Chapter 441: Belgium is a Nation, Not a Passage
July 21 is Belgium’s National Day, marking the 85th anniversary of its independence and the coronation of Prince Leopold as its first king.
Despite the ongoing war, King Albert I traveled to Brussels to hold a military parade.
This parade was highly unusual, lacking the pristine uniforms and standard equipment of a regular army. The participants were guerrilla forces under the command of Colonel Eden.
The soldiers wore mismatched clothing and carried rifles from various countries, including Britain, France, and even Germany.
Additionally, the Third Tank Regiment stationed in Brussels contributed several tanks and armored vehicles to represent France in the parade.
As soon as the procession entered the streets, cheers erupted from the crowds lining the sidewalks. People waved enthusiastically and held high the Belgian flag, chanting in unison.
King Albert I stood atop one of the armored vehicles, holding onto it for balance as he waved to the crowd, his face alight with joy and emotion.
The parade advanced slowly amidst the cheers, eventually stopping at the Grand Place in Brussels. King Albert I’s armored vehicle drove to the center and came to a halt.
(Above: The Grand Place in Brussels, built in the 12th century. Although small in size, it is a historic site for Belgium’s key events.)
After pausing for a moment and waiting for the cheers to subside, King Albert I shouted loudly, “Unyielding Belgians, I am grateful that we can still celebrate National Day here in Brussels this year!”
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Once the applause quieted, King Albert I continued,
“Last year around this time, the Germans asked if we would allow their army to pass through. They called it ‘harmless passage.’”
“My response was: Belgium is a nation, not a passage!”
The crowd broke into cheers once again, voicing their agreement with King Albert I’s defiant stance.
“I told them that we would defend our dignity to the death and resist every incursion of external power!”
“If we must be reduced to ashes, then let us perish gloriously.”
“But Belgium will never yield!”
The crowd roared, resonating with King Albert I’s words, which captured Belgium’s current predicament. Since last August, when Germany began its invasion, people had been pondering one question:
“Was Belgium’s resistance worth it?”
“What purpose did it serve?”
“Should small nations involve themselves in conflicts between great powers?”
...
King Albert I provided a powerful response: only through unyielding resistance could Belgium become a thorn, no matter how small, capable of piercing the ambitions of invaders and forcing them to think twice.
This was the plight of small nations and their only viable option.
King Albert I did not expend many words thanking Britain and France. He viewed their aid as a fair repayment for Belgium’s sacrifices; the country had done enough and owed them nothing.
However, he did single out one individual:
“I thank Charles for his contributions to Belgium. This marks the second time he has defeated the Germans in Antwerp. Twice, the Germans have stumbled in the same place because of him!”
The crowd burst into laughter.
“He is my friend and a friend of Belgium.”
“He couldn’t be here today because he is still fighting the Germans in Antwerp.”
“He has brought Belgium safety, freedom, and great victories!”
“Therefore, I am proud to announce that Charles shall be granted the title of Count, along with hereditary succession!”
The crowd cheered loudly, seemingly thrilled for Charles. Many shouted:
“He deserves this honor.”
“We support him; he saved Belgium!”
“Belgium welcomes Charles!”
...
Charles was taken aback upon hearing that he had been made a Count.
He understood that a noble title held little practical value—it was more an honorary distinction. However, it effectively elevated him into the Belgian aristocracy, which could bring some benefits in social and business dealings.
He also recalled King Albert I’s mention the day before about selling him a piece of land in Antwerp at a low price. The combination of a title and land felt like an effort to anchor Charles in Antwerp.
And Charles wasn’t wrong.
Though Belgium was moving toward victory, King Albert I remained uneasy.
Belgium was a small nation with a population of under seven million, yet it was sandwiched between major powers: Britain across the sea to the north, France to the west, and Germany to the east.
(Note: Belgium’s population in 1900 was approximately 6.13 million. For reference, modern-day Hong Kong has a population of 7.47 million.)
If these great powers coexisted peacefully, Belgium might have little to fear. But if they went to war, Belgium would inevitably find itself at the center of the conflict.
Last year, the Germans invaded; today, the French drove them out. But what if next year the Germans defeated the French again?
Would Belgium remain trapped in endless conflict?
King Albert I voiced his concerns to Colonel Eden, who replied confidently, “Your Majesty, with Charles here, you need never worry about the Germans invading again.”
King Albert I nodded, saying, “Yes, I believe that. But only if ‘Charles is here.’”
Colonel Eden looked at him, puzzled.
King Albert I sighed, “Not every French army is led by Charles, Colonel. And not every unit is Charles’s. We’ve all seen it—other French forces don’t measure up.”
Colonel Eden understood and nodded in agreement.
No need to look far; Marshal Foch’s Ninth Army provided a stark comparison.
Charles’s forces punched through German defenses from Cambrai to Antwerp. If not for the sea, Colonel Eden believed they could have kept advancing with ease.
But Foch’s Ninth Army, supposedly an elite force under France’s “god of war,” became bogged down in Mons and needed Charles’s forces to rescue them.
Was the critical factor the French military as a whole?
Or was it Charles and his men?
Colonel Eden believed it was the latter.
After some thought, Colonel Eden suggested, “Your Majesty, I think we should keep Charles in Belgium.”
“Do you think I haven’t tried?” King Albert I replied with a wry smile. “When he was just a lieutenant, I wanted him to lead the Belgian army, but he refused without hesitation!”
King Albert I’s smile turned bitter.
Time had proven Charles right. He rose to become a French general, with a future at the pinnacle of France’s military. Why would he let himself be tied down by Belgium, a small nation?
After a moment of hesitation, Colonel Eden proposed, “Your Majesty, as a French general, he might refuse to lead Belgium. But as a businessman, I believe he won’t turn down the benefits Belgium can offer.”
“What?” King Albert I looked at Colonel Eden in surprise, not expecting such a shrewd suggestion.