I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

That day, Charles and Djoka talked until late before going home.

Djoka had no objection to Joseph, the candidate to go to the United States to develop military business. Joseph's ability and loyalty had been proven in the tractor factory.

Joseph's characteristic was that he was easy to see his subordinates. He could manage the company in an orderly manner. What was particularly rare was that he had quite good social skills. He always knew how to interact with different people and handled the relationship well.

The latter might be the ability that Joseph cultivated as a housekeeper for many years. It was said that he could tell at a glance what kind of personality the other person had and what kind of temper and preferences he had.

Djoka was doubtful because he always wanted to develop military business in the United States, although he had decided to trust Charles.

On the way home in the evening, Charles had to tell Djoka something: "Father, you should know that William II proposed "negotiations for peace" not long ago, right?"

"Yes." Djoka pulled out the wiper and quickly glanced at Charles sitting next to him: "But what does this have to do with American military industry?"

"There is a lot of demand for civil negotiations." Charles said: "But it was rejected by Parliament, and so was Britain."

"Hmm." Djoka turned the steering wheel: "People are tired of this war, but Parliament thinks this is a delaying tactic by the Germans."

Not only a delaying tactic, there is also a rumor that the Germans intend to negotiate with the British and French coalition forces, so that they can free up their hands to concentrate on attacking Russia, and then return to declare war on Britain and France after defeating Russia.

"It was the Americans who did it." Charles replied calmly: "The Americans don't want this war to stop."

Djoka was startled, and his hand holding the steering wheel shook a little, and the car also had a little vibration.

"For the loan, father." Charles explained: "Only by completely defeating the Germans and getting compensation can the Americans get the loan."

Deyoka was silent for a while, then nodded slightly: "So, the Americans must join the war?"

"Yes." Charles tightened his military coat and replied: "The Americans will not let the Allies lose. Once Russia is defeated or the balance of victory tilts towards Germany, the Americans will definitely join the war."

The American consortium said something when lobbying the US president: "Mr. President, we all know that if this money borrowed from Europe eventually becomes a bad debt, even God will have to leave here."

In short, if you can't get the money, you can't be the president anymore, and the angry people will coax you out of office.

So the US president has no choice, he can only work with the consortium to publicize the necessity of joining the war, and then send American soldiers to the Western Front that has nothing to do with them.

Deyoka was silent.

Only then did he realize that what Charles saw was much more profound than him. Charles could even predict the future based on the current situation, and it was reasonable, just like he knew it would happen.

…

The car stopped at the door, and Dejoka held an umbrella to pick up Charles.

When the two hurried into the house, they were surprised to find Camille chatting happily with a woman.

Charles looked at Lucia and suddenly remembered that today was the day to "meet the parents".

Camille scolded: "I told you to come back early, you must have forgotten it!"

Lucia stepped forward and shook hands with Dejoka generously, introducing herself: "Hello, uncle, my name is Lucia."

"Hello!" Dejoka looked at Lucia, smiled and nodded to Charles, as if praising Charles's vision.

Camille brought out the prepared dinner from the kitchen, adding turkey and smoked fish, as well as white bean stewed beef.

When serving the dishes, Camille also specifically said to Charles: "The white bean stewed beef was made by Lucia, try it?"

Charles felt a little strange in his heart, and unconsciously glanced at Lucia.

That was a dish that the former "Charles" liked, how did she know?

But Charles didn't think much about it. It might be a coincidence, or maybe Camille prepared this dish and Lucia was just helping.

But what happened next made Charles feel more and more wrong.

"Did you see this pair of earrings?" Camille tilted his head towards Djoka when he sat at the table, showing the earrings on his earlobe: "They are almost exactly the same as the ones I lost before, it's unbelievable."

"By the way, uncle." Lucia took out a box from her bag and leaned over the table to hand it to Djoka across the table: "This is a gift for you."

"Thank you." Djoka replied politely.

He opened it and saw a pocket watch. He looked at Lucia in surprise: "What a coincidence, you may not believe it, my pocket watch broke a few days ago, because I was busy with work and didn't have time to buy one. This is exactly what I need!"

"Really?" Lucia smiled and replied: "That's really a coincidence."

Charles put down the knife and fork in his hand, and they made a crisp "clang" sound on the plate.

"What's wrong?" Camille looked at Charles in confusion.

Djoka also had a confused look on his face.

Lucia seemed to have noticed something, and the smile on her face froze, but soon recovered.

"No, nothing." Charles covered up, "Just a little tired."

The dinner was a little dull, or to be more precise, Charles couldn't put himself in the situation. Lucia, Djoka, and Camille were laughing and talking happily. She seemed to know their personalities and preferences very well, even Charles's.

However, Charles knew what that meant.

...

The rain was pattering, and the cold wind was slightly chilly.

After dinner, Charles drove Lucia back to Paris. They didn't talk all the way. Lucia sat in the co-pilot seat and looked at the rain outside the window. From time to time, she reached out to catch some raindrops and hummed a song.

"You seem very proud?" Charles asked coldly.

"What?" Lucia asked back without looking back: "Are you not satisfied with my performance today?"

"You used the same tricks on my family as you did on the enemy." Charles replied.

Lucia was silent for a while, and suddenly laughed, her voice a little cold: "You seem to have forgotten that this is your order, General."

"My order?" Charles was stunned.

"Yes." Lucia replied: "Housework or mission, you chose the mission."

Lucia turned her head and looked at Charles:

"Since it is a mission, don't you think I should use some means?"

"For example, I should know what they like, only in this way can I guarantee their recognition."

"Otherwise, does it mean that the mission has failed?"

Charles was speechless. This seemed to be his negligence. He didn't think of this at the time.

"Don't inquire about their intelligence in the future." Charles said.

"Yes, General." Lucia replied, and then continued to hum her song.

The song sounded relaxed and pleasant, but it also revealed an inexplicable sadness.