Chapter 493: Cooperation with Pétain
Soon, news of Charles's assistance at Verdun spread through the streets and alleys of France, and major newspapers eagerly reported on it. Le Petit Journal stood out in particular:
"It is hard to believe that Verdun is no longer Charles's defense area—why is he still tirelessly offering help to Verdun?"
"Even if this battle is won in the end, the credit will belong to Pétain. Doesn't Charles know this?"
"No, Charles knows."
"But Charles doesn't care about fame or fortune; he cares more about the safety of the country and the lives of the soldiers."
"From this perspective, we can understand why Charles does this. It is undoubtedly a noble quality..."
People were stirred and cheered loudly. Everywhere on the streets, people discussed Charles's selfless behavior:
"He not only has military genius, but also a great soul."
"I think this has something to do with his age and experiences. He's only eighteen and has almost no exposure to politics or capital, so he's different from other politicians and capitalists."
"France needs such a general who can set aside personal interests and unite the army. He can lead us in unity against the enemy!"
Le Meritorious Report remained low-key, as it was directly controlled by Charles.
However, a few days later, it published a series of articles about the new type of landmines used at Verdun:
"The most common one is an anti-infantry mine. Its advantage lies in its simple structure and low cost, allowing for mass production in a short period of time. This anti-infantry mine, combined with anti-slope fortifications, has made it almost impossible for the enemy to advance."
"Next is an anti-tank mine. These have been placed in pathways between high ground and have already destroyed several tanks."
"The most powerful is a bouncing mine, which can jump to a height of one meter before exploding, causing massive casualties among enemy infantry. The Germans are terrified of it!"
In the article, not a single word mentioned Charles, but his presence was evident everywhere.
Everyone knew these mines were invented by Charles, especially the bouncing mines, which no one had ever heard of before.
People were intrigued and speculated:
"How does that mine jump?"
"How does it control the explosion at one meter?"
"This is amazing! Charles's inventions can overcome everything; he always surprises us!"
Everything developed exactly as Charles had anticipated.
He knew that under the pressure of war, people naturally gravitated toward generals who could win battles because this gave them a sense of security, pride, and sometimes even saved their lives.
However, Charles felt he still had to meet with Pétain. Otherwise, at the age of sixty, Pétain might be driven mad by this kind of public opinion and atmosphere, or he might put aside his pride and become Charles's enemy.
...
Charles was not wrong.
That afternoon, when he arrived at Fort Saint-Michel to meet Pétain, Pétain did not greet him warmly.
"Isn't this 'Mars of France'?" Pétain looked at Charles with sarcasm. "Are you here to teach me how to fight, right? I'm listening!"
"No, General." Charles replied, "I'm here to cooperate with you."
"Cooperate?" Pétain chuckled. "We've always been cooperating. Look, I'm using your tactics and equipment right now."
Pétain cursed inwardly. He must be here to mock me, he thought. I am just his puppet, and yet I can't refuse.
Now, he wants to 'cooperate' with me?!
However, Pétain secretly admired Charles.
He knew that the reason he was "treated as a puppet yet could not refuse" was not for any other reason but because the solutions Charles proposed were always the optimal ones that could not be changed.
Or if they were altered, it would come at the cost of soldiers' lives or a failed campaign.
For example, the anti-infantry mines, anti-tank mines, and bouncing mines... Could he refuse them?
Charles did not take Pétain's sarcasm to heart.
Pétain was not that kind of narrow-minded person; he simply needed an out. At his age, his temper sometimes became childish, and he couldn't accept being beaten by an eighteen-year-old.
"I know our combat philosophies differ, General." Charles said. "But this won't be an obstacle to our cooperation because we have a common enemy."
Pétain raised an eyebrow. "A common enemy? Are you talking about the Germans? No, you alone can defeat them. You don't need me."
This was indeed Pétain's true feeling.
He watched as Charles's new tactics and equipment entered Verdun and worked right under his nose, causing the Germans to retreat in disarray. Sometimes he couldn't help but lament that he could no longer keep up with the times.
Charles sighed inwardly. This was where he felt guilty toward Pétain.
Pétain's defensive tactics had originally been in line with the times and perfectly suited the trench warfare of World War I.
But Charles had raised the tactical level for both sides, leaving Pétain far behind and making him outdated.
"No, General." Charles said seriously. "I am not talking about the Germans."
Pétain looked at Charles in confusion but said nothing.
This guy is waiting for me to ask, Pétain thought. Well, I won't ask!
To cover up his hesitation, Pétain opened a file in front of him, pretending to review it. As he signed the documents, he replied calmly: "If it is not about the Germans, then there is no need to discuss it, Colonel. I am very busy."
Charles ignored him and continued:
"You must not know who will be taking over as the next Supreme Commander, am I wrong?"
"It’s Nivelle, General."
Pétain froze, looking at Charles in shock. "No, he is just a division commander, a brigadier general with no accomplishments."
"I know." Charles nodded. "He was once your subordinate, and while you fought here, he worked behind the scenes to try and become the Supreme Commander of France to lead our campaigns."
Charles had received this information from The Lady in White.
He wasn't surprised at all; to him, it was something that had already happened.
Pétain slowly closed the file, stared blankly for a moment, then sighed softly.
He had no ill will toward the fact that his former subordinate would become the Supreme Commander; this was common in the military.
But Pétain understood Nivelle. He knew that Nivelle was not a competent commander, and in fact, he was worse than Joffre.
Charles voiced Pétain's unspoken thoughts:
"Joffre was just incompetent, always passing things off to others."
"Nivelle, however, is ignorant—ignorant and yet arrogantly unaware of his own ignorance."
"Having such a man as the Supreme Commander of France would be a disaster. I am not wrong, am I?"
"This is not something I alone can stop, General!"
Pétain looked at Charles in confusion. "You seem to know Nivelle quite well?"
Charles feigned ignorance: "I have my own sources, General."
He was referring to The Lady in White.
But the truth was that Nivelle was infamous in history for always claiming that the war would end with victory in just a few days, only to suffer crushing defeats in the prolonged war of attrition.
To be precise, these were disastrous defeats.