Chapter 6 For France

Charles took Brownie to the machine gun factory to get ammunition.

The process went surprisingly smoothly. The staff gave the green light to the whole process as soon as they saw Shire, and even added ten M1909 Hotchkiss machine guns for Major Browne.

Charles understood that this was because they knew what happened last night, including Francis's change of attitude towards the Djoka family.

Employees in the factory are always particularly sensitive to such matters. They will get gossip from housekeepers and servants, and their sensitivity and speed are comparable to those of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Joseph, the director of the tractor factory, is of course no exception. He received a notice from Francis last night:

"Starting from tomorrow, Ciel will assist you in your work!"

Joseph had worked for Francis for twenty years, and of course he understood what Francis meant.

This would essentially hand over the management of the tractor factory to Charles, as long as Charles proved over time that he was capable of running the factory.

"Shouldn't this be Pierre's asset?" Joseph was a little confused.

Francis is very far-sighted in his work. He has already decided on his successor and has a long-term plan:

Pierre has four children, three sons and one daughter.

The eldest son, Jarrell, studied economics in the UK and was the candidate to come back to inherit the property and do business.

The second son, Dorian, was trained to be a lawyer and he would work hard to get into politics.

The third son, Harry, was arranged to study in a military school. Unfortunately, as an officer, he went to the battlefield with his life or death uncertain.

These were all arranged by Francis. He planned to let these three grandsons develop in the military, political, and business directions respectively. By then, they would be able to establish a powerful force belonging to the Bernard family and squeeze into the two hundred families.

For this reason, he also deliberately planned for his granddaughter Elise to marry one of the two hundred families to pave the way for the future.

As for Djoka's only son, Charles, that was an exception that was excluded from the family's development plans a long time ago.

But now he suddenly came back and became the quasi-successor of the tractor factory... What's the deep meaning in this?

After thinking for a while, Joseph seemed to understand that it was because the Germans were coming, right? Similar to General Gallieni who was appointed to become the military governor of Paris in times of crisis.

Poor Master Charles!

Joseph was full of sympathy for Master Charles's life experience. He was disqualified from inheriting just because of his mother's identity and had to live and go to school with children from poor families.

However, Joseph knew that it was not his turn to take care of the family affairs of the rich, and he could do whatever Francis arranged for him!

Early the next morning, Joseph was waiting at the entrance of the factory and saw Charles pushing a bicycle up from a distance, followed by a large group of soldiers with live ammunition.

His expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, asking with concern:

"Master Charles, what happened? Did they make things difficult for you?"

Joseph has watched Charles grow up and has regarded him as half a son in his heart. He will not allow others to bully him.

Major Brownie glanced at Ciel unexpectedly:

"Are you the young master? Do these factories belong to you?"

As he spoke, he looked at Ciel again. Ciel was wearing a coarse cloth coat, a cheap peaked cap with protruding threads, and a broken bicycle. He really didn't look like a rich man.

Charles replied:

"Not really, I just took over temporarily, thanks to the Germans!"

Major Browne's expression suddenly changed, and he laughed self-deprecatingly:

"So, your plan is actually for us to protect your factory?"

"Hey, smart little guy. You took advantage of us!"

The soldiers behind them also had expressions of displeasure on their faces. Most of them were workers and farmers, and they hated capitalists. Now they heard that they were being used by a small capitalist named Charles, and they were still protecting him in the name of "patriotism". In the factory, everyone gnashed their teeth with hatred:

“We are where we are today thanks to you capitalists!”

"Didn't we die on the front line because we were fooled by you? And now we are doing this again!"

"Damn little guy, we were almost deceived by his appearance!"

…

Charles calmly turned back to Major Browne and his soldiers:

"Watch your words, Major!"

"In principle, the tractor factory, motorcycle factory, and machine gun factory you want to protect are the same owner."

"Not long ago, they gave everything they had to provide you with free food and ammunition."

"They could have fled with the rest of their possessions, but they didn't!"

Ciel planned to use this incident to gain a wave of goodwill.

This is very important. Only when the soldiers recognize it, will they sacrifice their lives to protect the factory!

Major Browne was dubious. He did not believe that any capitalist would be willing to do this.

At this time, a soldier behind him said:

"I heard that there was such a thing. It seemed that a businessman named Francis spent all his savings buying food overnight."

"I heard about it too. This is the reason why we changed our marching direction and chose Darvaz as our foothold!"

…

Joseph added at the right time:

"Yes, these factories belong to Mr. Francis. What you heard is true. He gave everything to this war and to France! He even sold off factories in safe areas in the south to buy machine gun factories. !”

Then Joseph turned his attention to Charles:

"He is Mr. Francis's youngest grandson, Master Charles. Is there anything else you don't understand?"

Major Brownie stood in awe. He stepped forward and saluted Joseph, saying:

"I see, sir!"

"Salute you, salute Mr. Francis, and..."

Major Brownie looked at Charles with an apologetic look:

"Salute you, Master Charles! I'm so sorry!"

Charles raised his eyebrows and said generously:

"It's okay, Major!"

"We are all for France!"

Major Brownie was instantly stimulated and trembled all over. He felt a surge of blood rushing to his head. He nodded with emotion, his eyes full of determination:

"Yes, for France!"

The soldiers behind him also responded one after another:

"For France!"

...

They have been completely impressed by the integrity of the young man in front of them.

What a great soul, although he is young and weak, although he is a capitalist with wealth, he has a heart as golden as gold and gives everything for his motherland!

Standing in front of him, the soldiers even felt ashamed.

Then, the soldiers reached a consensus through their eyes and expressions:

"This capitalist is different, he is a patriotic capitalist."

"Such a capitalist is definitely worth protecting!"

"Such a capitalist should not be eliminated by the enemy, but should be the one who leads us to victory!"

...

Charles was very satisfied with this, but it still needed a perfect ending.

Charles turned his eyes to Joseph:

"Take them to a good meal and arrange a place for them to sleep. These are the warriors who defend France, they deserve this!"

Joseph nodded:

"Yes, Master Charles!"

"Gentlemen, follow me!"