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

Chapter 965 I Just Want to Live in a Secluded Corner

Only one chapter today, sorry!

……

At the Freeman Joint Command, Charles looked at the design drawings on the table with great satisfaction.

Due to the needs of the war, the "super defense line" in the Metz and Freiman area has taken initial shape, with the first underground tunnels connecting the surface fortifications, forming a defense line that combines surface and underground elements.

The railway line behind is complete, and two armored trains are ready.

Pétain's Army Group Center was fortunate enough to be among the first units to enter, or rather, to test, the "super line."

Pétain was satisfied with this arrangement, after all, defense was his fighting philosophy, and many officers and soldiers in his troops shared the same idea.

Therefore, they believed that Shire was making good use of people's talents and putting everyone and every unit in the right place.

Pétain was even quite interested in the fortifications, spending all his time with Leotard, who was in charge of the project, discussing where the firepower needed to be increased and where more secret passages needed to be added.

Let Charles do whatever he wants, after all, Pétain is indeed very experienced in defense.

Just then, Gallieri called.

"Don't you find it strange?" Gallieri asked.

"The British and American troops not only did not advance, but retreated several miles under the German attack."

"We have captured Saarbrücken and seized a large amount of German supplies and industry, cutting off their transportation hubs."

"This is not just a material blow to the Germans, but also a blow to their morale and confidence!"

Under these circumstances, why were the British and American troops still repelled?

Is it really because the British and American troops are so weak?

“I know, General.” Charles glanced at the British and American command posts on either side. “It’s obvious that this is a trick they’re playing.”

“You mean…” Gallieri hesitated for a moment, then asked with some skepticism, “You mean they’ve reached an agreement?”

“I think so,” Charles replied.

"These bastards!" A loud slamming sound came from the phone, followed by Gallieri's furious roar: "How could they do this? Treating the battlefield like a game, how many people will die? What will the consequences be?"

He had previously thought that Britain and the United States were bypassing France to discuss interests with Germany, but he did not expect that Britain and the United States were also trying to use Germany to contain and weaken France.

This has exceeded the scope of his imagination.

“That’s not surprising, General.” Charles seemed unfazed, his tone unusually calm: “As long as there’s enough benefit, a soldier’s life can be sacrificed!”

“This is wrong.” Gallieri’s voice was hoarse with emotion: “We should stop all of this…”

Charles caught a glimpse of Pershing approaching with documents in his hand, and subtly ended the call: "Don't worry, General. Leave it to me, you don't need to do anything!"

After hanging up the phone, Charles turned to Pershing: "The situation isn't good, is it?"

“Yes, General.” Pershing handed over the documents:

"This seems to be related to the Germans acquiring supplies; they had previously captured a number of merchant ships."

"This greatly increased their fighting capacity, and we had to abandon another line of defense."

Charles flipped through the documents; they showed the defensive positions after the US military withdrew.

“It’s alright,” Charles asked. “Do we need reinforcements? Our troops are sufficient.”

“No, General,” Pershing replied, “we can handle it.”

Charles nodded and then began his performance.

He put down the document and sighed softly.
"I thought the war was about to end, but it seems that's not the case."

"The Germans remain tenacious; their perseverance and persistence are astonishing and worthy of respect." "What I mean is, although they were enemies, they were also excellent soldiers who fulfilled their mission."

"Our soldiers too."

Pershing avoided Charles's gaze and nodded slightly: "Yes, General, you are right."

Charles adopted a compassionate and sympathetic demeanor:

"The question is, what reason is there for this war to continue? What is the point? Why let soldiers kill each other like this?"

“They are all vibrant lives, but in the end, it is the capitalists and politicians who benefit.”

"In other words, they are trading soldiers' lives for their own interests, those shameless bastards!"

Pan Xing lowered his head in shame.

Charles is right. This is a pointless waste of soldiers' lives. They could have ended this war long ago, and they still can now.

Charles chuckled inwardly. Pershing might be a professional soldier and an excellent commander, but he was not a politician. He didn't understand the scheming and backstabbing among politicians.

“It’s truly despairing,” Charles said, impatiently taking a cigarette from the drawer and tossing one to Pershing.

After lighting it, he exhaled a long puff of smoke.
"Sometimes I don't think about whether I'm being too naive."

"The ridiculous French spirit: eliminating war and bringing peace to the world?"

"The rules of this world don't seem to be like that. They're just a beautiful ideal, like soap bubbles floating in the sunlight—they look lovely, but they could burst at any moment..."

Pershing grew anxious: "No, General, you are right, you should not give up. You are everyone's hope, the only one who can end this war."

“I don’t think so, General.” Charles shook his head in frustration.
“It’s been almost three years, and I’m tired of war. That’s why I’m building the ‘super defense line’.”

"As French soldiers, all we need to do is hold the 'super line,' don't you think?"

"As for the others, there's no need to worry about them, and I'm no exception, because they're none of our business!"

Pershing stared at Charles in shock; this was not the Charles he knew.

The Charles he knew was someone who would not be defeated by difficulties, would not compromise with any power, and would never give up.

But then I thought, Ciel is only 19 years old. No matter what kind of talent he has, he is still a teenager at heart.

Besides, all of this was too much for him.

How to do?
If Charles chooses to give up and, as he says, uses the "super line" to retreat to a corner of the country, then this war may continue indefinitely.

Only then will Germany truly "make a comeback," and Britain, the United States, and Russia will be unable to defeat Germany, inevitably resulting in a large number of casualties.

This will be a disaster, a catastrophe for humanity, and even the United States will be dragged into the abyss.

We cannot allow things to continue like this; it is not in the national interest of the United States.

With this in mind, Pershing made up his mind that he should play a role in this matter.

"Please wait a moment, General." Pershing threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out, glanced at the British command post, and walked straight to his own command post.

He returned shortly afterward, carrying a record in a paper bag.

He lowered his voice as he handed the record to Charles, saying:

"These are some things I recorded, General."

"The conversation between Baker and Haig."

"I think you should listen to this before you think about what to do!"

(End of this chapter)