The faint light swayed gently in the brandy glass on the table, the dim surface of the antique furniture shimmered in the crystal glass of the chandelier, and the precious patterns woven in Persia were complex and luxurious.

disappearing on the ultimate carpet

The carpet in this room is huge, to say the least - huge. This carpet is like a mature wheat field stretching throughout the office. The soft and smooth velvet caressing the soles of the feet. Everyone who walks barefoot on it will definitely recall it.

Also impressive are the Gobelin double-sided tapestry from Paris with an idyllic shepherd boy pattern from the early 18th century, as well as exquisite handicrafts from the Louis XVI period.

Next to them there is a precious crude Turkmen gilt tapestry. The wall without the Gobelin carpet is inlaid with dip-stained oak, and all this is successfully combined with the exquisite wine in the style of Louis XVI.

Harmony

Upholstered stools, easy chairs, sofas - all upholstered in the finest red leather with gold embossing; three landscapes hung on the walls: one by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

There are two paintings by Jean-Baptiste Gabriel Langlas that are undoubtedly not imitations but treasures worthy of museum collections.

But now these three landscape paintings by the most famous painters in France in the 19th century are hanging in this room. This is obviously not a museum, maybe a room of a rich man. In fact, this Villa Poiret is a French museum.

The residence of Commander-in-Chief Marshal Joffre, the de facto supreme commander of the French army.

At this time, the owner of this luxurious house struggled to hold down the cigar that was about to be smoked. When the cigar on his fingertips was about to burn out, he stood up and put out the cigar on the ashtray. Just as he was about to drink a glass of brandy in the room.

door knocks

Your Excellency, General Castelno asks for an audience.

The voice coming from outside the door said. When he heard that his deputy commander and chief of staff were coming, Xiafei was stunned for a moment and then asked.

What's the matter

he wants to see you

let him in

Joffre replied with authority and calmness. He already knew some of the reasons for the deputy commander's visit. The reason was very simple - it was about General Gallini's accusation against him, but he was not worried about it.

Although he can keep his composure, it is difficult for Castelno and others to keep their composure. When Castelno walked into the lounge of Jiafei, he was wearing a straight high-grade woolen military uniform. This may be the law.

The problem with military officers is that no matter where they are, they always dress in straight clothes. There is a clear difference between senior officers and soldiers.

It is precisely because of this that it is difficult for the French to understand that the generals and officers of the Chinese Expeditionary Force will put on military uniforms that are indistinguishable from those of ordinary soldiers as soon as they arrive on the battlefield. They obviously cannot understand this kind of behavior that does not care about the officers' face. However,

No one can deny that at least this has one advantage - it is difficult for German snipers to distinguish between officers and soldiers, not to mention that it is taken for granted that officers take the lead in the traditional concept of the squadron. Can Europeans understand that it is them?

Every country always has its own habits, just like Castelno's extremely gorgeous military uniform at this time. In their opinion, only this gorgeous military uniform can match his status.

Hello, Your Excellency

Unlike in the outside world, Castelno was not as respectful as in the outside world. Instead, he greeted the owner of this villa quite casually.

Hello

Xiafei muttered without even turning his head.

How was it on the road?

Well enough……

Standing next to the carpet, Castelno said casually. This seemingly endless conversation actually revealed another message. Castelno had just returned from Paris.

Hello, old friend, why are you standing here? Sorry to disturb me. Of course not. I welcome my old friends here at any time... Please come...

Xiafei said enthusiastically

After receiving the invitation, Castelno walked step by step towards the sofa where Joffre was sitting. Every step he took, his feet sank into the carpet. In his opinion, the carpet was thick enough to sink his feet up to his ankle bones.

It is undeniable that Joffre is indeed a very enjoyable person, just like this carpet worth more than 500,000 francs. This carpet is said to be a gift given to him by the British commander. It seems to have come from the royal palace in Persia and was once in the bedroom of the Persian king.

Items After the Anglo-Russian forces occupied Dryland, this carpet, together with many treasures in the palace, became the personal belongings of senior officers of the British and Russian armies. As the commander-in-chief of the British army, General Haig naturally obtained some from his subordinates or friends.

A rug was given to Joffre to bridge the gap between the two generals, although privately the two were constantly attacking each other, believing each other to be too British or too French.

Hello again Your Excellency

It can be said that some hypocritical politeness was going on between the two senior generals. At this time, Jiafei stood up and shook hands with Castelno. After shaking hands, Jiafei felt that Castelno's hand was different today.

His hands were different from those limp, cold, and sweaty days before. Instead, they were full of heat. Obviously, he had brought good news, and he had already guessed the result.

Please take a seat my friend...

Joffre, who got some information from Castelno, said a little arrogantly. He pointed nonchalantly at a single sofa in front of him and then said

How about it, my friend, there must be something wrong with you coming here so late.

Although he had already guessed the result, Xiafei still asked Castelno knowingly.

From the initial stage of the Battle of Verdun, Xiafei knew that his personal status was constantly declining. From the negligence in preparing the fortifications of the Verdun position and dismantling the weapons facilities of the bunker group, the commander-in-chief and his staff headquarters were not aware of such a major event.

The obvious lack of information on the subject, the fact that the parliamentary committee issued the warning, the obstinacy and disgust with which it was accepted, all this became common knowledge to the Parisian government and the various opposition parties and served as an excuse for their ouster.

However, he knew that although Prime Minister Briand did not like to see him, the most important thing for Briand at this time was to avoid the crisis of the Supreme Command and the crisis of politics and cabinet during the Battle of Verdun.

So Brian will definitely intervene in the end.

Your Excellency...I think Paris has now realized the importance of your Excellency.

Castelno didn't want to stop at his opening remarks, so he immediately got to the point.

When I came from Paris, I got the news that Gallini suddenly announced his resignation due to health reasons.

When Castelno mentioned the resignation of the Army Minister, he looked towards Jiafei as if to see clearly his reaction after hearing the news, but Jiafei's face was still calm.

Casterno seemed to think of Gallini's resignation due to illness, but he smiled in his heart. Perhaps Gallini's health caused him to undergo major surgery early, so he had to think of it as his will and what he could do for France.

The final unfinished business was handed over to his colleagues, but his suggestion to dismiss Joffre was still rejected by Briand and the cabinet, so he immediately resigned angrily. His resignation was kept secret for several days. Later, it was explained that his resignation was due to health.

Reason: Secretary of the Army was temporarily replaced by the Secretary of the Navy

Oh, it looks like we need a new Secretary of the Army.

Nodding, Xiafei didn't even bother to talk about Gallini, who was extremely prejudiced against him. When he mentioned his resignation, not only did he not have a trace of regret, he even thought it was a normal and natural thing.

Prime Minister Briand would like me to tell you that you may have a candidate for Secretary of War.

The news brought by Casterno made Xiafei slightly stunned. Then he immediately understood that this was a concession made by Briand in order to avoid the crisis of the Supreme Command and the crisis of politics and cabinet. After understanding this, he

The corners of his lips raised slightly as if he was a little proud...

I think...

After pondering for a moment and seeming to think for a while, Xiafei said

General Roark may be a very suitable successor to the Secretary of War. Of course, this is just my personal opinion.

The commander-in-chief's suggestion only made Castelno slightly shocked. He looked at Jia Fei and seemed a little unsure. In any case, he never expected that Jia Fei would recommend General Roque, who was lifeless in his eyes but

This man is a smooth and sophisticated person. He is a close friend of Joffre. Obviously, at this time, for Joffre, he is more concerned with eliminating the constraints of the Ministry of War on the Supreme Headquarters than the needs of France.

After thinking about this, for some reason, despite being a close friend of Joffre, Castelno still felt a sense of sadness for General Gallini's experience. He quit politics for the sake of France, but what was waiting for him?

Maybe it's just an operation in the hospital, but if the operation is successful, there is hope for a quick return to activities and health... Casterno sighed secretly in his heart and glanced at Joffre, who was unwilling to talk about this issue anymore.

Then changed the topic

General, now people all over Paris are talking about the Chinese Expeditionary Force

For some reason, when Castelno was unwilling to talk about the selection of Secretary of the Army, he brought up the Chinese Expeditionary Force, a word that could be described as "rather embarrassing" for Xiafei.

Well, that's true. Now they seem to be the saviors of France.

Xiafei's expression changed slightly when he mentioned the Chinese Expeditionary Force. The army, which in his opinion should not have much combat effectiveness, only invested one division and took several hours to complete. France needed to invest several divisions and took several hours.

A fortress that was just conquered, even though it was thought to have been destroyed

Therefore, the victory of the French Expeditionary Force in Britain in China became a miracle. During the war, people were equally willing to talk about these miracles and were also willing to accept them. Out of political needs, first the politicians in Paris and then the imperial literati began to use

They used all their words to praise that army, praise the sacrificial spirit of the Eastern army, and praise their achievements. It seemed that overnight the Chinese Expeditionary Force became the hope for ending the war. Of course, Xiafei always scorned those propaganda.

It seems that these are just political performances. To end the war, France still needs to rely on its own strength.

What can I do, my friend?

Xiafei was silent for a while, sighed, and then unexpectedly had a philosophical conversation.

Life is a girl who sells her soul. Today she provides you with the loopholes that lead to all roads, and tomorrow she throws away...

It's not a big deal. Sooner or later they will find out what they did today.

He deliberately paused and then Xiafei said with a smile.

How stupid. Of course not everyone realizes this now. Well, what other news do you have?

Um……

After a moment of silence, Castelnot finally realized the complacency and arrogance of the Paris savior. Until now, he is still unwilling to admit that the Chinese Army is a well-trained modern force that is no less inferior to the British and French armies.

army

Now in Paris... many people are very eager to put the Chinese Expeditionary Force into the battlefield of Verdun. What they want is the Chinese Expeditionary Force as a whole. In their view, if that happens, the battle will be over soon.

Then let them imagine

Approaching the wine room, Xiafei said casually. He stood in front of the wine room for a few minutes, thinking about what to entertain the guests. Finally, his eyes stopped on an open bottle of grapes.

They don't know. For me, what I have to consider is the development of the entire war situation. Now that nearly 200,000 Chinese ** teams have been invested there, who can guarantee that the Chinese ** teams will definitely win?
To be continued...