I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 185

Chapter 185: The Capitalist's Methods

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Winter was approaching, with continuous rain and increasingly cold weather.

Before heading home, Charles had to change into his thicker infantry coat.

The French military was quite particular about their uniforms. Each month, they would issue two pairs of socks, and with the additional ones given when promoted, Charles had more than enough socks to last him.

However, Charles thought this was because the war had only just begun.

In a year or two, when the war severely depleted France's resources, the French army’s conscription offices would even require newly drafted soldiers to bring their own boots.

The reason was that boots were in serious shortage at the front lines. Soldiers could only take boots from the dead, so they wouldn’t have to march through the muddy trenches or cross barbed wire with civilian canvas shoes.

This time, when Camille saw Charles, she noticed the two additional golden stripes on his sleeve.

Since Charles had joined the army, she had learned much military knowledge from Djoka, including the ranks.

"What’s this?" Camille quickly approached, grabbed Charles' hand, and looked up at him. "Does this mean you’ve been promoted to major?"

"Yes, mother!" Charles turned around to wave goodbye to Major Laurent, casually brushing off the raindrops from his infantry coat. As he walked toward the house, he reassured her, "Don’t worry, this is the result of the Battle of Lafox!"

A smile instantly bloomed on Camille’s face. "Yes, I’ve heard about that battle. Caffey launched attacks over ten times with no progress, but you only attacked once, and after just over an hour, the enemy surrendered!"

Charles looked at Djoka in confusion, as he remembered that Caffey had only attacked four times.

Djoka shrugged helplessly. "That’s how everyone in Davaus sees it. Your mother believes that too."

Djoka continued, "They say the four attacks mentioned in the newspapers were large-scale assaults involving tanks, but many other attacks were actually not counted."

Well, if you look at it that way, it made sense. If you included reconnaissance and probing attacks, it was possible there were more than just ten.

Charles silently lamented for Caffey: Sorry, General, I can’t help you!

Breakfast was freshly baked pizza. When Camille brought it to the table, she said, "It’s colder now, and we need more calories. Switching to pizza will keep us warmer!"

Charles had no objections, but he didn’t quite agree with the word "switch."

Bread with sausage or apple pastries, swapped for pizza... Charles had to think about the difference.

"Francis' tractors are now on sale to the public." Djoka carefully glanced at Charles and cautiously said, "The price is the same as our 'Holt 75,' both at 1,200 francs. Moreover, he’s selling them to the military at the same price as to civilians, which means they're half the price of ours!"

Charles muttered a short "Hmm," indicating he knew about this.

This was Schneider's tactic, particularly the price of selling to the military, which would push Charles' tractors out of the arms market.

At the same time, Charles also knew that Schneider and the right-wing forces were using this opportunity to spread negative reports about him in the media.

Le Figaro, the Morning Post, and Le Petit Journal, along with a few lesser-known papers, all ran a headline: "Charles exploits the war by selling outdated 'Holt 75' at double the price of the 'Holt 120' to the military."

Anyone who understood the situation knew this wasn’t true.

Before Charles, capitalists had been selling supplies to the military at prices four, five, or even more times higher than the market price. Compared to them, Charles was the most ethical.

But the citizens didn’t know this. They would simply compare and draw conclusions: Charles' "Holt 75" was indeed more expensive than the "Holt 120," and that didn’t make sense. They would think, "He’s just profiteering, draining the taxes we pay..."

This was the capitalist method—using the media and their resources to distort the truth. They could easily smear the innocent and whitewash the guilty.

And the citizens? They were merely pawns in their hands.

Djoka didn’t want to bring this bad news to Camille, or to Charles, so he was being extra cautious.

"I know what’s going on, Father!" Charles answered calmly.

Djoka quickly stole a glance toward the kitchen behind them, lowered his voice, and said, "It’ll eventually get to your mother. Everyone in town knows, they just haven’t said anything..."

"Mm!" Charles nodded.

"What do you plan to do?" Djoka asked anxiously. "I think you should issue a statement to explain this. You have 'The Meritorious Report,' now’s your chance to fight back..."

"It’s useless, Father!" Charles interrupted Djoka. "The price is what it is. We are indeed selling it at a higher price."

"Then..." Djoka looked at Charles in confusion. "You’re not going to do anything?"

Charles didn’t answer.

Of course, Charles wouldn’t do nothing. He knew his biggest advantage was the support of both the military and civilians. If he let the capitalists destroy his public image, he would just be another regular capitalist.

"I’ll handle it," Charles said as he ate his pizza. This wasn’t an urgent matter, and it wasn’t one that could be solved easily through The Meritorious Report.

"Alright!" Djoka said with some resignation. He changed the subject. "Matthew’s tank treads have been prototyped, and Colonel Estigny has finished the new tank blueprint. They want to hear your opinion."

"I’m not going to the factory today," Charles said calmly. "They should have more confidence, or learn from their failures."

Then Charles added, "By the way, have Matthew prepare to go to Eric for further training."

"Training?" Djoka looked at Charles in confusion. "But Eric runs an aircraft manufacturing factory..."

"Also, the newly signed car technicians," Charles explained. "They’re working on engines. I think Matthew will be interested."

Djoka nodded. It seemed he understood Charles’ plan: The car technicians were developing engines that could be used in aircraft, and Matthew would return after learning from them to upgrade tank and tractor engines. Then...

Djoka gave a slight nod. This was likely why Charles was in a hurry to sign the car technicians. The issue with the "Holt 75" might be solved in the near future.

"So, where are you going today?" Djoka asked Charles.

Charles looked up at Djoka. "Not me. Us. I’ve arranged to meet Steed at the hotel."

Djoka froze. Charles had arranged to meet Steed?

In Djoka’s mind, meeting someone like Steed, a big capitalist, was a difficult task. Yet Charles had casually arranged a meeting with him and had Steed wait at the hotel!

Djoka had trouble adjusting to this. Charles had grown to a level where he could stand side by side with Steed.

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