Chapter 493: Cooperation with Pétain
Soon, the news of Charles's active support for Verdun spread throughout France, making headlines in newspapers nationwide—particularly in the influential Le Petit Journal:
"It's remarkable! Verdun is no longer Charles's area of command, yet he continues to tirelessly provide support and innovative solutions."
"Even if the battle ultimately ends in victory, the credit will largely go to General Pétain. Doesn't Charles realize this?"
"No, Charles knows exactly what he's doing."
"Charles cares nothing for fame or personal gain. What he values above all is the security of the nation and the lives of his soldiers."
"Seen in this light, Charles's seemingly selfless actions make perfect sense—demonstrating his genuinely noble character..."
People across France cheered loudly, inspired by Charles's altruism. Conversations filled cafés and streets everywhere:
"He isn't just a military genius; he's a truly honorable soul!"
"Perhaps it's because he's only eighteen, too young to have been corrupted by politics or wealth—unlike other politicians or capitalists."
"France needs a general like him, someone who can transcend petty interests and unite us all against a common enemy!"
Although the Journal des Mérites—directly influenced by Charles—initially maintained a restrained tone, it soon began highlighting the remarkable impact of Charles's newest inventions, especially his landmines deployed at Verdun:
"The most common is a simple anti-personnel mine—cheap, easy to manufacture in large quantities, ideal when combined with the reverse-slope fortifications, making enemy advances extremely costly."
"Next is an anti-tank mine. Strategically placed along critical routes, these have already disabled several German tanks."
"Most terrifying is the 'jumping mine'—a device that propels itself one meter into the air before exploding, spraying deadly steel fragments across a wide area, terrorizing enemy infantry."
Though Charles's name never explicitly appeared in these reports, everyone knew precisely who had invented these revolutionary devices—especially the jumping mine, something unprecedented in military history. French citizens marveled openly:
"How does this mine leap into the air?"
"And how does it explode precisely at one meter height?"
"Amazing! Charles's inventions keep surprising us. He's unbeatable!"
Everything unfolded exactly as Charles had anticipated.
In wartime, people naturally gravitate towards generals who bring victories, as they offer security, pride, and the crucial hope of survival.
Yet Charles understood that he needed to meet personally with General Pétain. Otherwise, at sixty years old, Pétain might be driven mad by such public pressure or even become his bitter enemy.
Charles had guessed correctly.
That afternoon, when Charles arrived at Fort Saint-Michel to meet Pétain, he received a rather chilly reception.
"Ah, isn't this 'Mars of France' himself?" Pétain greeted sarcastically, staring directly at Charles. "Are you here to teach me how to fight battles properly? Please, I'm all ears!"
"No, General," Charles replied calmly. "I'm here to propose a partnership."
"A partnership?" Pétain scoffed. "Aren't we already 'partners'? Look around—I'm using your tactics, your inventions. What more could you possibly want?"
Inside, Pétain fumed. Charles had turned him into a puppet commander, yet he was powerless to refuse, forced into dependence by Charles's brilliant innovations.
And now Charles dared to speak of "partnership"?
Yet privately, Pétain deeply respected Charles's strategic mind. His frustration stemmed from the fact that Charles's methods consistently offered the optimal solution—any deviation risked needless deaths or outright defeat. Rejecting Charles's mines or tactics was simply impossible.
Charles ignored Pétain's harshness. He recognized it as frustration, understandable given their age gap and differing military philosophies. Pétain needed only to vent and find a graceful way forward.
"I realize our philosophies differ, General," Charles began earnestly. "But that shouldn't stop cooperation. After all, we share a common enemy."
Pétain raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Common enemy? You mean the Germans? Don't insult me—you hardly need my help to defeat them."
Pétain meant every word. Watching Charles's tactics and new equipment utterly dismantle German attacks, he often felt outdated, even useless. Charles was redefining warfare, and Pétain worried he had fallen irreparably behind.
Charles sighed inwardly. In truth, he felt a measure of guilt toward Pétain. Pétain's defensive strategies were perfect for trench warfare in this era, but Charles's relentless innovations had swiftly surpassed them, inadvertently making Pétain appear obsolete.
"No, General," Charles corrected firmly. "Our common enemy isn't Germany."
Pétain eyed him warily, then said nothing. Charles clearly expected him to ask, but stubbornly, he refused. To mask his curiosity, Pétain pretended to busy himself with paperwork. "If it's not about the Germans, there's nothing to discuss, General Charles. I'm very busy."
Ignoring this obvious tactic, Charles pressed on:
"You probably haven't heard who's being promoted to Supreme Commander, have you?"
Pétain hesitated briefly, then Charles delivered bluntly: "General Nivelle."
Shocked, Pétain looked up sharply. "Impossible. He's just a corps commander—a mere Major General without any notable achievements!"
"I know," Charles confirmed quietly. "He was your subordinate once. While you fight at Verdun, he's been politically maneuvering behind the lines, positioning himself as France's next Supreme Commander."
Pétain fell silent, closing his documents slowly. A deep sigh escaped him.
It wasn't personal resentment at Nivelle rising past him; military politics frequently worked this way. Yet Pétain knew Nivelle intimately—he was utterly unsuitable for command, even worse than Joffre.
Charles voiced precisely what Pétain feared most:
"Joffre was merely incompetent, always delegating responsibility. Nivelle, on the other hand, is ignorant and dangerously arrogant. A commander like him leading France will spell disaster. Am I wrong?"
Pétain's gaze narrowed thoughtfully. Charles's assessment matched his precisely. "You seem to know Nivelle quite well."
Charles deflected cautiously, "I have my sources."
In reality, Charles's knowledge came from history—Nivelle's notorious historical defeats were painfully infamous, always promising quick victories and failing disastrously in protracted battles.
(End of Chapter 493)
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