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

Chapter 1041 Finale
Time flies, and in 1931 Charles had entered his thirties.

Standing beside the flowerbeds in Os Park, he looked down at Darvaz in the autumn wind.

After more than a decade of development, the former town of Darvaz has become a science and technology and financial center of France.

The small houses and factories full of chimneys have long since disappeared.

The residential area has been transformed into villas with gardens and garages, and the factory has been moved to the vicinity of the tank base in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. The original factory buildings have been replaced by high-rise buildings that have sprung up from the ground.

This is an inevitable process of urbanization.

Pollution is an inevitable consequence of periods of rapid industrial development.

When industry develops to a certain level and accumulates top talents from across the country and even the world, it will undergo a qualitative change from quantitative change, and industrial towns will be transformed into beautiful scientific research bases.

This is actually a division of labor.

When there are enough talented people to take on the role of the nation's "brains," it will no longer need to do the work of "hands" and "feet." What it can do is design, research and development, and continuously launch newer, better, and more futuristic equipment and products.

In particular, the team led by Professor Fersenden has now entered the microcomputer era in computer research and development. They are preparing to make this "luxury" that can only be obtained by scientists and advanced laboratories cheaper, more common, and more accessible to the general public, turning it into an ordinary household appliance that everyone can own.

Many people oppose this, including Professor Fursenden.

"This idea is insane," Professor Fersendon exclaimed incredulously.

"Not that many people will need to use computers, General. Most of those who will use them are scholars."

"Or highly educated and qualified talents such as data analysts."

"But there are very few such talents, which means that even if we produce this kind of 'microcomputer,' not many people will buy it. This does not conform to market rules and is an investment with disproportionate input and output."

But Charles insisted on his point of view, spending a large sum of money and ultimately forcing Professor Fersendon's team to develop in this direction, almost in the form of an "order".

Charles understood that this wasn't just about making money.

It can indeed make a lot of money, but at the Shire, money isn't important.

More importantly, it spearheaded the Third Industrial Revolution.

If France seizes this opportunity, it can defeat the United States in finance, economy, and even industry.

With the strength of the French military and military industry, and the group of allies recruited by the "League of Nations," its position as the "world's number one" will be rock solid.

At the same time, Charles did more than just that.

He never forgot his identity, nor the humiliation and suffering of history, and therefore, with the help of the "League of Nations," he restricted and suppressed Japan, especially in the energy sector.

Without energy, wild beasts wouldn't have sharp claws and fierce fangs, Xia Er thought. Their tanks, warships, airplanes, and even cars wouldn't be able to move, so of course they wouldn't be able to invade other countries.

Cheerful laughter came from nearby.

Lucia was chasing each other on the grass with a boy who looked about seven or eight years old.

The boy ran excitedly, his slender white ankles brushing past the rose bushes, startling a few pink butterflies.

Lucia skillfully dodged, always managing to escape just in time when the boy was about to catch up.

Suddenly, the boy made a feint and turned back halfway. He successfully fooled Lucia and giggled as he bumped into Lucia's arms. The two of them fell into the cloud of dandelion seeds.

"Father!" The boy waved triumphantly at Charles, "I caught Mom!"

Charles stepped forward slowly with a smile on his face.

He had already achieved all his goals in life by the time he was in his thirties, which sometimes made him feel bored.

Looking back, I realize that the simplest happiness is right here in my little family.

When Charles approached, the boy had already turned his attention to a colorful beetle, picking up a twig and intently playing with it. Lucia's face beamed with happiness. Once Charles sat down beside her, she sat up straight and asked, half-jokingly, "What are you thinking about? I want to know, what else is there to worry about right now?"

“Of course,” Charles replied. “I’m thinking about whether I should tell you the truth.”

"What?" Lucia was somewhat surprised.

Charles casually plucked a blade of grass and put it in his mouth:

"What if I told you that all of this was a scam?"

"I'm referring to the French spirit, and the so-called 'liberty,' 'equality,' and 'fraternity.'"

“I’m not as great as you think, Lucia.”

He couldn't stand the adoration in Lucia's eyes; she looked at Charles as if he were God.

“I know.” Lucia smiled slightly. “It’s all about profit, isn’t it?”

This time it was Charles's turn to be surprised. He stared at Lucia in astonishment: "You know?"

“Of course.” Lucia nodded slightly. “Have you forgotten what I do?”

"When did you know that?"

“I knew it from the beginning.” Lucia shrugged. “But that doesn’t matter, Charles.”

"This isn't important?" Charles was a little confused.

Lucia turned her gaze to the view below, looking at the skyscrapers that stretched all the way to Paris.

“Look at this,” Lucia said proudly.

“This is the world you created, Charles. Your so-called ‘French spirit’ may not be true, but people believe it.”

"They therefore worked hard and brought prosperity to France."

"And there is peace in the world. We have not had a war for more than ten years, and people respect each other and resolve disputes within the framework of the League of Nations."

"Isn't this the French spirit?"

"You may have acted for profit, for the benefit of France, but you brought the most authentic 'French spirit' to the world!"

Charles understood.

In the end, perhaps the only one who didn't believe in the "French spirit" was himself, the one who proposed and organized the framework.

Just then, Lucia glanced at the sky and reminded him, "We should head back. You haven't forgotten to mention that Jani invited us to dinner, have you?"

Charles said "Oh," indicating that he had completely forgotten about it.

That's because Tijani replaced Gallieni as Minister of the Army, and Darlan became Minister of the Navy; both were Charles's men.

At the age of 84, Gallieri can finally retire to his hometown. It is said that he was attracted by the scenery of Darvaz and bought a villa there, which happened to be next to Charles's residence.

“Alright.” Charles stood up and brushed the weeds off his clothes.

Just then, Major General Laurent hurriedly approached Charles with a telegram: "General, our military base in Djibouti has been attacked by the Japanese. The Third Fleet has suffered heavy losses, with over 3000 dead and wounded and two battleships sunk!"

"what?"

Charles and Lucia exclaimed in unison.

The shadow of war has once again loomed over France!
(End of this chapter)