Chapter 605 Perfect Deterrence
I wish you all good health and success in the new year!
…………
Regent Street in London, England is bustling with people.
Heavy snow was falling from the sky. The whole world was covered with a thick layer of snow, even the filth in the alley was completely hidden.
Cars were coming and going in the center of the street, and the sidewalks were full of gentlemen in top hats and suits. They were walking in a hurry, seemingly thinking about how to get a batch of supplies from the United States, or how to borrow more money from the bank.
The newsboys were wearing shabby, thin coats and caps, with bags stuffed with newspapers that were almost as thick as their bodies. They were holding a stack of newspapers in their hands, and they were running breathlessly after pedestrians, shouting:
"Would you like a newspaper, sir?"
"Big news, news of victory."
"The Royal Navy sank 12 German submarines in one battle!"
…
When the pedestrians heard the shout, they stopped and looked at the newsboy with half belief and half doubt. Then they took out a penny from their pocket and exchanged it for a newspaper from the newsboy like they were giving a beggar.
(The picture above shows a newsboy selling newspapers on the streets of Britain.)
The pedestrians couldn't wait to open the newspaper, walked slowly, and then exclaimed: "God, this is true, they sank 12 submarines."
Other pedestrians each bought a newspaper and soon joined in the discussion:
"Very good news. Moreover, they sank 12 submarines in one battle, which means they have found a way to deal with submarines."
"So we won't be short of supplies in the future?"
"But gentlemen, did you see what was said in the newspaper? This was done with the cooperation of the French Navy!"
But this statement was quickly opposed by others:
"The French Navy? They are just cooperating, and the role they can play is extremely limited."
"The Royal Navy is the strongest navy in the world. They are stronger than all other navies combined!"
"The French Navy's involvement may only be a matter of sea area. They are more familiar with nearby shipping routes and sea conditions."
…
Passersby smiled proudly and did not take the words "French Navy" written in the newspaper seriously at all.
This is actually a deliberate misleading by the media. During this war period, they always exaggerate their own achievements as much as possible, but they did not mention a word about the British army's defeat on the Antwerp defense line yesterday.
Mr. Stokes flipped through the newspaper with his cane between his legs. He glanced at it and snorted, "So that's what the newspaper says. These stupid and ignorant guys!"
Someone heard what Stokes said and stared at him: "You seem to have a different opinion?"
Stokes shook his head slightly and raised the newspaper in his hand: "I don't want to argue with you, gentlemen. I just want to say that if you only read this, you will miss many opportunities to make a fortune."
Having said that, Stokes ignored them, threw the newspaper into the air with disdain, and left without looking back.
Stokes' company has cooperated with Charles, especially recently became a part of the Bernard Group responsible for the research and development of tank guns, so it is not surprising that he knows some inside information.
But the others did not know this, and they laughed and mocked Stokes' ignorance and arrogance, and then went on to discuss the greatness of the Royal Navy.
At this moment, someone suddenly ran over breathlessly: "Gentlemen, the stock price of Bernard Company has risen sharply."
People exclaimed:
"Bernard & Co.? Bernard & Co. of the Shire?"
"The Royal Navy won the victory, so why did the share prices of Shire's companies rise sharply?"
"Charles' company is in the insurance business. What does this have to do with him?"
…
Then someone else came running over and shouted, "Bernard's company has started a new business. They have started to insure shipping."
"By sea?"
People were stunned. Only then did they realize that the victory of sinking 12 submarines was probably related to the French fleet, or more precisely, to Charles.
…
In Namur Castle, Charles is having breakfast.
Since the 6th Army's supplies were transferred to the British Army, Charles' food also became much worse. His breakfast consisted of only mashed potatoes and a piece of Belgian Limburger cheese.
The latter was so smelly that Charles couldn't swallow it. Fortunately, the orderly Adrian didn't object.
(The picture above shows Belgian Limburger cheese, which is made by bacterial fermentation)
While they were eating, the staff officer brought a telegram from Deyoka: "Progress in the new British territory is going well."
Charles smiled slightly. This was a powerful response to those British capitalists who were trying every means to destroy the Bernard Group.
The "echo sounder" was a great business opportunity. During this war period when supplies were king, it strangled the lifeline of the Allied Powers.
Not just the UK, but also France and even other member states.
It's not just political and military, but also precise economic strikes.
From now on, no matter who it is, if they want supplies, they have to buy Charles’ insurance.
If you buy insurance, you can join Charles' escort caravan. Otherwise, just wait for the German submarines to come and visit!
The Germans were not stupid. After this battle, they would definitely guess that it was Charles who invented some equipment that enabled the French Navy to accurately destroy submarines.
Therefore, German submarines would try to avoid Charles' convoys and choose to attack "non-Charles" convoys.
This creates a perfect deterrent: those who obey me will prosper, and those who defy me will perish.
I have to say that the Germans are really useful, otherwise, with so many industries and so many competitors of British and French capitalists, Charles alone would not be able to handle it all.
Tijani doesn't care about business, that's his father's concern.
He frowned as he ate his mashed potatoes and asked, "So, we are going to counterattack Antwerp?"
"Counterattack Antwerp?" Charles replied: "Who told you that?"
Tijani looked up in confusion, "Isn't it? Our supplies have been shipped to Brussels, as have some fighter planes, and an army of the 6th Army has also been transferred."
Attacking Antwerp is the best option, Tijani thought. Our army can cooperate with Antwerp from inside and outside to form a pincer attack on the German army.
"The Germans are well prepared in Antwerp, General," Charles replied. "You should know that the Germans have prepared at least 500 planes there, while we can only gather 200 in this direction."
"But our fighter planes are more advanced than theirs," Tijani replied. "It's still unknown who will win."
"I agree." Ciel nodded, "But we will pay a heavy price, especially the pilots."
Although the Camel had an advantage in speed, it did not have an overwhelming advantage over the German Fokker E2, especially since the Germans could directly attack airports or use guerrilla tactics to consume the French army's fuel.
In addition, the German army deployed an army in the direction of Brussels and built fortifications to wait for Charles's army.
“But this is war,” Tijani stressed. “Antwerp is the place we must save.”
"Really?" Charles asked back. He looked up and looked at Tijani quietly: "You seem to have forgotten the battle plan we had already made."
Tijani was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "You mean, Hasselt?"
(End of this chapter)
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