I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: British Reinforcements

General Gillis suddenly let loose, voicing his discontent without reservation:

“We have always done our utmost to fight the enemy, Lieutenant, even shouldering responsibilities far beyond our means!”

“From the King providing intelligence to your country, to refusing the Germans’ so-called ‘harmless passage’ and declaring war on them, and then taking the initiative to strike at their supply lines!”

“Isn’t that enough? Who else could have done all this?”

“We didn’t have to, but we upheld Belgium’s dignity, and that is what matters!”

“And yet we’ve been fighting alone all this time. When we need help the most, there are no reinforcements—none at all...”

General Gillis spoke with such emotion that his words became disjointed, but Charles still grasped his meaning:
King Albert I of Belgium, during his visit to Germany six months ago, had inadvertently learned of the Schlieffen Plan and relayed this information to France upon his return. This was a major contribution to France, even though they failed to capitalize on it.

Later, Belgium refused Germany’s request for passage to invade France, even at the cost of going to war with them. This, too, was a great service to France.

Afterward, when the Germans reached the outskirts of Paris, the Belgian army, which could have stayed within their fortresses, took the initiative to attack the Germans’ supply lines. Yet again, Belgium lent great assistance to France.

Belgium had always supported France, rendering what could only be described as monumental favors. Yet now, when Belgium was in desperate need of aid, France had sent no reinforcements.

No, there was one: Charles.

Charles suddenly understood why the Belgian officers and soldiers at the airfield had treated him with such disdain. They shared the same sentiment as General Gillis: “We have done so much for France, and yet France has given us nothing in return!”

Charles didn’t know how to respond. Decisions about reinforcements were beyond the authority of a mere lieutenant. All he could do was relay General Gillis’s grievances back to France. That was likely the true reason behind the general’s complaints.

At this moment, a messenger approached and reported, “General, the British reinforcements have arrived. General Winter is waiting outside to meet you!”

General Gillis shot to his feet. “Wonderful! Please, invite him in at once!”

He immediately left Charles aside and strode briskly to the door to greet General Winter.

General Winter, tall and imposing, entered the room and promptly shook General Gillis’s hand. “My respects, General Gillis! You and your troops are the most courageous people in the world. Your actions command admiration! It is my honor to join you in this glorious war of resistance against invasion!”

General Winter’s words moved General Gillis deeply. His earlier despondency vanished, and his confidence returned in an instant.

“Thank you very much, sir!” General Gillis gripped General Winter’s hand tightly. “My respects to you as well. You and your forces are reliable, trustworthy friends. You extended a helping hand when we needed it most!”

This remark seemed to be a veiled jab at Charles—or rather, at the France he represented. Though Charles could not truly represent France, in this context, it seemed he had no choice but to do so.

Charles felt uneasy. General Winter spoke with an air of assured victory. Though he didn’t say it outright, his demeanor clearly suggested that they could leave the rest of the defense to him and his troops—that they would drive the enemy back. But Charles knew this was far from reality.

General Winter had noticed Charles upon entering. The French uniform, with its distinctive red trousers, was always eye-catching.

“Has the French army sent reinforcements as well?” General Winter asked curiously.

Before Charles could answer, General Gillis interjected, “No, he’s here to assess the situation. A mere lieutenant!”

The disdain in his tone was unmistakable.

Indeed, compared to Britain sending reinforcements and a general, France’s sending of a single lieutenant as an observer was truly pitiful.

It was as if others had brought a lavish wedding gift, while Charles had slipped in with a newspaper. No wonder he was met with disdain—it was a miracle he hadn’t been thrown out.

...

On Avenue de Septembre in Paris, Armand and Grevy were riding a carriage back to the estate.

Amid the rhythmic clatter of hooves, Armand asked casually, “How can you ensure he doesn’t return, Grevy?”

“The mission is real, and so is the pilot. The pilot is waiting for him to complete the task before flying back!”

“And if he successfully completes the task? That doesn’t seem too difficult,” Armand pressed.

Grevy responded impassively, “The key isn’t the pilot, Armand.”

Armand glanced at Grevy, puzzled, as if to say, “If the pilot and the aircraft ensure his safe return, how can they not be the key?”

Grevy smiled faintly. “You must know by now that Charles is quite renowned, right?”

“Of course!” Armand nodded. “Every newspaper is reporting on him. I’m starting to envy him!”

Grevy shook his head slightly. Armand would never truly envy Charles for such things. If Charles were ever seen with a beautiful and captivating companion, then Armand might feel envious.

But that seemed unlikely now. A man who wouldn’t return naturally wouldn’t have a companion.

Leaning back in his seat, Grevy stretched his legs and exhaled lightly. “That’s why the Germans know about him too.”

Though Grevy’s voice was soft, Armand felt a shock and silently admired Grevy’s cunning.

Charles was an inventor who had created the tank and the sidecar motorcycle.

He was also a strategist and tactician, having designed plans that defeated the Germans multiple times—or so the newspapers claimed.

From any perspective, the Germans would not want Charles to return alive.

They might try to capture Charles for their own use, and failing that, eliminate him. Letting a tiger go back into the wild would only put Germany in a weaker position.

Whatever the outcome, Charles would not return. And so, he would no longer be a threat to Grevy.

All they needed to do was let the Germans know that Charles was in Antwerp. The rest would take care of itself!

Armand asked again, “Aren’t you worried he might surrender to the Germans?”

Someone as talented as Charles, if he surrendered and worked for the powerful Germans, would surely become a nightmare for France.

Grevy pulled his coat tighter and gazed at the buildings passing outside the window. He replied calmly, “That would no longer concern us, Armand. That’s something for France and the left-wing to worry about.”

Armand suddenly understood.

If Charles surrendered and became a German industrialist, the industries he developed would compete with France’s left-wing capitalists rather than its right-wing aristocracy.

This might even benefit the right-wing, as left-wing capitalists would go bankrupt one by one. The workers they controlled would return to being peasants...

Armand’s heart sank. Could it be that Grevy’s real aim with this plan was to force Charles into surrendering to the Germans?

He realized with a start just how far ahead Grevy had been thinking—while he had only now grasped the full picture!

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