I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 101 I'm Telling the Truth
It was a sunny day. The morning sun rose faintly from behind a long and narrow layer of clouds, emitting bright and soft rays of light, casting a light rose-colored morning glow over the small town of Darvaz.

Laurent drove the car smoothly into the town. Charles sat in the car, looking at the familiar street scenes on both sides and the neighbors waving and greeting him. He inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity.

Simple, friendly, quiet, peaceful...

Charles has become accustomed to having all of this, just like he has become accustomed to the air but cannot feel its existence and does not know its value.

However, when Charles returned from Antwerp, he realized that not everyone took it for granted to live in such an environment.

The car slowly stopped at the door of the house. Camille stood at the door and waved to Charles with a smile. Djoka also came out when he heard the sound of the car.

As usual, Camille should have gone shopping and Djokovic should have finished breakfast and gone to the factory, but they knew Charles would be back at this time, so they were waiting at home.

Djoka was stunned when he saw Charles getting out of the car, and stared at Charles' cuffs in confusion.

Charles understood why Djokovic had such an expression. He must have noticed the extra golden edge on his cuffs.

"So!" When Charles approached, Djoka asked in confusion, "You were promoted from a second lieutenant to a first lieutenant after just two days?"

"What lieutenant?" As a woman, Camille should have been more careful, but women are naturally insensitive to military ranks, uniforms and the like. She only had eyes for Charles and didn't notice the change in rank at all.

"Yes, father!" answered Charles.

They didn't know about Belgium yet, and neither did anyone else.

Gallieni imposed controls on the media in the name of "national security".

Yes, it is “national security”!
In Gallieni's view, the information disclosed by the media might allow the Germans to confirm that Charles was in Antwerp, which would threaten Charles' safety. Charles' safety is the security of France and naturally rises to the level of "national security."

However, now that Ciel is back safely, media controls will be lifted.

When Charles left the headquarters, Gallieni told him: "Your parents will know these things sooner or later, so it's best for you to tell them in person! If necessary, I can explain it to them over the phone..."

Gallieni felt that this was what he should do. After all, the person was lost in his hands, and he was undoubtedly the person ultimately responsible.

Although Charles is now back safely, Gallieni feels he owes Charles and his family an explanation.

"No, General!" Charles replied. "I will see to it. It is none of your business. No one would have thought it would happen."

Gallieni nodded with relief. Fortunately, nothing happened to the little guy, otherwise Gallieni would never forgive himself for the rest of his life!
Then Gallieni laughed again. What could possibly happen to this clever little fellow? Wherever he went, it was always his enemies who were in trouble!

Charles followed Djokovic and sat at the dining table, where there was breakfast prepared by Camille and Charles' favorite apples.

"Tell me what happened?" Deyoka nodded at the military rank on Charles' sleeve. "As far as I know, the promotion from second lieutenant to first lieutenant is usually calculated on a yearly basis, or after making meritorious contributions. What did you do?"

Camille tensed up instantly. She also noticed Charles' fatigue: "They won't let you stay up late, right? Or, training?"

"No!" Charles shook his head. "I just went to Antwerp and helped them defeat the Germans! That's it!"

Charles told the truth. It would be exposed sooner or later anyway, so he might as well confess and get leniency!
Djokovic and Camille were stunned for a moment, looked at each other, and laughed at the same time.

"If that's the case!" Deyoka said, "they shouldn't have promoted you to lieutenant, but to major or even colonel!"

"When did you become humorous?" Camille smiled and walked to the kitchen. When he came back, he handed Charles a fork. "In that case, eat more to reward yourself for helping the Belgians defeat the Germans!"

"I also received a medal, mother!" Charles added: "The Order of the Royal Crown!"

The smiles on Djoka and Camille's faces deepened. Camille turned her head with a "hmm", and she decided to cooperate with Charles' performance: "So, where is the medal? Can I see it?"

"This..." Charles answered awkwardly: "Unfortunately, I left it there when I escaped from Antwerp!"

Djokovic laughed: "Didn't you say you defeated the Germans? Why did you escape again?"

Camille caressed Charles' thick and soft hair lovingly and said, "Don't say these things outside. You know, those reporters always want to make a story about you, and your statement will provide them with excellent material!"

Charles breathed a sigh of relief: "If you think so, I'm relieved!"

Djokovic smiled knowingly: "You are already here, what else do you have to worry about..."

Before he could finish his words, a dozen cars suddenly rushed in from outside the door. There was a sound of sudden brakes, and dozens of reporters jumped out of the cars and rushed into the house like soldiers in battle. They took out their portable cameras and took pictures without saying a word. They rushed to ask Charles a series of questions:
"Mr. Charles, could you give us a brief account of the Battle of Antwerp?"

"They say you saved Antwerp and destroyed three of the Great Bertha guns. Is that true?"

"You also invented an airplane cannon that shot down a German airship. Can you tell me what kind of cannon it is? Why can it be used on an airplane?"

……

Djokovic and Camille were both stunned.

After a long while, Camille exclaimed: "God, this is true! Everything he said is true!"

Camille quickly turned his gaze to Charles: "They sent you to the battlefield? To Antwerp?"

"I just said that..." Charles replied.

"The parliament clearly said that this would never happen!" Camille interrupted Charles angrily, "You are only seventeen years old, they tricked you into the army, and now they tricked you into the battlefield!"

"It was an accident..." Ciel argued.

However, no matter how Charles explained, it was useless. Camille had already picked up a broom and started to drive away the reporters.

Charles took advantage of this moment to flee upstairs, into his bedroom and closed the door.

Camille's voice came from downstairs: "Charles, you should explain yourself!"

"I am tired, mother!" answered Charles.

Camille was already walking up the stairs with her skirt lifted up, but she suddenly stopped when she heard this.

Deyoka advised from behind: "Char has been fighting for two days, Camille. I heard that he blew up something called 'Big Belsa' and shot down an airship. He finally escaped back... Shouldn't we let him rest for a while?"

Camille hesitated, but finally turned back and walked down the stairs angrily.

Djokovic comforted him: "The important thing is that Charles is here, he has come back..."

"We can't just let it go!" Camille interrupted Djoka: "They violated the decision of the parliament. If we don't resist, there will be a next time!"

(The picture above shows the Leica portable camera, invented in 1913, weighing more than 500 grams)

(End of this chapter)