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

Chapter 979 Charles used it as a handle

That evening, Wilhelm II abdicated, and in the early hours of the next day, he and his family escaped from Sanssouci Palace by mingling with the guards.

Amid cheers, the German military and civilians established a provisional government, which then initiated armistice negotiations with the Allied Powers.

……

In July, Pontisayburg was shrouded in a light drizzle.

Perhaps because Belgium is close to the sea, the weather changes very quickly; it was sunny just a moment ago, but suddenly the weather turned cold.

The news of Wilhelm II's abdication spread like wildfire throughout Liège, and the faces of soldiers and civilians alike were filled with joy.

Although the war is not completely over, they have seen hope in it.

Therefore, wherever Charles went, he was always greeted with warm welcomes.
"Salute to you, General."

"Thank you so much for bringing us out of the pain of war."

"We are about to win, General, all because of you!"

……

The U.S. military remained inactive, and Pershing sent a telegram to Sharl:
"Lieutenant General, the American Expeditionary Force is under your command."

"However, I believe you no longer need the American Expeditionary Force to join you."

"We are happy to stay in Freeman to prepare for the reception of prisoners and postwar recovery work."

Charles understood Pershing's meaning; he did not want to steal credit from the French army, which he considered a desecration of the French army, of Charles, and even of himself.

Charles agreed to Pershing's request, since the American expeditionary force was indeed not needed at this time.

The British army was not like that.

After Haig was dismissed, Lieutenant General Plummer, commander of the British Expeditionary Force 2, was appointed as the commander of the British Expeditionary Force.

The British army followed the French army's lead and launched an attack on the German army.

They are trying to gain leverage in the upcoming ceasefire negotiations.

But the German army did not seem to get what they wanted. They relentlessly defeated the British offensives time and time again, even though many in the German army believed that there was no point in continuing the fight.

Tijani was somewhat puzzled by this. He asked the German prisoners of war who had surrendered, "Why are you unwilling to surrender to the British? Is it because you are afraid they will kill you?"

“No,” the German prisoner replied solemnly, “It was Charles who defeated us, General. We only surrender to the people and the army that defeated us!”

……

While everyone was preparing for the final battle and negotiations, Charles's attention was focused on the "Lady in White".

Charles orders Lucia to use her resources to find one person: Einstein.

At that time, he was a professor at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. If they could recruit him to work for the Bernard Group in France, no one would be able to challenge France's position for decades or even centuries to come.

As he anxiously awaited news, a guard stepped forward and reported, "General, General Winter is outside and wishes to speak with you."

Charles originally did not want to see him. France and Britain had nothing left to talk about. The two countries were now caught in the so-called "Thucydides Trap": France was a newly rising power, and Britain was the existing power.

According to Thucydides' theory, war between the two seemed inevitable.

However, there has never been a war between Britain and the United States in history.

Charles believed this was due to the shortsightedness and stupidity of the Secretary of State for Munitions, so all Charles had to do was protect the Secretary of State for Munitions and ensure that he would become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the future.

Even if war were to break out unexpectedly, France had nothing to fear at this point. However, upon reflection, Charles felt he should still talk to him. After all, France was no longer the same country. As a founding member of the League of Nations, its every word and action was under the watchful eyes of other nations, and it needed to demonstrate magnanimity.

“Dear Lieutenant General.” When General Winter saw Charles, he gave Charles an exaggerated hug, like a long-lost old friend.

Although General Winter tried his best to appear nonchalant, Charles could still discern something from his expression.

In the past, even when General Winter needed Charles's help or was amazed by Charles's tactics, his words and eyes always revealed a faint sense of superiority.

It lacks a concrete representation.

He appears polite on the surface, but sometimes a hint of disdain at the corner of his mouth or a hint of impatience in his eyes clearly reveals his psychological superiority.

Now, that feeling is completely gone.

Although it was still General Winter standing in front of me, he seemed to have become a different person. His smile contained only humility, caution, and even fear.

Charles asked, "General, are you here on your own behalf or on behalf of Britain?"

General Winter was somewhat frustrated: "Please, Lieutenant General, I don't think we're that unfamiliar with each other..."

“I agree,” Charles interrupted General Winter, “but it’s not as familiar as you think.”

It is understandable that General Winter had to consider the issue from the British perspective.

But since that's the case, let's be realistic and stop talking nonsense. Besides, Charles doesn't think he has much personal affection for General Winter.

“Very well,” General Winter said, with a hint of helplessness in his voice. “The first thing you should know is that Wilhelm II has fled to the Netherlands.”

“Is that so?” Charles replied, “I didn’t know about that.”

General Winter couldn't help but laugh. With your intelligence network, Charles, you wouldn't know about this?
“We hope you can put pressure on the Netherlands,” General Winter said. “Make the Netherlands hand over Wilhelm II.”

"Hand over Wilhelm II?" Charles retorted. "Why?"

General Winter looked at Charles in disbelief: "Just as you said, he is the culprit of this war, the person directly responsible. Shouldn't we arrest him and interrogate him?"

"Then send him to the guillotine?" Charles smiled and shook his head.

“I hope so too, General.”

"But the problem is that the Netherlands is a sovereign and independent country, and it is even a member of the League of Nations."

"And I, and France, have assured all member states that we will protect their rights rather than 'pressure' them."

"So you're just going to let this go?" General Winter unconsciously quickened his pace. "Just let a criminal go unpunished? Let him live a carefree life in the Netherlands after causing such great damage?"

Charles shrugged: "This is not my decision. You should ask Queen Wilhelmina."

General Winter didn't believe a word of it.

With Charles's current strength, he only needs to give Queen Wilhelmina a hint, or even say it outright, and she will immediately send Wilhelm II to Charles.

But Charles simply wouldn't do that.

At this point, Charles added, "William II is no longer capable of causing any harm, General, unless he knows something."

General Winter instantly understood the meaning behind Charles's words.

Wilhelm II is evidence of the secret alliance between Britain and the United States.

Whether or not to reveal it depends on Ciel's mood.

In other words, Charles used it as leverage!
(End of this chapter)