Chapter 544 Everything Is an Illusion

In Namur Castle, Charles enjoyed breakfast in the spacious and bright headquarters.

It was freezing cold with continuous drizzle outside the window, but the stove was burning inside and it was warm as spring.

Breakfast was bread, milk, jam, and a fragrant lemon grilled trout.

(The above picture shows lemon grilled trout, a specialty of southern Belgium)

The food in Belgium was obviously much better than that in France. Many French troops could not even supply enough bread, let alone grilled fish with a crispy outside and tender inside and a lemony aroma.

However, this food seemed to be limited to Charles's troops. The British and even Belgium's own troops did not have it.

Charles's attention was not here. He casually ate the food with a fork while browsing the newspaper.

There was also a copy on Tijani's desk, but this rich boy seemed not to be used to such a breakfast. He did not touch the grilled fish. He was only used to eating boneless tuna.

However, in order to fill his hunger, he had to grab the bread and milk, with a bitter face.

"The media seems to be very dissatisfied with Nivelle." Tijani raised his head to Charles. He had read the newspaper before breakfast: "There are news criticizing him everywhere."

"What reason does the media have to be dissatisfied with Nivelle?" Charles asked back.

"How should I know." Tijani spread his hands nonchalantly: "I only know that Nivelle will step down soon, which is one of the reasons why people are calling for you to be the commander-in-chief."

Charles smiled lightly and said nothing.

Tijani hoped that Charles could be the commander-in-chief. He believed that only Charles was suitable for this position, and even only Charles was qualified, so he had been trying to persuade Charles.

Charles put down the newspaper and concentrated on the food. The grilled fish tasted good, especially with a little sour lemon, a bit like sweet and sour fish.

This made Tijani feel strange, and he looked puzzled: "Did you see anything?"

"It's not the media's problem, General." Charles replied: "It's the British's problem. They plan to abandon Nivelle and cut ties with him."

Tijani was stunned and glanced at the newspapers on the corner of the table: "But these are French newspapers..."

Before he finished speaking, he said "Oh": "It's supplies. The British have supplies."

Charles nodded while eating.

Whoever has supplies has the right to speak.

For example, the ink used by the newspaper for printing, as well as equipment, printing paper, food, etc., these things that seem to be readily available at ordinary times can choke the newspaper's throat at this time.

Tijani hesitated a little: "Did the British control the media and use Nivelle to exonerate themselves?"

Charles replied: "Changing a commander-in-chief will not cause any loss to the British as long as he is still under British control. However, Nivelle has been criticized for exposing too many "bad deeds", and the British no longer need to protect him."

This is the common ending of a puppet. After losing its usefulness, it will be abandoned and become nothing in the end.

Tijani looked at Charles thoughtfully, and he suddenly understood why Charles said, "Being the commander-in-chief is not good for me."

To become the commander-in-chief, you need to pass the British, and Charles is unwilling to be a puppet of the British.

"You are right." Tijani nodded and praised: "What will you do next?"

Charles did not answer.

He could not answer.

It can't be said that the best way is to support Foch as the commander-in-chief, and then one plays the white face and the other plays the red face to deceive the British and the parliament, right?

If this gets out, it will be a death before success, and Charles will not know how to break the situation.

Tijani did not ask any more questions, but just smiled and replied: "I know, it's a secret!"

Focusing on "military art", he is not interested in participating in this aspect. He only knows that few people can beat Charles.

The last person who fought with Charles, Joffre, is now half crazy.

At this time, the signalman came forward and handed Charles a telegram: "General, a statement from General Foch."

Tijani was close, he took the telegram first and glanced at it, with a look of surprise: "I thought we had a good relationship with that old guy Foch!"

"What?" Charles asked.

"Read it yourself!" Tijani handed the telegram to Charles, with some helplessness and anger in his eyes.

Charles put down his knife and fork and took it. He saw that the telegram read:

"The Military Research Center believes that Charles's unauthorized attack on Namur is not advisable."

"Although he won the victory, he also set a bad precedent. Others may follow suit for military merit. If this continues, the army will be in chaos without command."

"In addition, Charles' attack on Namur took advantage of the advantages created by the Battle of the Somme."

"The Germans transferred a large number of troops, including artillery, to the Somme, which led to Charles' victory in Namur."

...

Charles looked at the signalman in disbelief: "Did General Foch really say this?"

"Yes." The signalman answered with certainty: "This is a statement issued to the entire army, and all army groups have received it."

Tijani snorted: "The word 'unauthorized attack' denies our record. Obviously, his current position is due to interests."

"Interests?" Charles pretended not to understand.

"Of course." Tijani replied:

"Don't you understand yet, Major General?"

"He had no conflict of interest with you before, and even had common interests with you. If we win, he will also get honor."

"But now, you are the most ideal candidate for the commander-in-chief, and Foch must have the idea of ​​being the commander-in-chief. He sees you as a competitor."

Charles said, "Oh," "You are right, General."

He frowned, "So, we have one more enemy!"

In fact, Charles was secretly happy.

This Foch is good. He came at the right time. His criticism was neither too hot nor too cold, reasonable, and would not bring too much negative impact to Charles.

Because everyone knows how to refute:

Nivelle pushed Charles into the fire pit, but he did not allow Charles to selectively execute orders?

Doesn't the fact prove that Charles is right?

Charles was criticized for winning the battle, but Nivelle lost the battle and so many people died, and you didn't say a word. This double standard is too obvious, isn't it?

"What should we do now, Major General?" Tijani asked.

Charles was full and satiated. He took the napkin and wiped his mouth, and replied calmly: "It's time to send a telegram to Pétain!"

"Pétain?" Tijani was stunned, then understood, and gave Charles a thumbs up: "Good idea, he should also have ideas about the position of commander-in-chief."

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and only by cooperating with Pétain can we better deal with Foch.

What Tijani didn't expect was that everything he saw was an illusion.

Charles actually cooperated with Foch to deal with Pétain!