Chapter 386: Is It an Outdated Weapon?
General Winter stared at Charles with an expectant expression, tinged with a hint of fear.
He couldn’t imagine what would happen if Charles answered “no.” What would Britain do then? Force Charles to hand over the technology?
That wasn’t an option. Britain had no such authority, and both the French government and its citizens were no fools. On this matter, they would all stand with Charles, even Joffre and Schneider would not object.
In that case, Britain would have to admit its own backwardness.
For the world's leading Britain, this was no small matter. Its prestige would crumble instantly, making it impossible to maintain control over its colonies.
Fortunately, that did not happen. Charles nodded slightly. “It can be sold, provided the price is right.”
General Winter breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly asked, “Of course, Brigadier General. The right price—we won’t disappoint you.”
Though his words were enthusiastic, he felt a trace of disappointment in Charles. Didn’t Charles realize this could cripple Britain’s trump card? Or did he simply regard Britain as a reliable ally and thus lower his guard? Perhaps he didn’t know how to leverage this advantage.
Charles considered for a moment before saying, “As you know, General, we lack large-caliber howitzers.”
General Winter instantly understood and nodded. “No problem, we can exchange for the 6-inch, 30-hundredweight howitzer.”
Charles looked coldly at General Winter, not saying a word.
Understanding the hint, General Winter quickly corrected himself, “Not just artillery—an entire production line, Brigadier General, complete with skilled workers…”
Charles interrupted him. “Although we’re friends, General, that doesn’t mean I’ll make major concessions in business. You should know the performance of the ‘Camel’ aircraft—it’s the most advanced fighter in the world. And yet, you’re proposing to trade it for an outdated howitzer?”
Sitting upright, Charles declared emotionlessly, “You may leave now, General. We’re wasting our time!”
“No, no!” General Winter hurriedly stopped Charles. “We have artillery—brand-new models not yet fielded by our forces. They were developed specifically to counter the German 105mm howitzer!”
Charles responded with a simple “Hmm,” and sat back down.
With a trace of helplessness in his tone, General Winter explained, “It’s the 6-inch, 26-hundredweight howitzer. At present, we only have three production lines, with a monthly output of about 18 units…”
(A note accompanied: The British Army’s 6-inch, 26-hundredweight howitzer had a caliber of 152mm and a barrel weight of approximately 1,300 kilograms. It was a mainstay of the British forces during World War I, developed in 1915 and deployed by the end of the year.)
Charles was familiar with the weapon. While its range was inferior to the German 105mm howitzer, firing lightweight shells (39 kilograms) to a range of only 10.4 kilometers, its larger caliber and higher propellant charge gave it far greater power. Not only could it suppress the German 105mm howitzer, but it was also highly effective at destroying barbed wire and fortifications.
When firing heavier shells (45 kilograms), it became a "bunker buster." It could also launch incendiary and smoke rounds, making it a versatile battlefield asset.
“I need five production lines,” Charles demanded in an indisputable tone. “Delivered within two months!”
“That’s impossible, Brigadier General,” General Winter exclaimed in shock. “That would leave the British Army without artillery for a considerable period!”
This was not merely selling equipment; it was handing over everything. It would require Britain to mobilize its entire national capacity for Charles, even dismantling its own production lines to send them to France.
Once again, Charles stood up as if preparing to leave. Alarmed, General Winter quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Let me think about it. Everything is negotiable.”
Charles answered decisively, “It’s either the aircraft or the artillery, General. The ‘Camel’ is not something that can be traded for just anything. If it could, you wouldn’t be sitting here negotiating with me, would you?”
He added, “Sorry, General, but I must distinguish between public and private matters.”
“Of course,” General Winter nodded in understanding. After some contemplation, he said, “At the very least, I must consult London.”
Charles nodded. “You should do that.”
After shaking hands with Charles, General Winter left, his brows furrowed in deep thought, seemingly pondering how to report this to his superiors.
Charles returned to headquarters, where Tigani was seated in his chair, signing documents. Without looking up, he casually asked, “Any problems?”
“No,” Charles replied calmly. “He was just here to talk business.”
Tigani nodded with a simple “Oh.”
A business deal that could make General Winter so nervous had to involve military equipment.
But what could it be? Tigani was curious.
Suddenly, he paused, raising his head with a grave expression. “He wasn’t here to buy the new aircraft, was he?”
It wasn’t hard to guess. For Britain, an island nation, the only things that could make it anxious were warships or aircraft—only they posed a real threat to Britain.
Warships were out of the question; Britain was still the undisputed leader in that domain, and Charles couldn’t change that.
That left only the aircraft—Charles’s new aircraft.
Charles didn’t respond, which Tigani took as confirmation.
“You’re not planning to sell it to them, are you?” Tigani pressed, his expression turning dark.
“Why not?” Charles countered. “If the price is right.”
Tigani sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing with shock and anger. “Are you insane? That’s the ‘Camel,’ the most advanced fighter. With it, we could crush Britain—and you’re planning to sell it to them!”
Tigani’s statement wasn’t an exaggeration, especially in an era with little to no anti-aircraft capabilities.
France could easily use the ‘Camel’ to seize air superiority over Britain, then deploy Caproni bombers to strike the British mainland, bombing anywhere within range.
At that point, how could Britain claim to be the world’s foremost power?
Charles jokingly asked, “Are you planning to go to war with Britain?”
“No, that’s not what I mean,” Tigani hastily explained, gesticulating animatedly. “I’m saying we have this capability. It would put pressure on Britain and allow us to gain leverage—that’s politics, diplomacy, Charles!”
Charles smiled and nodded at Tigani, appreciating his grasp of international geopolitics—likely a product of his background.
One day, perhaps, Tigani could be entrusted with international affairs.
Reading Charles’s expression, Tigani asked, “You know this, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Charles admitted.
“Then why are you still…”
“It’s simple,” Charles replied calmly. “First, I need Britain’s help to defeat my domestic rivals. Second, what we’re selling is outdated equipment, General, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
Tigani’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Outdated equipment? Are you saying the ‘Camel’ is outdated?”