Axel
patreon
I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 48
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 17:08:00 +0000 UTCChapter 48: Power or Money?
In the end, Charles chose to cooperate with Gallieni.
Gallieni left feeling satisfied, but before departing, he gave Charles and Djoka a strict reminder:
âWe never met, and I never made any promises or agreements. We donât know each other, understood?â
âOf course!â Charles and Djoka answered in unison.
If the capitalists were to learn of such an understanding, those holding power would undoubtedly retaliate with a vengeance.
They might even accuse Gallieni of endangering national security: a soldier colluding with arms dealers behind the Senate's backâwas he planning a coup to overthrow the Republic?
Double standards and manipulating the law were the capitalistsâ expertise. No one could outplay them in this regard.
Gallieni glanced nervously toward the kitchen, where Camille was busy slicing fruit.
Djoka caught his concern and reassured him, âDonât worry, General! She wonât say a word. I guarantee it!â
It wasnât that Camille was tight-lipped; Djoka simply knew her weakness.
Satisfied with the assurance, Gallieni shook hands with both men. He then turned to Charles and remarked with genuine admiration:
âBeyond your talent for inventing equipment, youâre a natural strategist and tactician, Charles! I once hoped you might serve as my advisor, but you know why thatâs not possibleâŠâ
Charles nodded in understanding. His identity as an arms dealer was far too sensitive for the military, as it would touch the fragile nerves of the capitalists.
âMy apologies, General,â Charles suddenly said.
âWhat?â Gallieni was taken aback by this unexpected statement.
Charles explained, âIn the future, I might need to curse you or express dissatisfaction with you. I hope you wonât mind!â
Gallieni froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. âOf course, I wonât mind, Charles. The harsher, the better! I give you my blessing to curse me! And naturally, Iâll respond in kindâI assume you wonât mind either?â
âOf course not, General!â
âOne more thing,â Gallieni said, patting Charles on the shoulder. âIâve always believed you to be a capitalist with a conscience. I wasnât wrong about you!â
Djoka felt utterly baffled. The cryptic exchange between the older and younger man was one where he understood every word but failed to grasp their meaning.
After seeing Gallieni off, Djoka suddenly understood. To avoid suspicion, the military needed to appear at odds with Charles, the arms dealer. They had to at least seem to dislike each other, thereby putting the capitalists at ease.
Djoka felt slightly dejected. Conversations between clever people seemed to leave no room for him; he felt like an unnecessary extra.
Just then, Camille came out, beaming, with a plate of apple tarts. Not seeing Gallieni, she looked a little disappointed. âDid the General leave already? He shouldâve tried my apple tart!â
âThe General is very busy, Camille,â Djoka said.
Charles shot a questioning look at Djoka, as if to ask how he planned to keep Camille from bragging about tonightâs events to the neighbors.
Djoka shruggedâthis was simple enough.
âCamille!â Djoka called out as she was about to return to the kitchen. âThereâs something I need to emphasize!â
âWhat is it?â Camille asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
âGeneral Gallieni was never here!â Djoka said. âTonightâs visitor was just a clientâhere to discuss business, and only business!â
âButâŠâ
Djoka interrupted her. âIf the capitalists find out about tonight, Charles could be in real danger. Kidnapping could become a real possibility! Thatâs also one of the reasons General Gallieni came in plain clothes to meet Charles in secret!â
Camilleâs face went pale. She glanced at Charles, then nodded heavily. âUnderstood. I wonât say a single word! Tonightâs visitor was just a client, here to buy motorcycles!â
âExactly!â Djoka nodded in satisfaction.
Charles gave Djoka a look of protest, silently accusing him of shamelessly using him as leverage.
Djoka responded helplessly. âThis is the best way, Charles. Youâre Camilleâs weak spot. Now that she knows, sheâll keep her mouth shut even in her dreams!â
Charles didnât argue. This seemed to be a common trait among most mothers.
Djoka then led Charles back to the dining table to enjoy the fruit platter. While eating, he posed a question:
âTwo issues. First, he canât protect our industrial rights. How should we deal with the capitalistsâ attempts to copy our designs?â
Out of precaution, Djoka had replaced âGallieniâ with âhe.â
âThatâs not a problem, Father,â Charles said, using his fork to sift through the fruit platter for his preferred apples. âIf I can continuously improve and upgrade the equipment, the capitalistsâ imitations will always lag behind. Whatever they produce will be obsoleteâanyone who copies us will only incur losses!â
Djoka paused mid-bite, quietly observing Charles. After a long moment, he said, âYou seem very confident in yourself.â
âOf course!â Charles replied with a half-joking smile. âIâve got at least a hundred ideas in my headâI just havenât had the time to realize them all yet!â
Djoka smiled as well, resuming his meal.
After all, Charles was still a minor. He didnât yet grasp the harsh realities of the world. Sometimes, even the best ideas werenât accepted by society or the military.
But Djoka didnât burst his bubble. He believed it was better to let Charles maintain his confidence and optimism rather than burden him with unnecessary pressure.
What Djoka didnât know was that Charles truly had a hundred ideas, all of which had been validated by both society and real-world tests. They were sure to be accepted by the military.
âThe second issue,â Djoka continued, âwhy would you choose to work with the military at a low price? Thatâs not how businessmen operate.â
At least, Francis wouldnât make such a choice.
âTrue,â Charles mumbled through bites of apple, his words slightly garbled. âOrdinary merchants wouldnât!â
âOrdinary?â Djoka was startled.
Was the familyâs so-called business prodigy, Francis, merely an âordinary merchantâ in Charlesâ eyes?
âOrdinary merchants only see money,â Charles said casually, focusing on his food. âTheir vision is clouded by wealth, which blinds them to more important things.â
âMore important things?â Djoka wondered if Charles was subtly criticizing him. He wasnât sure what those âimportant thingsâ might be.
Instead of answering directly, Charles posed a question. âFather, do you know who the most powerful capitalists in France are?â
âI know a few,â Djoka replied hesitantly, listing several well-known names in France. âWintail, Steed, Jamison, and Wells.â
Charles nodded, pointing out their roles one by one. âThe Wintail family controls Wintail Group, which monopolizes one-fifth of Franceâs steel production. Steed owns the Saint-Ătienne Arms Factory, responsible for nearly all the French armyâs small arms production. Jamison owns Schneider Arms, which manufactures artillery and warships. Wells oversees the Brest Shipyard, which has been building warships for France since the last century.â
Djoka grunted in acknowledgment, realizing Charles had done his homework.
Charles looked up at Djoka. âDo you think itâs a coincidence, Father, that the most powerful individuals control Franceâs military production?â
Without waiting for a response, Charles pressed further. âDid they gain power because they controlled arms production, or did they take control of arms production after becoming powerful? If itâs the latter, where did their power come from? Who gave it to them?â
Djoka was left speechless. He had never considered these questions before.
Table of content - Next Chapter >>>
Comments
Shaduum Augustus Duz Stormuum
Tnx brother
