Chapter 107: Playing the long game to catch the big fish

Early the next morning, Charles went to the city defense headquarters to report as usual, escorted by Laurent.

What is different from usual is that on this day, crowds gathered early on both sides of the Paris streets. At first glance, I thought they were marching. The police were also dispatched, and they nervously blocked the crowd on both sides to leave a middle for vehicles to pass.

When the car that Charles was riding in approached, someone immediately screamed:

"Look, here he comes, it's his car!"

"It's him, he's already a lieutenant!"

…

The next second the crowd cheered, people shouted Ciel's name and waved to him, and some people sprinkled flowers from the roof. The whole street seemed to be raining, and the air was filled with fragrance. petal.

The vehicles driving on the road slowed down unconsciously. Some of them pulled over to make way for Ciel, while others simply wanted to take a look at Ciel. Whether they were drivers or passengers, they all leaned out to greet Ciel.

Charles was frightened by this grand scene. When he looked around, he saw an endless crowd of people in front of him. Their waving hands were densely packed from the streets, windows and all kinds of unimaginable gaps, just like in the fields. Wheat seedlings swaying in the wind.

"What are they doing?" Charles asked doubtfully.

"They are paying tribute to you, Lieutenant!" Laurent replied: "For your near-perfect performance in Antwerp!"

Charles didn't understand. He didn't see people being so enthusiastic when he invented the tank to save Paris, but now they were so excited because of Antwerp, a place that had almost nothing to do with them!

After thinking about it, Charles seemed to understand that this may be the pride of the French, who care more about their international reputation.

Charles did save Paris and their lives before, but it was a defeat, and the capital of France almost fell again.

Although Ciel survived, it is nothing to be proud of. It is still a shame to the outside world.

But in Antwerp, it was the French who showed up in Belgium, especially in Belgium, where there were 10,000 British reinforcements.

Therefore, the nature of the two is completely different. Charles's success in Antwerp allowed all French people to get out of the depression of failure, let them raise their chests and noble heads again, and regained their self-confidence. This is certainly worth celebrating!

The cheers lingered for a long time. Even though Charles got out of the car and walked into the city defense headquarters, people still gathered at the door and shouted, unwilling to leave.

Gallieni stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking down at the almost crazy crowd below. When he saw Charles coming up, he turned his head and smiled bitterly, and said sarcastically: "If they use this kind of enthusiasm on the battlefield, what will happen to the Germans?" How dare you touch Paris!"

After saying that, he led Ciel towards the lounge: "Come on, I have something to tell you, Lieutenant!"

After entering the lounge, Gallieni sat on a chair, searched for a while among the telegrams placed on the table, picked out two of them and handed them to Charles: "This is Albert I's request for us to send you again." Telegram from Antwerp!"

Charles received the telegram and asked in surprise: "The Germans are attacking again?"

Gallieni nodded:

"Although General Guise is dead, people are not going to let it go. They demand severe punishment for everyone who colluded with General Guise, including members of parliament."

"But Albert I thought this required evidence and refused to do it! This sparked civil unrest and eventually the army got involved."

"The Germans took this opportunity to launch a sneak attack and captured several key towns."

"There is also definite intelligence that another 'Big Bertha' is on its way to Antwerp!"

Charles' heart sank, this almost extinguished Antwerp's last hope.

Gallieni took a sip of the coffee brought by the orderly and continued:

"Albert I believes that only you can pacify the masses while blocking the German attack!"

"So I hope you can once again reinforce Antwerp."

"I said no for you!"

The last sentence made Charles stunned. If he had already refused, what was the point of telling him? Just informing?

Gallieni seemed reluctant to discuss the matter further, and it seemed to him that it was a foregone conclusion, or that he thought Antwerp was asking for it.

Although there are reasons, this is still a personnel problem in Antwerp.

He stared at the map and continued:

"The second thing is that your special tactics are very effective. We have successfully attacked three German regiment-level headquarters, five division-level headquarters and one corps-level headquarters in the past few days."

"In addition, there are three arms warehouses, five material warehouses, as well as bridges and railways, etc. You can go to Lieutenant Colonel Fernan to check the specific data!"

"What I want to say is that we plan to purchase an additional 3,000 tricycles, right away!"

Charles was stunned and said in embarrassment: "General, our orders have been scheduled for next year..."

"We pay the full price!" Gallieni interrupted Charles.

"But we only have so much production capacity..."

"Then leave the other orders free!" Gallieni did not give Charles a chance to explain.

"We have already signed the contract!" Charles said almost pleadingly: "We also received a deposit..."

"The liquidated damages can be calculated on us!" Gallieni answered simply.

"But there is also the issue of credibility..."

From a businessman's point of view, Shire should not accept such "queue-jumping" orders. It does not make more money but has many hidden losses, such as the production rhythm will be disrupted.

Besides, if there is a first time, there will be a second time. If they come a few more times, won’t other customers no longer trust Charles?

But Gallieni stared at Charles, and his tone was unquestionable: "You have to know one thing, Lieutenant, I am now giving orders to my staff. How to solve the difficulties is your business. The staff is to solve these problems. Do you understand?"

Charles exclaimed, "Ah", can it be like this?

Is this one of the reasons why Gallieni asked him to be his staff?

Seeing that Charles did not respond, Gallieni snorted coldly, glanced at Charles with a sidelong look, and put on a look of punishing him.

Charles hurriedly stepped forward: "Yes, General!"

Galieni nodded with satisfaction, and he even looked as if it was a matter of course.

Before Charles left, Gallieni added: "Eric and the people from the Carter Flying Club are locked up in the police station next door. You should go and see it!"

"Uncle Eric was arrested?" Charles was surprised.

"Don't worry!" Gallieni answered while reviewing the documents: "After interrogation, we think they are all innocent. You go and notify the police station to release them!"

Looking at Charles who hurriedly ran to the police station, Gallieni raised a smile at the corner of his mouth.

This is to build your network, little guy!

I am a bad guy and you are a good guy. After buying the aircraft manufacturing plant, your business will be much smoother!

But... Gallieni smiled proudly. This is a win-win cooperation. If you don't give you a little benefit, how can you catch a big fish in the future? !

I received a notice that this book will be on the shelves next Tuesday, and there will be a burst of updates at that time. Welcome to subscribe!

In addition, a certain reader really said it right. This book will be on Sanjiang next week. It's a surprise that it can get this honor!

Thank you for your support. I am working hard to save the manuscript now!

(ヮ)