Chapter 502: Enemies and Friends

All this was not Charles's intention, but Albert I's intention.

He received the telegram of the appointment of the Allied commander at about the same time as Charles.

At that time, he and Colonel Eden were enjoying afternoon tea in the manor while happily discussing the cooperation between the "Saint-Etienne" and "FN" arsenals.

"God, why didn't I think of this." Albert I excitedly opened the champagne and poured a glass for Colonel Eden himself: "I should have facilitated the cooperation between these two arsenals a long time ago. Fortunately, they reached a cooperation intention on their own."

Colonel Eden was flattered and stood up to take the wine. After expressing his gratitude, he agreed: "Yes, this can not only deepen Charles's interests in Belgium, but also further improve our military equipment."

"Further improvement of equipment?" Albert I was stunned with the bottle of wine.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Colonel Eden replied: "If the cooperation between the two arsenals is further strengthened, and Charles has any new equipment in the future, FN Arsenal will certainly have a better chance to obtain the production rights."

Albert I suddenly realized, "Aha", and nodded with joy: "You are right, Colonel, I didn't think of this. It is indeed a good thing, very, very... very good thing!"

He raised his glass and clinked it with Colonel Eden: "This is worth celebrating. I even want to set a commemorative day for today. Today may be a turning point for Belgium to become rich and strong!"

At this time, the signalman handed a telegram to Albert I: "Your Majesty, a telegram from the Allied General Headquarters."

Albert I took the telegram and read it:

Charles was promoted to major general.

Another good thing worth celebrating, Charles is definitely worthy of this rank. In addition, Eden can finally be promoted to brigadier general.

Nivelle is the commander-in-chief.

He has no regrets about this, or Albert I doesn't care, he only cares whether Charles is in Belgium.

Looking down again, the smile on Albert I's face gradually disappeared, and soon turned cold, with even some anger in his eyes.

Colonel Eden noticed something was wrong, and hurriedly put down his wine glass and asked carefully: "Is it bad news?"

Albert I snorted coldly and handed the telegram to Colonel Eden without saying anything, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Colonel Eden took the telegram and frowned:

"They transferred the British Expeditionary Force to the Antwerp Defense Line?"

"God, these troops are cooperating with Charles' armored and mechanized troops."

"Do they understand this?"

"In addition, the language, guns, ammunition, etc. are all different..."

Albert I interrupted Colonel Eden: "Are you worried about only this?"

"Then, what else?" Colonel Eden asked in confusion.

Albert I shook his head slightly: "They sent a lieutenant general to command the battle of the Antwerp defense line, and Charles is only a major general."

Colonel Eden said "Oh": "Charles will lose command."

The next second he widened his eyes and screamed: "What? Charles will lose command? The British will command us to fight? Then our fortress defense system..."

"More than that, Colonel." Albert I said coldly: "This is a conspiracy. The British do not want to see France rise again, and do not want to see Belgium fully turn to France. They are trying to weaken Charles's military exploits and even drag him into the quagmire!"

Colonel Eden suddenly realized: "This is a conspiracy against Charles. The pro-British Nivelle became the commander-in-chief, which may also be part of it."

Everyone knows that Nivelle became the commander-in-chief with the help of the British, and Colonel Eden is no exception.

Then Colonel Eden asked doubtfully: "But will the French allow the British to target Charles like this?"

Albert I smiled lightly and said sarcastically: "This is exactly what France wants to see, Colonel, to be exact, it is what the French Parliament and a group of generals want to see."

Colonel Eden, who was not familiar with politics, was instantly confused. The British wanted to deal with the hero of France, and the French Parliament and the military not only did not help, but also wanted to see it happen? This doesn't make sense!

Colonel Eden looked at Albert I with doubt.

Albert I seemed to see through Colonel Eden's thoughts. He analyzed slowly: "Charles' achievements are too dazzling, Colonel, so dazzling that they cover the light of all other generals. Charles has become an obstacle to their promotion."

Colonel Eden said "Oh" and nodded slightly to agree.

Except for Gallieni who was Charles's strong backer, everyone else's tactical ideas were different from Charles's. They were either "offensive" or "defensive", including Foch.

But Charles was "adaptable".

If Charles was right, it would prove that everyone else was wrong, and they all needed to learn from Charles and follow Charles' tactics.

This was something that the old generals of France could not tolerate. This would overturn the military theory they had believed in for decades and surrender to an 18-year-old boy.

But...

Colonel Eden asked again: "What about the parliament? The parliament has no such conflict, Your Majesty, and they are on Charles' side in kicking Joffre out."

Albert I snorted disdainfully:

"They are on Charles' side because they know Joffre is finished."

"But this does not mean that the parliament supports Charles. You don't understand, Colonel."

"Parliament, at no time do we want a powerful person to appear in the military!"

Colonel Eden understood instantly, and was so shocked that he opened his mouth for a long time.

The French system is to curb the emergence of military dictatorship, and now Charles has a good reputation both in the military and the people, especially in the army, where there is no grass-roots soldier who does not support Charles.

One day, if Charles waved his hand and shouted to the soldiers: "Soldiers, it's time to liberate France!"

The soldiers will follow Charles into the parliament without hesitation and disband it, and the French people will cheer loudly for this.

Moreover, Charles also has his own power in the parliament, and this power is still growing stronger...

All of this makes other parliamentarians feel uneasy.

Colonel Eden even thought that the reason why Charles was not sent to prison and then to the guillotine for a certain crime was because there was a powerful enemy on the other side: Germany!

"I, I didn't expect this." Colonel Eden panicked: "This is too unexpected. Charles' enemies are everywhere."

"No." Albert I objected: "His friends are everywhere, Colonel. French soldiers and civilians, Belgian soldiers and civilians, and us. It is precisely because he has too many friends that the parliament is afraid of him!"

Colonel Eden nodded firmly: "Yes, we will always stand on Charles' side, there is no doubt about it."