Chapter 495 No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat

Antwerp Airport is as busy as usual. Fighters are taking off and landing on the runway with a "rumbling" roar. The propellers and wings bring up a cloud of dust, which is mixed with the smoke released by the engines and floats in the air, shrouding the airport. A faint smell of gasoline.

King Albert I and Colonel Eden stood waiting at the edge of the airport with their chests raised. Behind them were a group of dignitaries of the new Belgian government and a military band. They were lined up on both sides in Chinese uniforms and held various musical instruments in their hands. Stand ready."

Albert I wore an exaggerated commander-in-chief uniform with a majestic sword hanging from his waist.

Colonel Eden was wearing a new military uniform and still had the rank of colonel. Although he looked quite energetic, it was immediately obvious that he was the "green leaf" that set off Albert I.

Albert I looked at the sky and saw that there was no shadow of the plane yet, so he turned around and said: "Mr. Boyata, have you thought about what to say to the brigadier general?"

Boyata, the owner of FN Arsenal, hurried forward: "Yes, Your Majesty, I have thought about it."

"Very good!" Albert I nodded with satisfaction.

Boyata looked at Browning beside him slightly nervously. Browning nodded slightly to indicate that he was also ready.

At this time, the lookout shouted: "They are coming, Your Majesty, Charles's landline!"

Four "Camels" appeared in the sky, two in front and two in the back, protecting an improved "Avro" in the middle.

The latter was produced by Eric Aircraft Factory. It was slightly modified and replaced with a more powerful engine, increasing its speed to about 150 kilometers per hour.

This is obviously safer, because many German fighter planes cannot "intercept" if they cannot reach this speed. Another is that it can be adapted to the "Camel" fighter plane with a speed of 195 kilometers per hour.

Albert I observed the aircraft fleet that was getting lower and lower, and when he saw the right moment, he turned around and ordered to his side: "Get ready!"

The conductor of the military band immediately raised his hands and waved his baton, and the band members nervously made various postures.

"play music!"

Albert I waved his hand, and a song "The Song of the Brabants" sounded over the airport.

Charles was almost frightened by this scene. He thought there was some kind of activity going on at the airport. It wasn't until the plane stopped steadily in front of the queue and Albert I stepped forward to greet him with a warm smile that he realized it was A welcome ceremony specially prepared for yourself.

"Brigadier General, my friend." Albert I gave Charles a big hug: "Congratulations on your victory again. Your name and achievements shocked everyone who paid attention to the war, especially when you succeeded in just one day. After reversing the situation in Verdun.”

This is not true. What is even more shocking is that Ciel defeated Joffre and successfully kicked him out of the position of commander-in-chief.

Albert I, who had been in politics for a long time, knew what this meant.

The fact that Charles can kick out a very important general and commander-in-chief in France means that Charles is very important in France.

Colonel Eden's mind was filled with directional mines, mines, anti-tank mines and jumping mines.

If Belgium had these things and combined them with the Belgian fortress defense system, well, that would be perfect.

And of course there are backslope fortifications.

The dignitaries rushed forward to shake hands with Charles:

"Congratulations, Brigadier."

"A beautiful battle, everyone is praising your achievements!"

"It boosts morale and gives us hope of victory!"

…

Reporters swarmed around, nervously looking for angles in various weird postures, pressing the shutter with twitching fingers to capture every precious shot.

While coping, Ciel cast doubtful eyes on Tijani who was standing aside.

Tijani spread his hands and replied helplessly:

"None of my business, Brigadier."

"I didn't leak the information."

"While you were still flying in the sky, the news had spread throughout France that you were leaving Paris for Antwerp."

Charles suddenly realized that it was the work of Paris gossip reporters. They even arranged for people to "sit out" outside the Paris Flying Club 24 hours a day, tracking Charles like a celebrity.

This also gave Charles a warning: he must be more careful when traveling in the future, otherwise the Germans will know the news and send fighter planes to intercept him, and he will die without knowing what happened.

…

From the headquarters of the 1st Mechanized Division, Albert I, Colonel Eden and Boyata followed all the way in.

"Do you have anything else to do?" Charles asked.

Then he didn't wait for Albert I to answer, and said with dissatisfaction: "I don't like and don't need such a greeting. Your Majesty, I am a soldier, and you don't need to treat me like a politician."

Politicians care about interpersonal relationships, while professional soldiers care more about life and efficiency.

Charles believed that this formal welcome only brought him uncertain risks.

"Sorry, Brigadier." Albert I responded with a smile: "This is not to treat politicians, but to treat triumphant heroes, heroes of France, and even heroes of Belgium. This is very important to us, it can inspire people to be brave on the battlefield. Fight the invaders!"

Ciel was speechless for a moment.

What Albert I said seems to be correct. Just as France consciously established and promoted the "hero" Joffre, Albert I chose Charles as the propaganda target.

Then Albert I stepped aside and gave the right to speak to Boyata.

Boyata looked a little nervous. He stepped forward and took off his hat and saluted Charles: "Nice to see you again, Brigadier."

Charles had almost forgotten about Boyata, until he saw Browning beside him and suddenly realized: "FN Arsenal?"

"Yes, Brigadier." Boyata was a little excited that Charles still remembered him.

"I am very happy that we can cooperate on the 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine gun." Boyata said: "Its production is very successful. This time, we hope to be allowed to cooperate further."

"What kind of cooperation?" Charles asked.

"We hope to obtain production licenses for equipment such as directional mines and landmines. You see..."

Then Boyata added: "Profit distribution is as before, 50-50, Brigadier."

Charles glanced at Albert I and Colonel Eden, and looked at the anticipation in their eyes and seemed to understand that this was another matchmaking business for Albert I.

Charles originally thought of deploying mines in Belgium as a "fortress defense system", which would be more effective than barbed wire trenches and the like.

The most important thing is that there is still an information gap: the enemy does not know where the minefield is, and he must be cautious and fearful when taking a step anywhere.

Our own personnel and vehicles can quickly cross along known channels.

Coupled with the advantages of simple production and low cost, it is simply tailor-made for a small country like Belgium.

But Charles immediately thought, since Belgium was asking for something from him, why not get some more benefits along the way?

No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat.

What's more, FN Arsenal is not a mosquito, Browning, a firearms master, also has considerable strength!