Chapter 550 He Once Again Concealed the Truth
Nivele's approach was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. He went through some careful consideration.
Nivel, who is well versed in political methods, knows that the Parliament and the British have the need to suppress Charles. Therefore, his disparaging remarks about Charles can not only step on Charles and promote himself, but also regain the support of the Parliament and the British.
After all, the enemy of your enemy is your friend, and both Parliament and the British will see the benefits.
The British, in particular, whose support Nivelle believes is key.
Therefore, he abandoned the fierce fighting on the Somme front and rushed to Dunkirk to meet with Kitchener. The next day, he rushed to Paris to attend a meeting to gain support for himself.
Ciel didn't care or care about these little tricks.
He knows that the army is different from other systems, especially the army in wartime. The needs of the soldiers are very direct and realistic. What they want is a commander who can lead them to win the war. Everything else is nonsense.
Nivele's approach may be able to solve the problem of high-level support for him, but it cannot solve the problem of identification with him by middle- and low-level officers and soldiers. Soldiers are very disgusted with this kind of commander who relies on connections, especially foreign forces, to rise to power.
Therefore, Nivelle was destined to fail due to his unpopularity.
For a man who was destined to fail, Ciel felt that there was no need to pay attention to his attacks, it was a waste of time.
However, a telegram asking for help from Christine forced Charles to face it.
…
On this day, Albert I and Brigadier General Eden rushed to Namur Fortress to report to Charles.
"It's a pity that you didn't lead the troops into Namur in person, Major General." Albert I looked excited: "You missed that scene. You can't imagine how popular you are. The whole city came out, and they were there There were lines in the rain shouting your name, many people waiting for hours just to see you.”
Brigadier General Eden agreed: "Not only the people of Namur, but also the soldiers of the First Special Reconnaissance Corps. They really hope to get your personal teachings."
"If possible, can you show up and say a few words?" Albert I said with hope in his eyes: "This can boost the morale of the military and civilians, and they will go crazy because of it."
"Let's see." Charles did not give a positive answer: "If I have time, I will."
He has always believed that "you need to be strong to make iron." What can really boost the morale of soldiers and civilians is to win over and over again through steady work, rather than to say words of encouragement when meeting with soldiers and civilians.
"Of course, Major General." Albert I nodded quickly.
Charles is the god of Belgium, and any decision he makes is correct.
At this time, a telegram was handed to Charles, from Major General Christine.
Charles glanced at the telegram and his expression suddenly changed. He didn't even show the telegram to Tijani, but folded it and put it in his pocket.
"What's wrong?" Albert I thought it was a new change in the situation in Namur.
"Nothing." Charles replied: "I have to go back to Paris. There are some matters in the Parliament that I need to deal with."
Albert I said "Oh" and relaxed. It turned out to be a matter of the Parliament. Those bastards always try their best to cause trouble for Charles.
…
At the Palais Bourbon in Paris, the pros and cons are in a fierce debate, and they are evenly matched.
Nivele stood on the podium and dominated the villain's speech:
"Gentlemen, looking at all the commanders in Shire, there are no troops with more than two divisions."
"This may be the limit of what he can command the troops. Once a large corps fights, such as five divisions with 100,000 or more people, it will not be something he can control."
"The nature of the two operations is completely different, and the tactics are also different!"
The audience booed.
Gallieni objected: "His results are dozens of times greater than yours!"
Armand sneered: "I think you must have forgotten that the Charles once surrounded Ghent and captured hundreds of thousands of Germans!"
Steed protested loudly: "We look forward to you giving us a Shire-style victory, Your Excellency Commander-in-Chief!"
Even Wells, who did not often speak in parliament, shouted angrily: "Until now, you don't seem to have any achievements worth showing off, except that our soldiers suffered 40,000 casualties in one day!"
There are also many middle forces who are firmly on the side of the Shire, and a considerable number of them represent the workers.
…
The congressmen who opposed Shire actually knew very well that the difference in record between the two was so great that they could not be compared together.
However, out of the need to weaken the checks and balances of the Ciel, they had to support Nivel's remarks.
"Ciel's performance relies heavily on equipment."
"If General Nivele had the same equipment, who says he couldn't achieve the same results?"
"And the invention of new equipment is dangerous. The Germans will learn it immediately and use it on us!"
…
Amid curses and protests, Nivele called out the Antwerp commander, Lieutenant General Ives.
Lieutenant General Ives stood on the podium and put on a worried look:
"I haven't received any messages, or requests for instructions. I didn't even know that the Shire's troops had been transferred from Antwerp."
"This approach is extremely dangerous. I thought Antwerp was defended by Charles troops, so I felt safe about it, but that was not the case."
"If the Germans suddenly attack Antwerp, the consequences will be disastrous."
…
Galieni immediately retorted: "You seem to have forgotten the Belgian army, they are the main force stationed in Antwerp, Charles has already arranged it!"
Nivelle put on an objective and fair look and replied: "Mr. Minister, the key point is that the commander is not Charles but Lieutenant General Ives. As we all know, the army can only be combat-effective under unified command, otherwise it will inevitably fall into chaos!"
Someone in the audience immediately objected: "But the fact is that he won the victory, a remarkable victory, can you?"
...
Just when everyone was arguing, Charles pushed open the door and walked in.
The sound of the quarrel suddenly became smaller, and even disappeared.
The parliamentarians were surprised by Charles' appearance. They did not invite Charles to participate, and the atmosphere was quite awkward.
Nivelle hesitated, then raised his head, but everyone could see that he was strong on the outside but weak on the inside.
Charles ignored the strange looks of the parliamentarians. He walked straight to Nivelle and said in an unquestionable tone: "You should go back to the front, Commander-in-Chief. Your army is mutinying. You need to convince your soldiers instead of the parliamentarians. Otherwise, the entire Western Front may collapse and France will be in danger!"
Everyone was shocked.
The parliamentarians all focused their eyes on Nivelle.
Nivelle's expression was a little unnatural, with anger in his eyes, but no surprise or panic.
So the parliamentarians understood that Nivelle had known about the "mutiny" for a long time, and he once again concealed the truth from the outside world and the parliament!