Chapter 477: Will Joffre Sleep Tonight?
Gallieni had guessed correctly.
If the only goal had been to remove Joffre from his position as Commander-in-Chief, that could have been achieved already. Charles only needed to remain silent—Parliament would soon begin voting.
Although a small number still supported Joffre, it was clear the vast majority were against him.
However—
Charles didn't want it to end there.
If Joffre were merely dismissed, things might unfold just like they had in history: under Gallieni's suggestion, Joffre could be appointed as a government military advisor, even promoted to Marshal.
And then, Joffre would come storming back to settle the score with Gallieni. Everything would happen as it had before.
Charles wanted to shatter Joffre completely. He wanted to tear off Joffre's hypocritical mask, strip away the emperor's new clothes, and expose his ugliness and incompetence to all of France—so thoroughly that he couldn't even serve as a figurehead, let alone a "military advisor" or "Marshal."
Then, Joffre would have no authority left to challenge Gallieni. He might not even get the chance to see him again.
On the podium, Canice shot a glance at Charles and let out a barely audible snort. This guy really thinks he's God!
The forces at Verdun were in retreat, and Joffre still held command authority—and the logistics too. If you can get "better results" under these circumstances, Canice thought, then we really have no face left to argue with you!
Still, Canice put on an air of magnanimity:
"No problem, Brigadier General."
"I'll report this to General Joffre right away."
"But before I do, I'd like to know—how much time will you need to achieve the 'better results' you just promised?"
Canice feared Charles might try to drag things out. After all, Charles's military genius was widely acknowledged. If given enough time, who knew what he could pull off?
Charles raised a single finger with great leisure.
"A month?" Canice felt a surge of relief and immediately agreed without thinking: "No problem, I'll inform the Commander-in-Chief at once—"
"No, General," Charles interrupted him. "Not one month—one day."
The entire chamber gasped in shock, all eyes turning to Charles in disbelief.
Just one day?
Did they hear him right?
Like the breakthrough at Antwerp?
But now, Charles would be using the forces at Verdun. How could that be possible?
Everyone thought Charles must have lost his mind.
Gallieni, however, smiled quietly. He thought: If Charles really can turn the tide in a single day, Joffre—the Commander-in-Chief who has failed time and again—will be tied to the pillar of shame forever.
After all, Joffre had sacrificed so many lives and still failed to hold the line. But if Charles could do it in one day, the stark contrast would make it crystal clear who was competent—and who wasn't.
Canice's expression shifted. This was a direct insult to Joffre and his entire staff. What does this guy think war is—a game?
Still, Canice gritted his teeth and said nothing, giving Charles a cold glare before nodding:
"As you wish, Brigadier General. But if you fail…"
"I'll give my full support to Joffre remaining as Commander-in-Chief," Charles answered. That was exactly what Joffre wanted to hear.
…
The orders came quickly. Joffre promptly appointed Charles as Commander of the Verdun sector, handing over command of the 2nd and 30th Corps stationed at Verdun.
Joffre even made a show of generosity:
"The clock starts once Charles arrives and takes command at Verdun. If he asks for a delay, or arrives a few days late, I won't object."
There was a trace of sarcasm in his words.
After the meeting, Major Jules immediately sought out Charles and warned him:
"General, please don't assume these two corps have much strength left."
"As garrison forces, they were already severely understrength—much of their artillery has been pulled away. Combined, the two corps might have 50,000 men at best."
"In recent days, they've been in large-scale retreat under heavy German assault—their morale is shattered. We may not even be able to organize 10,000 men…"
Jules spoke anxiously.
He believed Charles had overestimated himself. Charles didn't understand how bad things were in Verdun.
Around them, the deputies began speaking over each other, trying to dissuade Charles:
"You shouldn't have accepted those terms, Brigadier General."
"This is clearly a trap set by Joffre."
"We were so close to forcing him out—now everything hangs on what happens in Verdun!"
…
The deputies couldn't understand Charles's decision. In their eyes, it even looked like he was saving Joffre.
Charles ignored them and looked straight at Major Jules.
"Major, would you be willing to serve as my deputy at Verdun?"
Jules was caught off guard by the honor, and immediately stepped forward:
"Of course, General. It would be my privilege!"
"Excellent." Charles nodded and stood up to leave.
"General," Jules called out, hurrying after him. "Where are you going?"
"The airfield," Charles replied without looking back. "I need to get to Verdun as soon as possible."
"But General," Jules said in surprise, "I think it would be better to travel to Verdun tomorrow."
"Why?" Charles asked.
"The Germans launch their major offensives at night," Jules explained. "If we head out now, we may arrive unprepared and walk straight into the heart of their assault. And we only have one day…"
Charles didn't stop. He and Jules got into a waiting car parked outside Parliament.
He replied, "Then have you considered this—if we wait until tomorrow, Joffre might set up even more obstacles for us?"
Jules was left speechless. He stared blankly at Charles.
"Our biggest enemy isn't the Germans, Major," Charles said as the car pulled away. He nodded toward Canice, who was still standing at the entrance of Parliament with a smug look on his face.
"Our biggest enemy is them."
Jules understood. He nodded slowly:
"Joffre won't have time to prepare for this. He'll never expect you to head to Verdun so quickly."
"Besides, he'll go to bed right on schedule tonight—so we can pretty much ignore any interference from him for the next 24 hours!"
Charles gave a quiet "Mm." "That's right. Though I'm not sure Joffre will actually sleep tonight."
Jules laughed: "Yes—knowing you're in Verdun, he'll probably spend all night figuring out how to trip you up."
But then Jules's smile froze. He sighed and shook his head—it was bitterly ironic.
No matter how fierce the German attack or how critical the situation, Joffre always sleeps on time. But Charles going to Verdun to fix the problem? That might actually keep him up all night.
Jules cursed silently: What kind of broken system puts a man like that in charge?
But suddenly, the tension in Jules's heart eased.
He now believed—Charles really might turn the tide in one day and deliver a perfect result.
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