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

Chapter 981 Armistice Negotiations
Germany formed a Socialist coalition government in just a few days, with Social Democratic leader Ebert taking over the government and becoming prime minister.

(The image above shows Friedrich Ebert, who became Chancellor of the coalition government after the success of the German Revolution and was later elected as the first President of the Weimar Republic. Note: The Weimar Republic was not established after Germany's defeat in World War II, but rather more than nine months after the defeat, following the drafting of the Weimar Constitution. Prior to this, it was governed by a provisional government.)
After becoming prime minister, Ebert believed that the most important thing at the moment was to reach an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers. Therefore, he immediately established the "Armistice Committee," chaired by Etzberger, to negotiate with the Allied Powers on behalf of Germany.

(Note: Historically, Etzberger was considered a "traitor" by the German right wing for signing an armistice with extremely harsh conditions, and was assassinated a few years later.)
……

In Liège, Belgium, on the open ground outside the gate of the Pontiac Castle.

French guards sized up the German negotiators who had traveled thousands of miles with mocking eyes, seemingly unable to believe that these trembling men were the politicians who had started this war.

Etzberger and his assistants paid no attention to the guards' strange looks; they were making their final preparations.

Etzberger nervously adjusted his bow tie and went over the details one last time with his secretary, Kurt.

"Is the phone line working?" he asked.

“Yes, Your Excellency,” Kurt replied.

The negotiations were conducted simultaneously in two groups. One group, led by the chairman of the Armistice Commission, Etzberger, was targeting France.

Another group, led by Commissioner Fisher, was targeting Britain and the United States in Freeman's case.

Etzberger hopes that both sides can share negotiation information in real time so that they can better understand each other's bottom line and achieve a ceasefire at the lowest possible cost.

“What about the relevant documents for Lorraine and Alsace?” Etzberger asked again.

“Ready, Your Excellency,” Kurt replied.

"Traffic map and mine distribution map."

"We're all ready!"

……

At this moment, the guard who had gone in to announce the arrival came out of the fortress gate: "The Lieutenant General invites you in, Your Excellency Chairman."

“Okay.” Etzberger nodded to the guard. “Thank you very much!”

Upon reaching the fortress gate, he straightened his suit again, cleared his throat quietly, and then stepped inside with his secretary.

After passing through a passageway more than ten meters long, with machine guns and cannons aimed at firing ports on both sides, and fully armed French soldiers staring at the "uninvited guests" with murderous intent.

Under their gaze, Etzberger's palms unconsciously became sweaty.

To relax, he asked the guard leading the way in French, "Has the lieutenant general been staying here all this time?"

“Yes,” the guard replied calmly. “He’s planning an attack on Berlin, and he thinks it would be more convenient to command from here.”

Etzberger stumbled and nearly fell, but his secretary quickly stepped forward to support him.

The guard didn't turn around; a mocking smile played on his lips.

He thought, "I've fooled you, hopefully this will help with the negotiations!"

……

Charles sat at the round table in the war room, drinking coffee. The table in front of him was completely empty.

Etzberger knocked on the door, and after receiving permission, entered with his head bowed. Upon seeing Charles, he immediately removed his hat and bowed in greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant General."

"I am Etzberger, Chairman of the German Armistice Commission, and I am here on behalf of Germany to discuss the armistice with you."

Charles politely rose and shook hands with Etzberger: "Please have a seat, Mr. Etzberger. Welcome. I believe we will have a pleasant negotiation."

Etzberger gave a wry smile: "Yes, of course."

He said this aloud, but in his heart he thought it was impossible. The French army held the fate of Germany in their hands, and Germany had previously captured Paris and been crowned in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, severely humiliating the French.

Now, the French army will certainly seize this opportunity to avenge the defeat they suffered years ago.

But he could only think this to himself; Etzberger dared not say it aloud. He had no reason to provoke Charles, otherwise he would become a sinner against Germany.

He carefully sat down in front of Charles, and the secretary immediately opened his briefcase, took out the documents, and placed them on the table.

That posture was like preparing for a war, but a war that was bound to be lost!

……

Freeman was much calmer than Fischer, the German representative negotiating with the British and Americans in the Joint Command conference room.

He didn't bring any documents with him; his secretary only brought a notebook to take notes.

Sitting opposite him were General Winter and Pershing, who were representing Britain and the United States respectively to discuss the armistice.

“You have achieved your goal.” Fisher tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

“I remember Charles saying that his enemy was not the German military and civilians, but Kaiser Wilhelm II, the dictator, and the German system.”

"Now that Wilhelm II has abdicated, we have formed a coalition government and established a parliament."

"Therefore, I don't think there's any need for this war to continue. What do you think?"

General Winter replied coldly, "I think you've misunderstood something, Your Excellency. That's Charles's objective, not ours!"

Fisher shrugged: "Does it matter?"

The implication is: What does your purpose have to do with Germany?

General Winter was momentarily speechless. He turned his gaze to Pershing and said, "Now is the time for you to lend a hand."

Pershing was originally unwilling to participate in the negotiations, believing that the United States was not qualified to sit at the negotiating table.

But the White House's order was for him to do his utmost to secure American interests.

"The problem now is that you are requesting a ceasefire, Your Excellency," Pershing said.

“If you don’t need to consider our wishes, there’s no need for negotiation, and of course, there will be no peace.”

"You don't want the United States to go back to the battlefield and continue this meaningless war, do you?"

Fisher still attaches great importance to the US military.

Americans have money, resources, and productivity. Most importantly, they are working hard to learn the Shar's tactics and use the Shar's equipment, unlike the stubborn British.

“You’re right, General,” Fisher nodded in reply. “So, what are your conditions?”

……

"What are your conditions, Lieutenant General?" Etzberger looked at Charles earnestly. "I mean, what would it take for France to stop this war?"

Before Charles could answer, Etzberger began to reflect on himself:
"I know that Germany started this war and it caused great losses to France."

"We are willing to compensate for this."

"Oh, and Lorraine and Alsace, we've agreed to return them; here are their records."

Etzberger handed the documents to Charles with both hands.

He believed that if something was inevitable, such as the inability to hold Lorraine and Alsace, it would be more sincere to offer it proactively.

This is also a negotiation strategy!
(End of this chapter)