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

Chapter 59: They Did Gallieni a Favor

It was a quiet morning, and Charles woke up naturally with no need for an alarm. Pulling back the curtains, he saw gray clouds and a light drizzle. After staring out the window for a moment, he quickly washed up, changed, and headed downstairs.

Camille was busy in the kitchen, and upon seeing Charles, she placed a big plate of apple pastries and a warm glass of milk in front of him.

"You need to finish it all!" Camille insisted, her tone allowing no arguments.

In French, the word for breakfast also means "small meal," hinting at how lightly the French approach it—often just enough to fill their stomachs or sometimes skipping it altogether. But Camille thought differently; Charles was still growing and needed a hearty breakfast.

"Where's Father?" Charles asked between bites of his crisp pastry. "Is he still asleep?"

Usually, Deyoka would be downstairs having breakfast with him before driving to work. Charles was concerned he might have to stay home all day, like the last time Deyoka had left without him.

"He went out a while ago!" Camille called from the kitchen, her eyes shining with pride. "He went to buy the newspaper—he heard there's something about you in it again!"

Charles barely reacted. Ever since inventing the tank and the sidecar motorcycle, he had become a media sensation, with various Parisian newspapers like Le Petit Journal, Le Matin, Le Petit Parisien, and Le Journal covering his story nonstop. Journalists were constantly trying to interview him at his home or the factory, sometimes even camping out in front of his door.

Charles had grown used to it. At first, he'd tried to humor them, understanding that they had to earn a living. But he soon tired of the endless interviews, feeling it was a waste of time.

But for Deyoka and Camille, it was an endless source of joy. Whenever there was an article about Charles, they would buy the paper, pore over it, analyze it, and even compare similar articles before carefully preserving each one.

Just then, Deyoka came back. Camille had seen him approaching from the window and, unable to contain herself, hurried to the door.

"Is it true? Another article on Charles? What does it say?" she asked, brimming with excitement.

Deyoka nodded, handed her the newspaper without a word, and took a seat across from Charles.

Noticing his father's worried look, Charles asked, "Did they write something bad about me?"

"No," Deyoka replied softly, shaking his head. But he didn't say anything more.

Camille spread the newspaper out and began reading it in small, hurried steps, until she let out a gasp.

"It's in Le Figaro, and it's the front-page headline!" she exclaimed, turning to Charles. "It says… it says you purposely lured the Germans to Davoz so they'd expose their flank, and that's how we defeated them!"

"Is it true, Charles? Why didn't you ever mention it to me?"

Charles immediately understood why Deyoka looked so troubled.

Catching his father's eye, Charles feigned innocence and replied, "I have no idea what they're talking about, Mama. The reporters are just making things up."

Camille blinked, then laughed.

"Those journalists," she chuckled. "They'll say anything to sell papers! Still, isn't it a good thing?"

She set the newspaper down on the table, heading back to the kitchen. "It's certainly good news—our Charles is a hero yet again!"

Once she was out of earshot, Deyoka, his face still grim, whispered, "This was Francis, wasn't it?"

Charles nodded. Only three people knew about the strategy used in Davoz—Francis, Gallieni, and Deyoka. And it certainly hadn't been Gallieni or Deyoka who'd leaked it.

Deyoka had already suspected this but hadn't wanted to believe it, as Francis was, after all, his father and Charles's grandfather.

"It's likely connected to our new tractor factory," Charles offered, trying to provide a reason that might make Deyoka feel better about it.

But Deyoka's eyes filled with anger as he whispered fiercely, stabbing his finger at the paper: "He acts like he's praising you, making you out to be a hero, but his real intent is to send you into the military so you're no longer his competition!"

Charles said nothing because he knew it was true.

"Coward!" Deyoka muttered, his voice thick with bitterness. "Instead of facing your challenge, he resorts to these lowly tricks. Doesn't he care that sending you to the frontlines could mean…"

He trailed off, unwilling to voice the thought, feeling it was inauspicious.

Charles didn't know how to ease his father's frustration, so he said, "It may not just be him, Father."

"What do you mean?" Deyoka asked, looking puzzled.

"Le Figaro," Charles hinted.

Realization dawned on Deyoka's face as he let out a quiet "oh."

Le Figaro was a newspaper targeted at the aristocracy, owned by Nicolas, who was among the traditional nobility along with Grevy and Armand, prominent leaders on the political right. They were the very people who had purchased the tank patent. If Charles's new tractor factory took off, it could threaten their tank sales and eventually render them obsolete.

Seeing all the connections, Deyoka's anger turned to fear.

"They may not be powerful in politics, but their influence runs deep," Deyoka murmured, shaken. "They have strong ties, connections in the Chamber of Deputies, not to mention ample wealth…"

At that moment, Camille reappeared, carrying plates of apple pastries for herself and Deyoka. "What are you two talking about?"

Caught off guard, Deyoka froze. If Camille knew Francis and the nobles were targeting Charles, it would terrify her.

Charles, calm as ever, answered for him. "Just some car trouble, Mama."

Camille laughed, giving Deyoka a playful look. "That's your father's treasure, Charles! No wonder he looked so distressed!"

Charles smiled but stayed silent. The whole situation had been a shock.

He had tried his best to avoid clashing with the capitalists, but now he found himself up against the aristocracy. Yet, as he thought about it, he saw the humor in it—Gallieni had just been handed a perfect opportunity.

Previously, Gallieni had hoped to make Charles a military strategist but hesitated due to Charles's position as an arms dealer. Even discussing military matters had required discretion. But now, with the aristocracy pushing this narrative, Gallieni could "reluctantly" make his case for Charles to join the army, and Laurent wouldn't have to keep humiliating himself with endless schemes.

In fact, Gallieni would likely put on an act, pretending to be entirely opposed to it, only to "reluctantly" agree.

You old fox, thought Charles, chuckling to himself. Looks like it's your time to shine onstage again.

(End of Chapter)

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