I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: For France

Charles led Major Browning to the machine gun factory to pick up ammunition.

The process went unexpectedly smoothly. The staff, upon seeing Charles, gave them unrestricted access. They even provided Major Browning with ten additional M1909 Hotchkiss machine guns.

Charles understood the reason—it was because they had heard about the events of the previous night, including Francis’s change in attitude toward the Djoka family.

Factory workers were always particularly sensitive to such matters, obtaining gossip from butlers and servants with a swiftness and accuracy that rivaled military intelligence agencies.

As the head of the tractor factory, Joseph was no exception. The night before, he had received a notice from Francis:

“Starting tomorrow, Charles will assist you in your work!”

Joseph had worked for Francis for twenty years and knew exactly what this meant.

This was practically handing the tractor factory over to Charles’s management, provided Charles could prove his capability in the coming period.

“But isn’t this supposed to be Pierre’s property?” Joseph was perplexed.

Francis was always farsighted, with a long-term plan for his successors.

Pierre had four children: three sons and a daughter.

The eldest son, Jarrell, was studying economics in England and was the designated heir to manage the family’s business empire.

The second son, Dorian, was being trained as a lawyer, destined for a political career.

The third son, Harry, had been sent to military school and was now serving as an officer on the front lines, his life hanging in the balance.

These arrangements were all part of Francis’s strategy. He intended for his three grandsons to develop in military, political, and commercial fields, creating a powerful Bernard family force that could join the ranks of France’s two hundred elite families.

To further his ambitions, Francis had even schemed for his granddaughter Elise to marry into one of the two hundred families, paving the way for future success.

As for Charles, the only son of the Djoka family, he had long been excluded from the family’s development plans—a glaring exception.

Yet now, Charles had unexpectedly reappeared and become the prospective heir to the tractor factory. What was the deeper meaning behind this?

After some thought, Joseph seemed to understand. It must be because the Germans were advancing. This situation was akin to General Gallieni being given command of Paris’s defenses in a time of crisis.

Poor Master Charles!

Joseph felt sympathy for the young man, who had lost his inheritance rights solely because of his mother’s status. Forced to grow up among the children of the poor, Charles had to attend the same schools and share the same hardships.

Still, Joseph knew better than to meddle in the affairs of the wealthy. His duty was to carry out Francis’s orders without question.

The next morning, Joseph waited at the factory gate. From afar, he saw Charles approaching on a bicycle, followed by a group of heavily armed soldiers.

Joseph’s expression changed. He hurried forward and asked with concern, “Master Charles, what happened? Are they giving you trouble?”

Joseph had watched Charles grow up and considered him almost like a son. He would not tolerate anyone bullying him.

Major Browning gave Charles a surprised look. “You’re a master? These factories are yours?”

He glanced at Charles again. The boy wore a coarse jacket, a cheap, fraying flat cap, and rode a dilapidated bicycle—hardly the image of a wealthy man.

Charles replied calmly, “Not entirely. I’m just taking temporary charge, thanks to the Germans.”

Major Browning’s expression shifted. He smirked self-deprecatingly. “So, your plan is to have us protect your factories?”

“Ha! Clever little capitalist. You’ve used us!”

The soldiers behind him scowled, their faces filled with resentment. Most of them were from working-class backgrounds, harboring a deep-seated hatred for capitalists. Now, hearing that they had been manipulated under the guise of patriotism to protect Charles’s factory, they were seething with anger.

“We’ve been pushed to this point because of you capitalists!”
“We’re dying on the front lines because we fell for your schemes, and now this!”
“Cunning little capitalist! We almost fell for his act!”

...

Charles turned around calmly, facing Major Browning and his soldiers.
“Mind your words, Major!”

“By principle, you are tasked with protecting the tractor factory, the motorcycle factory, and the machine gun factory. They share the same owner.”

“Not long ago, this owner sacrificed everything to provide you with food and ammunition for free.”

“They could have fled with their remaining wealth, but they chose to stay!”

Charles intended to use this point to earn goodwill.

This was crucial—only by gaining the soldiers’ respect and approval could he ensure they would risk their lives to protect the factories.

Major Browning appeared skeptical. He couldn’t believe a capitalist would act so altruistically.

At that moment, a soldier spoke up.
“I heard about this. It seems a merchant named Francis spent all his savings to procure food overnight.”

“I heard it too. That’s why we changed our march route and chose Davaus as our stop!”

...

Joseph chimed in at the right time.
“Yes, these factories belong to Mr. Francis. What you heard is true. He gave everything to this war—for France! He even sold a factory in the safer southern region to acquire the machine gun factory!”

He then turned to Charles.
“This is Mr. Francis’s youngest grandson, Master Charles. Do you still have any doubts?”

Major Browning stood at attention and saluted Joseph.
“Understood, sir!”

“My respects to you, to Mr. Francis, and...”

He looked at Charles with an apologetic expression.
“To you, Master Charles. My deepest apologies.”

Charles raised an eyebrow and graciously replied, “It’s fine, Major.”

“We are all here for France!”

Major Browning trembled, feeling a surge of emotion that sent blood rushing to his head. His eyes filled with determination as he nodded firmly.
“Yes, for France!”

The soldiers echoed one after another:
“For France!”
“For France!”

...

They were utterly won over by the boy’s noble spirit.

Though young, frail, and a capitalist by birth, he possessed a golden heart, willing to give everything for his country. Standing before him, the soldiers even felt ashamed of themselves.

They exchanged looks and silently reached a consensus:

“This capitalist is different—he’s a patriot.”
“This kind of capitalist is worth protecting!”
“A capitalist like him shouldn’t be destroyed by the enemy. He should lead us to victory!”

...

Charles was pleased but knew the moment required a proper conclusion.

Turning to Joseph, he instructed,
“Provide them with a good meal and arrange a place for them to rest. These are brave warriors defending France. They deserve it!”

Joseph nodded.
“As you wish, Master Charles.”

“Gentlemen, follow me!”

The soldiers were overjoyed, tipping their hats or nodding in gratitude as they passed Charles.
“Thank you, Master Charles!”
“You’re a good man, Master Charles!”

...

Charles called out to Major Browning.
“Make the most of your rest, Major! You have only four hours. After lunch, training begins!”

“Training?” Major Browning was stunned. Could this young man possibly know how to drill soldiers?

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