Chapter 222: Charles' Influence
In the dimly lit room, the lamp cast three faint shadows across the desk. Gallieni appeared to wince in discomfort, instinctively pressing a hand to his old abdominal injury before quickly regaining his composure. Charles noticed and quietly prepared a cup of coffee, handing it over.
"Thank you, Colonel," Gallieni said, slightly surprised as he accepted the cup. A hint of warmth and pride softened his expression.
Albert I looked expectantly at Charles. "You've likely heard that the Ottoman Empire has joined the Central Powers?"
"Yes, of course," Charles replied with a nod. The news had come just last month, shortly after the end of the Marne campaign. The Ottomans had ordered two dreadnoughts from Britain, only for the British to seize the ships and join the war effort themselves—without a refund. This had allowed Germany to stoke resentment in the Ottomans, leading them to align with the Central Powers.
"British arrogance," Gallieni muttered, clearly disdainful.
Albert, as the monarch of a small nation, avoided passing judgment on Britain. Instead, he spread a map across the table and pointed, saying, "With the Ottomans joining the enemy, there's a new line of thought: if we can't break through on the western front, perhaps we should open a new front by landing forces on the enemy's flank, or even behind their lines."
Charles glanced at Gallieni. Not long ago, Gallieni had asked if Charles' "Charles A1" tanks could directly breach enemy defenses. When Charles denied this possibility, Gallieni shifted his support toward Britain's proposed flanking maneuver.
Gallieni remained silent, only sipping his coffee—an implicit show of agreement.
"There are several ideas for a flanking operation," Albert I continued, not noticing their exchange. "Some suggest landing to the north, near the Baltic, while others propose a southern approach via the Mediterranean. The debate has been fierce."
"But this seems like a matter for the Navy, not the Army," Charles remarked, a bit confused.
Gallieni's lips curled up in a faint smile. "It might not concern me, but it definitely concerns you."
Albert I nodded, looking earnestly at Charles. "Many want your opinion."
"My opinion?" Charles was puzzled. Why did an army colonel's perspective matter so much?
Gallieni, noticing Charles's bewilderment, gave him an amused look. "You still don't seem to understand the extent of your influence, Colonel."
Seeing Charles's blank expression, Gallieni shook his head with a smile.
"Do you think that, after inventing so much and winning so often, people still see you as an ordinary officer?"
"In France, perhaps. But that's only because France is controlled by capitalists, who in turn control Parliament. Outside of France, however, strategists from every nation—Britain and Russia included—hope to have your endorsement when making strategic decisions."
Albert I nodded. "They may not say it, Colonel, but in their hearts, they consider your opinion the gold standard."
Hearing this, Charles felt exasperated. The influence everyone mentioned seemed to bring him little benefit and only added to his burdens. Now, for instance, Albert I had come specifically to request his "advice."
Looking into Albert's hopeful gaze, Charles realized that the King's motives went beyond just soliciting an opinion. As the ruler of Belgium, Albert I was bound to favor a northern landing near the Baltic; if successful, it could hasten Belgium's liberation. A southern landing, on the other hand, offered no such promise. Albert I clearly hoped to win Charles's support, knowing that his reputation for consistent, victorious strategy could tip the balance between the northern and southern factions.
Unfortunately for Albert I, history recorded that this campaign ultimately took place in the south, at the Dardanelles—a costly failure in which both sides lost 250,000 men with no conclusive outcome.
Suddenly, Charles recalled the woman from the ballroom, and certain details clicked into place: naval warfare, landing operations, the Navy Minister, and his mistress… This meant that all Allied plans might already be compromised, with no secrets left from the Germans.
Playing along, Charles pointed to the north on the map. "I believe we should land from the north."
"Yes, I've thought the same!" Albert I visibly relaxed, eyes gleaming with excitement as he gestured to the map. "If our forces can secure a northern landing, we could attack the Germans in Belgium from behind, cutting off their supply lines."
Charles nodded slowly, adding with difficulty, "It could determine the war's outcome. The Germans would be forced to abandon the entire western front."
While he voiced these thoughts, he mentally added, Belgium built the fortress at Liège, and although it was partially destroyed, the remaining fortifications could hold. With the Germans stationed there, what would our landing force use to advance?
Keeping these reservations to himself, Charles continued to express support for Albert I's perspective.
Gallieni, however, furrowed his brow. "But this also means we'd be exposed to the German main force, facing them from all directions—and potentially even the German fleet."
"I don't believe the German fleet is a major concern," Charles replied. "Britain has always followed a double-standard policy: for every German ship, they build two. The British fleet should prove itself useful now."
"That's exactly how I feel," Albert I agreed enthusiastically. "Britain should be more than capable of blocking the German fleet while also sending reinforcements for a landing operation."
Charles added, "There's also a practical advantage: both fleets would be in the Atlantic and could support each other if needed. But if we land from the south…"
"Excellent point," Albert I said, his excitement growing. "If we were to land from the south, we'd have to enter the Mediterranean, making it impossible for the fleets to assist one another."
Charles offered a final summary. "It's a risk we have to consider. If we attempt a landing while the German fleet tries to break out, it could catch the British navy off guard. Unless Britain is certain they can fully contain the German fleet, we should land from the north."
This analysis left Gallieni momentarily speechless; the risk was indeed a valid concern.
(End of chapter)
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