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

Chapter 952 The Right to Negotiate

Upon hearing that the French had deployed mine-clearing tanks on the battlefield, Baker set off for London, knowing that Charles would win the battle decisively and brilliantly.

Baker approached the Minister of Munitions.

Although the Minister of Munitions was no longer in the most important position, his authority in the navy and even in Britain was unshakeable because he promoted the Royal Navy's "coal-to-oil" conversion.

(Note: Before World War I, most warships were powered by coal or a mixture of coal and oil. In 1912, the Minister of Munitions promoted a reform to abandon coal and switch to oil power, which made oil a crucial strategic resource.)

The meeting took place at the Quartermaster's villa because neither Baker nor the Quartermaster wanted the news of the "British and American conspiracy bypassing France" to get out.

“I think you should be aware of what Charles is doing, Your Excellency.” Baker sat at the coffee table, casually stirring the coffee on the table.

The Minister of War, sitting opposite, nodded slightly: "Yes, I know."

Charles established the League of Nations to win over neutral countries and pressured Britain to recognize Malta's independence.

Although Malta was a very small country and insignificant to Britain, it was a very bad start.

All of this means that Charles wants to dethrone Britain from its position as the world's number one power.

The Minister of War struck a match, lit the cigar in his mouth, took a few puffs, and expressed his concerns through the smoke:
“That’s not what’s so scary, Your Excellency Minister.”

“I am worried about Charles’s ‘French’ spirit.”

Do you know how destructive it is?

Baker smiled slightly: "Of course, Your Excellency, I know."

He thought to himself that the Minister of Munitions probably didn't know that everything Charles was doing was what the United States originally wanted to do, but Charles had just gotten there first.

So how could the United States not know how destructive this is?

The Minister of Munitions frowned, stood up irritably, walked to the French windows, gazed at the scenery outside, and exhaled a long puff of smoke.

“The colony, Your Excellency Minister.” His tone was heavy, as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest.

“The French spirit advocated by Charles is dismantling our colonial system.”

“The Shire shouldn’t say these things to the colonies; they’re not from the same world as us.”

"We can better rule them only by keeping them ignorant. France is no exception; it also has its own colonies. Doesn't Charles understand that? You fool!"

The Minister of War, holding a cigar, tapped heavily in the air, as if trying to awaken Charles.

If Charles were in front of him, the Minister of War would want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him awake.

"You're the real fool," Beck thought. "Charles has already put the British Empire on the table on another level, you just don't know it yet."

Of course, someone as short-sighted as the Minister of Munitions, who only considers immediate interests, wouldn't think of this.

Baker didn't point it out to him, but instead continued along with the Quartermaster Minister's lines:

“I agree, Your Excellency.”

"Charles seems to have lost his way in the process of building his personal prestige."

"He doesn't understand that prestige must be translated into benefits; otherwise, it's nothing but a 'castle in the air'!"

These words struck a chord with the Minister of Munitions, who pointed his finger sharply at Baker:
“That’s right, that’s exactly what I was thinking. There’s no better way to describe it.”

"What good is prestige? Can it turn into warships? Can it turn into cannonballs? Can it defeat the enemy?"

“If it weren’t for the fact that Charles is also a military genius, he would have become cannon fodder scattered on the battlefield long ago!” Beck chuckled inwardly. The key was that Charles was a military genius, and no one could defeat his military genius on the battlefield.

“That’s why we must unite, Your Excellency,” Baker said. “We cannot let the Charles continue like this. It will disrupt the existing order and balance, and plunge the world into endless turmoil, which may be worse than this war.”

Baker described a terrifying scene to the Minister of Munitions: all the colonies were awakening one after another, sweeping across the world like a tornado.

Civilized nations that lose their colonies will fall into terrible poverty and hardship due to a lack of labor and resources, which will trigger a global economic downturn and a humanitarian crisis.

These words struck a chord with the Minister of Munitions, who then replaced Baker's coffee with brandy, and the two raised their glasses and chatted amiably.

The Minister of Munitions was completely unaware that this was a tactic employed by Wilson.

……

Two days earlier, Baker received a coded telegram from Wilson: "If we cannot defeat Charles, let him become a problem for the British, understand?"

Baker understood immediately.

The challenger to Britain's world number one ranking is the Charles, and the United States can continue to maintain a neutral stance, stirring up trouble on both sides and letting Britain and the Charles fight to the death.

Now is the time for the Charles to rise to power and surpass Britain, so Britain should be the one to help.

……

After several rounds of drinks, the quartermaster, who was a heavy drinker, not only showed no signs of intoxication but became more and more sober. Baker, a lawyer by profession, was not a good drinker and became a little confused.

“I am not unaware of these things, Your Excellency,” said the Secretary of Munitions. “But now we can only rely on the Charles, otherwise Britain may be dragged down by the war first, which is one of the reasons why we have to accept his blackmail.”

Baker let out a burp: "Your Excellency, an opportunity is right before us."

"An opportunity?" The Minister of Munitions looked confused.

“Negotiations with the Germans,” Baker replied. “I mean, bypassing France.”

“Bypass France?” The Minister of Munitions laughed. “That’s impossible. Not to mention the Treaty of London, Charles is currently in control. I’m worried that Charles will bypass us and negotiate with the Germans.”

There's a saying: "What cannot be obtained on the battlefield cannot be obtained at the negotiating table."

Charles was the victor on the battlefield, and naturally, he had the right to sit at the negotiating table and negotiate with the Germans.

But Beck shook his head and let out a strange laugh in a distorted voice: "Logically speaking, that is true, but Charles overlooked one point."

"What?" the Quartermaster asked with interest, while refilling Baker's glass.

“His French spirit,” Baker replied.
"Charles advocated 'equality,' 'liberty,' and 'fraternity.'"

"This will actually harm him and deprive him of his negotiating power."

"Because Germany is a dictatorship, they have an emperor!"

The Minister of Munitions suddenly realized.

Yes, there is a contradiction here.

If Germany were to negotiate with the Charles, the Charles would inevitably demand the abdication of the Kaiser.

Otherwise, Charles would be going against the French spirit he emphasized.

If Britain and the United States had supported Wilhelm II to remain emperor at this point, it would have been clear that Wilhelm II would have chosen Britain and the United States over the Charles!

(End of this chapter)