you will release the prisoners of war unconditionally."
Fischer asked in return: "So, how many prisoners of war do you plan to exchange with us?"
General Winter was stunned.
Britain had more than 400,000 prisoners of war in the hands of the Germans. Although the British army also had tens of thousands of German prisoners of war, they were usually transferred to French management. How could there be any prisoner exchange?
"This is a condition, sir." General Winter emphasized: "I'm not talking about an exchange."
Fischer laughed:
"If I remember correctly, we are still at war, General."
"British troops were advancing on us, even though the regime in Germany had changed."
"Do you think we will release more than 400,000 British prisoners of war and let them take up arms against us again?"
General Winter snorted coldly, then glanced at Pershing, meaning that it was time to join forces to exert pressure again.
But Pershing pretended not to see it.
This request was indeed "excessive" in Pershing's view, as it was equivalent to asking the Germans to hand the handle of the knife to their enemies.
No one would be so stupid.
Seeing that Pershing didn't respond, General Winter became angry and stood up with a red face: "Well, maybe I should contact Charles."
Fischer spread his hands, meaning it’s up to you.
…
At the Fortress of Pontisse, Charles is discussing with Erzberger the control of the Ruhr region.
"I have no obsession with the Ruhr Industrial Zone." Charles said casually, as if the Ruhr Industrial Zone was not worth mentioning in his heart:
"That is German land and we should return it to Germany."
"But my allies may not agree, and you know why."
Erzberger nodded heavily: "Yes, of course."
Once the Ruhr industrial area returns to Germany, Germany will immediately regain its strong combat effectiveness and the vitality for war.
This is something Britain and the United States do not want to see.
As for Charles, if he could occupy the Ruhr Industrial Zone for the first time, he could occupy it for the second time, the third time...
"So." Charles said reluctantly:
"I suggest that your country should hand over the Ruhr industrial area to France for management."
"One year, two years, or three years."
"I will ensure the output of the Ruhr, and provide Germany with the necessary arms as appropriate."
Erzberger's eyes lit up: "Providing arms to Germany?"
"Of course," Charles answered. "Germany needs weapons for self-defense and for public security, don't you think?"
"Yes, of course, Lieutenant General!" Erzberger nodded his head repeatedly.
Oh my god, another surprise!
At this time, Charles received a call from General Winter.
"Lieutenant General, I have an unwelcome request," said General Winter.
"We are discussing an exchange of prisoners with the Germans."
"You know that France has a large surplus of prisoners of war."
"Then why not exchange your prisoners for British prisoners? After all, we are allies..."
Charles looked regretful: "I just signed a document with Mr. Erzberger to release the prisoners."
This is the truth, the documents are in Erzberger's hands.
After taking a glance at the document, Erzberger suddenly realized that Charles had pointed his finger at Britain!
(End of this chapter)
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