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

Chapter 20 The Laughing Man

Dejoka and Charles got off the car in front of Francis' villa.

They waved goodbye to Brownie and the others, and the car sped away towards the Marne River with the sound of the engine. There were sporadic gunshots from the front line, and occasional cannon shots. Charles guessed that it was the 75MM field guns that the French army had brought up.

Led by the servants, the two walked into the villa and vaguely saw Francis and Pierre discussing something with several people in the living room, and there seemed to be some red wine on the table.

Dejoka was about to take Charles forward to greet him, but the butler Simon stopped him at the right time and said politely:

"Mr. Deyoka, Master Charles, the master is discussing business with guests. He told you to wait for him in the study if you come. He has something to discuss with you!"

Dejoka said "hmm" and took Charles upstairs.

Charles walked slowly up the stairs, trying to listen to the conversation in the living room.

I couldn't hear it clearly due to the distance, but I still heard the word "tank" and I knew what was going on.

Seeing that Charles was lagging behind, Djoka turned around and asked in confusion: "What's wrong, Charles, are you tired?"

"No, father, it's nothing!" Charles replied, quickening his pace to catch up with Djoka.

In the antique study, the butler thoughtfully served coffee to Dejoka and Charles: "If you need anything, feel free to ask!"

"Thank you, Simon!" Djokovic stretched his limbs while sitting in the chair. The taxi was too crowded and he felt oppressed.

After taking a sip of coffee, Deyoka turned his gaze to Charles who was casually browsing the bookshelf and asked, "Are you sure someone is buying the tank ownership at a higher price?"

If not, they will have to face suppression from the two hundred family-owned military-industrial enterprises. Djokovic is not very confident about this, after all, the other party has wealth, connections and power that are completely asymmetric to those of the Bernard family.

Even if he wants to fight against them, Djokovic doesn't think now is the time.

Therefore, selling the property rights and strengthening one's own strength should be the best option at present.

"Sure!" Charles replied calmly, "Because they are downstairs!"

“Kang-dang!”

Djokovic was so startled that the coffee cup in his hand fell onto the tray, and some spilled onto his pants.

"You mean..." Dejoka took out a handkerchief and wiped it while asking Charles half-doubtingly, "Is the person who is talking to Francis downstairs here to buy the ownership of the tank?"

Charles pulled out a book, it was Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs", which exposed the decadence, corruption, ugliness and unscrupulousness of the French aristocratic upper class.

Ciel answered casually as he flipped through the pages:

"Father, if I'm not mistaken, they should have offered a considerable price."

"Mr. Francis asked us to stay away because..."

Charles did not continue speaking. Djokovic has always been concerned about that family relationship, and this may completely cut off his thoughts.

Deyoka's face turned pale, and his eyes gradually became dull. He looked at the half-empty cup of coffee in front of him and continued Charles's words with difficulty: "Is it to take the benefits away from us?"

Charles did not answer. This was something his father had to judge for himself.

"No, it's impossible!" Djokovic shook his head slightly: "He won't do that. You are his grandson..."

"Father!" Charles interrupted Deyoka, "When Mr. Francis comes up later, he may find an excuse to ask us for the property rights, or exchange it, what he thinks is an exchange. You should think about how to deal with it!"

Deyoka remained silent. He didn't believe what Charles said was true, but he inexplicably wanted to take Charles away.

……

In the living room downstairs, the butler leaned over to Francis' ear and whispered a few words. Francis nodded slightly, stood up and bowed slightly: "I'm very sorry, gentlemen! I have something to take care of. I'll be gone for a while. You guys continue to discuss the details!"

He nodded towards Pierre.

Pierre understood and immediately took over the topic and continued chatting and laughing with the guest. He was very good at this.

Francis took the wet towel from the servant, wiped the sweat from his forehead, wiped it on his hands back and forth, and threw it back to the servant casually. He took a look upstairs and then walked up the stairs to the study.

As I walked, I thought:

"Sorry Djokovic and Charles." "If Camille hadn't happened in the first place, I might have treated you and Pierre's family fairly."

"However, I have ignored you for nearly twenty years. How can I guarantee that what Ciel did was not out of revenge? And you, don't hold a grudge?"

Pierre, who was in the living room, turned his head during the conversation to glance at Francis' back as he went upstairs, with a meaningful and relieved look in his eyes.

Francis walked to the door of the study and hesitated for a moment. The moment he pushed the door open, he smiled and said, "Djoka, Charles, have you been waiting for a long time?"

"No, father!" Djokovic replied expressionlessly, "We just got here a while ago!"

Francis noticed that Djoka's expression was not right, and asked with his head tilted: "What happened?"

"Oh, no, nothing!" Djokovic covered up, "It's just that... Camille was frightened by the sound of the artillery, and I was a little worried..."

Francis laughed, "Don't worry about that. We have already secured our defenses. Reinforcements have arrived from Paris. I heard that the 6th Army is gathering and will soon launch a counterattack against the Germans!"

As he said this, he turned his gaze to Charles with a kind smile on his face: "Thanks to our Charles, we have such a situation!"

"That's what I should do, Mr. Francis!" Charles replied politely.

Francis nodded approvingly, then seemed to remember something: "Did you hear? Jarrell is coming back!"

Jarrel, Pierre's eldest son and Francis's designated heir, has been studying in England.

"Really?" Djokovic replied expressionlessly.

"Yeah!" Francis sat down in the main seat behind the desk and raised his eyebrows: "Bring Camille with you next time. The Bernard family should take this opportunity to get together!"

Djoka was stunned. His father had never invited Camille. Did this mean... that he had already admitted that she had Charles?
Djokovic suddenly relaxed. He said excitedly: "Okay, Dad! It's an honor. I..."

"Let bygones be bygones!" Francis shook his head. "You have educated my grandson very well, and that deserves recognition!"

Francis said this and cast an admiring look at Charles.

Djoka breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Charles meaningfully, as if to say: You guessed wrong this time, Charles, Grandpa just wants to recognize us!

Charles didn't react. He pretended not to hear anything and continued flipping through the book. He knew that the important part was often the later part.

Francis changed the subject: "But there is a problem, Djokovic!"

"What?" Djokovic asked.

"That's right!" Francis' expression turned serious. "Jarrell received the call and had to come back. We need to solve this problem!"

Djoka's heart tightened: "You mean..."

Francis continued, "I was thinking, can we let Jarrell own the tractor factory to produce tanks and machine guns, so that he can be exempted from being drafted as a special talent. In exchange, I will give the motorcycle factory to Charles to manage!"

The joy on Djokovic's face gradually disappeared, replaced by disappointment, anger and sadness.

Francis seemed to notice Djoka's change. He spread his hands and said, "I know this is unfair to Charles, but... you don't want Jarrell to be called up, do you?"

How can this be more than unfair?!
The potential of the tractor was discovered by Charles and was about to sell well, but Francis snatched it from Charles!

He even had the right to steal the tank invented by Charles!
Even the machine gun factory that was obtained at Charles' suggestion was taken away!
All that was left for Charles was a motorcycle factory of no apparent value, and it was only "management". In the future, Francis might still be able to snatch it away from Charles with just one word!

He wanted to take away everything from Charles, and in exchange, all he got was verbal recognition of Charles and Camille's identities!

Is this just unfair?

Djokovic stood up slowly, his tone surprisingly calm:
"Sorry, Father!"

"Unfortunately, we just came back from Paris. This morning we registered the industrial property rights for the tank and even negotiated with the buyer!"

"So if Jarrell wants the tank production rights, I think there might be some problems!"

Francis was shocked: "You registered the property rights? And you have negotiated with the buyer?"

Charles was stunned, he knew that was not the case, the ownership of the tank had not yet been determined, and his father seemed to have become a different person!

(End of this chapter)