Chapter 494 "Special Channel"

Charles and Pétain did not cooperate for Nivelle.

Nivelle's appointment as commander-in-chief was a foregone conclusion. He had the support of the British, who had a large amount of materials loaned from the United States. This alone was enough to influence the choice of commander-in-chief.

At the same time, after Nivelle became commander-in-chief, the decisions he made were not something that Charles and commanders at Pétain's level could change. There was a group of lieutenant generals above them, who were the main body of discussing strategic directions, not major generals like Charles and Pétain.

Charles did this to fight against the parliament, and he believed that the parliament was a headache for opponents.

The parliament had the power to decide, and was now making every effort to weaken Charles' influence, and was also consciously cultivating "enemies" for Charles to divide and rule.

From this perspective, except for Gallieni, the others, including several commanders of the Northern, Central, and Eastern Army Groups, were all Charles' opponents.

There was also Foch who favored Charles before, and Charles fell into isolation again after Foch was dismissed.

This is somewhat ironic. Charles has the support of most of the grassroots officers and soldiers, but it is precisely because of this that the interests of senior officers are threatened, so this situation has been formed.

Charles's winning over Pétain is the first step to split this force.

...

In his busy schedule, Charles took time to go to the town of Darvaise.

Not because of business, but because he missed home.

After running around for several months, sometimes even in Paris, he had no time to go home. Charles, who was fighting, occasionally felt lonely and tired. He just wanted to return to that safe haven to hide, even if it was just for a moment.

Camille seemed to understand Charles' mood. She saw Charles' car coming from a distance, and ran out of the door in surprise and joy.

However, when she saw the fatigue on Charles' face and the dust on his military uniform, her joy dimmed instantly, and tears could not help but burst out.

She went up to him, hugged Charles in her arms with heartache, kissed him gently on the forehead, and murmured: "It's okay, my child, you're home! Home!"

Charles suddenly felt very sleepy and tired. If Camille hadn't supported him, he could hardly walk.

He stumbled back to the bedroom, only had time to take off his military coat, fell heavily on the bed, took a deep breath, and fell asleep.

Dyoka drove back from the factory in a hurry, but was stopped by Camille.

"He's already asleep." Camille said.

Dyoka was a little surprised. He took out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was only a little after three in the afternoon, but he nodded his head to show his understanding the next second.

"He did too much." Dyoka sighed.

Camille choked up and said "um", tears flowed out again, and his eyes turned unconsciously to the direction of Charles' room.

...

Charles slept until dawn, and he would have continued to sleep if Dyoka hadn't woken him up.

Deyoka didn't want to wake Charles up either, because Charles had told Laurent yesterday that he had to go to Belgium today.

Charles took some time to wash up, looked in the mirror, and finally felt more energetic.

This was a bit strange. In the past, when Charles wore a military uniform, especially when the collar was decorated with two stars representing brigadier general, he always felt a force rushing into his body and unconsciously became excited.

Now he has completely lost the feeling, and only thinks about the day when he can get rid of this "burden" and become a civilian who doesn't need to worry about anything.

Thinking of Camille's eyes when he saw him yesterday, Charles patted the dust off his body, dipped some water and focused on "taking care" of the blackened parts of the military uniform to make it look cleaner, and then went downstairs.

He didn't want Camille to worry like yesterday.

Breakfast was very rich, it was Charles' favorite apple pie.

Djoka asked casually, "Are you tired?"

"Not bad." Charles glanced at the kitchen, where Camille was washing fruit: "I was just busy with the Verdun thing recently, but now it's stable, and it will be much easier next time."

Charles thought that this answer would reassure Djoka and Camille.

He succeeded halfway.

He noticed that Camille breathed a sigh of relief, and Djoka looked at Charles with a half-smile and secretly gave him a thumbs up.

Djoka knew what was going on. If it was really like what Charles said, he wouldn't be in a hurry to rush back to Belgium.

God, it seems that the entire line of defense cannot do without Charles. What are the other generals doing? Are they busy learning from Joffre?

Camille came out with a plate of grapes and prunes, and handed Charles a glass of milk: "I heard that the front-line troops used a rotation system. Shouldn't you have time to rotate too?"

This question stumped Charles. Generals also rotate?

At the same time, Charles was a little surprised that Camille actually knew that the troops used a "rotation system".

Djoka smiled and explained: "She knows much more than you think, from 'special channels'."

Charles understood that the so-called "special channels" were gossips among the wives and aunts.

Camille asked unexpectedly: "I also heard that you have a girlfriend, and she is in Paris, but we haven't heard anything!"

Charles was petrified instantly: "Mom, that... we haven't officially confirmed the relationship..."

"Really?" Camille asked back, dissatisfied: "But why did I hear that you have met her parents?"

Charles was stunned. This "special channel" is too powerful. Things in Belgium can be spread here? !

He turned his eyes to Djoka for help.

Djoka, who was eating food, just shrugged:

"I can't help you, Charles."

"Do we have to wait until you get married to find out who she is?"

Camille added: "Based on the current situation, we may not know even when we get married."

Then they naturally stood in the same camp, talking back and forth:

"That's right, she is in Paris, only ten kilometers away from us, but she went to Belgium to meet her parents instead of us."

"I think meeting her parents means that the relationship has been confirmed."

"Absolutely!"

"But in our case, it's 'no confirmed relationship', is that reasonable?"

"No, this is definitely an excuse!"

...

Charles rolled his eyes, and he felt isolated again.

After a lot of nonsense, Camille finally revealed the real purpose: "You must bring her with you next time. You have a car and Major Laurent. All you have to do is pick her up."

"But Mom..."

"Otherwise we will go find her ourselves." Camille interrupted Charles: "Believe me, I can find out her address, and I know her name is Lucia."

Charles raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, I'll talk to her, but I'm not sure if she's willing to come..."

Charles was telling the truth, after all, this was just a "play".

Camille smiled meaningfully and touched Charles' head lovingly.

This fool, he was actually worried that she didn't want to come? !