The command center of the 6th Army Group in Paris was abuzz with the incessant ringing of telephones, files, and intelligence reports flying like snowflakes to Vice Admiral Gallieni's desk amid the hustle and bustle.
Vice Admiral Gallieni was the most capable general in France. He had once competed with Xia Fei for the position of Supreme Commander of France, and it was said he lost to Xia Fei because of his age.
This claim was not credible because he was only three years older than Xia Fei.
The real reason was that Xia Fei succumbed to the capitalists while Gallieni despised capitalism and opposed it at every turn, making his defeat an inevitability.
The most obvious point:
If Xia Fei was competent enough to be the Supreme Commander of France, there would be no need to recall the already retired Gallieni to take charge of Paris's defense at the onset of war.
Why was Gallieni's age not an issue now?
At this moment, Gallieni was indignant, ignored in peacetime and only remembered in wartime.
Others enjoy the good times while he bears the hardships?
What was even more infuriating was that those big capitalists and government officials who usually indulged in luxurious lives in Paris had all fled at the sight of trouble, leaving him to lead the officers and soldiers in Paris awaiting death.
For Gallieni, this battle was indeed close to waiting for death. He knew well that the French Army was vastly inferior to the German Army, so Paris was caught in a dilemma:
To fight outside the city would be to meet the same fate as the 5th Army Group, crushed by the German forces.
Staying within the city meant facing the dire situation of being surrounded by the enemy. Without resupply, the over two million troops and civilians would either surrender or starve to death.
However, Gallieni had no choice but to take on this task that might cost him his life. He knew he had to save the millions of pitiful French civilians and soldiers!
How to break this curse?
Gallieni placed his hopes on the retreating 5th Army Group. He pointed to the map and said to Major General Monuri of the 6th Army Group:
"There is only one way out: the 5th Army Group must stabilize, and together, with the strength of our two groups, we must hold off the enemy's 1st Army!"
Major General Monuri replied with difficulty:
"But Vice Admiral, the 5th Army Group is already in disarray. They've lost all their supplies and a large amount of ammunition. I'm not sure if they even have rifles left!"
Pausing, Major General Monuri added:
"Paris might have some supplies, but once we let the 5th Army Group in or send the supplies out..."
There was no need to finish the sentence; both army groups would be trapped inside Paris, unable to move. Additionally, the supplies in the city were needed to prepare for a prolonged siege, making it unwise to transport them outside.
As Gallieni was in a predicament, a staff officer came forward to report:
"Vice Admiral, there is a businessman named Francis who is willing to help us. He will exhaust all his resources to purchase food, and he also has a machine gun factory, all of which can be provided free of charge to our retreating troops!"
Gallieni's eyes lit up, and he asked:
"Where? I mean the exact location!"
The staff officer searched the map for a while, pointed to a spot, and replied:
"Here, in Davaz!"
Gallieni was ecstatic. Davaz, located southeast of Paris and on the south bank of the Marne River, was an ideal location for the 5th Army Group to recuperate and organize a counterattack.
"Connect me to the command center!" Gallieni ordered. He needed to report the situation to Xia Fei and suggest altering the retreat direction of the 5th Army Group.
Gallieni exclaimed in his heart: God, we're saved! It seems that not all capitalists are bad!
He did not realize at this moment that this favorable situation was just beginning.
...
In the morning, Davaz Town awoke to the sounds of birds, with sunlight dispelling the mist and shining through the windows onto Shire's face.
Since they were nearly "expelled from home," the Dejoka family did not live with Francis. Francis's luxurious villa and factory were a kilometer outside the town on empty land, while the Dejoka family resided in the southeast corner of the town.
At this moment, the Dejoka family was having breakfast: bread, sausages, and a cup of milk.
Shire was not very accustomed to it, but he didn't say much, adapting to local customs.
Taking a bite of the dry, hard bread, Shire muttered unclearly to Dejoka across from him:
"Father, can I use your bicycle?"
Without thinking, Dejoka agreed but then asked:
"Where are you going? The Germans could attack at any time. I think you'd better stay home!"
Camille, who was busy in the kitchen, became instantly tense upon hearing the conversation. She lifted her skirt and brought her plate to sit next to Shire:
"Listen to your father, don't go out!"
Then she gave Dejoka an inquiring look:
"Shouldn't we go south to hide? How did last night's discussion go?"
Dejoka "uh"ed, not knowing how to answer. He couldn't say Shire had pushed things in another direction, could he?
Shire answered the previous question: "I need to go to the tractor factory. Francis wants me to assist Joseph in running the factory!"
Dejoka and Camille stopped their actions instantly, looking at Shire in surprise.
Camille suddenly realized something and covered her mouth, seemingly trying hard not to shout.
She turned her gaze to Dejoka, who nodded slightly, indicating it was true.
Although Dejoka did not know the exact reason, he knew it had to do with last night's talk in the study.
"Go ahead!" Dejoka nodded solemnly, "But come back early!"
He added: "If you hear anything about the Germans, come back immediately."
"Got it!" Shire gulped down his milk in a few sips and headed out with half-eaten bread in hand.
Watching Shire ride away on the bicycle, Camille asked Dejoka excitedly:
"Does this mean Mr. Francis has accepted Shire?"
Dejoka had a strange expression as he replied:
"I think it's not just Shire that Father has accepted."
Camille asked, puzzled:
"What?"
Dejoka explained:
"Father said last night that we had raised our child well. I think he accepted us because of Shire."
Camille was dumbfounded for a while but still found it hard to believe:
"You, are you saying it's true? Because of Shire..."
Dejoka nodded, both emotional and gratified:
"Yes, because it seems Shire has grown up!"
Camille was overwhelmed with emotions, unable to control her tears from flowing.
For years, Camille had seen herself as a sinner. Dejoka and Shire lost the right to inherit the Bernard family's estate because of her.
Now, things seemed to be turning around, giving her hope to lay down the burden she had been carrying!
However, Dejoka was a bit worried:
"You weren't there last night, Shire... he's just as shrewd as Father! I'm not sure if that's a good thing..."
"He is different from your father, Dejoka!" Camille immediately countered, "He is your son. You should be proud of him. So, of course, it's a good thing!"
Dejoka fell silent, knowing he couldn't reason with a woman, especially one who was a mother.