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

Chapter 82 Breakfast together
The next day, Charles was awakened by the sound of cannon fire.

It goes without saying that it was the German "Big Bertha" heavy artillery.

The Germans usually did not fire at night. The hit rate of indiscriminate bombing at night was too low, and the shells for the "Big Bersa" heavy artillery were not cheap.

They would bomb after daybreak, guided by balloons, so as to destroy the target with the fewest shells.

Charles lived in the officers' dormitory of the fortress headquarters, in a single room on the third floor with a private bathroom. This was the treatment for top foreign guests in Antwerp during the war, and General Winter's accommodation was no better.

After all, Antwerp was the last "safe place" in Belgium. Many people who supported the king or did not want to be enslaved by Germany gathered here, making accommodation in Antwerp tight and supplies scarce. Even the engineering shovels for building trenches needed British reinforcements.

Charles quickly washed up and went downstairs. His plan was clear: go to the airport and return to Paris to hand the completed investigation report to Gallieni, which would be the basis for France to reinforce Antwerp.

At this time, Charles had not yet realized that his mission had long been insignificant. France, Britain, Germany, and Belgium, the warring countries, had made a series of targeted combat plans around him.

Especially Germany, which has added three divisions and is still adding more in order to prevent Charles from leaving here.

And in Charles' little head, he was still thinking about his investigation report.

People were coming and going downstairs, and the headquarters never stopped during the war.

Charles tried to find General Guise in the crowd to ask him to arrange a car, but he didn't seem to be there.

Just when Charles was in trouble, a soldier in a red and black uniform with a sword on his waist came up and saluted Charles.

Charles recognized the attire; it was King Albert's guards, the Royal Guard, and Charles had caught a glimpse of them last night when Albert came.

The guard said politely: "Your Excellency, the King invites you to breakfast. The carriage is waiting outside the door!"

Have breakfast together?

At this time?
Charles didn't quite understand. Was this the way of life for the nobility? It seemed that Albert I was no exception!

However, Charles soon realized that he was wrong and that this was not Albert I's true intention.

Unlike Grevy's carriage, Albert I arranged an open convertible carriage for Charles. Charles thought it was the Belgian style and sentiment, but this was actually intentional by Albert I.

The carriage moved very slowly, although there were no obstacles on the road.

There were six guards in front and behind the carriage, all wearing conspicuous red military uniforms. The red tassels on their hats bounced up and down rhythmically with the horses' hooves, as if reminding bystanders to make way.

The streets were filled with ragged people, mostly old people and women, as well as children of all ages, some crying in the arms, and some about Charles' age. All of them had stains on their faces, and their eyes were filled with fatigue and fear.

Their embarrassment and distress formed a sharp contrast with the King's Guards, which made Charles feel a little uncomfortable sitting in the car.

The crowd had gathered on the street. They saw a carriage coming out of the headquarters from afar and unconsciously stood up and moved closer, as if they wanted to see Charles in the carriage.

Charles was a little surprised. When he came here yesterday, he didn't see so many people gathered on the street. What day is it today?

Suddenly the carriage stopped. There was a crossroad ahead, and a logistics team transporting ammunition was passing by. During the war, everyone had to give way to the army and related units, even the King's Guards.

It was during this pause that Charles finally learned the truth.

People on both sides slowly gathered up, very slowly at first, and then ran up desperately to surround Charles' carriage, shouting at Charles in the carriage:

"Are you Charles? I heard you defeated the Germans?"

"Can you really lead us to defeat the Germans?" "Can you take back our houses and lands that they have taken away?"

"Help us, please!"

……

Helpless hands reached out to Charles, and Charles was at a loss. He didn't know how to answer and could only look at the King's Guards for help, but they pretended not to see anything.

Fortunately, the carriage soon moved forward under the guidance of the guards, leaving the out-of-control crowd behind. However, there were still people standing on both sides in front, and groups of them stood up and looked at Charles, their eyes full of expectation.

Charles realized that Albert I was using him and that this was not a "breakfast together" at all, but a morale-boosting parade.

Albert I did not deny this. When he sat down at the dining table and faced Charles, his first words were: "I am very sorry, lieutenant! I did not inform you in advance, but I thought you could understand!"

Breakfast was a steak and a fried egg. Although the taste was not very good, it was better than bread.

"You overestimate my appeal, Your Majesty!" Charles complained, "It will be useless to do this!"

Albert I smiled softly, cut a piece of beef and put it into his mouth elegantly: "You underestimated yourself, it has worked!"

"What?" Charles couldn't believe it would happen so soon.

"It was last night!" Albert I tilted his head and answered while chewing beef: "I released the news that you were here when I came back from the headquarters last night!"

"And then?" Charles asked, somewhat curious about the outcome.

Albert I came closer and answered in a low voice:

"Antwerp was collapsing, Lieutenant!"

"During the 14 days of the German offensive, a total of 4780 soldiers chose to desert, and another 3.09 soldiers surrendered to the Germans, an average loss of more than people per day."

These really cannot be heard by other people, otherwise it will affect morale.

"But since last night, our number of soldiers has not decreased but increased!"

"Why do you think people spontaneously asked to join the army to defend Antwerp?"

Albert I raised his glass of red wine to Charles and said, "Now, do you still think I overestimated you?"

Charles said nothing, he concentrated on attacking his steak.

I thought to myself, this king must have spread false propaganda to his people. I wonder how much he has exaggerated himself!
"boom"

There was the sound of Big Bertha's gunfire again.

Charles turned his gaze to Albert I, who responded with a knowing smile: "Don't worry, everything will go according to your plan. I believe they will succeed!"

Albert I then added: "Also, I think you may not be able to leave here for the time being, at least for now. The Germans are choosing to die together by crashing their planes into ours!"

After taking a sip of wine, he emphasized: "This is unprecedented!"

(End of this chapter)