Chapter 465 Xia Fei Is Doomed

In Ragden, a fierce dispute was taking place in the conference room of the French Army Headquarters.

"We cannot let Romania join the Allies, Commander-in-Chief." Gallieni stared at Joffre: "I think it is more beneficial for us to keep it neutral."

"Really?" Xiafei expressed doubts about this: "How is it beneficial? Is it to continue selling oil to the Germans? Or is it food, coal, or even weapons and ammunition?"

(The picture above shows a Romanian soldier carrying a Mannlicher rifle on his shoulder. The Mannlicher rifle was produced in Austria and is the same model as the rifle used by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so it can provide arms to the Austro-Hungarian Empire during wartime)

"Indeed," Gallieni said:

"But it's much better than having all of Romania under German control."

"Have you ever considered what it would be like for the Germans to control all of Romania?"

"Think of all the oil, food, and arsenals that Austro-Hungary could use directly, I mean all of them!"

Xiafei laughed, with disdain on his lips, and retorted:

"So, have you ever considered what would happen if our plan succeeds?"

"The war is over, General."

"That was a siege by more than three million troops from more than a dozen countries. You should pray for the Germans instead of thinking that they will occupy Romania!"

(Note: Joffre counts the strength of British, French, Russian, Italian, Romanian, and colonial armies)

Gallieni insisted on his idea: "Look at the map, Commander-in-Chief, what you call a siege is actually going on, but there is no breakthrough in other directions except the Shire, and some places are even still being defeated, but you are pinning your hopes on it. Joining Romania will make a difference!”

Gallieni was also awakened by Charles.

Xiafei's encirclement plan seems huge on the surface. More than three million people from more than a dozen countries are working at the same time. There is almost no force on earth that can compete with it.

However, the vast majority of the troops were stuck in front of the trenches with the enemy. Not only the main British and French forces, but also the millions of Italian troops were not making any progress, and the Russian army was in defeat.

Once Romania's 500,000 troops join, can other countries launch counterattacks at the same time to defeat the German army?

Is it too idealistic?

But Joffre obviously would not admit this.

"Your idea is too ridiculous." Xiafei tapped the table with his fingers, with contempt in his eyes: "We already discussed this at the last meeting, and you didn't object at the time. There is a difference between counterattacking at the same time and fighting separately. , the former obviously puts more pressure on the Germans, not to mention the addition of Romania.”

Then Xiafei suddenly thought of something. He said "Oh" and leaned back in his chair: "I understand, you don't want me to win."

"What?" Gallieni didn't understand what Joffre meant.

"Am I right?" Xiafei looked at Gallieni with a faint smile: "You hope that it is Charles who will win, so you are persuading him now."

Gallieni was stunned on the spot. He did not expect that Xiafei would have such an idea.

"Everything is explained." Xiafei looked astonished: "I have always been surprised that there are people who are unwilling to join us from an oil country. Now the truth is revealed..."

Gallieni looked at Joffre angrily and his voice became hoarse: "No, Commander-in-Chief, you are an insult to my character."

"No, General." Xiafei shook his head calmly: "This has nothing to do with personality, it is about interests, I understand!"

Then, without waiting for Gallieni to defend himself, Joffre increased his tone and spoke righteously:

"However, General Galieni, don't forget that you are the French Lieutenant General. People respectfully call you the 'Savior of Paris' in private!"

"So, should you consider the interests of France before you consider the interests of yourself or a small group?"

"What's more, I think the common interests of the Allied Powers should be considered first. This is what a soldier should do!"

"This is our duty, and it is also an apology to the French citizens and to all the people who sacrificed their lives!"

Gallieni was shaking with anger: "No, Commander-in-Chief! This is slander and baseless slander. I refuse to accept it..."

"Then, please explain a question, general." Xiafei spread his hands: "How can we refuse an important country to join?"

Then Joffre added: "If you want, I can discuss it at the meeting. Or, after the war, publish it in the newspaper and see whether the French people support you or me!"

Gallieni was stunned.

Allowing Romania to join the Entente seemed intuitively correct, and even Gallieni thought so at the time.

It is common sense that joining is better than not joining.

Therefore, whether it is discussed at the meeting or published in the newspapers in the future and let the people decide, it is Joffre who is right, not Gallieni.

Gallieni realized that he could not convince Joffre, because Joffre had determined that Gallieni was sabotaging this battle plan that could end the war for Charles.

Gallieni gritted his teeth and did not defend himself. He just said: "Farewell, Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief!"

When Gallieni walked out of the conference room door, he heard Joffre laughing contemptuously behind him.

Gallieni returned to the car with a pale face and returned to Paris.

He didn't say anything along the way, just gritted his teeth and stared at the void in front of him, his eyes blank and lifeless.

At this time, there was a hurdle in his heart that he couldn't overcome.

Why is this happening?

It was obvious that Joffre had formulated this unrealistic encirclement plan for personal gain. Gallieni only pointed out the mistakes in it, but was accused of destroying the plan for personal gain.

What was even more hateful was that he could not even explain it!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. It felt like a stone was pressing on his chest, and something seemed to be blocking his heart and he couldn't breathe.

Suddenly, his abdomen hurt and his eyes went black. Gallieni slowly fell on the back seat of the car...

(The above picture shows the Paris Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, which was founded in 1613 and was developed from a relief home converted from a munitions factory at the instruction of King Louis XIV of France.)

...

Paris, 13th arrondissement, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital.

Gallieni slowly opened his eyes and saw Charles peeling an apple with a fruit knife expressionlessly beside the bed.

"Hey, Brigadier General." Gallieni looked around in confusion and struggled to get up: "Where am I? In Antwerp?"

"Don't move, General." Charles hurriedly stopped Gallieni and replied: "This is Paris, you are in the hospital."

Galieni recalled and gradually remembered what happened before.

He laughed at himself and shook his head gently: "I failed to convince Joffre."

"Well." Charles cut the apple into small pieces and put it on the plate, forked a piece and handed it to Gallieni: "Don't worry about it, leave it to me!"

"Leave it to you?" Gallieni looked at Charles in confusion.

This matter is not something he can participate in, what can he do?

However, when Gallieni saw the coldness in Charles' eyes, he knew that this was not the case.

This little guy has put aside his scruples, and he plans to deal with Joffre.

Joffre is going to be finished, no one can beat him, not even Joffre!