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

Chapter 4 Gallieni
At the Sixth Army Headquarters in Paris, the phone rang one after another, and documents and intelligence flew like snowflakes to Lieutenant General Gallieni's desk amid the coming and going of people.

Lieutenant General Gallieni was the most powerful general in France. He once competed with Joffre for the position of Commander-in-Chief of France. It was said that the reason he lost to Joffre was that he was too old.

This statement is not credible because he was only three years older than Joffre.

The real reason was that Joffre succumbed to capital, while Gallieni hated capital and opposed it everywhere, so his defeat was reasonable.

The most obvious point:
If Joffre had been qualified as Commander-in-Chief of France, there would have been no need to recall Gallieni from retirement to take charge of the defense of Paris when the war broke out.

Why didn't you think Gallieni was too old?
Gallieni was resentful at this time because he was left aside in peacetime and remembered during wartime.

Why should he bear the burden of suffering while others enjoy the blessings?

What’s even more hateful is that all the big capitalists and government officials who usually enjoyed a life of luxury in Paris fled, leaving him and his soldiers to die in Paris.

This battle was indeed like waiting for death for Gallieni. He knew very well that the quality of the French army was far inferior to that of the German army, so Paris was caught in a dilemma:

If they fought outside the city, they would be defeated by the Germans like the 5th Army.

Although there were complete fortifications in the city, they still faced the dilemma of being surrounded by the enemy. More than two million soldiers and civilians who had lost their supplies would starve to death if they did not surrender.

However, Gallieni had to take on this mission that might cost him his life. He knew in his heart that he had to save millions of poor French soldiers and civilians!
How to break this curse?
Gallieni placed his hopes on the fleeing Fifth Army. Pointing to the map, he said to Major General Maunoury, commander of the Sixth Army:
"There is only one way to go. The Fifth Army must hold its ground and combine the strength of the two armies to stop the enemy's First Army!"

Major General Maunouri answered with difficulty:

"But, Lieutenant General, the 5th Army has been completely routed. They have lost all their baggage and a large amount of ammunition. I'm not sure if they still have rifles!"

After a pause, Major General Monuri added:
"Paris may still have some supplies, but once the Fifth Army is brought in or the supplies are shipped out..."

Needless to say, both armies would be trapped in Paris. In addition, the supplies in Paris had to be prepared for future sieges, and it would be unwise to transport them out of the city.

Just when Gallieni was at a loss, the staff officer came forward and reported:

"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General, there is a businessman named Francis who said he is willing to help us. He will do his best to buy food. In addition, he also has a machine gun factory. All of these can be provided to our retreating troops free of charge!"

Gallieni's eyes lit up and he asked:
"Where? I mean the exact address!"

The staff officer searched the map for a while, pointed to a point and answered:

"Here, Davaz!"

Gallieni was overjoyed. Darvoise, located southeast of Paris and on the south bank of the Marne River, was an excellent place for the 5th Army to rest and organize a counterattack.

"Get to headquarters!" Gallieni ordered. He needed to report the situation to Joffre and suggest that he change the direction of the 5th Army's retreat.

Gallieni exclaimed in his heart: God, we are saved! It seems that not all capitalists are bad people!
At this time, he didn't expect that this good situation was just the beginning.

……

In the early morning, the small town of Darvaz woke up with the sound of birds singing, and the sunlight dispelled the mist and shone through the window onto Charles' face.

Since they were almost "evicted from home", the Dejoka family did not live with Francis. Francis's luxurious villa and factory were in an open space one kilometer outside the town, while Dejoka lived in the southeast corner of the town.

At this time, the Deyoka family was enjoying breakfast: bread, sausage and a glass of milk.

Charles wasn't used to the food, but he followed the local customs and didn't say much.

Taking a bite of the dry and hard bread, Charles asked Djokovic incoherently:

"Dad, can I use your bike?"

Djokovic agreed without thinking, but asked again: "Where are you going? The Germans may call at any time. I think you'd better stay at home!"

Camille, the mother who was still busy in the kitchen, became nervous when she heard the conversation. She lifted her skirt and took her plate to sit next to Charles:
"Listen to your father and don't go out!"

Then he looked at Djokovic inquiringly:

"Shouldn't we go hide in the South? How did the conversation go last night?"

Djoka said "uh" and didn't know how to answer. He couldn't say that Charles was pushing things in another direction, right?

Charles answered the previous question: "I'm going to the tractor factory. Francis asked me to help Joseph run the tractor factory!"

Djokovic and Camille immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at Charles in surprise.

Camille suddenly realized something and covered her mouth, as if trying not to shout.

She turned her gaze to Djoka, who nodded slightly to indicate that this was true.

Although Djokovic didn't know the exact reason, he knew it was probably related to the conversation in the study last night.

"Go!" Djokovic nodded carefully: "But come back early!"

Then he added: "If you hear anything, I mean about the Germans, come back immediately!"

"Okay!" Charles drank the milk in a few gulps and went out with the half-eaten bread.

Watching Charles riding away on his bicycle, Camille excitedly asked Djoka:

"Does this mean that Mr. Francis recognizes Charles?"

Djokovic looked a little strange, and he replied:
"I think Father may have approved of more than just Ciel!"

Camille asked doubtfully:
"what?"

Djokovic explained:

"Father said last night that we have brought up our children very well. I think he probably recognized us because of Ciel!"

Camille was stunned for a moment, but she still couldn't believe it:
"You, are you telling the truth? Because Charles..."

Djokovic nodded with both emotion and satisfaction:

"Yes, because Ciel seems to have grown up!"

Camille was overwhelmed with emotions and tears flowed uncontrollably.

For many years, Camille has always regarded herself as a sinner. It was because of her that Djokovic and Charles lost the qualification to inherit the Bernard family business.

Now, things seem to be taking a turn for the better, and she has hope of putting down the heavy burden on her shoulders!
But Djokovic is a little worried:

"You weren't there last night, Ciel. He's... as shrewd as a father! I'm not sure if that's a good thing..."

"He is different from your father, Djokovic!" Camille immediately countered: "He is your son, you should be proud of him. So, of course, this is a good thing!"

Djokovic shut up. He knew he couldn't reason with a woman, especially one who was a mother.

(End of this chapter)