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

Chapter 985 Everything is moving in a positive direction
The next day, news that Charles was only demanding $20 billion in compensation from Germany quickly spread to every corner of the world.

French citizens are not very satisfied.

They believed that now was the best time for revenge, and how could Ciel go against the grain and show undue mercy to the enemy at this time?

Many people, in particular, remember Germany's capture of Paris and coronation at Versailles, as well as its occupation of Lorraine and Alsace and the imposition of German-style education and various harsh measures in these places, and therefore have considerable reservations about this.
"The Germans weren't so friendly to us back then. After they defeated us, they still demanded 50 billion francs in compensation, even though we didn't suffer much damage!"

"They not only stole a lot of money, but also humiliated us severely, causing us to lose all our dignity."

"Our demands are not excessive; we only ask that they return what they gave us in the first place!"

……

Opposition lawmakers and capitalists then jumped out to spread rumors again:

"Do you know why Ciel accepted such a small amount of compensation?"

"That's because the Germans bribed Charles; they provided the Bernard Group with a lot of funding and technical cooperation."

"That's the terrifying thing about dictatorship. Charles can turn national interests into his own interests, and it can be done in a reasonable, justifiable, and legal way, and no one can interfere!"

……

But these voices failed to stir up any waves.

The reason is that capitalists spread too many rumors about Ciel, which were repeatedly proven wrong, demonstrating Ciel's innocence and even proving his greatness.

This has made French citizens immune to rumors, and they respond with sarcasm when they hear them:
"Come on, if Charles wanted money, would he need to do this? Many people would try to put money in his hands, but he wouldn't even give them a second glance."

"Did I hear that right? Charles needs German technology? What technology does Germany have to give Charles? Airplanes, tanks, or artillery?"

“Charles wanted German funds and technology, but he didn’t need the Germans to provide them; he only needed to give orders to the Germans.”

……

People even spontaneously took control of the rumor-mongers, used vigilante justice to interrogate them, traced them back to the capitalists, and finally used protests and marches to bring down the capitalists.

Thus, the capitalists realized that they could no longer be a match for the Charles.

……

Clemenceau delivered a timely speech to the citizens in the town hall square, where he provided a valuable complement to Charles in matters of domestic policy.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Clemenceau stood triumphantly on the balcony of the Chancellor's office, shouting to the sea of ​​citizens below, "I know what you're thinking. If we demand $100 billion in compensation from the Germans, we can each get more than $200, which is no small sum!"

(Note: After France reclaimed Lorraine and Alsace, the total population was nearly 40 million, but the population structure was severely unbalanced due to the losses of the war.)
The citizens chuckled, and many of them genuinely thought so.

Clemenceau waited a moment, then continued:
"But we should consider this question: have you actually received that $200 or so?"

Think about it.

"The money and supplies that Charles donated to the troops, the factories he built for wounded soldiers, and the wartime rationing system he implemented to ensure that you could eat your fill even in the most difficult times."

"He also leased your land cheaply, created countless jobs for you, and built an army that can defy the whole world to protect your safety."

……

The citizens nodded in agreement, and Shire had given them well over $200.

Clemenceau continued:
“I’m not talking about compensation, gentlemen. Charles doesn’t expect any compensation. He has only one thought in mind, which is to contribute something to France and to you.”

"If anyone suspects that Charles is abusing his power for personal gain, or thinks that he is making a behind-the-scenes deal with the Germans as some people say."

Clemenceau shrugged: "You can come to my office anytime to check the accounts, or go ask the Germans if they have overpaid any taxes."

The citizens laughed again. Clemenceau was right; if the Germans didn't pay more taxes, what would they use to bribe Charles?

Do German capitalists use their own money to bribe?
If he were a capitalist like Charles, Germany wouldn't have been defeated to this extent today!
Clemenceau tapped his finger in the air, his voice gradually growing stronger:

"Charles did this for the French spirit."

"As he said, he was doing it for the peace of mankind, which of course includes German civilians, so he did not want German civilians to suffer because of this war."

"At the same time, this is also for the benefit of France, its long-term interests."

"Because if we treat Germans well today, we will resolve the hatred between us and Germans, reduce the possibility of war between France and Germany, and there will be no next war."

"All we need to do is give up the $200 that might be yours!"

"Tell me, what do you want? $200, or the French spirit of Charles?"

The citizens agreed with Clemenceau.

Just as the Germans breached Paris and seized French territory, the French people always remembered this hatred and humiliation, which is why Charles led his soldiers to defeat the Germans on the battlefield.

At least that's how they see it.

Now, if France defeats Germany, attacks Berlin, seizes German territory, and demands large sums of reparations...

First of all, they might not even receive the compensation; the Germans simply can't afford it.

It is certain that the Germans will harbor resentment towards France, and they will, like the French, launch another war decades later to avenge their humiliation.

This cycle continues, and the war will be endless.

Therefore, Ciel's actions were correct; he was the only one who remained clear-headed.

Having figured this out, the citizens raised their hands and shouted:

"We support Charles!"

“We are willing to pay $200; it’s what we should do.”

"Long live France! Long live the French spirit!"

……

The newspaper published Clemenceau's speech.

Kobdo added fuel to the fire with his comments:

"On this day, after experiencing the pain, selfishness and all kinds of ugliness of war, we finally ushered in a ray of dawn."

"It is a spirit, a belief, a civilization."

"For decades, I have never been more convinced than I am today that the war will end under the leadership of France, and humanity will usher in an unprecedented peace!"

"And all of this stems from one man, a hero who appeared in France like a legend."

……

Gallieri looked at the newspaper in the minister's office and nodded with satisfaction.

He made the right bet; Charles' rise was in France's interest, and everything was moving in a positive direction!

(End of this chapter)