Chapter 334 French Dignity

The military uniform incident broke out two days later.

After three days of discussion, the House of Representatives finally voted down the motion to replace military uniforms.

Many members were surprised by the result. They thought that it was not a big deal that the motion could be passed. It only affected the interests of a small number of clothing factories, and only partial interests: the military uniforms piled up in the warehouse became waste.

But in the end it was still rejected.

Because it was a secret ballot, no one was sure who voted against it, and it just felt a little weird.

But even so, the members did not take it to heart. It was just a change of military uniforms, and there would not be much difference.

The news just came out of the parliament, and there was no movement in the society. Many people thought it was a rumor and did not take it to heart.

The next day, major newspapers wrote with eye-catching headlines:

"The House of Representatives voted down Charles' proposal. The members always believed that the military uniforms represented the dignity of France and it could not be replaced."

"Does this mean that the 'offensive theory' is still indefensible?"

"Or is this what the parliament is hinting to Charles."

...

Originally, France, which had been calm, was instantly ignited.

The soldiers fighting on the front line were the loudest. After all, this was related to their lives. They protested again and again:

"What power do those who don't have to fight have to decide what uniforms the soldiers fighting on the battlefield wear?"

"If one day, they think we should fight the enemy with table knives or sticks, should we obey?"

"Those guys, do they know what the dignity of France is? It is only when we win the battle, not what uniform we wear!"

...

The complaints of the front-line soldiers soon affected the people in the rear, because they were all the soldiers' parents or brothers and sisters.

That afternoon, people took to the streets with banners and flags to protest:

"We support Charles, he is the officer who understands war!"

"Change the uniform, victory is dignity!"

"Protecting the lives of soldiers is the only way to win!"

...

Charles was coming out of the city defense headquarters, and his destination was the police training base.

The car had only been driving for a few minutes when it unexpectedly ran into a parade. The streets were so crowded that cars passing by could only take a detour or stop by the roadside to wait for the parade to pass.

The demonstrators were actually blocking traffic intentionally, which would cause a greater chain reaction, so that the government and parliament would understand the seriousness of the matter and pay enough attention to it.

Suddenly someone noticed Laurent's car and Charles in the back seat. He exclaimed: "That's Charles, Charles is here..."

People cheered, they shouted Charles' name and crowded forward to shake hands with Charles:

"We support you, Colonel!"

"We think you are right, only you will consider the lives of the soldiers on the front line."

"Lead us, we are willing to follow you to resist the parliament!"

...

Charles was almost scared by the last sentence. Resisting the parliament? That would become the target of public criticism, and Steed, who had just been won over, might become an enemy because of this!

Charles pretended not to hear and waved to them with a smile and friendliness.

Laurent was considerate. He honked the horn and started the car, shouting, "Make way, gentlemen, the colonel has a mission!"

People consciously made way for Charles, waving and cheering to let Charles' car pass. There were cars behind trying to follow Charles' car, but they were immediately blocked by the crowd.

The line was very long, at least tens of thousands of people, so the car drove for more than ten minutes before it was away from the hustle and bustle.

At this time, Laurent breathed a sigh of relief and said with emotion, "They are all your supporters, Colonel."

"They support the change of military uniforms, Laurent." Charles corrected.

"On the surface, it is true." Laurent answered calmly.

"On the surface?" Charles looked at Laurent in confusion.

Laurent tilted his head slightly, glanced at Charles in the rearview mirror, and nodded: "You can think of it this way. If it wasn't you who proposed the issue of 'changing military uniforms' but someone else, there would not be a parade of this scale, and it might not even cause any waves!"

Charles felt that Laurent had some truth in what he said.

To spontaneously organize such a large parade in such a short time is definitely not something that can be achieved by "changing military uniforms". It requires a core force and a spiritual leader.

And Charles is probably this force and their spiritual leader, although Charles did nothing and said nothing except protesting in parliament.

...

The car slowly drove into the police training base.

The scene that came into his eyes made Charles feel deeply relieved. He saw that the officers and soldiers of the 105th Infantry Regiment were still training step by step on the playground.

Professional soldiers should be like this. Their mentality cannot be affected by the outside world.

But soon, Charles realized that he was wrong. He found a team without pants marching on the playground. Some people were wearing shorts and some people were simply wearing nothing. April in Paris was not so cold, and they had the conditions to do so.

The key point is that they practiced in a formal manner under the command: forward, turn left, jog...

Everyone had a blank expression and a serious face, just like facing the enemy on the battlefield.

Tijani stood in front and looked at the team, looking helpless, as if he couldn't do anything about them.

Charles motioned Laurent to stop the car next to Tijani, and he jumped out and asked, "What's going on?"

Tijani saw Charles at this time, and his frown relaxed, and he replied: "That's support for you, Colonel."

"Support for me?" Charles was puzzled.

Tijani only answered with one word: "Red Army Pants!"

Charles immediately understood that they were "acting out" their rejection of the Red Army Pants.

"I gave them orders." Tijani said: "But do you know how they answered?"

Charles shook his head slightly.

Tijani imitated the soldier's tone: "General, we think that such a situation may occur on the battlefield. In order not to expose the target, we have to take off the eye-catching red army pants. We are conducting targeted training, and we think this is very meaningful!"

After speaking, Tijani spread his hands: "Can you say they are wrong? If it were you, how would you answer them?"

This method is good, Charles secretly praised, they did not disobey orders and made their position clear.

However, this is not very elegant.

But if you can save your life on the battlefield, what does elegance count for?

This may be what the soldiers want to say.

Soon, this method spread quickly in the army, and other troops followed suit, even the soldiers fighting on the front line were no exception.

For a time, naked soldiers were everywhere in France.

"This is the so-called 'French dignity'!" someone joked.