Chapter 369 Asset Management

This day was Charles's holiday, given by Gallieni.

Gallieni called Charles and said, "Go home, Brigadier General. Your fans have gathered downstairs of the headquarters to protest!"

This is indeed the case.

First, someone in the town of Darvaz brought the news: "Charles has not returned home since he blocked the German gas."

Soon it spread, and it became more and more exaggerated, and there were even rumors that Charles had not returned home since the Battle of Gallipoli.

People took it for granted that Gallieni did not give him a holiday, so tens of thousands of people spontaneously gathered in front of the city defense headquarters and held up banners to protest:

"We should let Charles work and rest, he just turned 18."

"If you need Charles to win during the war, we can understand, but now the war is in a stalemate, do you still need Charles?"

"Apart from Charles, is there no one available in France? All the burdens will fall on him?"

...

As a last resort, Gallieni called Charles personally to give him a day off.

At the same time, Gallieni secretly gave Charles some help. He stood on the balcony and explained to people:

"Gentlemen, ladies, I need to explain."

"I never dragged Charles or didn't give him a holiday."

"There is only one reason why Charles didn't go home. He thinks he should set an example and stay with his troops. This is his own will!"

People praised:

"What a good child!"

"Charles is the hope of France. We can't live without him."

"If all officers can be like him, France will be great again!"

...

Charles was speechless after hearing about this. Protesting at every turn may be a feature of France during this period. Even a small matter like a holiday can cause such a big commotion.

...

In the small town of Darvaise, before Charles' car stopped, Camille rushed out of the house with a scream and hugged Charles who had just got off the car.

Then she woke up suddenly, pushed Charles away a little, looked up and down, looked at his hands and feet, and looked at Charles' eyes carefully. She was relieved to confirm that he was fine.

"I heard that poison gas can hurt the eyes." Camille was still frightened: "There are several people in our town who have become blind because of it."

"Don't worry, Mom." Charles comforted: "I have a gas mask."

Dyoka patted Charles on the shoulder and walked into the house with Charles, with a proud smile on his face: "So, you did defeat the Germans in the poison gas?"

"Yes." Charles glanced at Camille when he answered, he was worried that Camille would be worried about it.

"Don't worry." Deyoka said: "She has figured it out."

Charles looked at Camille half-believingly.

Camille shrugged helplessly: "Everyone is in danger, Charles, we are not immune, I understand."

Camille decided not to be like before because of a conversation between Deyoka and her.

"Do you know why Charles dare not come back?" Deyoka said: "He may be worried that you will stop him from going to the battlefield."

Camille, who was washing dishes, stopped what he was doing.

Deyoka continued:

"This is his mission, Camille."

"He is a natural military strategist. His going to the battlefield means victory and saving many lives, including ours!"

"Yes, when the Germans attacked the town of Davoise, Charles invented the tank and saved our lives, as well as our neighbors."

"We can't stop him, and we can't stop him, let alone stop him!"

Camille thought of the children of his neighbors. Many of them came back alive because Charles withstood the German gas troops, although some of them were blind.

Neighbors came to express their gratitude one after another, with tears in their eyes.

This was all earned by Charles on the battlefield. If he stopped him from going to the battlefield, it would probably be a different result.

Thinking of this, Camille decided not to be as negative as before, but to actively support Charles.

Charles suddenly felt relieved after knowing this, at least he no longer had some concerns like before. He was reluctant to go home for a while before, and there was indeed a reason for this.

…

“Motorcycle factory 570,000.”

“Tractor factory 1.21 million.”

“Aircraft manufacturing plant 3.29 million.”

…

At the dining table, Djoka took the account book and counted.

The final data shocked Charles. Including the income from “industrial property rights” and the share of the “Saint-Etienne” arsenal, Charles’ monthly net profit has reached 21.87 million francs, and the total assets are close to 100 million.

“If we hadn’t spent 30 million on the purchase of the steel plant last month, we would have exceeded 100 million.” Djoka’s eyes were full of regret.

But Charles was just the opposite. He felt a little panicked with so much money in his hands.

It’s not because of the huge amount...Charles admitted that this might be one of the reasons.

“We have to spend it.”Charles said.

“What?” Djoka looked at Charles puzzled. Who would feel that the money was hot in their hands and couldn’t wait to spend it?

"Money will depreciate, father." Charles reminded: "Now is a war period, laborers go to the battlefield and materials are consumed in large quantities on the battlefield, prices will inevitably rise."

Dyoka said "Oh" and understood: "You are right, then this 100 million will not be worth 100 million, it is likely to be cut in half or even less."

Then Dejoka was embarrassed again: "But...how should we spend them?"

Charles did not hesitate: "Change them into US dollars."

The United States was the country least affected by the war among the participating countries, and its local economy has not been affected.

More importantly, she will create "dollar hegemony" and need to continue to improve the credibility of the dollar, so the dollar has been appreciating for a long time.

(Note: The dollar hegemony began in January 1918 after World War I. US President Wilson proposed the "Fourteen Points Plan" with the intention of establishing an international trade and alliance system dominated by the United States after the war. After World War II, the United States linked the dollar to gold to establish the Bretton Woods system. Many people think this is the starting point, but in fact it has already taken shape at this time.)

Dejoka also thinks this plan is feasible and nodded in agreement.

"In addition." Charles said: "I heard that the insurance industry is not doing well recently?"

"Yes." Deyoka nodded: "This is because the Germans bombed Dunkirk and caused a fire. The fire caused two insurance companies to go bankrupt and the other three were half dead."

The Germans learned another thing from France, aerial bombs, and then they couldn't wait to start bombing Dunkirk.

Then Deyoka added: "As you said, it's war time now, and insurance has become a high-risk industry."

Charles didn't answer, just looked at Deyoka quietly.

Deyoka seemed to understand something, and looked at Charles in shock: "You don't want to invest in the insurance industry, do you?"

"Why not?" Charles asked back: "If I know the military plan, the risk will be much smaller!"

This is not the real reason.

What Charles really wants to say is: If I know how the war will develop in the future, wouldn't investing in the insurance industry be a win-win?