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

Chapter 1022 is just the beginning.
Clemenceau looked down at the intelligence report on the British Mediterranean Fleet sent by the Secretary of the Navy: more than a hundred warships, including 10 battleships, 2 battlecruisers, and supposedly 2 aircraft carriers.

He was unfamiliar with the term "aircraft carrier".

"That must be a new type of British warship," Clemenceau thought, "its combat capabilities might even surpass those of the Queen Elizabeth-class."

Were we too hasty?

We should develop for a period of time and wait until the navy is strong before taking this step.

But it seems too late to consider this now.

Alas! Charles is still young. To have achieved so much at the age of 19, it's inevitable that he'll become arrogant and complacent.

However, the consequences of this failure may be something that neither Charles nor France can bear!

Other delegates were also deeply worried.

They vaguely felt that they had acted impulsively. National interests should not be concerned with "human peace" or "French spirit." What matters between nations is strength.

Therefore, it is not wise to have come to this point.

Everyone was misled by Charles's victories, his proposed ideas, and the "international alliance" he established.

This created a false impression among the delegates that all nations united could overthrow British bullying.

But the reality is cruel.

Charles excels at land warfare; the vast majority of the equipment, tactics, and troops he develops are designed for land combat, while naval warfare is not his forte.

It is said that after the war began, Charles stayed in Pontisay, Belgium, and did not return in time.

This also confirms everyone's speculation that "the Shire is not good at naval warfare".

Therefore, the likely outcome for each country is as follows:

France was defeated and forced to accept even harsher terms from Britain.

Other countries awaited Britain's reckoning, with its powerful fleet poised to storm the coastline. Those who refused Britain's demands would be rendered powerless, like the Greek king.

Thinking of this, the delegates sighed. Apart from a few countries that share a land border with France and remained calm, some delegates even discussed in hushed tones whether they should withdraw from the League of Nations as soon as possible.

The dullness and heat of September cast a heavy atmosphere over the meeting room, and everyone looked preoccupied.

Just then, the phone on Clemenceau's desk rang.

Nobody cared; phone calls to the League of Nations office had become commonplace, mostly concerning the sharing of coal and iron trading and management rights.

Clemenceau also thought it was a trivial matter, and listlessly took the phone, replying absentmindedly, "It's me."

The next second, his eyes widened as if he had been given a shot of adrenaline: "You're not kidding, are you, Minister?"

“No, of course not.” Gallieri’s tone was calm, with a hint of disdain, as if he were talking about something trivial:

"What's so weird about this?"

"It's just one victory. Hasn't Charles won enough victories already?"

"You sound like you really want the British to win, Your Excellency Prime Minister?"

Gallieri was at Versailles, and he was more excited than anyone else, and he understood the significance of this battle better than anyone else.

“No, no, Your Excellency Minister,” Clemenceau quickly explained.
"Of course I hope the French will win, I just can't believe it."

"My God, we actually won? We defeated the British Mediterranean Fleet?"

He deliberately raised his voice for the last sentence, eager to tell everyone the good news.

Sure enough, all the delegates' attention immediately shifted to Clemenceau:

"Victory? Defeat the British Mediterranean Fleet?"

"That's impossible. There must be some mistake. It's been less than 10 hours since the start of the war."

"Perhaps there was a communication problem; it should be considered a local victory." ...

But Clemenceau retorted vehemently:
"No, it's not a partial victory, it's a complete victory."

"The British Mediterranean Fleet has surrendered."

"They were terrified after we sank four of their battleships and chose to surrender completely!"

(Note: Clemenceau simply categorized the two battlecruisers as battleships.)
Everyone was stunned.

Many of the delegates knew that the British Mediterranean Fleet was a massive fleet with over a hundred warships, an unchallengeable force.

And this fleet actually surrendered to France?
The delegates unconsciously stood up from their chairs, some even running up to Clemenceau hoping to hear him more clearly:

"Are you telling the truth? The British fleet really surrendered?"

"How did you do that? I mean, sink the British battleship!"

"Four battleships sunk in less than a day?"

……

Clemenceau simply pointed the microphone at the delegates.

Gallieri's languid voice came through the microphone, but everyone could tell he was actually showing off:

"It's just four battleships. Do you think that's all the Charr is capable of? You have so little faith in Charr?"

"This is a trap set by Charles; he has set the entire Mediterranean as a trap."

"The western Toulon fleet blockade and 'torpedo planes' blockade Tunisia and the Strait of Gibraltar, while the eastern aircraft carriers and squadrons blockade the Suez Canal."

"This made the British fleet realize that they had no other choice but to surrender!"

……

The delegates looked completely bewildered.

What is an aircraft carrier?
Was it the one that sank the British battleship?
That must be Ciel's invention, the amazing Ciel, an unbelievable battle!
No wonder he stayed in Pontisayburg and didn't come back; he was confident of success!

Cheers erupted in the conference room, everyone's face beaming with smiles. The oppressive atmosphere vanished, replaced by pure jubilation.

The Greek representative wept with joy once again, which almost meant that the royal family's days of anxiety were over.

The Dutch representative breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed they had made the right bet, and the Netherlands was now certain to avoid national annihilation.

(Note: The Netherlands was situated between England, France, and Germany, and could have been wiped out at any moment if it hadn't taken a careful step. Every step it took was like walking a tightrope.)
Representatives from various African countries even formed a circle and danced a war dance, emitting strange howls in rhythm with the music.

……

Clemenceau nodded with satisfaction and said into the microphone, "We have received your message, Your Excellency Minister. It is an honor to work with you!"

This puzzled Gallieni on the other end of the phone; it seemed inappropriate for a prime minister to say "It's an honor to work with you."

Gallieri understood the next second.

Clemenceau was demonstrating his loyalty to Gallieny, and also to Charles.

“Me too, Your Excellency the Prime Minister,” Gallieni replied, then hung up the phone.

He glanced at his subordinates, who were still in a state of "celebration," and pretentiously reprimanded them: "Is it necessary to be this happy? This is just the beginning!"

Lieutenant Colonel Fernand responded excitedly:

“It is necessary, General.”

"Although it's just the beginning."

"But it marked the beginning of France's ascent to the top of the world!"

(End of this chapter)