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

Chapter 79: The Important Lieutenant

"Are you not aware of Charles?" General Winter asked, eyeing General Geiss with a hint of surprise.

Winter quickly reasoned that after the Germans broke through Belgium, communication lines had been cut, leaving Geiss and his forces within the German encirclement. With only telegraphs to communicate, it was not entirely surprising that Geiss hadn't heard of Charles.

"But surely you've heard of tanks," Winter pressed. "Even German prisoners talk about them."

Geiss nodded, though still skeptical. "Yes, I've heard... But are they real?"

He'd always thought they were mere rumors, possibly misinformation spread by German prisoners to serve some hidden purpose.

"Of course, they're real," Winter replied. "And Charles is the man who invented them."

"Oh," Geiss murmured, still somewhat doubtful.

Winter chuckled. "Without tanks, Paris might already be under German control. Now, France is chasing the Germans! I heard that one of the Germans' recent failures was due to a trap Charles set. If that's true, he's truly extraordinary."

Geiss was starting to believe it. After all, Winter had been outside the German encirclement, and his information was far more reliable. The details Winter shared made sense.

But as Winter glanced back at the letter in his hand, his face filled with confusion. "Still… what does this have to do with us? Why would they ask me to hand over Charles?"

At that moment, another aide brought in a second letter, once again from Beseler.

If not for the confirmation of Beseler's handwriting, Geiss might have dismissed it as a prank. Who would send two letters in such a short time? On a battlefield, delivering letters to the enemy's command wasn't exactly simple; men could die just to carry them across the lines. Why didn't he just include everything in the first message?

As Geiss opened the letter, he could only assume Beseler must be desperate to send them so hastily—he wouldn't make such a mistake otherwise.

Geiss began reading the letter aloud:

"Please consider the toll on your people, Victor. Don't let the Belgian people suffer through more meaningless, reckless destruction. I'm not asking for your surrender. We will even recognize Belgian neutrality. We're only asking for one thing: hand over Charles."

Geiss's voice faltered as he reached the end of the letter. He was shocked.

Since Belgium's refusal to allow German forces to pass through, Germany had denied Belgian neutrality altogether. This had been their pretext for invading—claiming Belgium was aligned with the enemy. And yet here was Beseler, now willing to acknowledge Belgium's neutrality if they surrendered Charles.

"Could Charles really be this important?" Geiss wondered aloud. "Important enough for a German general to abandon his principles?"

Winter nodded gravely. "More important than you might think, General. I can't explain it precisely—I only know rumors. Those who truly understand his significance must be in France and Germany."

He added, "The Germans suffered losses to Charles before. And now…"

Geiss understood. The fact that the Germans were so intent on capturing Charles was evidence enough of his importance.

Just then, a communications officer rushed in. "General, the Germans have launched an attack—near the Scheldt River!"

Geiss's face grew somber. He examined the map and located the Scheldt River. "That's on the western side of the fortress. If the Germans take it, they'll cut off our only route of retreat!"

He straightened, his brow furrowed. "They've never done this before. Up until now, they've been trying to force us to abandon Antwerp."

This was an unusual strategy for the Germans. They had previously employed a "three-sided siege," leaving one path open to encourage a retreat. Sealing off all escape routes could corner their enemy into a desperate last stand.

So why were the Germans ignoring this principle now, when they were close to victory? Why launch an attack at night, which would diminish the advantage of their artillery?

Winter supplied the answer: "It's because of Charles. They don't want him to escape."

Geiss could only shake his head. "They're giving up strategic advantages… all for one man? Has Beseler gone mad?"

Another communications officer entered, this time with another report: "General, we've just received word from the Dutch. Under German pressure, they're halting the acceptance of refugees."

Geiss looked stunned.

Since the start of the war, neutral Holland had been taking in Belgian refugees. Even Germany hadn't objected to this—until now.

Winter didn't need to explain; Geiss knew immediately, "Again, it's because of Charles."

Winter nodded in agreement. If the Dutch border remained open, what was to prevent Charles from blending in with the refugees and escaping to Holland?

Geiss couldn't sit still any longer. He began pacing, clearly agitated. This situation was beyond the military; it endangered innocent civilians who now had no escape.

"But where is Charles?" Geiss's patience wore thin. "How can they expect me to hand him over when I haven't even seen him?"

Just then, another aide entered.

Before he could speak, Geiss demanded, "Another message demanding Charles?"

The aide looked momentarily stunned, then answered, "No, General. This is a telegram from General Gallieni of France. He says he made a grave error, sending an exceptionally important lieutenant to Antwerp by mistake. He urgently requests that we send him back to Paris by plane. He promises full support and aid, even reinforcements if needed."

Geiss gave a bitter smile. "Everyone wants this man. Charles is important, and now it turns out this junior lieutenant is important too. Is there anyone who isn't important?"

As he muttered, his voice trailed off, and suddenly something dawned on him. Winter, too, seemed to have realized the truth. They exchanged glances, each seeing the same astonishment in the other's eyes.

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