Chapter 671: You're Heading Toward Victory
The wartime rationing system passed smoothly through parliament.
The reserve forces led by Gallieni were put in charge of implementing this policy.
Under this system, Gallieni restricted unnecessary entertainment and luxury consumption. Cinemas were limited to opening only three days a week, museums in Paris closed their doors, and natural gas, electricity, and coal supplies were rationed to civilians, delivered strictly on a fixed schedule and quantity.
Prices for alcohol and tobacco were significantly increased, except for supplies given to the military, directly targeting wealthy capitalists and the upper class who were still enjoying luxuries behind the lines.
At the same time, free bread and basic food supplies were distributed to civilians according to family size, while other essential goods were sold at controlled, affordable prices within regulated quotas.
This ensured survival for the common people. Quotas prevented capitalists from manipulating the poor into buying goods for them—if the poor were coerced into such practices, they'd be forfeiting their own food rations, inevitably leaving themselves hungry.
The only facility unaffected by restrictions was the Invalides, as it exhibited battlefield trophies, including the German-captured A7V tank. Gallieni saw this as an effective way to boost patriotism and morale.
Charles did not openly intervene or appear publicly in these matters.
He stayed behind the scenes to avoid accusations of using the crisis to consolidate personal control over supplies. Although everyone knew he held real control—including the capitalists themselves—sometimes politics required pretending otherwise.
The French public was aware but did not oppose this arrangement. Instead, they showed enthusiastic support:
"Only Charles can be trusted with managing resources. He should control distribution."
"If we don't trust Charles, who should we trust? Those capitalists hoarding supplies, or the politicians doing nothing and conspiring with them?"
"I trust Charles won't let us starve. Things will get better!"
Charles did not disappoint. Immediately, he distributed captured goods to civilians and even promised low-interest loans for purchasing seeds, preparing them for the upcoming planting season.
For Charles, obtaining seeds wasn't difficult—buying them from the United States and shipping them to Dunkirk within seven days was straightforward, ensuring continuous supply to the populace.
France erupted with enthusiasm and gratitude, widely praising Charles:
"Only Charles would offer low-interest loans for seeds. If our crops fail, he takes the loss. No other capitalist would take such a risk."
"Exactly. Other capitalists would exploit our hardship, inflating seed prices and bleeding us dry."
"Charles has saved us—not just on the battlefield, but from starvation as well!"
In Lavaz, neighbors crowded around Dreyoka's small home, bringing gifts and heartfelt thanks:
"We misunderstood Charles, Mrs. Bernard."
"Charles is a good man—we should've trusted him. He would never harm us."
"Thank you. Your family is wonderful. May God bless you all!"
Camille shook hands with her neighbors, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She wasn't quite sure why, but couldn't hold back her emotions.
Dreyoka calmly and politely thanked everyone, gently reminding them to prepare for planting season:
"Only by growing more food can we truly ease this crisis. We have millions of soldiers fighting at the front who depend on us for their supplies."
The neighbors nodded solemnly, tears shimmering in their eyes.
Charles remained upstairs in his room. He disliked—and was frankly overwhelmed by—this type of interaction. Visitors constantly arrived, sometimes even from distant towns or Paris, just for a chance to thank him or shake his hand.
If he met each one individually, Charles would be trapped here indefinitely.
Instead, he quietly reviewed business reports Dreyoka provided, detailing recent developments of the Bernard Group.
Insurance and shipping operations in Britain and France were flourishing and had even expanded into the United States, as American shipping companies increasingly joined Charles's naval convoys.
From the laboratory side, Stokes had relocated his entire family and several key members of the Scott Mechanical Company to Lavaz, citing business convenience.
Charles frowned slightly at this news. Bringing skilled personnel was beneficial, but these were British citizens. Given the historical enmity between Britain and France, their loyalty was inherently questionable.
"They were carefully screened," said Dreyoka, having quietly appeared by Charles's side. Noticing Charles's hesitation while reading the list, Dreyoka had anticipated his concern.
Charles glanced at him and nodded slightly. "I trust Mr. Stokes conducted thorough screening."
After all, Stokes himself was a defector; he certainly wouldn't want spies in his midst either.
"Britain is in trouble, too," Dreyoka explained. "After the British Expeditionary Force collapsed at the Somme, Britain initiated another emergency draft, calling for 300,000 new recruits."
That was Haig's supposed "military genius" at work.
To him, battlefield defeat meant simply lacking sufficient troops. Recruiting more men was his only solution, ignoring the effective utilization of their lives—a consideration unimportant to this infamous butcher.
Dreyoka gestured toward the names on the list: "Had they not accompanied Stokes here, these people might've faced conscription upon dismissal."
Charles instantly understood. In a sense, these men were deserters, their employment contracts with the Bernard Group protecting them from frontline service.
Thus, the company effectively held their lives in its hands, minimizing concerns over loyalty.
Charles's lips curled slightly in ironic amusement—war had given him unexpected leverage in acquiring skilled talent.
After a pause, Dreyoka sighed gently, speaking suddenly and solemnly: "I'm proud of you, Charles. Your mother would be, too."
Surprised, Charles looked up sharply—his father rarely said things like this.
Dreyoka stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Charles's shoulder. Gazing thoughtfully out the window at the neighbors below, he continued quietly:
"They believe you've saved them, and so do I. What you've done matters more than winning a battle."
"Our soldiers will fight for you, knowing you've ensured their families' safety and well-being back home."
"You've done well, Charles. You're heading toward victory!"
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