Chapter 104 The delayed call

Francis only learned about Charles's return from the housekeeper at around noon. This was related to his recent drastic reduction in staff and production. He had driven away more than half of the workers, and many people had not been able to get their wages, so that Francis was placed in opposition to the workers.

"How did he come back?" In the bedroom on the second floor, Francis was sitting in his favorite rocking chair in pajamas, smoking his pipe silently while rocking.

This guy was thrown into a German encirclement, and he actually came back safely?

Was it the military that rescued him? He is lucky!

However, Simon replied: "I heard that Master Charles defeated the Germans..."

The movement of Francis' rocking chair suddenly stopped, and the smoke sprayed out in circles from the original to a few unnoticeable bits of blue smoke, and time seemed to have stopped.

After a long time, Francis asked softly: "Defeat the Germans?"

The rocking chair made a rhythmic sound again, but at a much smaller amplitude than before.

"Yes!" Simon replied: "It is said that the "Little Daily" published everything, I only heard about part of it!"

"Go buy one!" Francis ordered.

"But, sir!" Simon looked embarrassed: "It was sold out in the morning, and even second-hand ones were bought at a higher price..."

"Then buy one at a higher price!" Francis interrupted Simon, his tone full of anger: "Can't I afford a few newspapers?"

"Yes, sir!" Simon responded: "Please wait a moment!"

What Simon wanted was Francis's words, otherwise he might get scolded for buying a few newspapers at a high price.

Soon, the newspaper was delivered to Francis. The original value of the one-sou newspaper had increased to 10 sous. Three copies cost a total of 30 sous, and there were still some coffee stains on it.

Francis frowned. He usually only read "Le Figaro" in order to get closer to the nobles. He didn't expect that today he would condescend to face such a newspaper, which was read by others!

Opening the newspaper and browsing quickly, Francis became more and more frightened as he read, and finally the muscles on his face were beating uncontrollably.

Charles's trip to Antwerp was not just as simple as defeating the Germans, he also received a very rare medal and became famous.

Francis knew what this meant, which meant that everyone, including the army, would trust Charles's tanks rather than his, Francis's.

Although both tanks were invented by Charles, one day, Charles stood in front of reporters and said lightly: "The previous tanks are obsolete. We need new tanks, so that they can bring victory to the army and bring success to the army." Come and hope..."

Then, no one wanted to buy the tanks produced by Francis.

Francis didn't like the feeling that his fate was in the hands of others, and it was just a word!

But, is there any way to stop it?

Francis glanced across the open door to Pierre's room opposite, where he could faintly hear his deep snores. This son who only knew how to indulge in sex was obviously unreliable. His habit of sleeping during the day and partying at night seemed inconsistent with his habit of sleeping during the day and partying at night. Ordinary people live in two parallel worlds.

At this time, Simon walked in in panic: "Master, two soldiers are here, and they said they want to see Mr. Pierre!"

"Asshole!" Francis cursed: "This guy must have caused some trouble again!"

When Francis got up and went downstairs, he ordered Simon: "Wake Pierre up!"

"Yes, sir!" Simon responded, with a trace of embarrassment on his face. This was not an easy task.

Francis walked down the stairs and saw two soldiers standing in the living room, one of whom was a second lieutenant based on his military rank.

"What's the matter?" Francis asked expressionlessly, showing an attitude that you are not welcome here.

"We want to meet Mr. Pierre!" The second lieutenant politely handed over his ID and introduced himself: "We are from the Recruitment Office!"

Francis was startled. He immediately knew what was going on: "No, no, there must be something wrong. Pierre manages my factory. He is producing tanks, so he does not need to perform military service..."

The second lieutenant interrupted Francis coldly:

"According to our investigation, he does not manage your factory, Mr. Francis!"

"We interviewed twenty workers and they all said they had never seen Mr. Pierre in the factory!"

Another soldier added:

"I looked into Foley Trevis and Mr. Pierre is their regular customer, almost every night!"

As he spoke, the soldier took out a piece of paper from the folder and handed it to Francis: "This is his consumption list last night, and we have many more! We believe this can prove that Mr. Pierre does not have time to manage the factory!" "

Francis was silent. This was ironclad evidence that could not be refuted!

Then the second lieutenant puffed up his chest and gave his conclusion:

"Given Mr. Pierre's circumstances, we believe he is fully eligible for military service."

"If he refuses to accept it, you know what will happen!"

Francis' face was ashen, but he nodded silently.

Refusal to perform military service during the war may be punished by death. Parliament believes that this is the only way to avoid some cowardly people who would rather go to jail than go to the battlefield. This was originally a law for farmers and workers, but unexpectedly...

There was a sound of vomiting from upstairs, as well as a few indistinct coughs and moans.

"Is it him?" The second lieutenant raised his head upstairs.

"Yes!" Francis was a little embarrassed. He couldn't even go downstairs.

"So!" the second lieutenant handed the recruitment order to Francis with both hands, then put on his military cap and stood up to salute Francis: "I am honored to inform you that Mr. Pierre will become an honorable French soldier. With you, sir!”

Francis shook hands with the second lieutenant with a dull expression, walked a few steps like a zombie and watched the two soldiers leave.

Only then did Pierre stagger down, holding on to the guardrail. He looked at Francis's expression and couldn't help but be startled: "What happened, father?"

"Congratulations!" Francis raised the recruitment order in his hand and said sarcastically: "You will become a soldier. Maybe you can be as good as Charles!"

Pierre, who was not yet fully awake, his mind slowed down for a moment. He was stunned for a while, and suddenly understood what it meant. He stopped and looked at Francis with a shocked face, and then sat weakly on the stairs, with a look on his face. Pale and bloodless.

Francis' tone relaxed and he sighed: "I hope you don't become Charles' subordinate!"

Francis suddenly thought that Charles served in the Paris City Defense Command, and Pierre was identified as a recruit who tried to evade military service through deception. He was not qualified to become Charles' subordinate in Paris. That was a luxury!