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

Chapter 2 This boy is not simple

It is normal for Djokovic to feel this way, because Charles traveled from the modern era to this era.

At this time, World War I had just begun, and everyone thought that the war would end soon, but Charles knew that the war would last for more than four years and that 169 million French people would be killed in this war.

The death rate is 4.25%. Excluding the elderly, women, minors and children of well-connected bureaucrats who do not need to serve in the military, the death rate of soldiers is about one-quarter.

What a horrific number, one in every four people died.

If the wounded are included, almost no soldier can escape from this war unscathed.

The 17-year-old Charles will soon reach adulthood. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be drafted into the army next year or the year after to experience the baptism of war.

He didn't want to travel here with great difficulty, only to die inexplicably on the battlefield.

To avoid all this, he decided to give himself a good reason not to go to the battlefield.

Or, even if you are drafted, you can stay away from the war.

Charles thought military industry was a good way to go.

If he could provide the army with high-quality and even epoch-making weapons, and these weapons could help France win the war, what reason would they have to throw themselves onto the battlefield?

If you can save your life and make money at the same time, why not do it?
Francis came back in just over half an hour.

He raised the document in his hand and announced excitedly:

"The motorcycle factory is ours now. That guy was hesitating whether to abandon the factory and leave. When he heard about the exchange, he grabbed a life-saving straw and signed the contract without saying a word!"

Pierre looked at Francis in surprise. He thought the matter would take at least a day or two to discuss so he did not rush to stop it. Unexpectedly, the contract was signed in the blink of an eye.

"Father, is this really a good thing?" Pierre did not hide his pessimism and disappointment: "Now, all our assets are in Darwaz. Once the Germans come, we will really have nothing!"

Francis ignored Pierre's complaint and looked at Charles with a smile: "So, you think the Germans can't reach here, just like me, right?"

Francis had been paying close attention to the movements of the army. He believed that the French army was retreating strategically in a planned and step-by-step manner. They still had strength and were waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

Based on this, he bet everything on it.

But Charles shook his head:

"No sir, on the contrary, I think the Germans will get here!"

Francis was surprised by this answer.

Although he insisted on his own judgment, he didn't understand what Charles' intention was.

If the Germans were to reach this point, wouldn't it be a total loss if we raised the stakes?
Seeing that Charles hesitated to speak, Francis immediately realized that there were some things he was not convenient to say in front of others.

Francis didn't want to pay attention to it. He was just a teenager, what could he understand? His previous words were just a way to attract attention. Adolescents often do this.

But curiosity drove Francis to decide to talk to the little guy.

"Well, let's go to the study and have some coffee!"

Francis' tone was unquestionable, like an officer giving orders to his subordinates.

This made Charles feel a little uncomfortable.

If the old guy is unwilling to acknowledge him as his grandson, then on what right does he act like an elder?
Not fulfilling my duties as a grandfather but enjoying the rights as a matter of course?
If Charles didn't intend to use this guy to develop the military industry, he wouldn't bother with him!

……

The study is on the second floor. Its layout is simple but full of charm. The walls on both sides are full of bookshelves, densely packed with books. In the middle is a mahogany desk, with a desk lamp, a few chairs and a three-layer book ladder.

Charles and Francis sat opposite each other at the desk, taking turns to sit. The butler brought two cups of coffee and placed them in front of them respectively. The rich aroma filled the air.

Francis believes that Algerian coffee beans are particularly strong only when grown in plateaus and subtropical climates, so they are always shipped from far away and the price is twice as high.

He leaned back in his chair with the coffee in his hand, sniffed it with enjoyment, and then took a sip, his eyes fixed on the cup, and asked casually:
"You seem to have something to say?"

Charles added a piece of sugar to the coffee, stirred it with a spoon, and said slowly:
"Sir, I think you should be more concerned about whether France can win this war, rather than whether the Germans can get here!"

Francis asked in a noncommittal way:
"Isn't this what I mean?" Charles shook his head slightly:

"No, sir. If France loses this war, the factories will inevitably be looted, whether the Germans get here or not!"

Francis raised his head and looked at Charles in surprise.

The boy was right. Tractor factories, motorcycle factories and even machine gun production lines were all what the Germans needed.

Once the Germans won the war, the factories only a dozen kilometers away from Paris would certainly not be spared, and they would move all the equipment and even the tractors to Germany.

Charles added:
"So, what we have to do is, first, help France win this war, and second, defend Darvaz."

The former is the strategic direction, and the latter is the tactical direction. Only when both win at the same time can the safety of the factory be guaranteed.

Francis stared at Charles blankly, then suddenly laughed. His gaze towards Charles was like a joke:
"Kid, you seemed to want to make a good impression on me, but you tried too hard!"

"Help France win the war? Defend Darvoise?"

"If you were Napoleon, I might believe you, but..."

Francis smiled and shook his head, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Charles rolled his eyes. He was speechless about Francis's arrogance: Do I need to impress you?
However, he did not intend to get too entangled with Francis on this issue. The most powerful counterattack would be to slap the old guy in the face with facts.

Charles noticed a map on the desk that Francis used to record the sales of tractors in various places.

Charles moved the coffee cup away, took the map and spread it out in front of him. He gestured on the map and analyzed it confidently:

"The Germans intend to encircle Paris with two armies, the First Army in the west and the Second Army in the east."

"The First Army in the west is moving very fast and has left the Second Army 40 kilometers behind."

Francis smiled and said "hmm", this little guy knows something.

But these are not secrets. There are constant reports of battles coming from the front lines, and the troops fleeing back can bring the latest news.

Although this is rare and precious for a 17-year-old child, if this little guy wants to use this to exchange for his own recognition, it will be in vain!

Charles ignored Francis's strange look and continued:
"If the war continues in this way, the Germans will undoubtedly encircle Paris and win the war."

Francis nodded slightly to acknowledge the inference.

Paris is the political center and transportation hub of France. Once Paris is lost, the morale of the French military and civilians and the mobilization of the army will be in serious trouble, and the war will be almost over.

but……

"Do you have any way to change this situation?" Francis said with a mocking smile.

This ignorant guy really thinks he is Napoleon!

Charles pointed at the location of the German First Army and said:
"If it changes its march direction from encircling the west of Paris to encircling the east of Paris, France may win the war!"

Francis shook his head slightly and said jokingly:

"How unfortunate, son. We can't command the enemy's army!"

Francis put down his coffee cup and made a gesture to see the guest off. He intended to end this meaningless conversation.

Charles understood that Francis might be a good businessman, but he knew nothing about military affairs and even laughed at others out of ignorance.

Charles moved his finger forward lightly:
"You are right, sir! Although we cannot command the enemy's army, we can change the direction of the French army's retreat."

"And this will attract the attention of the enemy, who want to destroy the French army!"

Charles looked up and met Francis' gaze, looking at Francis as if he were a fool.

Francis's expression changed slightly. He vaguely felt that the young man in front of him was not as simple as he thought.

(End of this chapter)