I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 1021 1021: Use the German Fleet to Wear Down the British Royal Navy?

Pondisai Castle, Belgium, Char's command post remains steadfastly stationed here.

Char is well aware that battles in other directions have basically taken shape and pose no risks.

The much-anticipated Mediterranean campaign is indeed significant, potentially marking a historical turning point, but the carriers and carrier-based aircraft have created a generational gap with the British.

In this situation, it's unlikely for anything unexpected to occur, and certainly doesn't require Char's command.

Char doesn't advocate for weapon supremacy, nor does he talk about spiritual supremacy, or say things like "the most important person in war."

He believes that war has always been a "man + equipment" confrontation.

Having people without equipment is not enough, just like having equipment without people is also insufficient, both are indispensable.

The current issue with the Royal Navy is that its "people" are comparable to those of France, and its naval soldiers have more combat experience, but the gap in equipment with France is enormous.

As a result, they've ended up being chased and hammered by France, to the point where the role of "people" can hardly be played out.

General Winter, General Avis, and the officers and men of the British Navy... Char believes many among them are willing to fight to the last moment and die for their country.

But regrettably, they don't have that opportunity.

They haven't even seen their opponents, merely serving as targets for bombers, and continuing results in nothing but sinking into the sea without value or glory.

This is precisely the main reason they ultimately chose to surrender.

Now.

Char thinks the important thing has always been the relationship between France and Germany, and that's why he's stationed at Pondisai Castle.

Feeling bored, Char casually picked up a few letters piled beside his desk.

Char has always received mail, mostly from his fans, some of whom are fanatically writing letters weekly to seek advice or discuss new tactics with Char.

Char generally doesn't pay attention to these.

After the victory in the Mediterranean campaign, the number of letters surged several times, with up to thousands being received in a day, from all over the world.

This kept the staff dedicated to handling these letters extremely busy.

One of the letters in hand is from Africa, written by what seems to be a child, expressing gratitude to Char in immature language and clumsy French:

"It is you who brought us hope, General."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't have seen freedom, nor would there be a day of independence."

"When I grow up, I hope to become someone like you."

"I may not reach your heights, but I will certainly uphold your French spirit and contribute to human peace."

He opened another, a letter from a Greek university student:

"I hadn't found a purpose in life before this, General, I felt everything I did was meaningless."

"Born, grown, studied, earning money to survive, and eventually dying."

"This is what a human life is like, repeating the paths others have taken."

"But now I know what to do. You have shown me the way, opened a window to this filthy and ugly world, bringing it happiness and beauty!"

...

Char couldn't bear to read on.

He is clear about what he is doing and knows that the so-called "French spirit" is just an excuse, as he doesn't hold such lofty beliefs.

Therefore, every praise increases Char's psychological burden, with each word in the letters carrying stinging irony.

"Move these elsewhere for processing," Char instructed his staff, "they should not be here disrupting command."

"Yes, General." The staff responded, hurriedly taking guards to move boxes and boxes of letters out of Char's sight.

"General." At this moment, a staff member delivered a telegram: "The British sank three merchant ships in the Suez Canal, blocking the route."

"Oh." Char pondered for a moment, recollecting the map in his mind, understanding what the British intended to do.

"Let Eitzberger come over," Char ordered.

"Yes, General."

...

Soon, Eitzberger appeared in Char's office.

As Chairman of the Armistice Committee, Eitzberger mostly stayed in Liege as a bridge for communication between Germany and France.

To ensure this "line" remained open, Germany specifically equipped Eitzberger with an "Armistice Command" in Liege.

Additionally, they secured two private jets, intended for him to report back to Berlin in the shortest time possible during emergencies.

"Vice Admiral." Eitzberger took off his hat, bowing to Char with a smile:

"It's an honor to hear about your forces defeating the British Royal Navy in the Mediterranean."

"Unbelievable, the warships captured from the Mediterranean Fleet by you can even form a fleet."

"Of course, I believe you don't need to do this."

If Char has carriers capable of rendering all battleships into targets, then Char certainly doesn't need battleships.

At least that's how Eitzberger thinks.

However, this idea is wrong.

Destroyers can be converted into escorts for carriers, battleships can still exert their residual heat in combat with the British Royal Fleet, or be used for land bombardments during landing operations.

After all, these are ready-made, and it wouldn't make sense not to "recycle" them.

Char didn't bother explaining, picking up a telegram from the table, handing it to Eitzberger: "What do you think about this?"

Eitzberger took the telegram, discovering that the British actually sank ships to block the Suez Canal route?

Isn't that an important channel for its connection with the colonies?

The next second he understood, his expression shifting from confusion to mockery: "They're scared, Vice Admiral, they want to trap the French Fleet in the Mediterranean."

Char acknowledged: "And then?"

"Then..." Eitzberger pondered briefly: "Then they will try to blockade the Gibraltar Strait with their fleet."

Only blocking the Suez Canal without blockading the Gibraltar Strait is meaningless.

Char inquired again: "And then?"

Eitzberger considered for a while, then shook his head blankly; as someone without a military background, he could think of no further.

Char motioned Eitzberger forward, pointing to the Brest Shipyard on the map, saying:

"Then the British will attack here."

"This is another important French port besides Toulon Port."

"If the Royal Navy wins, the French Fleet will forever be trapped in the Mediterranean."

Eitzberger suddenly understood: "So the British can continue to be their own overlord?"

Char nodded: "So, our crisis isn't over yet."

When saying "our," Char deliberately stressed it.

"Of course, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger cottoned on: "You, how do you wish us to proceed?"

"Is your fleet ready?" Char cut to the chase: "It's time for them to perform."

"Yes, yes, it's ready, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger's face turned somewhat pale.

Could Char really be hoping to use the German Fleet to exhaust the British Royal Fleet?

If that were the case, it would be an impending disaster for the German Navy!