Chapter 667: The Most Anxious Person
Gallieni studied the map, discussing details with Charles for a while longer. Suddenly, he thought of something and looked up. "If that's the case, how should I refuse Haig's request? Do I tell him about our entire plan?"
Gallieni believed sharing the full strategy would ease Haig's suspicions about France and Charles, and it might also help the British army prepare to coordinate better during the French counterattack.
But Charles shook his head. "That's not a good idea, General."
"We could consider it, Charles," Gallieni insisted. "After all, it's a matter of life and death for the British army. Haig isn't foolish enough to pass the intelligence to the Germans; that wouldn't benefit him."
"Really?" Charles asked calmly.
"Is there an issue?" Gallieni asked, puzzled by Charles's reaction.
The French system prohibited military personnel from engaging in business or politics, and Gallieni had strictly adhered to this. As a result, he remained largely unaware of how ruthless and unprincipled the worlds of politics and commerce could be.
Charles drew a line across the Ardennes on the map. "The difficulty in moving armored troops through the Ardennes isn't just logistics and roads, General. If the enemy learns of our plan beforehand—even if they merely suspect something—it could mean the complete annihilation of our forces."
Gallieni nodded in agreement.
If the Germans were alerted in advance that Charles planned to pass through the Ardennes, all they needed to do was position infantry to ambush his armored corps in the forest.
In the mountainous forest environment, heavily reliant on roads, armored units would be highly vulnerable, becoming easy prey for German infantry ambushes.
"I don't like leaving my fate in someone else's hands, General," Charles said. "Especially not those who are my rivals militarily, politically, and commercially."
Gallieni was taken aback. "Commercially and politically?"
He could understand competition on a military level; Charles's successes starkly contrasted with Haig's failures, turning Haig and even the British army into global laughingstocks, and shaking colonial forces' confidence in British supremacy.
But politically and commercially, how could a British general like Haig be in competition with a French lieutenant general like Charles?
Charles responded calmly, "My military victories impact Haig's political career, General."
"As for commerce, because I control resources and have established insurance and shipping companies in Britain, I've alienated practically every British businessman."
"They already despise me. I firmly believe that even the British king, Kitchener, and Haig himself would be delighted to see me encounter misfortune."
Gallieni suddenly understood clearly.
Charles had grown so influential that he'd inevitably provoked powerful interests—particularly British interests.
If intelligence about the plan was leaked to Haig, it wouldn't be unimaginable that Haig might use it to eliminate Charles—or at the very least tarnish Charles's undefeated reputation, undermining colonial troops' admiration and belief in his command abilities.
As for the British army's fate, that was a national and public matter. It involved many colonial troops, whose well-being was undoubtedly less important to Haig than his own personal ambitions.
Realizing this, Gallieni nodded decisively. "You're right. I'll handle it."
His gaze returned to the map on the table, and after a brief hesitation, he analyzed seriously: "We have every reason to believe the First Armored Corps and the Sixth Army are the backbone of Belgium's defense."
"If we redeploy them from Belgium, the Germans will undoubtedly counterattack using the Liège fortress as their base."
"This would stretch the Allied front dangerously thin—certainly not a wise choice."
Charles said cautiously, "Haig might not believe this explanation…"
"It doesn't matter," Gallieni interrupted confidently. "King Albert also has the right to be informed of this matter, and I'm confident he'll support my stance."
Charles fell silent.
He realized he'd misjudged Gallieni—the general clearly understood politics far better than Charles had assumed.
Albert I was the person who least wanted Charles's forces withdrawn from Belgium. Once he learned of this, Gallieni might not even need to act further.
Hasselt, provincial capital of Limburg.
Under a starlit night sky, King Albert I was hosting a small banquet with a dozen dignitaries in the city hall.
The gathering was modest, with simple cakes and fruits on a buffet table. Candlelight replaced electric lights, and the violinist was a local musician, whose playing occasionally revealed noticeable errors.
But none of this dampened Albert I's enthusiasm. He tapped his glass to gather everyone's attention, stepping up onto a small platform, his voice passionate and resolute:
"Gentlemen and ladies!"
"I'm delighted to remind you that beneath our feet is Hasselt! We stand at the very border between Belgium and the Netherlands."
"My biggest concern right now is how to manage supplies for over half a million captured German soldiers!"
The dignitaries responded with relaxed laughter.
Albert I continued passionately:
"We're just one step away from retaking the entirety of Belgium."
"The Liège fortress is only a dozen kilometers away—the gateway used by the Germans to invade our homeland. Taking it means trapping the invaders, giving them nowhere to escape."
"And I firmly believe that under Charles's leadership, the courageous people of Belgium will accomplish this great mission!"
"Long live Belgium! Glory belongs to us all!"
The dignitaries echoed his sentiments loudly, cheering and applauding enthusiastically.
At that moment, a messenger quietly entered the hall, nervously scanning the room. Spotting Major General Eden, he hurried forward and whispered something, discreetly handing over a telegram.
General Eden's expression darkened slightly. After giving a quick nod, he instructed the messenger to keep quiet and casually approached Albert I.
By this time, Charles's decisions had become critical to Belgium's destiny. Redeploying him elsewhere could swiftly destroy the morale of Belgium's troops and citizens, risking everything achieved so far.
General Eden believed extreme caution was essential.
Quietly, Eden stepped up beside Albert I and whispered urgently in his ear.
The jubilant expression vanished from Albert I's face, replaced instantly by grim seriousness. He stared coldly at Eden. "Is this true?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Eden said quietly, slipping the telegram discreetly into Albert's hand. "From General Gallieni."
Without reading it thoroughly, Albert quickly folded the telegram, stuffed it into his pocket, smiled courteously to his guests, excused himself politely, and swiftly departed with Eden.
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