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

Chapter 58: There’s nothing to be afraid of for a 17-year-old?

Armand's Bradley Manor is only three kilometers away from Paris, and because of its convenient transportation, it has become a gathering place for the "Tank Alliance".

The difference from before was that this time it was Francis who called the others together.

Nicholas was reluctant to come. His excuse was that the tank business had nothing to do with him. All he had to do was to receive payment and release the news through Le Figaro. He just needed someone to tell him what to do and he didn't need to attend any meetings.

The real reason was that Nicholas did not think Francis was a nobleman.

In Nicholas' eyes, Francis was just a businessman selling tractors, and Nicholas didn't need to waste his time on such a person.

But soon Grevy called Nicholas: "Francis thinks you should be here, Mr. Nicholas!"

"Oh, what big thing could it be?" Nicholas laughed.

"Who knows? But if he insists..."

"Okay, I'll be there. But I might leave early, so he'd better keep it short!" Nicholas' tone was full of contempt for Francis.

When Nicholas arrived at the manor, others had already arrived. Instead of apologizing, he handed his cane and hat to the servant in a dusty manner, and sat down on the sofa without even taking off his coat: "Gentlemen, I can only stay for a while. I have an appointment with Mr. Abel in an hour!"

"I won't waste too much of your time, Mr. Nicholas!" Francis nodded to Nicholas.

Nicholas was quite surprised to see Francis looking so full of energy. Usually he was always timid and submissive, but now he acted like the host.

Nicholas glanced at Armand and Grevi in ​​confusion, and they just responded with a smile.

"Here's the thing!" Francis said, "I just found out that Charles built a tractor factory next to his motorcycle factory!"

There was silence in the living room for a few seconds, and suddenly laughter was heard.

Armand handed Nicola a glass of red wine and said, "As far as I know, Charles is your grandson, Mr. Francis. Are you planning to let Mr. Nicola advertise your grandson's new factory?"

Nicholas had a hint of sarcasm on his face, but he said humbly, "I am very happy to serve you, Mr. Francis!"

His exaggerated behavior once again made others laugh.

Francis ignored their ridicule and emphasized, "A tractor factory, gentlemen. And it's the 'Holt 75', which is more advanced than my tractor. It has 83 horsepower and a maximum speed of 24 kilometers per hour. My tractor only has 61 horsepower and a maximum speed of 15 kilometers per hour! Have you thought of anything?"

Armand didn't take it seriously and continued drinking nonchalantly.

Nicholas' smile turned into helplessness. He thought that Francis was talking about the content of the advertisement seriously, so he wouldn't take it seriously, right?
Only Grevy stopped smiling.

"You mean, Charles intends to compete with you?" Grevy asked.

"It's competing with us, gentlemen!" Francis corrected: "If Charles uses the 'Holt 75' to modify the tank, it will undoubtedly have a higher speed and a larger load capacity than the 'Holt 60'. Which one do you think the military prefers?"

The others then realized the seriousness of the problem, and at the same time they also realized that they had been thinking in the wrong direction. The Charles that Francis was talking about was not his grandson, but a competitor!

Armand hesitated for a moment, then spread his hands indifferently: "What can he do? The industrial property rights of the tanks are in our hands!"

"Yes!" Nicholas said, "We still have a say!"

This is the advantage of newspapers. Once Charles dares to infringe on their industrial property rights, he will immediately be attacked by public opinion and the law, even if he is the inventor.

Grevi didn't say anything, he seemed to have guessed what the problem was.

Sure enough, Francis smiled and shook his head: "You underestimated Charles. If it was really as you think, he would not have built this tractor factory!"

"Tell me about his abilities..." Armand said with disdain on his face: "Do you think we should be afraid of a 17-year-old child?" Francis was speechless for a moment. He glanced at Armand in disbelief. What a fool! He was actually the party leader and a member of parliament!

Of course, he couldn't say these words. Francis leaned back on the sofa, took a deep breath to relax himself, and said slowly:
"Gentlemen, I have a story!"

"The German First Army was originally heading towards Paris. It only needed to encircle Paris from the west, and Paris would be finished."

"However, I purchased food and a machine gun factory, and told Gallieni that he would provide supplies to the French 5th Army for free!"

"The French Fifth Army therefore changed its retreat route and assembled at Darvoise."

"The German First Army, chasing the French Fifth Army, changed its march direction, thus exposing its flank to Paris..."

Armand smiled and interrupted Francis: "Are you trying to say that you are the savior of Paris?"

"No, Mr. Armand!" Francis sat up straight and stared at Armand, answering word by word: "Charles is, he is the savior of Paris, Charles asked me to do all these!"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They never knew there was a story behind it, or rather, it was not a “story”.

Because the protagonist of the story is "Charles", Charles is Francis' enemy, and Francis would not praise his enemies, so this "story" is likely to be true.

Grevi seemed to have thought of something. He looked at Francis in shock and said, "So, Charles had already used tractors to convert tanks and was waiting for the Germans in Lavaise?"

Francis nodded. “Not only that, he also trained a group of soldiers to use tanks and commanded this group to defeat the Germans!”

Everyone was shocked, as they had always thought these were just folk rumors.

The official propaganda was that Major Browne trained the troops and led his men to defeat the Germans, and Charles was only the inventor of the tank.

Francis added, "I saw it with my own eyes. Major Brownie was just doing what Charles said. I think the same is true for Bian Sanlunyizhang!"

"Unbelievable!" Grevi stood up unconsciously.

Charles is just a 17-year-old boy, but he has such strategy, sophistication, and such amazing inventions and creativity. How did he do it?
Grevi had always known that Charles was outstanding and excellent, but he had never expected him to be so outstanding. This was far beyond his imagination.

He muttered to himself: "If Ciel is an opponent, then he is a terrifying opponent!"

This is what Francis meant to say:

"Now, do you understand what kind of enemy you are facing?"

"You still think he's just a 17-year-old kid and there's nothing to be afraid of?"

Without waiting for anyone else to reply, Francis continued:

"Tank property rights are nothing compared to him, gentlemen!"

"If I'm right, he'll soon be developing a new tank, a modified version of the Holt 75."

"This tank will most likely bypass all industrial property rights, or even be a completely new tank, whatever it is, it will certainly be much more advanced than our tanks!"

Grevi nodded slightly: "Then our tanks will be eliminated, and we may not be able to sell any of them!"

Armand sat on the sofa in a daze. He thought about the consequences. Losing money was a small matter. If things really developed like this, the right wing's plan to increase its influence and control in the military would undoubtedly come to nothing.

(End of this chapter)