Chapter 436: Revised: Chapter 436 A Very Clever Intention
Major Fernan walked into the club, sat at the bar, and nodded to Lucia: "The usual, absinthe."
"Okay, Major."
Lucia skillfully poured 30 milliliters of absinthe into the glass, placed a perforated special flat spoon across the mouth of the glass, and carefully placed a sugar cube on it, to help dilute the bitterness of the drink.
Then, Lucia slowly poured in ice water, stopping right at 90 milliliters.
"Your drink, Major." Lucia pushed the glass to Major Fernan.
Major Fernan’s eyes were fixed on the glass. He eagerly took a sip once he had it, then let out a satisfying breath, as if laying down a heavy burden.
"Busy lately?" Lucia maintained a polite smile. "You seem exhausted."
Chatting with guests was a good habit, not only bringing more business to the club but also serving as Lucia’s main channel for gathering intelligence.
"Busy?" Major Fernan replied. "No, not at all. Charles took care of everything. But do you know what’s even more painful? General Gallieni is trying to find another Charles among us!"
Garell, nearby, couldn’t help but laugh. "Then he’s bound to be disappointed. There’s only one Charles in the whole world."
Saying this, Garell enviously glanced at Lucia.
"Of course." Major Fernan answered with frustration. "We’re almost driven mad by it. I’d rather Charles had never worked at the City Defense Headquarters."
He took another sip of his drink and, fueled by the alcohol, complained, "We’re suffering here while Charles is out enjoying life..."
Lucia was taken aback. "Enjoying life?"
"Sorry." Major Fernan replied. "I mean fighting wars. To him, that seems like ’enjoying life.’ After all, he’s really good at it."
Everyone around burst into laughter.
"Not long ago," Major Fernan continued, "Charles even threatened the Germans. He dropped leaflets to the Germans: If you dare harm the Belgians, I will send each one of you to the guillotine! My God, that’s what I dream of doing!"
Lucia, who was mixing a cocktail, was stunned, her movements slowing involuntarily. "What did you say? Charles threatened the Germans?"
"Yes." Major Fernan nodded. "And it seems to have worked. The Germans seemed to calm down a bit. After all, they don’t want to lose their lives either."
"Is this, is this true?" Lucia was half-doubting, questioning if it was just drunken talk.
"Of course." Major Fernan answered, then looked at Lucia with some confusion. "It’s no big deal. I don’t need to lie!"
Suddenly, Lucia was overcome with joy, setting down the shaker and hugging Garell as she cried out in excitement.
She was wrong. Charles could save not only Belgium but also her family!
Major Fernan, on the other hand, was utterly confused. Did he say something wrong?
...
Antwerp, Charles’ command post.
At this moment, Charles finally had time to tour the fortress he was in.
The fortresses in Antwerp came in two sizes. One was pentagonal, and the other triangular, with the former having larger space and more artillery.
The fortress where Charles was stationed was the pentagonal kind, featuring two 150MM cannons, four 120MM cannons, two 200MM mortars, and four 77MM rapid-fire guns.
(Note: The triangular fortresses had two fewer 120MM cannons and possibly one less mortar, depending on space constraints.)
To Charles’ surprise, all the artillery, except for the 77MM rapid-fire guns, had dedicated lifts that could lower the gun turrets underground to avoid attacks when necessary.
This was a brilliant idea, making it impossible for the enemy to hit them. Once the enemy infantry attacked, they could be raised back up and bombard the invaders.
But the Germans’ "Big Bertha" didn’t target these turrets; it aimed to smash the entire fortress.
Charles, feeling spirited, ordered his subordinates to try activating a lift to lower one of the 150MM cannons underground.
It was not a pleasant experience. The engine roared, the sound trapped inside the fortress, making it hum like a giant bell, with Charles and the others inside it.
The air quickly filled with the smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes, becoming so thick that you could see small particles floating in the light, clearly man-made smog.
Charles hurriedly ordered them to stop, silently cursing this inhumane design.
But on reflection, it seemed reasonable. This was the First World War. Ensuring safety was most important. Considering comfort would mean additional cost and time, which a small country like Belgium couldn’t afford.
Just then, Albert I walked in, covering his nose.
Charles suggested, "We should go outside, Your Majesty. You might not be able to stand the smell."
"No, it’s fine." Albert I replied. "I can experience the hardships of the soldiers firsthand."
Saying this, he lowered his hand, trying to breathe normally, but he quickly started coughing from the choking air.
In the end, they all decided to step outside the fortress to "catch their breath," with smoke billowing out of the open iron door behind them, making it seem like the place was on fire.
"I’m alive again," Tijani repeatedly took deep breaths, sighing. "Give me a tent, I’ll sleep outside tonight."
"What about your guards?" Charles retorted. "Will they accompany you as well? I’m not concerned for your safety, but I believe they wouldn’t want to risk their lives with you."
Tijani rolled his eyes, realizing Charles cared more about the safety of the guards.
"It wasn’t always like this." Albert I said awkwardly. "Each engine had its own ventilation, but after years of neglect, it seems the ventilation system has failed."
Charles acknowledged this with a nod. The Germans had no interest in maintaining it after occupying it, so it hadn’t been touched in nearly a year. The fact that it still worked now was a miracle.
After catching their breath, Albert I asked, "General, there’s something I’ve been considering. Would you be interested?"
"What?"
"Here’s the thing," Albert I said, "There’s a piece of land for sale north of Antwerp. It’s very cheap, only three million francs, less than half the market price per unit. I’m thinking, why not buy it and build a factory there? Antwerp has a port and is just across the Channel from Britain. It’s perfect for your business."
Tijani exclaimed, "Wow, Your Majesty, you’ve already started thinking about post-war reconstruction."
"Of course." Albert I nodded with a smile. "Everyone knows Charles is not only a great commander but also an excellent businessman!"
Charles smiled.
He believed Albert I was trying to attract his investment at such a low price not just as a gesture of gratitude, but for another clever reason.
A very smart reason!