Chapter 110: Collision between upstairs and downstairs

Upstairs is Gallieni's lounge, and downstairs is the officers' mess. Although there is only a wall between the two, the discussions are in two different directions.

Upstairs: There is an urgent shortage of pilots. This number is far from meeting our needs. It is foreseeable that more will be needed in the future.

Downstairs: Will the military want us? It’s not easy to find a long-term, stable job these days!

Upstairs: If they are unwilling, we can increase the subsidy as appropriate. If 60 francs is not enough, then 80 francs!

Downstairs: We only need 20 francs per month. After all, ordinary workers only earn this much. This is a luxury for us!

Upstairs: This involves risking your life and cannot be bought with money!

Downstairs: What kind of danger could a pilot’s life be in? It's just flying a plane to see where the enemy is. The most dangerous thing is to launch rockets and hit balloons! Compared to being impoverished and starving to death on the streets, can this be called a danger?

Carter even came up with an excellent idea. He put a hand on Eric's shoulder and tried to sound as friendly as possible: "Brother, if Charles can buy my flying club, all of our problems will be solved." Solved!"

This suggestion immediately attracted the approval of a bunch of pilots:

"That's right, then we don't need to worry about the military not assigning tasks to us, because Ciel is from the military!"

"He'll definitely take care of his own business!"

"This way, we don't have to rely on Ciel's relationship to take over the mission. As long as he is willing to buy the flying club, it will be enough!"

Eric looked around dumbfounded. Are they going too far? Buying a flying club is no small matter!

…

Charles went downstairs with a frown on his face, thinking in his mind, if he issued a recruitment order to the pilots and pulled them into the army... wouldn't he be beaten up by them?

He even glanced at the guard room and considered whether to take Laurent with him, but finally decided to forget it. The army could not point its guns at its own people, and the guards could not solve such a problem.

As soon as he entered the mess hall, Ciel was surrounded by a group of pilots.

Charles was stunned, and secretly thought something was wrong. Could it be that... they had heard the news?

Eric stood up reluctantly and asked hesitantly: "Well, Lieutenant... they said they hope you can buy the flying club!"

"What?" Charles was confused.

This is one of his tasks, as Gallieni said, the army needs a dedicated airport.

Carter immediately stood up, with a hint of pleading in his tone: "Don't worry, Lieutenant, I won't raise the price. I have invested two hundred thousand francs in this club, and I am willing to sell it to you for one hundred thousand francs. What do you think?"

"One hundred thousand francs?" Charles looked surprised.

He just spent some time checking the information with Lieutenant Colonel Fernand, and they both agreed that it would cost about three hundred thousand francs to purchase the flying club.

The military will always estimate the price too high. After all, they often purchase sky-high prices for supplies from capitalists.

When Carter saw Charles' surprised expression, he immediately reached out and updated the price: "No, Lieutenant! As long as you are willing, eighty thousand! Eighty thousand francs is enough, but there is a condition. You must bring all the pilots in the club. I One of them too!”

"You mean...buy a club and give a pilot?" Charles couldn't believe what he heard.

He also needs pilots, and he is in urgent need of resources and needs to recruit in large numbers!

Carter raised his hand and assured: "Don't worry, Lieutenant! We are all experienced pilots, and most of us have more than two years of flying experience!"

It has only been 11 years since the invention of the airplane. It is not easy to have two years of flying experience and still be alive.

The pilots all said:

"Yes, Lieutenant, we don't have high demands. We will be satisfied with 20 francs a month!"

"We won't cause you any trouble, we will do our best!"

"You can let Carter continue to manage us, he's a good manager!"

…

Charles looked at the pilots, then swallowed hard and replied: "I will buy the flying club for 100,000 francs!"

Carter burst into tears of gratitude and clasped Charles's hand with excitement, his voice choked with sobs: "Thank you, Lieutenant, thank you very much!"

Charles continued: "And bring all the pilots, and all the pilots you know, and let them come work for me!"

The pilots burst into cheers, and some were even moved to tears. They could finally have a stable income.

However, this is just the beginning...

Charles continued: "I will give you a minimum salary of 60 francs per month, and I will increase the salary depending on the situation..."

The cheers of the crowd suddenly stopped. They couldn't believe what they heard. It took them a while to react:

"Did I hear that right? 60 francs a month?"

"Three times what we asked for!"

"Can we also get a salary increase depending on the situation?"

…

Charles nodded to confirm their guess, and then said the key point: "There is only one condition. I will implement military management of the club. In the future, it may be converted into military use, and you may also become soldiers and fly airplanes." Soldier, are you okay?"

Charles immediately received a bunch of affirmative replies:

"no problem!"

"Of course no problem!"

"God, 60 francs a month, this is crazy, no one will refuse this offer!"

…

Ciel was a little surprised by the pilots' performance.

However, Charles believes that one reason is that most pilots are not satisfied with their lives. They have had enough of the beatings from society and cannot refuse the high salary of 60 francs a month.

Another reason is that they do not realize how dangerous it will be for pilots in the future. They still think that the job of a pilot is to deliver documents or look around with a telescope.

Is this a deception?

Charles looked at the excited pilots and thought that perhaps for them, being able to survive and continue to fly in the sky is the most perfect life.

So, this is not a deception, but helping them realize their dreams.

"If there is no problem!" Charles made up his mind: "Then prepare to sign the contract. I want to sign you, all of you!"

The pilots cheered and stepped forward to shake hands with Charles gratefully, as if Charles was their savior.