Chapter 257: Professional Price Gouging
The British sent General Winter to negotiate with Charles, perhaps believing that, as old acquaintances, General Winter would be able to bargain more easily.
Charles guessed that Britain at this time didn't quite understand the concept of "price gouging familiar faces."
Confident, General Winter went straight to Charles's office.
He thought that inviting Charles to a formal negotiation at a hotel would be a waste of time and wouldn't reflect their close relationship.
Gallieni warmly welcomed General Winter, going so far as to clear a meeting room in headquarters just for their discussions. He arranged for fruit and coffee and even had guards posted at the door to ensure no interruptions.
This particular room was rarely used. Gallieni wasn't one for formality, usually giving his orders in the operations room in a few brief words.
The room, around 30 square meters, had a large rectangular table in the center, surrounded by chairs arranged as neatly as soldiers at attention. A small French tricolor flag stood proudly at an angle in the middle of the table.
"There's something I should tell you," General Winter began as he took his seat across from Charles, looking slightly embarrassed. "Though I did my best to advocate for it, the First Lord of the Admiralty insists that warships alone can force the Ottoman Empire to surrender."
General Winter added with a sigh, "Unfortunately, I couldn't persuade him."
Charles had expected as much. The Admiralty's stubbornness was well-known, and the First Lord would go to any lengths to achieve his goals. It would have been surprising if General Winter had succeeded.
"Perhaps you shouldn't have tried to persuade him," Charles replied.
"Why not?" General Winter looked at Charles, puzzled.
From Charles's previous advice, it seemed the plan was always to launch a well-prepared landing operation against the Ottoman Empire. Why now suggest against persuading the Admiralty?
Wouldn't a failed naval operation just alert the Germans and Ottomans, giving them time to prepare?
Charles took a leisurely bite of an apple, calmly explaining, "We could treat it as part of the plan. You could let it slip that Britain never truly believed the navy alone could bring down the Ottoman Empire, that such an idea is utterly absurd."
General Winter paused, struggling to understand. If it was "utterly absurd," why go through with it?
But then he understood: "The Germans and the Ottomans would see it as part of a deception. They'd assume the Admiralty's 'absurd actions' were merely a distraction, and they'd keep their focus on the 'real' landing to the north!"
Charles nodded slightly in agreement.
Turning reality into illusion and illusion into reality—truth mingling with deception, even when done in plain sight, could easily confuse the enemy's perception of their true intentions.
For Charles, it was a simple trick, but to General Winter, it was an ingenious plan.
Over the past weeks, General Winter had tried everything, arguing, lobbying, and even nearly pounding his fist on the table to convince the Admiralty to take advantage of the opportunity Charles had created.
But the Admiralty had been impervious, insisting on a naval-only assault, which they saw as "sufficient" and not worth the "waste" of manpower on a landing operation.
In the Admiralty's eyes, deploying a few dozen warships was a sign of respect for the Ottoman Empire—no need for a plan to fail.
Yet with just a few of Charles's words, the Admiralty's obstinance was now repurposed as "part of the plan."
All General Winter had to do was stir up some activity in the north—such as gathering troops and ships or staging a strategic mine-clearing operation. Then the Germans and Ottomans would interpret the Admiralty's southern assault as a feint.
"You're truly remarkable, Colonel!" General Winter's eyes gleamed with admiration, tinged with envy. "You're a born strategist; it seems everything falls perfectly into place for you!"
Charles responded modestly, "You flatter me, General."
Though inwardly, he thought, This plan certainly includes you too, General.
Then it was General Winter's turn to be drawn into Charles's plan.
General Winter, who seemed to have caught a chill on the train ride over, held a steaming cup of coffee for warmth and inched his chair closer to the fireplace as he got to the main topic.
"You know why I'm here, Colonel," he said. "I represent the British military to discuss licensing the production of your bombers. We've already spoken with your government and secured their approval."
"I believe we deserve a better price than the Russians, given that we don't have any transportation difficulties."
Charles smiled faintly and countered, "Why do you assume I'd license the bombers to Britain?"
General Winter was taken aback. "Why wouldn't you?"
Charles answered plainly, "It's simple. I can safely sell bombers to Russia because they can't drop bombs on us. Britain, however, is another story."
An unexpected glint appeared in General Winter's eyes before he chuckled. "You have a unique sense of humor, Colonel. You seem to forget we're allies fighting a common enemy!"
Charles didn't reply, quietly eating his apple.
He'd chosen to avoid coffee lately, noticing that he'd been drinking so much that his sleep had grown restless.
Finally, General Winter abandoned the attempt to persuade him, realizing that no amount of eloquence or convincing performance would sway Charles.
"Alright!" he conceded with a hint of resignation. "What are your terms, Colonel? What would it take for you to sell us the bombers?"
Charles held firm. "If Britain were the ones with these bombers, would you sell them to France? You could very well use them to bomb Paris, General!"
General Winter fell silent.
Britain, in fact, shared this concern; they didn't want France to be able to bomb London at will while Britain lacked the means to respond in kind.
Though France was an ally, this imbalance would still place significant psychological pressure on Britain, diminishing their standing on the global stage.
(Note: At the time, Britain was the world's leading power, and it could not tolerate challenges to its supremacy—anything that might jeopardize its position as the top global power.)
"So, I'm afraid not." Charles spread his hands. "In the interest of France, I can't do it. I wouldn't even consider selling this bomber to Britain. The fools in the government just don't see it, but don't worry—I'll convince them."
This statement subtly conveyed two messages to General Winter:
Charles's decision was for France's benefit, not for his own as a businessman.Charles had not yet swayed the "fools" in the government. By the time he did, it might be too late.
So, what was General Winter waiting for?
Time to offer a high price, old friend.
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