Chapter 82 Breakfast Together

The next day, Charles was awakened by the sound of artillery.

It was obvious that it was the German "Big Bertha" heavy artillery.

The Germans usually did not fire at night. The hit rate of random bombing at night was too low, and the shells of the "Big Bertha" heavy artillery were not cheap.

They would bomb under the guidance of balloons after dawn, so that they could strive to destroy the target with the least shells.

Charles lived in the officers' dormitory of the fortress headquarters, a single room on the third floor with a private bathroom. This was the treatment of top foreign guests in Antwerp during the war, and General Winter's accommodation conditions were no more than that.

After all, Antwerp was the last "safe place" in Belgium. Many people who supported the king or did not want to be enslaved by Germany gathered here, making Antwerp's accommodation tight and supplies scarce. Even the engineer shovels for building trenches needed British reinforcements.

Charles hurriedly washed up and went downstairs. His plan was clear: go to the airport and return to Paris, and hand over the completed investigation report to Gallieni. This was the basis for France to reinforce Antwerp.

At this time, Charles had not yet realized that his mission was already insignificant. France, Britain, Germany, and Belgium, these warring countries made a series of targeted combat plans around him.

Especially Germany, in order to prevent Charles from leaving here, it has already dispatched three additional divisions and is still increasing.

And Charles's little head was still thinking about his investigation report.

People were coming and going downstairs, and the headquarters during the war never stopped at any time.

Charles wanted to find General Guise in the crowd to ask him to arrange a car, but he didn't seem to be here.

When Charles was in a dilemma, a soldier in a red and black military uniform with a sword on his waist came up and saluted Charles.

Charles recognized this outfit. It was King Albert's guard, that is, the King's Guard. Charles glanced at it when Albert came last night.

The guard said politely: "Sir, the king invites you to breakfast, and the carriage is waiting outside the door!"

Breakfast together?

At this time?

Charles didn't quite understand. Is this the lifestyle of the nobles? It seems that Albert I is no exception!

However, Charles soon realized that he was wrong. This was not Albert I's real intention.

Unlike Grevy's carriage, Albert I arranged an open-top carriage for Charles. Charles thought it was the Belgian style and sentiment, but it was actually Albert I's intention.

The carriage was moving very slowly, although there were no obstacles on the road.

There were six guards in front and behind the carriage, all wearing conspicuous red military uniforms. The red tassels on their hats jumped up and down rhythmically with the horses' hooves, as if reminding the idlers to make way.

There were ragged people on both sides of the street, most of them were old people and women, and children of all ages, some crying in their arms, and some were about the same age as Charles. They all had stains on their faces, and their eyes were full of fatigue and fear.

Their embarrassment and embarrassment formed a sharp contrast with the King's Guards, which made Charles sitting in the car a little uncomfortable.

The crowd had gathered on the street. They saw the carriage coming out of the headquarters from afar, and unconsciously stood up and approached, as if they wanted to see Charles in the carriage.

Charles was a little surprised. He didn't see so many people gathered on the street when he came yesterday. What day is it today?

Suddenly the carriage stopped. There was a crossroads in front, and a logistics team transporting ammunition was passing by. During the war, everyone had to give way to the army and related units, even the King's Guard.

It was this stop that Charles finally knew the truth.

People on both sides slowly gathered up, very slowly at first, and then ran up desperately to surround Charles' carriage, shouting at Charles in the carriage:

"Are you Charles? I heard that you defeated the Germans?"

"Can you really lead us to defeat the Germans?"

"They robbed our houses and lands, can you take us back?"

"Help us, please!"

...

Helpless hands reached out to Charles, and Charles was at a loss. He didn't know how to answer, so he could only look at the King's Guard for help, but they pretended not to see anything.

Fortunately, the carriage soon moved forward under the guidance of the guards, leaving the out-of-control crowd behind, but there were still people standing on both sides in front, and teams stood up and looked at Charles, their eyes full of expectations.

Charles understood that Albert I had used him, and this was not a "breakfast together" at all, but a morale-boosting parade.

Albert I did not deny this. When he sat at the dining table facing Charles, his first words were: "I'm very sorry, Lieutenant! I didn't inform you in advance, but I think you can understand!"

Breakfast was a steak and an egg. Although the taste was not very good, it was better than bread.

"You overestimated my appeal, Your Majesty!" Charles complained: "It won't work!"

Albert I smiled lightly, cut a piece of beef and put it into his mouth elegantly: "You underestimated yourself, it has worked!"

"What?" Charles didn't believe it would be so fast.

"It was last night!" Albert I tilted his head and answered while chewing the beef: "I came back from the headquarters last night, and I let the news that you were here go out!"

"Then what?" Charles asked, he was a little curious about the result.

Albert I moved closer and answered in a low voice:

"It turned out that Antwerp was in collapse, Ensign!"

"During the 14 days when the Germans launched their offensive, a total of 4,780 soldiers chose to escape, and another 30,900 soldiers surrendered to the Germans, with an average loss of more than 2,000 soldiers every day."

These must not be heard by others, otherwise it will affect morale.

"But since last night, our soldiers have not decreased but have increased!"

"People spontaneously asked to join the army to defend Antwerp. What do you think it was because of that?"

Albert I raised his red wine to Charles and said, "Now, do you still think I overestimated you?"

Ciel didn't say anything, he concentrated on attacking his steak.

I thought to myself that this king must have launched false propaganda to his people. I wonder how much he exaggerated himself!

"boom"

It was the sound of "Big Bertha's" cannon again.

Charles turned his attention to Albert I, who responded with a knowing smile: "Don't worry, everything will go according to your plan, I believe they will succeed!"

Then Albert I added: "In addition, I think you may not be able to leave here for the time being, at least for now. The Germans are choosing to die together and crash our planes with planes!"

After taking a sip of wine, he emphasized: "This is unprecedented!"