I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Charles' Influence

In the lounge, the light cast three faint shadows on the desk.

Gallieni's old injury seemed to have flared up again. He frowned and instinctively pressed his hand against his abdomen, rubbing it gently, but soon released it and restored his usual expression.

Charles noticed this and turned to pour a cup of coffee for Gallieni, handing it to him.

"Thank you, Colonel!" Gallieni was somewhat surprised when he took the coffee, then nodded lightly, his eyes even showing a hint of satisfaction and a smile.

"Here’s the thing!" King Albert I looked at Charles with some expectation. "Have you heard about the Ottoman Empire joining the Central Powers?"

"Yes, of course!" Charles nodded.

This happened last month, just after the Battle of the Marne had ended.

The cause was that Britain had detained two dreadnoughts ordered by the Ottoman Empire and brought them into the war, without refunding the money.

Germany took advantage of this and sowed discord, which ultimately led to the Ottoman Empire joining the Central Powers.

Gallieni grunted, "The arrogance of the British!"

It was true that Britain had shown no regard for the Ottoman Empire, failing to give them the most basic diplomatic respect.

King Albert I did not offer much comment. As the king of a small nation, he wasn’t in a position to criticize Britain.

King Albert I spread a map out on the desk, pointing at it as he spoke: "After this, many people believe that if we cannot break through head-on, we may need to land on the enemy’s flank or even rear to open a new front."

Charles glanced at Gallieni. Not long ago, Gallieni had asked Charles a similar question: whether the "Charles A1" could break through the enemy's defenses head-on.

Charles’ answer had been negative, and that’s when Gallieni had turned to support the British flank landings.

Gallieni said nothing, simply taking a sip of his coffee, a tacit acknowledgment.

"There are several options for the flank landings." King Albert I, not noticing their exchange, continued: "Some believe we should land from the northern Baltic region, while others think we should land from the southern Mediterranean region. The debate has been deadlocked ever since."

Charles was somewhat confused: "But doesn’t this seem unrelated to us? We are the army, this is a navy matter?"

Gallieni's lips curled into a slight smile: "Perhaps it’s not related to me, but it’s not necessarily the case for you."

King Albert I nodded and looked at Charles. "Many people want to hear your opinion."

"My opinion?" Charles was puzzled. Why would they want to hear the opinion of a colonel?

Gallieni seemed to see through Charles’ thoughts. He looked at him with a peculiar expression, his tone light: "It seems you don’t realize your influence, Colonel?"

Seeing Charles' confused face, Gallieni smiled and shook his head slightly.

"You think that after inventing so many devices and winning so many victories, others will still treat you like an ordinary person?"

"Perhaps that’s true in France, because it’s controlled by capitalists, who in turn control the parliament."

"But in any other country, including Britain and Russia, all strategists, when making operational plans and decisions, hope to get your approval!"

King Albert I nodded, confirming Gallieni’s words: "Though they may not say it, in their hearts, they treat your opinion as the standard answer, Colonel!"

As he said this, there was a glimmer of pride in King Albert I’s eyes, as if it were an honor to be friends with Charles.

Charles was somewhat speechless. This influence seemed of little use to him—it only brought him trouble, like now, when King Albert I was coming to him for "advice."

Looking at the expectation in King Albert I’s eyes, Charles understood that this was more than just a request for "advice."

As the King of Belgium, King Albert I obviously wanted the Allies to land from the north, because once the landing succeeded, it would mean that Belgium’s restoration was not far off.

Landing from the south, however, did not have the same implications.

Therefore, King Albert I was hoping to gain Charles' support.

As for Charles' stance, as they had just discussed, since Charles was always right and always won, it was highly likely that his decision would sway the deadlock between the northern and southern factions.

King Albert I was bound to be disappointed, for the historic battle had occurred in the south, at the Dardanelles. Although it ended in failure, both sides suffered 250,000 casualties and gained nothing.

At this moment, Charles suddenly remembered the woman he had met at the ball—naval warfare, landings, the Minister of the Navy, a lover...

This meant that all of the Allies' operational plans would be laid bare before the German army, with no secrets.

With this thought, Charles gravely pointed to the north and said, "I think we should land from the north."

"Yes, that’s what I think too!" King Albert I’s previously tense expression immediately relaxed, his eyes shining with excitement. He pointed to the map and said, "Once our forces successfully land in the north, we can immediately attack the German forces stationed in Belgium from the rear, thereby cutting off their supply lines."

Charles nodded reluctantly. "That could decide the outcome of this war. The German forces will have to abandon the entire Western Front."

Though he said this, in his mind, he was thinking: Your Majesty, Belgium has reinforced the Liège fortifications. Although they have been partly destroyed, there are still several strong fortresses left from the surrender. The Germans are holding those, and what will our landing forces attack?

Though these thoughts were in his mind, he didn’t show them on his face and continued to support King Albert I.

Gallieni, however, furrowed his brow. "But this also means we will be attacked from all sides by the German main forces, even by the German fleet!"

"I don’t think we need to worry about the German fleet," Charles replied. "The British have always been implementing a double-plan. For every warship the Germans build, the British build two. Now is the time for the British fleet to shine!"

"I think so too." King Albert I nodded repeatedly. "The British are fully capable of blocking the German fleet while sending some ships to support the landing forces."

Charles added, "There’s another advantage to this. Both fleets are in the Atlantic, and if necessary, the landing fleet and the blockade fleet can assist each other. If we land from the south…"

"Very good idea!" King Albert I was so excited he could hardly contain himself. "If we land from the south, the landing fleet would have to enter the Mediterranean, and the two fleets wouldn’t be able to support each other."

Charles finally concluded, "We must consider this point. If the German fleet breaks out during our landing operation, it could catch the British fleet off guard. Unless the British are confident that their fleets are evenly matched and can block the German fleet, we must land from the north."

This analysis left Gallieni speechless, because the risk was indeed present.

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