Chapter 998: Charles Refuses to Cooperate with Britain
The meeting room next to Charles' headquarters in Fort Pontisse.
The Quartermaster General warmly hugged Charles with a kind smile: "Long time no see, Lieutenant General, is everything okay?"
"It has never been better," replied Charles.
General Winter stepped forward and shook hands with Charles without saying anything, but the expression on his face showed that they were not here for good.
The two men sat down at the square table, one on the left and one on the right, and the Minister of Munitions kept a smile on his face.
"I'm here to apologize to you." The Quartermaster took the coffee handed to him by Charles.
Charles said, "Oh," and said, "Are you sorry for anything?"
The Minister of Munitions raised his eyebrows. "I'm referring to the blockade of supplies. I hope you understand that we had no choice but to do so. Please understand that this is not targeting France. This is a difficult decision for us as well."
"Of course." Charles sat down on the chair with his coffee, his expression calm: "Actually you don't need to apologize. Like you said, you have always done this."
What I mean is that you have always been so shameless and will continue to do so. Will an apology be of any use?
The Minister of Munitions pretended not to understand: "I am glad that you think so. I believe this will not affect the relationship between Britain and France."
This should be heard the other way around: if you can think this way, it will not affect the relationship between Britain and France.
"Of course." Charles spread his hands and asked, "Tell me your conditions, Your Excellency, what do you want us to do?"
The Minister of Munitions had a smug smile on his face. He was very satisfied with Charles' attitude, which meant that Charles had compromised.
"It's very simple." The Quartermaster General nodded to General Winter.
General Winter understood and took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Charles:
"We want peace, Admiral."
"Britain believes that it is the Entente that should negotiate with the Germans. We are one people."
"So we revised the negotiation terms, which can maximize the interests of the Allies, including France."
Charles took the document and opened it. He found that many conditions had been added, such as Germany could not produce warships of a certain tonnage, could not produce tanks, could not produce large-caliber artillery, etc.
The key point is reparations. Britain conscientiously increased the reparations to France to 15 billion US dollars.
Charles laughed. "That's surprising, Your Excellency. France will get the most compensation!"
"That makes sense." The Quartermaster said sincerely:
"The war was fought on French soil, and the German invasion caused great harm to the French military and civilians."
"Whether it was economic, military, or political, they almost took Paris."
"So, they should be asked to compensate for the losses. This is the price they should pay."
On the surface, this seemed to be a protest for France's interests, but in reality it was dividing France and Germany, including over reparations.
With 15 billion US dollars, France became the country with the highest compensation.
If Charles agreed, Germany's attack would immediately shift from Britain to France.
Even France will be branded as "treacherous": having signed a document promising $2 billion in compensation, it is now demanding more.
Ciel made a double entendre: "I can't say no, can I?"
The Quartermaster General smiled and nodded: "You can say that."
If you refuse, it means that your maritime trade will always be blocked. How long can you last?
Ciel nodded, his voice frustrating: "I need to report this to the government, and then they will decide, even though it's just a formality."
"Of course." The Quartermaster General made a "please" gesture.
…
At the Hotel de Crillon, Clemenceau's "League of Nations Conference" was still in progress.
He lamented to representatives of various countries about the wars that Britain had launched and the ugly things it had done over the years to maintain its hegemony, including instigating internal strife among European countries.
Representatives from various countries responded one after another.
This was their personal experience, and they knew it very well, but they didn't dare to say it openly before.
At this time, the secretary came in, whispered a few words in Clemenceau's ear, and handed him a document.
Clemenceau took the document, flipped through it, and sighed heavily.
After a while, he waved the document towards the representatives of various countries:
"Gentlemen, the British Minister of Munitions is currently in talks with Charles at Pontissebourg."
"It is this contract that is being discussed. You will never guess what the British conditions are."
"Britain hopes France will change its indemnity to Germany and raise it to $15 billion."
There was an uproar in the meeting hall.
Some who were slow to react didn't even understand what was going on. Why was Britain standing up for France and asking it to increase the amount of compensation?
"It's obvious." Clemenceau held up the "evidence" in his hand and denounced:
"The British are trying to win over France. They hope to use the $15 billion to bribe France to get us back on the British side."
"This is coercion and inducement. They are offering such huge benefits while suppressing France with a naval blockade."
"As long as France is willing to accept it, all problems will be gone, and only benefits will remain."
Representatives from various countries rioted.
This is a huge benefit to France. As long as Charles nods, France will not only be able to extricate itself from the current trouble, but may also get $15 billion in compensation!
“But, gentlemen,” Clemenceau continued:
"We will not sell out the French spirit for these reparations."
“Nor will I give up my beliefs because of threats from Britain.”
"We will not be afraid of Britain's tyranny and betrayal of the 'League of Nations' or even the peace of mankind!"
The conference room suddenly erupted in cheers, and the delegates applauded to show their support for Clemenceau.
…
Pontissebourg meeting room.
The Minister of Munitions had a very pleasant conversation with Charles, and those who didn't know would think that they were meeting old friends in a foreign land.
Delighted, the Minister of Munitions suggested replacing coffee with brandy.
"We should have a drink," said the Quartermaster-General. "This is a moment worth celebrating."
"No, Your Excellency," replied Charles, "it does not seem appropriate now."
"Why?" the Quartermaster General asked, "Because of the war? No, the war is about to end, Lieutenant General, there is nothing to worry about!"
Ciel shook his head: "The war is not over, it has just begun."
The Quartermaster General looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"
At this time, the staff officer came in and whispered something to General Winter who was standing aside.
General Winter's face changed drastically. He walked quickly to Charles and asked in a questioning tone: "Did you send our contract to the 'National Land Alliance' to announce it to everyone?"
"Is it not possible?" Charles asked in reply. "These are the conditions to be imposed on the Germans. Sooner or later, they will become known to the world!"
The Minister of Munitions' face gradually became gloomy, which meant that Charles refused to cooperate with Britain and made the decision from the beginning.
(End of this chapter)
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