Chapter 670: Life or Death
Everything proceeded exactly according to Charles's carefully laid plan.
The very next day, The Merit Gazette abandoned its usual restraint and launched an aggressive attack against the capitalists who hoarded goods and inflated prices.
The newspaper meticulously compared the amount of goods arriving in France before and after the "echo-locator" secured shipping lanes. The facts showed clearly: after Charles's groundbreaking victory, goods entering France immediately increased by fifty percent, and had nearly doubled by now.
Yet, where had these resources disappeared to?
Why hadn't they reached the citizens who desperately needed them?
A series of photographs offered undeniable proof of major capitalists moving large quantities of goods into their warehouses.
Additional images showed scenes of the Bernard Group selling resources at fair prices, only to have these sales deliberately disrupted and sabotaged by capitalist-hired agents who aggressively purchased everything in sight.
Of course, Lucia had provided these revealing photographs, meticulously preparing for precisely this moment.
The article by Cobdo concluded sharply:
"While our brave soldiers fight courageously against our enemies at the front, what are these capitalists doing behind their backs?"
"They're starving soldiers' families, maliciously manipulating vital goods to drain the people's pockets."
"Worse yet, they're blaming everything on Charles, deceiving the public into believing it's all his fault!"
"All of this is nothing but a capitalist fabrication—a lie crafted not just to destroy Charles, but to erode France's spirit, undermine our soldiers' morale, and ultimately break our nation!"
Le Petit Journal quickly followed suit, publishing a biting satirical cartoon depicting elegantly dressed capitalists greedily sucking blood through rubber tubes, while simultaneously directing ordinary citizens—armed with kitchen knives and hunting rifles—to stab France's soldiers in the back as they battled German troops in trenches.
Below the cartoon, the caption boldly asked:
"Is this what you truly want?"
The article didn't hold back, directly challenging readers:
"Wake up, citizens of France, you've been deceived!"
"The capitalists want you divided, hostile toward each other, and even prepared to attack France's greatest hero."
"Only then can they maintain their iron grip on wealth and power!"
Moreover, Le Petit Journal thoughtfully listed the exact locations of warehouses where capitalists had stockpiled vast amounts of goods.
Public fury exploded overnight.
Groups of strong young workers and wounded war veterans quickly organized themselves, marching en masse toward these warehouses. Soon, elderly citizens and women joined their ranks.
When the warehouse doors burst open, the sheer scale of stockpiled goods stunned the crowds into silence.
"It's unbelievable—everything they said was true! They've been hiding mountains of food and supplies, then blaming Charles for our suffering!"
"They'd rather see us starve—even die—than let us have what we need, just to ruin Charles's reputation!"
"These traitors! We can't let them get away! They've betrayed France! They must be spies—German collaborators bought by our enemies!"
The logic felt perfectly clear.
No genuine French citizen would undermine the nation's war hero. If someone had done so, the only logical explanation was they had been bribed or controlled by Germany.
After reaching this conclusion, people didn't simply stop at protests.
Angry crowds dragged warehouse managers and frantic capitalists caught attempting to move goods out onto the streets, beating them severely. Some enraged mobs went even further, storming the lavish homes of capitalists, hauling them out onto the street, and hanging them from roadside plane trees amid shouts of fury and disgust.
Panic seized Paris's wealthy elite. Many fled immediately, while those unable to escape quickly sought shelter with their families inside City Hall, begging the military for protection.
Yet the crowds refused to disperse. They surrounded City Hall, loudly demanding Prime Minister Briand hand over the traitors:
"Those inside are criminals who betrayed France and deserve punishment!"
"Whoever protects traitors becomes their accomplice!"
"Exactly! Anyone protecting them must have accepted their bribes!"
Only after Gallieni personally appeared did tensions ease slightly. His voice resonated clearly as he addressed the angry crowds:
"You're right—their crimes are unforgivable."
"However, hanging them is not our best option, because bigger culprits may remain hidden."
"Trust me—I promise to use these captured traitors to uncover the entire conspiracy. Every traitor will face justice!"
At last, the crowds began dispersing, satisfied for now.
That afternoon, Gallieni urgently convened the French Parliament.
The assembly expected him to discuss quelling the "riots." Instead, Gallieni shocked everyone by abruptly proposing the implementation of wartime rationing.
Standing at the podium, he waved a document at the stunned parliamentarians and spoke gravely:
"Gentlemen, you know exactly what's happened."
"This 'uprising' isn't confined to Paris. Similar unrest has erupted in Dunkirk, Nantes, Toulon, and a dozen other cities. We're dealing with nationwide chaos."
"I warn you clearly: France is teetering on the edge of collapse!"
Gallieni deliberately paused, his piercing gaze scanning the room, a mix of contempt and threat in his eyes.
As the shocked parliamentarians sat frozen, Gallieni continued sharply:
"The front line situation is also alarming. We recently narrowly avoided disaster due to a mutiny, stabilized only by Charles's leadership."
"Verdun continues draining enormous resources. Victory there remains uncertain."
"On the Somme, our northern forces have collapsed. General Foch holds the southern bank with great difficulty."
"At this critical moment, widespread domestic unrest would be fatal to France!"
Absolute silence filled the hall. Every deputy knew Gallieni wasn't exaggerating—he merely stated the grim reality.
If France descended further into chaos, everyone's interests would suffer, except perhaps those secretly allied with Britain or Germany.
Finally, after tense silence, Armand's lazy voice broke the silence: "Then, Minister, how do you propose we resolve this situation swiftly?"
Gallieni nodded toward Colonel Fernand, who immediately distributed copies of the rationing proposal.
Gallieni explained firmly: "This document outlines the wartime rationing system. It involves the government directly purchasing and fairly distributing all imported goods."
Instantly, the proposal triggered angry protests from parliamentarians whose interests aligned closely with the capitalists.
"You can't do this—it violates free-market principles!"
"Implementing such drastic measures will devastate France's economy!"
"This proposal represents government overreach—it's dictatorial!"
Gallieni sharply interrupted the rising protests, his voice stern and uncompromising:
"Gentlemen, this isn't about ideology—it's about life or death. The decision is yours!"
The room plunged again into complete silence.
If they refused Gallieni's plan, the consequences would be immediate and catastrophic. The people would never tolerate further manipulation.
Sweeping his gaze over the deputies, who now sat intimidated and quiet, Gallieni nodded decisively.
"We will now vote on this issue immediately!"
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