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

Chapter 957 Port of Piraeus
Charles did not agree to Constantine I's request, and remained silent with a troubled expression.

Seeing Charles hesitate, Constantine I quickly said, "Lieutenant General, if France is willing to station troops in Greece to contain the British forces, Greece can provide France with the port of Piraeus and a military base."

(The image above shows the location of the port of Piraeus in Greece. This port is an important link between the Middle East, Europe and Africa. It is situated among a series of islands surrounding the Aegean Sea. The navy can block the Dardanelles Strait exit and, to the southeast, block the Suez Canal. Its geographical location is extremely important.)
Ciel was smitten.

He knew very well that if France, which already controlled Malta, could also build a base in the port of Piraeus, the Mediterranean would become France's swimming pool.

But Charles remained calm.

"Your Majesty," Charles said, adopting a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor.

"This is not a matter of ports and military bases. As a member of the League of Nations, France has an obligation to speak out for fairness and justice among all nations."

"Moreover, Greece is also a member of the League of Nations."

"If we ourselves cannot guarantee fairness and justice for member states, how can we maintain world peace?"

One must speak in a pleasing and elegant manner to place oneself on the moral high ground.

This system is crucial for ordinary people and for controlling public opinion.

That's why the US needs to show off a tube of laundry detergent.

Constantine I was stunned by Charles's words.

what happened?

The conditions offered are not sufficient?

Could it be that Ciel wants more than just these things?

That would be difficult. Greece has no resources and no military strength; all it can offer is its control over the Mediterranean.

He thought to himself, and echoed Charles's words: "The lieutenant general is right, that is the significance of our establishment of the 'League of Nations'."

The subtext of this statement is: if you don't solve the Greek problem, the League of Nations has no reason to exist, and Greece will be the first to withdraw from the group!
Charles nodded slightly:

"But France is also an independent country, Your Majesty."

"It is neither reasonable nor legal for us to station troops in Greece."

"Think about it, if the French army can be stationed in Greece with your permission, doesn't that mean the British can too?"

Constantine I was educated more in military affairs than diplomacy, and he still failed to grasp Charles's meaning.

“But I will not agree, Lieutenant General.” Constantine I was so anxious that a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead. “I know what the British are trying to do. They are supporting the Venizelos faction, which opposes me.”

(Note: Venizelos was the Prime Minister of Greece at the time. He and Britain used each other. Britain helped Venizelos seize power. After Venizelos came to power, he led Greece to change its neutral stance and join the Allied Powers in the war.)

“I know, Your Majesty,” Charles said more explicitly. “I believe this matter should be raised within the League of Nations for a ruling by the representatives of all nations. Similarly, the troops stationed in Greece should not be French troops but the League of Nations forces.”

Constantine I exclaimed "Oh!" in sudden realization, then beamed with delight: "Understood, Lieutenant General."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Lieutenant General, you will support the League of Nations' decision, won't you?"

“Of course,” Charles replied. “I have no reason to object, including to the issue of building a military base in the port of Piraeus.”

Constantine I's tense nerves relaxed instantly.

Charles was not only a military genius, Constantine I thought, but also a master of politics; Wilhelm II was simply not on the same level as him.

Constantine I's faith began to crumble. He even felt that his persistence was meaningless, and that joining the Allies to fight alongside France might not be a bad thing. (Note: Constantine I was deeply influenced by Germany during his military training and idolized Wilhelm II, which was one of the reasons he insisted on not joining the Allies.)
……

At the Grand Hotel Creole, the League of Nations convened another meeting of representatives from various countries.

Clemenceau was in high spirits and radiant, with a faint smile always on his face.

Lately, he has been spending far more time at the Grand Hotel Creole than at the City Hall. He even has a private room at the hotel where he often works late into the night and rests before continuing his work the next day.

Clemenceau felt that demonstrating his "political wisdom" in front of representatives from various countries was much more enjoyable than facing members of parliament in the city hall or in the council.

No matter how amazing things Charles does, those guys at Bourbon Palace will always find a bunch of faults:
"Charles is preparing for his dictatorship."

“We must be vigilant, as he is gradually eroding the power of parliament.”

"Charles was able to win because France had a powerful army; it wasn't the result of his efforts alone!"

……

Good heavens, have they forgotten what the so-called "powerful army" of France was like before Charles?
They even staged a mutiny and refused to fight the Germans.

It was Charles who gradually transformed them into an invincible army.

But now, with such an army, opposition lawmakers are trying to deny Charles's success and kick him aside!

"Face reality, you trash," Clemenceau cursed inwardly with smug satisfaction.

This army not only cannot do without the Charles, but also cannot do without the equipment produced by the Charles. The Charles controls everything; he is invincible!
With this confidence, Clemenceau stepped onto the podium:
"Ladies and gentlemen."

"Please allow me to summarize the achievements of the League of Nations during this period for the representatives of various countries."

"First, we successfully captured Saarbrücken, which ultimately forced the German army to withdraw from Italy."

"Yes, we successfully prevented a tragedy and a war from happening."

The delegates applauded, and the Italian representative stood up, raised his hand in salute to those around him, and accepted the cheers from the others.

Clemenceau continued:
"Secondly, at Romania's request, we sent 100 transport planes and 2000 paratroopers to Romania."

"2000 paratroopers may not seem like a large number, but they are the elite of the French forces, and they could potentially parachute into any point behind German and Austrian lines to launch an attack."

"Therefore, we have just learned that the German and Austrian troops, under pressure, have halted their offensive."

Clemenceau waved the telegram in his hand.

Applause rang out again, and some people cheered loudly.

The Romanian representative, a former soldier, stood up and gave a military salute to those around him, instantly elevating the atmosphere to a new level.

General Winter, seated in the front row, whispered to the other British delegates:
"This is not a good thing."

“Charles pushed what he did onto the League of Nations.”

"In other words, Charles can shift the responsibility to the League of Nations and make all countries share the burden."

……

(End of this chapter)