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

Chapter 916 The Role of Turkey

Charles did not spend Christmas Eve in Darvaz.

If he wants to become a "world-class great man", Christmas is the best time for him to show off.

He personally commanded the logistics troops in Paris to purchase turkeys and then sent them to the front in batches.

Although the French soldiers had temporarily ceased fighting, the British and American armies were bombarding the German defense line continuously because they were worried about the impact of the "armistice" and "Christmas".

Amid the rumbling of artillery fire, the officers spared no effort to educate the soldiers about hatred:
"The Germans were committing all kinds of atrocities. Due to lack of supplies, they even chose to eat humans."

"This is a sin, they are an evil army, they are the devil's agents."

"We will destroy them in the name of God until they surrender!"

……

(Note: During World War I, British and American media promoted the legend that German soldiers ate human flesh, but no evidence of their practice was found. This was more likely a form of propaganda with political and military purposes.)
The soldiers firmly believed that they were fighting for justice as they fired shell after shell at the enemy positions in the dark and cold trenches.

Only when they rested did they quiet down, shivering in the cold snow and thinking: Why are we fighting? Why should this war continue?

Suddenly someone cheered: "Turkey, Charles brought us turkey!"

The soldier who was in despair suddenly felt a little warmth.

Although it is only a little, it is like a ray of light in the darkness, like a beacon in the lost sea, and like a match lit when one is on the verge of death.

It dispelled the gloom and sorrow in the soldiers' hearts, pointed them in the right direction, and brought them a rare bit of warmth.

"God, I forgot tonight is Christmas Eve, but Ciel remembered."

"But we are not French. Why would Charles send us turkeys?"

"Remember? Ciel emphasized 'fraternity', which is love for all human beings, regardless of nationality!"

"He is a great general, God bless him!"

……

With tears in their eyes, the soldiers chewed the dry turkey meat while looking towards Paris in the west, as if that was what their hearts desired.

……

After finishing all these, Charles went to the city defense headquarters. It was not suitable for him to return to Darvaz to reunite with his family at this time.

Because tomorrow's newspapers will report: Charles was busy all night and, like the soldiers at the front, he was unable to share Christmas dinner with his family, even though his family was close by.

Gallieni was busy at the headquarters, hoping to add a can of beef to the French soldiers who were not at the front, even though there was almost no beef in the so-called "can of beef".

Charles presented a basket of ice grapes, which was a rather luxurious food at that time and usually only the nobles could afford it.

"Merry Christmas," said Charles.

"Merry Christmas," Gallieni replied, glancing at what Sharty had brought. "Aren't you afraid that someone would say you're using your power for personal gain?"

"It is my own money," replied Charles. "People know I am rich, and I just spend it where it is needed."

Then Charles waved to the people around him: "You have one basket each, gentlemen. I've got them stored downstairs in the officers' mess. Merry Christmas!"

The officers cheered and responded in unison:
"Merry Christmas, Admiral!"

"You are so generous, Merry Christmas!"

"God bless you, Lieutenant General!"

……

Gallieni picked a grape and put it in his mouth, chewing it and saying, "It tastes good."

As he spoke, he carried the grapes and walked into his own lounge. Charles understood and followed him in, closing the door behind him.

Gallieni put the grapes on the table, took out a document from the drawer and handed it to Charles: "I heard that you have reached an agreement with the British and Americans to rejoin the battle?"

Charles took the document and flipped through it. It was the result of the Second Bureau's investigation.

As the Minister of War, Gallieni was the direct superior of the Second Bureau. The Second Bureau flourished under Charles, which also made Gallieni "sharp-eyed and sharp-eared".

But this is also because Charles did not order the second bureau to sideline Gallieni.

"It's not what you think." Charles explained: "I did this for a reason..."

"You are right," Gallieni said. "I am in favor of continuing to fight the Germans."

"What?" Charles was a little surprised. He thought Gallieni was an anti-war person.

Gallieni made himself a glass of warm milk and drank it while saying:

"The Germans have great war potential, and France may not be able to easily win against them alone."

"The reason why we are doing so well now is not only because of you, but also because the Germans are fighting on several fronts."

"Have you ever considered that although the British Expeditionary Force did not play a big role, they at least dispersed the German forces?"

Charles said "Oh".

Gallieni was concerned about the interests of France and was worried that France would not be able to withstand the attack of the rejuvenated Germans in the future.

"Don't you see?" Gallieni continued:

"The Germans have a strong learning ability. They can learn and adapt to your new tactics and even equipment in a short period of time."

“They grow rapidly in combat, not just learning and applying, but also innovating.”

"Like 'Stormtroopers.'

Ciel couldn't argue with that.

The Germans were indeed excellent. At this time, they had completely broken away from the shackles of "trench warfare". Although they were still losing battles, they were able to penetrate the battlefields of the Somme and the Meuse, just like Charles did.

This shows that the German army has mastered the core of Charles' tactics, rather than just learning the surface like Britain, the United States, and Gamelin.

If such an opponent develops in the future and challenges France again, can Charles, the master, rest easy?

"So what you mean is..." Charles asked.

"Defeat him completely." Gallieni looked up at Charles and said firmly, "It will be good for us to make him lose the ability to fight us!"

Charles hummed in understanding.

This is Gallieni's fear of the German army. He personally witnessed the process of being driven to Paris by the German army and being crowned in the Palace of Versailles. Now France is almost destroyed again.

What Gallieni wants now is to impatiently pinch Germany's weak spot and make it unable to move.

"Don't worry, General." Charles said in a relaxed tone: "I will."

"Very good." Gallieni nodded with satisfaction.

Then he asked, "As for the $2 million in tax relief for Americans, what are you going to do with it?"

Charles cursed inwardly, he even knew this?
However, this is not because the Second Bureau has strong reconnaissance capabilities, but because the United States deliberately spread some rumors in preparation for the downfall of Charles.

"Don't worry, General." Charles replied, "The Americans think they have something on me, but in fact, I will invest all of the $2 million into the construction of the 'Super Defense Line'!"

(End of this chapter)