Chapter 987 I Can't Believe I'm Still on Earth
Only one chapter today, sorry!
…
Aachen, the westernmost city in Germany, is located at the junction of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and is known as the "Heart of Europe".
(The above are the boundary markers of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, with the name of a country written on one side.)
Because it is a transportation hub connecting three countries, Germany built five railway stations here to promote trade.
A team of cars slowly stopped in front of Aachen Main Railway Station. The French soldiers lined up on both sides of the railway station hurriedly stood at attention with their guns, and saluted at the command of the officers.
Charles stepped out of the sedan, and Albert I hurriedly followed with a group of followers.
As they were about to enter the gate, Albert I, who was walking side by side with Charles, looked around and said with some emotion: "I have been here before and met with William II."
Then he added, "Before the war, Lieutenant General."
He was worried that Charles would misunderstand that he had some private deal with the Germans.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Charles stepped into the railway station.
He didn't care about this at all, not because of his personal feelings for Albert I. Feelings are the most unreliable thing in the face of national interests.
The reason why he was relieved was that Belgium was too weak and it bordered France, so it had no choice but to rely on France.
Albert I smiled bitterly and continued:
"Do you know what happened at that time?"
"Wilhelm II pointed to the train station here and asked me: Do you know why Germany dared to build five train stations here? Because Germany is the most powerful, you know what I mean!"
"And I dared not say anything. I could only pretend not to understand and nod in agreement respectfully."
Another meaning of building railway stations during World War I was "preparation for war."
Because at that time, troops, supplies, ammunition, etc. were all transported by train.
"Now..." Albert I raised his hands to both sides and said sarcastically: "Germany is the most powerful!"
There was laughter from the followers all around.
…
On the train station platform.
Charles and a group of soldiers were waiting quietly. On both sides of the railway tracks, there were many French and Belgian people who had heard the news, including men, women, old and young.
When they saw Charles appear, they exclaimed and greeted him, but they were blocked by the guards and could not get close.
Soon, a train pulled into the station with a long puff of steam, whistling, and releasing steam like a thick fog when it stopped.
The military band played the Marseillaise.
Several soldiers in tattered uniforms appeared at the door of the carriage. Many of them were still wearing old-style Red Army trousers, but the color had faded so much that it was almost impossible to distinguish them.
They walked out of the car door tremblingly, as if the sunlight outside was stinging their eyes, and they either lowered their heads or blocked the sunlight with their hands.
Then more and more people got off the train, one group after another.
Some of them were recognized by their relatives who had been waiting for a long time, and a group of people cried bitterly in surprise and joy.
They were prisoners of war released by Germany, both French and Belgian.
As a sign of good faith, Erzberger extended the prisoner release agreement to Belgium.
Today is the day when the first batch of prisoners of war arrive. As the highest commander in this area, Charles should hold a welcoming ceremony to express his respect for the veterans.
Two officers walked out of the smoke, looking like a major general and a lieutenant general respectively, followed by several German guards.
The leading German colonel stepped forward, saluted Charles, and shook hands with him:
"I must make one point, General."
"We are not escorting, but protecting the safety of the train and the prisoners."
"You know, we are worried that some people with ulterior motives will destroy our 'truce' and friendship."
Ciel nodded: "Of course, thank you very much!"
Lieutenant General Luffy stepped forward and shook hands with Ciel, looking at him in disbelief: "So, you are Ciel?"
"Yes, General," Charles replied. "Welcome home."
"Thank you!" Lieutenant General Ruffy nodded and glanced at the French troops lined up on both sides, his face full of confusion.
The prisoners following him also looked at the soldiers one by one, and some even thought they were not French soldiers.
Most of the prisoners were captured by the German army when the war broke out in 1914.
One part was during the attack on Metz, and the other part was to stop the main force of the German army on the Belgian border.
Three years passed in a flash. They were held in a German prisoner-of-war camp and knew nothing. When they saw the French army again, they found that they had completely changed.
Where are the handsome military uniforms from the past?
What is that iron shell on your head?
And why don’t you recognize the rifle in your hand?
"Please follow me, General." Charles politely guided Lieutenant General Ruffy to the outside of the station: "Don't worry, General, I will arrange corresponding positions for you. You are heroes of France."
Lieutenant General Luffy smiled and asked, "Do you think we are still fit to command?"
"What?" Charles asked knowingly.
Some things would be better if they said them themselves.
Lieutenant General Ruffy raised his head to the German guards who were watching them leave behind him and said, "Some of those guards can speak French. They told me a lot about you on the way."
Charles said, "Oh," "But this has nothing to do with your duties."
"No, Lieutenant General, of course it is related." Lieutenant General Luffy replied:
"They told me that you invented the tank, the airplane, the mine, the mortar, and countless other devices."
"And tactics. They had deep fear in their eyes when they talked about your use of armored forces to infiltrate."
"They say that the world is dominated by the infiltration tactic now. You use this tactic to defeat everyone and conquer the world, but we don't even know what it is!"
Major General Bolezak, who was following him, nodded: "So, we are no longer suitable for commanding troops and have been eliminated, right?"
Charles did not deny it.
Although he knew that Major General Bolezac hoped that Charles would give a negative answer or comfort them with a few words.
Lieutenant General Luffy also had a similar mentality.
But the army cannot allow for any hypocrisy, otherwise it would be playing with the lives of the soldiers.
Charles said: "I have proposed to General Gallieni a position in the Army Reserve for you, General."
Major General Bolezak nodded slightly, with helplessness in his eyes.
Lieutenant General Luffy sighed softly, he knew what Ciel meant.
But they were not reconciled.
It has only been three years since the war broke out, how could there have been such great changes?
The Germans are just talking, right?
Ciel was just arrogant and frivolous, and he said that to exaggerate his own achievements.
Yes, it must be like that!
We are the ones who have truly fought on the battlefield, and we are the ones who truly understand war and how to fight.
Lieutenant General Ruffy and Major General Boleszak still have this idea.
It was not until Charles took them to review the 6th Army, saw the current tanks, sent them back to Paris by transport planes, and sent several "Jenny A" fighters to escort them, that they were convinced.
"What's wrong with this world?" Lieutenant General Luffy looked at the fully enclosed metal fighter outside through the glass window: "I can't believe I'm still on Earth!"
(End of this chapter)
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