Chapter 188 Training

Charle easily won the war of public opinion.

After knowing that they were almost used by the capitalists, the citizens developed a rebellious mentality. The workers launched a massive strike. They held national flags and gathered at the Schneider headquarters and the gate of the Francis tractor factory to protest, and also organized a demonstration.

More people expressed their support for Charle with practical actions. They cancelled their subscriptions to Francis's "Holt 120" and insisted on buying Charle's "Holt 75", even though they knew that Charle's tractors were more backward.

There was a saying among the people:

"You plan to buy the 'Holt 120'? This is your freedom, but if Charles' factory cannot survive because of this, you just wait, the 'Holt 120' will immediately rise to twice the original price or even more!"

"Charles' factory is the reason why the capitalists cut the price, we can't let this reason be buried by the capitalists!"

"We know the methods of the capitalists, many of us have been swallowed up by them in this way, do you still want to see Charles' factory go the same way?"

...

So, Charles's "Holt 75" not only did not become unsalable, but it became more and more popular, and even in short supply.

This surprised Charles a little. He was actually prepared and didn't care about the loss of the tractor factory. From the beginning to the end, he bought the tractor factory for tanks. Tractors were just a by-product, making some profits to subsidize the funds for tank research and development.

But this is also good, who doesn't want to make more money? Especially Charles is a capitalist.

…

In the 12th district of Paris, adjacent to the 4th district, there is a police training base near the Bastille Prison. Many policemen go to work here after basic training such as guns and physical fitness.

But on this day, the training base welcomed a group of unusual students. They were not policemen, but soldiers, or officers to be exact.

Most of them were majors and lieutenant colonels, and there were also several colonels.

They came from 44 divisions on the front line, and each division was assigned two officers, one artillery and one infantry.

On the third floor of the training base building, there is a stepped conference room that can accommodate more than 100 people. It is used as a classroom for training officers.

Dominic was a little nervous when facing these students. Although his rank was colonel, he had never been on the battlefield as a gun tester.

When Dominic saw these officers with scars on their murderous faces, he was almost frightened by their momentum.

Among them, a colonel named Christian was a combat hero. Although the First Special Artillery Regiment he led failed to win the battle of La Fox, it did not affect his reputation in the army at all.

"Hello, gentlemen!" Dominic stood on the podium and introduced himself tremblingly: "My name is Dominic, I am your chief instructor. In the next week, I will teach you... how to use mortars!"

Colonel Christian glanced at Dominic in confusion and asked politely: "Sorry, Colonel Dominic, isn't this training organized by Charles?"

"Yes, of course!" Dominic answered nervously: "But you know, Charles is very busy. He is only responsible for explaining tactics. As for the use of mortars..."

"Hey, Colonel!" An officer interrupted Dominic, with a tone of obvious disdain: "Have you been to the battlefield?"

This was a word, and everyone could see that this fat white chief instructor was a person outside the battlefield, and might be a noble or capitalist, otherwise he would not have been able to obtain such a high rank.

Dominic hesitated and answered truthfully: "No, no! But I..."

"Then why do you teach us how to use weapons?" Another officer interrupted Dominic.

Before Dominic could answer, another officer asked: "Do you know the battlefield better than us? Or do you know what we need?"

There was laughter in the classroom. The officers regarded this training as a farce.

At this time, a teenager in a major's uniform walked in from outside. He put away his umbrella. Two guards stood outside the door immediately, and a major took the umbrella from the boy respectfully.

The boy glanced at the conference room with sharp eyes and said calmly: "Sorry, I'm late!"

The conference room was quiet instantly.

Most of the officers had never seen Charles and didn't know him... Charles's photo was published in the newspaper, but only the outline could be vaguely seen, and the face and facial features could not be distinguished at all.

However, the officers still knew that the boy in front of them was Charles.

There is no major so young in France at present. Most people of this age are just privates... No, they should not have served yet.

Charles is well maintained like Dominic. He has never been on the battlefield. His military uniform is spotless and new, but no one dares to despise him.

"Nice to meet you!" Charles nodded generously to everyone, turned his head and looked at the podium, the instructor was standing there with an embarrassed look on his face, not knowing what to do.

Looking at the disdain on the faces of the officers below, Charles seemed to understand something.

"It's like this." Charles glanced at the whole audience, and said in a relaxed tone: "First of all, I should emphasize that our training this time is based on the principle of voluntariness. Those who don't want to participate can withdraw!"

"Is it true?" an officer asked.

These officers had just come down from the front line, and they didn't dare to ask anything.

"Of course!" Charles smiled and nodded: "I will even give you an explanation, you don't have to worry about not being able to report to your superiors!"

"Can you show us what kind of gun it is?" Some officers expressed their curiosity: "After seeing that gun, we will probably know whether this training is meaningful!"

This resonated with the officers immediately.

Charles nodded to the instructor.

The instructor understood, and he walked out to greet them. After a while, several instructors came in with a few parts on their backs, assembled the mortar and put it on the podium.

After seeing this gun, the officers talked about it:

"Just a small gun?"

"I thought it was a better gun than the 75 gun, but it looks like a child's toy."

"It's hard to imagine that we have to learn to use this thing."

...

But Colonel Christian's eyes showed caution. He unexpectedly glanced at Charles, feeling a little strange. Charles had never been on the battlefield, so why did he know the battlefield so well? Why did he know what the front-line soldiers needed?

Charles spoke, and his tone was even expectant: "Now, those who don't need it can withdraw, please!"

Everyone turned their eyes to Colonel Christian.

Colonel Christian shook his head and said firmly: "No, sir. We need this kind of gun!"

Charles shook his head regretfully: "Damn it, I can't fool you."

"To be honest with you!" Charles spread his hands: "The output of this kind of gun is not enough to equip the front-line troops. I really hope that some of you can withdraw, but..."

The officers laughed, and the officers who had originally planned to withdraw secretly thanked themselves for not doing such extreme behavior.