I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start

Chapter 8: Rumors

As evening settled in, the rays of the setting sun filtered through the branches of the sycamores, casting faint shadows on the second floor of the 6th Army Command Headquarters, where officers and soldiers bustled about.

One of the staff officers, after hanging up the phone, walked over to General Gallieni with a puzzled expression. "General, there's a rumor circulating in the city today. It says we've abandoned Paris and that the army is in full retreat. Supposedly, all troops will withdraw from Paris by tonight!"

Gallieni paused, stunned. The troops in Paris hadn't retreated; not a single one had left. So where had this rumor come from?

Was it a German ploy? A psychological tactic to disrupt morale?

Gallieni quickly dismissed the idea. A rumor like this might unsettle the civilians but wouldn't demoralize the soldiers. At most, it would push hesitant civilians to evacuate.

If the Germans weren't behind this, then who was? And for what purpose?

As Gallieni pondered the possibilities, another officer hurried over with a new report:

"General, we've just observed that the German First Army has altered its course. They're pursuing our 5th Army around to the east side of Paris!"

"What?" Gallieni's eyes widened. "Are you certain of this intelligence?"

"Confirmed, sir," the officer replied. "Our pilots saw it clearly—the Germans have changed their marching direction."

Gallieni quickly strode over to the map, brushing aside pens, papers, and rulers. Drawing a line with his finger, he muttered, "If that's the case, then the German First Army has exposed its flank directly to Paris. They're practically marching into our trap! But why would they do that?"

Major General Maunoury, commander of the 6th Army, shared his bewilderment. After a moment's thought, he spoke cautiously, "General, could this have something to do with the rumors?"

"Rumors?" Gallieni looked up. "You mean, the rumor that we've abandoned Paris?"

Maunoury nodded. "If the Germans believed there was an army defending Paris, they wouldn't have altered their route to pursue the Fifth Army. But if…"

Gallieni picked up the thread, "…if they thought Paris was empty, encirclement would be pointless, and the best choice would be to keep pursuing the 5th Army."

"Exactly!" Maunoury replied. "This would explain it perfectly. The Germans, flushed with victory, may have been lulled into a false sense of security. They didn't bother to verify the rumor and assumed Paris was undefended."

Maunoury added, "In this light, that rumor works greatly in our favor—it has successfully lured the Germans into our encirclement…"

Gallieni's eyes gleamed. "Whoever spread this rumor, one thing's certain—we've got a stroke of good luck, Maunoury! Order the troops to prepare for battle immediately!"

"General, we'll need General Joffre's authorization for any engagement," Maunoury reminded him.

Gallieni frowned. "Then request his permission. But start preparing for battle anyway!"

Inwardly, Gallieni cursed. Since when does it take permission just to prepare?

…

Night had fallen, and Major Bronny and his soldiers were still training on the factory's large testing grounds, which spanned roughly two acres. This area was normally used for test-driving tractors and had varied terrain: paved roads, muddy tracks, bumpy fields, and even some marshy ground.

It was perfect for troop training, although the open land beyond the factory wasn't as diverse, being mostly grassland extending about a kilometer north to the Marne River.

The squad consisted of over three hundred soldiers, most of whom were under Major Bronny's command. At that time, a standard French company had around 268 soldiers, with four companies per battalion. Though Bronny was a mere major, his battalion had over a thousand men—yet only this handful had made it safely to Dawaz.

"Major!" a soldier shouted. "What's the point of advancing behind these tractors? They won't shield us from bullets, will they?"

The tractors currently in use were unmodified Holt 60 models; the "tanks" were not yet complete, and the armored tractors couldn't handle too much training without breaking down.

More importantly, Charles wasn't planning to reveal the "tanks" just yet. When the British had invented tanks, they'd called them "water tanks" as a way to conceal their purpose and create maximum shock value on the battlefield.

Charles intended to keep the project under wraps for as long as possible.

Bronny, who was the only one aware of the plan, looked over at Charles, as if to say: It's about time, right? The workers have gone home; maybe it's time to let the soldiers in on the secret.

Charles stepped forward and addressed the soldiers:

"You're right; these machines will protect you from bullets. When you head into battle, you'll be riding in tractors covered with steel plates!"

The soldiers murmured in surprise, skeptical whispers filling the air:

"Will that actually work?"

"Isn't this just a kid's toy?"

"Can it really survive on the battlefield?"

Naturally, they had doubts. It wasn't just because Charles was young; it was because tanks had never been seen before. They wondered: If this were truly effective, why hadn't anyone thought of it sooner?

Charles cracked a smile and teased, "These feisty 'ladies' are willing to take bullets for you, and you're not happy about it?"

The soldiers laughed, starting to come around.

"Better than nothing, right?"

"Exactly. Would you rather go back to charging with just a rifle?"

"I'd rather have the tractors with us!"

…

Just then, Deyoka and Camille appeared nearby, worry etched on their faces. Not seeing Charles home by nightfall, they'd come looking and were shocked to find him among a group of rough-looking soldiers.

Deyoka hurried over, pulling Charles behind him protectively, his eyes anxious as he apologized to the soldiers, "Sorry, gentlemen, we'll be leaving now. I'll take him home immediately…"

"No, Father!" Charles interrupted. "I was just coming to find you. We'll be staying here tonight—and tomorrow too. Believe me, this is the safest place to be!"

Charles then turned back to the soldiers and ordered, "Continue your training! You need to learn to work as a team!"

Major Bronny bellowed out, "You heard the young master! Get moving, you lot—the Germans won't show you any mercy!"

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded in unison, diving back into training.

Deyoka and Camille stood there, dumbfounded. Charles was giving orders to these soldiers?

And these hardened men were following him without question?

Just moments ago, they'd been worried the soldiers might harm Charles!

(End of Chapter)

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