Chapter 136 Why not use tanks to break through?

Charles felt dizzy after only two small drinks.

Later, he learned that the alcohol content of absinthe did not match its pure and lovely color. The lowest alcohol content was 45, while the highest alcohol alcohol could reach 89.9.

What Lieutenant Colonel Fernand gave to Charles was 50 degrees. No wonder he had the courage to treat him!

Just when Ciel felt light-headed, someone suddenly started cheering loudly in the club.

Following the sound, I saw a fat officer being teased by other officers.

Whether it was due to the influence of alcohol or the dim light, Charles couldn't see his rank clearly. Others were holding a letter and passing it around. The fat officer was running back and forth anxiously chasing the letter, shouting something angrily. .

Lieutenant Colonel Fernand just smiled and drank to himself.

This kind of thing is very common in the army. In order to relieve boredom, officers and soldiers often rush to read each other's letters, and over time they become accustomed to it.

At this time, someone quickly took the letter. He jumped on the sofa nimbly, took out the letter and read: "Dear Lucia..."

There was another commotion in the club. It turned out that this was a love letter written to the female bartender, and the officer shouted to the female bartender: "Hey, Lucia, what number is this?"

Lucia just smiled and poured the mixed wine from the flask into the cup. Her mood did not fluctuate at all. She seemed to have been used to similar things for a long time.

The fat officer looked embarrassed and was helpless under the teasing of the officers.

Just when they were about to continue reading the content of the letter, Charles couldn't help but said: "That's enough, give the letter back to him!"

The officers were stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly and shouted:

"Mind your own business, Lieutenant!"

"It's not your turn to speak here!"

Some people even shouted to Lieutenant Colonel Fernando: "Lieutenant Colonel, is it time for you to take care of your soldiers?"

Lieutenant Colonel Fernan's face darkened and he replied: "Did you all hear it? Return the letter to him!"

The officers were stunned and all looked here in confusion. Some of them knew Lieutenant Colonel Fernand and even had friendships with him. After all, they often came here to drink.

Lieutenant Colonel Fernand showed no mercy. He asked coldly: "If it's not Charles's turn to speak here, I want to ask whose turn it is? Stand up and let me see!"

The club suddenly became quiet, and everyone turned their attention to Charles. Lucia also looked at Charles with a shocked expression. Only then did she realize that what Lieutenant Colonel Fernand said before might be true.

The officers whispered for a few times, then returned the letter to the fat officer, and several others saluted Charles:

"I'm so sorry, Lieutenant!"

"We didn't know it was you. I apologize for being rude!"

…

The fat officer hurriedly took back the letter, glanced at Lucia quickly, nodded to Charles to express his gratitude, and ran out of the club as if he was running away.

Charles felt that it was a bit boring, or that his presence here would spoil the enthusiasm of other officers, so he motioned to Lieutenant Colonel Fernand to pay and go back.

After that, Charles almost forgot about it and rarely went to the Officers Club. Charles could not find "relaxation" in that environment like Lieutenant Colonel Fernand.

But he was right about one thing. He slept well after drinking. He slept in a daze until dawn, but his head hurt a little.

…

In mid-October in Paris, the weather showed signs of the rainy season.

A strong wind was blowing outside the window, the sky was gloomy, and soon it started to rain heavily amidst thunder and lightning.

The work in the operations office continued, and Charles tracked every point on the defense line based on telegrams sent from the front.

When Charles roughly outlined today's position, Gallieni sighed and shook his head slightly: "It seems to be the same as yesterday, almost unchanged, not even an inch!"

"Maybe we can't hope for a breakthrough!" Charles said.

"What do you mean?" Gallieni asked doubtfully.

Ciel said to the map: "Stalemate may be the norm. We must be prepared to continue like this for a long time!"

Historically, this line of defense will not change much in the next four years. It moves back and forth between the enemy and ourselves like a tug of war.

If anything, it's the rising casualty figures.

Gallieni did not know this, and he always believed that the stalemate was temporary.

He thought for a while and asked thoughtfully: "Why don't we consider using tanks to break through!"

As he spoke, he leaned over and searched for a while on the map, then pointed to a point and said, "I think this is suitable, what do you think?"

Charles was the inventor of the tank and the first commander to win a battle with a tank. Gallieni felt it necessary to seek his advice.

Charles looked at the points pointed out by Gallieni and agreed: "The La Forks area has flat terrain, convenient supply, and road connections suitable for tank maneuvers. It is a good choice!"

Gallieni drew a small circle with his fingers along the defense line: "Even if we cannot break through the enemy's defense line, it is imperative to level this salient. The terrain in this area is not suitable for our army's defense. Several highlands occupied by the Germans It makes our army very passive!”

Then Gallieni seemed to remember something. He raised his head and said to Charles: "By the way, you immediately provide me with the information about the tank under development. I need to include it in the wartime procurement regulations. It will be done in a few days." Bid!"

Charles hesitated and replied: "Sorry, General! I will not participate in the bidding!"

Gallieni was stunned: "You don't participate in the bidding? What's going on?"

Then it dawned on Gallieni: "They're putting pressure on you, aren't they? These bastards!"

"No, General!" Charles quickly clarified: "No one put pressure on me, I quit voluntarily!"

Gallieni looked at Charles sideways, as if waiting for Charles to tell the truth.

Charles had no choice but to make up a set of lies: "I found that we were too far behind, and the bidding had no meaning except humiliation, so... I plan to put all my energy into the next level of tanks!"

"Truth?" Gallieni asked, eyes still locked on Charles.

Charles could only shake his head. He could deceive others but could not deceive Gallieni.

What's more, the "Mark I" will soon enter mass production, which is contradictory to "giving up". Gallieni will know the truth one day.

But these things cannot be said in the office. Charles glanced in the direction of the lounge. Gallieni understood it and walked into the lounge with a cup of coffee.

"It's impossible for me to defeat my competitors!" Charles told the truth: "There is a big gap between my tanks and my opponents in terms of data, but I judge that they are likely to suffer a disastrous defeat on the battlefield, so..."

Gallieni interrupted Charles with anger in his tone: "So, you wait until they fail on the battlefield before launching your tanks? And ignore the soldiers who are about to lose their lives on the battlefield?"