Axel

I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 279

Added 2025-06-27 17:09:01 +0000 UTC

Chapter 279: The Pressure of Public Opinion

Returning to the headquarters, Charles was surprised to find that Gallieni was not at his desk.

"Is the general still at the Chamber of Deputies?" Charles asked Colonel Fernand.

"No, he's already back." Colonel Fernand gestured toward the lounge with a look of both anger and worry on his face. "They 'tortured' the general for over two hours. It seems that his old injury has flared up again."

Charles grunted softly and said nothing. He made a cup of coffee and walked to the lounge, gently knocking on the door.

"Come in," Gallieni's weak voice came from inside.

Charles carefully opened the door, placed the coffee on the table, and asked quietly, "General, do you need me to call a medic?"

Gallieni furrowed his brow, his face pale. Slowly, he sat up on the bed, shaking his head as he answered, "The cause is shrapnel left in the wound. The medic is powerless."

"You don’t need to argue with them," Charles shifted the topic to the parliament. "It's like your injury; the cause is internal, and no matter how much you try to stop it, it will be futile."

Gallieni's hand, holding the coffee, paused in mid-air before placing it back on the table. "You mean, they will eventually send you to the front lines?"

"Yes," Charles replied. "It’s not about whether I should or shouldn't. It’s because I don’t yet have enough power."

Gallieni thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

He understood the situation perfectly.

The right-wing feared that Charles might lead France into a new industrial boom, which would marginalize the right-wing in the country.

Though the left-wing appeared to be capitalists like Charles, many had already become competitors due to his rapid rise, and they also sought to stop him.

The most ideal and decisive solution would be to send Charles to the front lines, to a dangerous place.

Gallieni couldn't help but grunt, "They sent you into the military with this in mind, all while pretending it was just to 'boost morale.'"

Charles said nothing. The truth was far more complicated than Gallieni realized.

In the past, even the parliament couldn’t have sent Charles to the front lines because the people of France wouldn’t allow it. If the parliament had done so, the people would have protested passionately or organized a general strike.

Now, even the people of France wanted Charles to go save the Dardanelles, this mess:

"Only Charles can win this battle. We should let him command this fight."

"This is the crucial battle. If we win, we can end this war!"

"Countless soldiers are sacrificing at the front. Only Charles can save them!"

...

The people had all sorts of reasons.

Some believed it was for the dignity of France, thinking that if France succeeded where Britain failed, they would feel proud and honored.

Others simply had loved ones fighting in the Dardanelles and didn’t want them to be in danger. They hoped that Charles could bring them back before they sacrificed.

There were also those who believed that winning the Dardanelles battle would end the war. They hoped that Charles would "save" France one last time.

...

From this perspective, the parliament did not go against the will of the people; rather, they were "echoing the cry of the French people."

Of course, the change in public opinion was not without the subtle guidance of the right-wing and capitalists. Some newspapers had hinted at this topic, including Le Petit Journal.

Charles didn’t mention this because Gallieni knew it was futile. He was a pure soldier, concerned only with military matters, not politics or public opinion.

"I am an adult now," Charles said calmly. "If they find they cannot persuade you, they will soon begin to question me."

Gallieni froze. It was indeed possible. The parliament had the right to question any government or military official, as long as it didn’t involve military secrets.

Charles continued, "Then they will ask me a question I can't answer. 'Colonel, as a soldier, are you willing to fight for France at the Dardanelles?'"

Charles dragged a chair over and sat in front of Gallieni, his face wearing a confident smile. "What should I say when that time comes?"

Not willing, or willing.

The former would disgrace Charles as a soldier. In a single night, he would go from being France's hero to a coward, a deserter.

Then, Charles would lose the people's support, everything he had built would be overturned, and he would never have the capital or opportunity to continue battling his rivals, just like how Brown was brought down.

The latter had no room for discussion. If Charles himself was willing to go to the front, then what right did Gallieni have to stop him? What was their intention?

Thinking about this, Gallieni nodded lightly. "In that case, you should tell them that you're on a warship, not engaging in land combat..."

Charles didn’t respond but simply stared quietly at Gallieni.

Gallieni understood the look in Charles' eyes. He was surprised. "You… you plan to engage in land combat?"

"Do you think they will let me off?" Charles countered. "If I'm on a warship without landing, then what’s their real purpose in sending me?"

After a pause, Charles added, "They can use the same method to force me onto the battlefield."

"For example, by sending several media outlets to follow me aboard the warship."

"The reporters will chase after me every day asking: 'What do you think of the casualties on the battlefield?' 'Do you think you should personally go to the front and command?' 'Or do you plan to stay on the warship?'..."

"What should I say then?"

Gallieni understood. They would gradually pressure Charles onto the battlefield through public opinion.

If Charles chose not to go, he would be branded a "deserter," losing the people's support and everything else.

"It’s not that I want to go to the battlefield," Charles concluded. "But rather than being forced there, I’d rather request to go voluntarily."

Gallieni stared at Charles, understanding he was right.

Being forced onto the battlefield meant being unprepared, and there was even the possibility of assassins among the troops.

But requesting to go voluntarily at least allowed Charles to insist on using troops he trusted.

Gallieni was a little concerned. "You’ve never been to the front lines..."

"I’m a commander, General," Charles reassured him. "They will protect me."

Gallieni sighed lightly and agreed, "Alright, this day will come sooner or later!"

After thinking for a while, Gallieni said, "I can send a 3,000-man unit to reinforce the Dardanelles. You can be the regimental staff officer."

"Yes, General!" Charles stood up in response.