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

Chapter 998 Charles Refuses to Cooperate with Britain

The conference room next to the Charles Command Post at Pontisay Fortress.

The Minister of War, with a kind smile, warmly embraced Charles: "Long time no see, Lieutenant General. How are you?"

“It’s never been better,” Charles replied.

General Winter stepped forward and shook hands with Charles, saying nothing, but the expression on his face clearly indicated that their trip was not well-intentioned.

The two men sat down at the square table, one on each side, with the Minister of War maintaining a smile throughout.

"I've come to apologize to you." The Quartermaster took the coffee that Charles offered.

Charles said "Oh," and then asked, "Is there anything you've done to wrong me?"

The Minister of Munitions raised an eyebrow: "I'm referring to the supply blockade. I hope you understand that we are forced to do this. Please understand that we are not targeting France; this was a difficult decision for us as well."

“Of course.” Charles sat down in his chair with his coffee, his expression calm. “Actually, you don’t need to apologize. Like you said, you’ve always done it this way.”

It means that you've been shameless all along, and you'll continue to do so. What's the point of an apology?
The Minister of Munitions pretended not to understand: "I'm glad you think that way. I believe this will not affect relations between Britain and France."

This should be viewed from the opposite perspective: if you can think this way, it won't affect relations between Britain and France.

“Of course.” Charles spread his hands and asked, “Tell me your conditions, Your Excellency. What do you want us to do?”

The Minister of War wore a smug smile; he was satisfied with Charles's attitude, which indicated that Charles had compromised.

“It’s very simple.” The Quartermaster General nodded to General Winter.

General Winter understood and took a document from his briefcase, handing it to Charles:

“We want peace, Lieutenant General.”

"Britain believed that the Allied Powers should be the ones negotiating with the Germans, and that we were a unified whole."

"Therefore, we revised the negotiation terms, which can maximize the protection of the interests of the Allied Powers, including the interests of France."

Charles took the document and opened it. He found that many conditions had been added, such as Germany could not produce warships of a certain tonnage, tanks, or large-caliber artillery, etc.

The key point is the reparations. Britain very conscientiously increased France's reparations to $150 billion.

Charles laughed: "This is quite surprising, Your Excellency. France will receive the largest amount of reparations!"

"That makes perfect sense," the Quartermaster said earnestly.

"The war was fought on French soil, and the German invasion caused enormous harm to the French military and civilians."

"Whether it was economic, military, or political, they almost took over Paris."

"Therefore, it is only right for them to compensate for the losses; this is the price they should pay."

On the surface, this appears to be advocating for France's interests and grievances, but in reality, it is dividing France and Germany, including the issue of reparations.

$150 billion made France the country paying the highest reparations.

If Charles agrees, Germany's focus will immediately shift from Britain to France.

France might even be branded as "treacherous": having already signed a document for $20 billion in reparations, it is now demanding more.

Charles's words had a double meaning: "I can't refuse, can I?"

The Minister of Munitions chuckled and nodded: "You could say that."

If you refuse, it means your maritime trade will remain blocked indefinitely. How long can you hold out?

Charles nodded, his voice tinged with frustration: "I need to report this to the government, and then let them decide, though it's just a formality."

“Of course.” The Minister of War gestured for him to proceed.

……

At the Grand Hotel Crillon, Clemenceau's League of Nations conference was still in progress. He was recounting to the delegates the wars and disgraceful acts Britain had waged in recent years to maintain its hegemonic status, including instigating infighting among European nations.

Representatives from various countries responded enthusiastically.

This is their personal experience; they know it all too well, but they just didn't dare to say it openly before.

At that moment, the secretary came in, whispered a few words in Clemenceau's ear, and handed him a document.

Clemenceau picked up the document, flipped through it, and sighed heavily.

After a while, he waved the documents at the representatives of various countries:

"Gentlemen, the British Secretary of State for Munitions is currently meeting with Charles at Pontsay Castle."

"The contract we're discussing is this one, and you'll never guess what the British terms are."

"Britain hopes that France will change the reparations to Germany and raise it to $150 billion."

The room erupted in uproar.

Some people who were slow to react didn't even understand what was going on. Was Britain standing up for France and making it increase the amount of reparations?
“It’s obvious,” Clemenceau said, brandishing the “evidence” in his hand.
"The British are trying to win over France; they hope to use this $150 billion bribe to get us back on Britain's side."

"This is a combination of coercion and enticement; while they are blockading and suppressing France with their navy, they are also offering such a huge benefit."

"As long as France is willing to accept it, all the problems will be solved, and all that will remain is interests."

Representatives from various countries rioted.

This is a huge boon for France. If Charles agrees, France can not only extricate itself from its current predicament, but also potentially receive $150 billion in reparations!

“But, gentlemen,” Clemenceau continued:

"We will not betray the French spirit because of these reparations."

"We will not abandon our beliefs because of British threats."

"We will not be intimidated by Britain's power to betray the League of Nations, or even betray human peace!"

The meeting room erupted in cheers as the delegates applauded in support of Clemenceau.

……

Conference Room at Pontisayburg.

The Minister of Munitions and Charles had a very pleasant conversation; to the uninitiated, it would seem as if they were old friends meeting in a foreign land.

In his delight, the Minister of War suggested replacing the coffee with brandy.

“We should have a couple of drinks,” the Quartermaster said. “This is a moment to celebrate.”

Charles replied, "No, Your Excellency, it seems inappropriate now."

"Why?" the Minister of War countered. "Because of the war? No, the war is about to end, Lieutenant General. There's nothing to worry about!"

Charles shook his head: "The war is not over, it has only just begun."

The Minister of Munitions looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"

At that moment, the staff officer entered and whispered something to General Winter, who was standing to one side.

General Winter's expression changed drastically. He strode up to Charles and asked in a questioning tone, "You sent our contract to the 'National Continental Alliance' and made it public to everyone?"

“Is that not acceptable?” Charles retorted. “These are conditions to be imposed on the Germans, and they will become known to the world sooner or later!”

The Minister of Munitions' face gradually darkened, which meant that Charles had refused to cooperate with Britain and had made that decision from the beginning.

(End of this chapter)