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

Chapter 96 Just give up when you’re ready
"Boom boom boom"

……

Rockets exploded one after another near "Big Bersa".

From the outside there was no way of knowing whether it had hit the target or not. All we saw was that "Big Belsa" was engulfed in flames and smoke. Several artillerymen were killed or wounded, and some were on fire, waving their arms and legs and running around in the flames, shouting.

Charles couldn't even see what was happening in the aperture of his telescope; Big Bertha was right in the blind spot of his vision.

After a long time, there was no follow-up. Charles sighed inwardly. He failed after all. The rocket might not pose a threat to this thick-skinned guy, or it might only cause some malfunction to it, which would only require simple maintenance before it could be used again.

Eric, who was on the mission, thought the same. He looked back at "Big Belsa", slapped the cabin hard, and cursed: "Damn it, we need more rockets, one more time!"

But he knew he had no chance anymore, as the Germans were prepared. If he tried again, he would not only face interception by German pilots, but also the Maxim missiles set up by German infantry on high ground. The latter would use dense bullets to prevent him from getting close, otherwise he would be shot to pieces.

"boom!"

At this moment, there was a loud noise behind him. Eric looked back again and saw that the place where "Big Belsa" was had turned into a huge cloud of smoke.

Eric immediately understood what had happened and he burst into laughter:

"It was a shell, a shell from Big Bertha! I detonated its shell!"

"Hey, little guy! We are so lucky!"

"I really killed it and I'm still alive!"

……

Everyone knew what was happening. They were all too familiar with the sound of the explosion, huge and dull, with a thunderous aftertaste.

Antwerp trembled for more than ten days at this sound. No one expected that the final outcome of "Big Bertha" would be to fall under its own shells!

Besler's face turned pale. He had just been thankful that there might still be a chance to save it, but he didn't expect that "Big Belsa" would be shattered in an instant.

The smoke and dust had not yet dissipated, but one could already see the gun barrel of "Big Belsa", which had been held high, now drooping toward the ground helplessly, lifeless.

There was another cheer in Antwerp, and people waved excitedly at the plane in the sky, their faces full of joy and admiration.

Eric deliberately lowered the plane and flew over the heads of the crowd, causing people to scream and shout, and some even chased after him.

Albert I glanced at General Guise and said, "General, it seems that we don't need to carry out your sneak attack plan. What do you think?"

"Oh, of course, Your Majesty!" General Guise replied with his head down.

This should have made General Guise feel relieved, after all, the target had been destroyed and Antwerp was safe, but he still felt great pressure when he answered.

General Guise thought that what Albert I really wanted to say was: Are you really suitable to be the commander of this fortress? Do you need to change someone else?
Albert I said nothing. He put away the telescope, turned around and walked down the watchtower. He wanted to continue to maintain his elegance and composure, which was the demeanor that a king should have.

However, after going down a flight of stairs, Albert I could not help but take big steps and soon ran wildly. He couldn't wait to hold Charles' hand and tell him that he had won and he had saved the Belgian people again!
Behind Albert I, General Winter whispered to General Guise: "General, it seems that we don't need to hand Charles over to the Germans anymore!"

General Giss hummed and replied with a hint of embarrassment: "Of course!"

……

Eric's plane slowly landed on the runway. As soon as he got off the plane, he was lifted up by the cheering people and thrown into the air again and again. Another biplane and a "pigeon" landed, and Fisher and another pilot walked down. They were also received as heroes.

However, there were only so many people left in the entire flying squadron. There were a total of eight planes when they went into battle, but only three returned.

Those who died died tragically and heroically, but people still ignore them.

Eric saw Charles approaching with his guards, so he raised his head and asked, "How am I doing, sir?"

"Yes," replied Charles. "How about a bottle of wine?"

Everyone around laughed.

The sound of horse hooves came from afar, and the king's carriage came galloping. After entering the airport gate, it slowed down and soon stopped in front of the crowd.

The soldiers lined up to greet him. Albert I jumped down from the carriage excitedly. He was stunned at first when he saw the soldiers' formation. He quickly put on a stern face and stopped walking. He shook hands with the soldiers majestically and said words of praise as he walked:

"You are the heroes of Belgium!"

"Well done, I'm proud of you!"

"On behalf of Belgium, I thank you!"

……

When he came up to Charles, Albert I's face relaxed and he said, "Can I talk to you, lieutenant?"

"Of course!" Charles answered.

The two did not return to the office, but walked to the side of the airport. The airport was very empty, and as long as the guards stopped people at the back, no one would know what the king said to Charles.

"I know this is impossible, but..." Albert I hesitated, but finally spoke: "Can you help me command the Belgian army? I believe the parliament will agree, as will the Belgian people!"

"Your Majesty..." Charles was stunned.

"I know, Charles!" Albert I smiled. "You are French, and this will be difficult for you! But I will try my best to give you everything you want."

Albert I believed that as long as there was a one in ten thousand chance, it was worth a try.

"You may think so." Albert I continued: "France is winning, but Belgium is still in danger. France can do without you, but Belgium cannot, and the Belgian people cannot either. Belgium is safe only with you!"

"No, Your Majesty, I can't do this!" Charles refused flatly.

If Belgium was a country where Albert I could make decisions, Charles might agree. After all, the phrase "I will try my best to give you everything you want" is very tempting.

But this is not the case. The parliament controlled by capitalists is the one that truly decides national affairs.

In this way, Charles was not safe in Belgium, because there was always a danger that Germany would not attack Belgium as long as Charles was handed over to Germany.

This is not a matter of morality or ethics, but a matter of interests between countries, an unsolvable contradiction.

Capitalists everywhere are the same. If Charles continues to stay in Belgium, this contradiction will be intensified one day!
A smart person knows when to quit. Charles doesn't want to live in fear, which makes no sense!

(End of this chapter)