Chapter 399: Why Can't It Be Artillery?
During the entire contract-signing process, James was too preoccupied with strategizing ways to leverage this transaction to notice anything amiss.
Right after the contracts were finalized, he made a public announcement:
"We have reached an agreement with the Bernard Company. Soon, we will be providing them with skilled workers in smelting, forging, and related fields." "We have also transferred the intellectual property rights of the 'Saint-Chamond' tank to the Bernard Company." "I believe this marks a pivotal step in Schneider and Bernard working together to oppose our enemies." "We will strive to make France great once more!"
As James expected, the protests and boycotts against Schneider quickly died down after the announcement. People assumed that with Schneider now cooperating with Charles, such controversies would no longer arise. The two companies joining forces for France's benefit was seen as a patriotic triumph.
Feeling rather pleased with himself, James returned to his office, opened a bottle of champagne, and celebrated. That young Charles, he mused, so focused on his industrial growth that he completely overlooked the potential upside this deal might bring Schneider.
But as he raised his glass, Pauline entered, looking grave. "Sir, only a small portion of the 'Saint-Chamond' tanks have been sent to Davaz. The majority are being transported to the police training base."
James's smile faded as he looked up, his movements slowing. "The police training base?" he echoed, his mind racing.
He offered a tentative explanation, "Perhaps Charles plans to use the 'Saint-Chamond' for training exercises or as a model for soldiers to study."
Pauline didn't immediately disagree; that could indeed be the case. But she added cautiously, "Or it could be for tactical training, sir."
James's face darkened. He continued opening the champagne bottle, though his mind was now spinning, replaying every detail of his negotiation with Deyoka. The more he thought about it, the more things didn't add up. Finally, he sighed, setting the bottle down as he sank back into his chair.
"We've been had, Pauline," he admitted, his expression dejected. "Charles's true objective was the 'Saint-Chamond' all along."
Pauline nodded slightly; she had reached the same conclusion. Charles had multiple avenues for recruiting skilled workers in smelting and forging, from tapping into the general workforce to recruiting directly. But he had gone out of his way to source these workers from Schneider.
Clearly, Charles had set this up as a decoy, concealing his true intentions.
James stared at the empty surface of his desk, lost in thought. If Charles went to such lengths to acquire the 'Saint-Chamond,' it meant the tank had untapped potential, something Schneider hadn't recognized.
In Schneider's hands, the 'Saint-Chamond' had been a failure. But with Charles, it might just shine like gold.
"Should we call a meeting to discuss this?" Pauline asked.
James shook his head weakly. It was pointless now. The intellectual property rights were already in Charles's hands, and even if they understood its potential value, what good would it do them now?
He could only hope that this "value" wasn't too substantial. Otherwise, he would have effectively discarded a precious asset.
Worse still, he had likely handed Charles a golden opportunity—the very chance Schneider needed to reclaim its prominence from Charles's shadow.
People might soon say, "Look, in Schneider's hands, the 'Saint-Chamond' failed repeatedly. But in Charles's hands, it's a success!"
James could have kicked himself. He had sold this opportunity for a mere two million francs. Two million!
One by one, the 'Saint-Chamond' tanks rumbled into the police training base, leaving the onlookers, including Tijani, bewildered.
"So, you really bought the 'Saint-Chamond'?" Tijani stared, expressionless, at the procession of tanks.
Charles nodded, "You're seeing it yourself."
"Are you short on 'Char A1s'?" Tijani asked, seemingly realizing something.
"I get it," Tijani continued before Charles could answer. "The military didn't purchase enough 'Char A1s,' so you're filling in the gaps with these 'Saint-Chamond' tanks."
"I can make up the funding shortfall, Brigadier. I could personally finance the entire regiment's equipment."
Charles waited for Tijani to finish before responding calmly, "That's not the reason, General."
"Then what is it?" Tijani demanded, frustration edging into his voice. "I've heard that the First Tank Brigade has been fully outfitted with 'Char A1s,' and even the 'M1' armored cars were prioritized for them over our 105th Infantry."
"Exactly," Tijani continued. "They're a tank brigade, and we're just infantry."
"But we can't just fill in with 'Saint-Chamonds,' Brigadier!" he insisted. "Those things are a liability. They'll get our men killed!"
Charles raised an eyebrow, "Is that really what you think?"
"It's a consensus, Brigadier," Tijani said, gesturing to the gathered soldiers of the 105th Infantry. "Look at them."
Charles scanned the crowd, and sure enough, just as Tijani said, most of the soldiers wore looks of disdain. Some, already equipped with 'M1' armored cars and 'Char A1' tanks, seemed relieved they wouldn't be stuck with a 'Saint-Chamond.'
"Relax, General," Charles replied with a small smile. "I promise you, if you don't want the 'Saint-Chamond,' I'll replace every single one with a 'Char A1.'"
"Are you serious?" Tijani's eyes lit up.
"Absolutely," Charles answered firmly. "If the military won't order them, then I'll personally ensure the Bernard Company supplies the 105th Infantry. A 'Char A1' for every 'Saint-Chamond.'"
"Deal?" Tijani asked eagerly.
"Deal," Charles nodded, smiling.
Tijani was treating the 105th Infantry as if it were his own company, trying every trick to secure the best equipment.
"You're going to lose this bet, Brigadier," Tijani remarked, eyeing the 'Saint-Chamond' tanks disdainfully as the last one rolled past them. "I won't change my mind. They're all show and no substance."
Charles chuckled and asked, "List their flaws for me."
"Do I even need to?" Tijani scoffed. "The battlefield has already proven it, Brigadier. They're consistently routed, and they can barely make it to the front line."
Charles countered, "What if we don't need them to reach the front line?"
Tijani laughed. "If they don't reach the front line, what good are they as tanks?"
A tank was designed to pierce enemy lines, not only to reach the front but also to cross trenches with speed and resilience—capabilities the 'Saint-Chamond' sorely lacked.
Charles raised an eyebrow and asked, "But why can't it be artillery, General?"
(Chapter end)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1