July 14th is the National Day of France.
On this day in 1789, Parisian citizens armed themselves to storm the Bastille, an event of significant symbolic meaning, thus it was established as a citizens’ holiday.
On both sides of the Champs-Élysées in central Paris, crowds surged like waves, holding red, white, and blue flags, discussing and eagerly looking towards the other side of the street.
A few days ago, they read in the newspaper that Shire would lead his First Tank Brigade and the 105th Infantry Regiment to be reviewed by the people of Paris.
This instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the French people, who flocked to Paris from all directions, hoping to see Shire’s elite troops.
Residents of Davaz Town also came, including Dejoka and Camille, who wanted to see Shire fully armed with his troops.
"That must be very impressive." Camille’s eyes sparkled with excitement: "Maybe some girl will fall for him."
Today, Camille had dressed differently than usual, donning a black silk cloak trimmed with fine fur over a silk and flax dress with red and white lace, looking several years younger. Shire might not even recognize her if he saw her.
Dejoka was wearing a black suit that he bought for fifteen hundred francs, usually too reluctant to wear.
Although Dejoka’s income was not the same as before, he still kept his frugal habits.
He often told himself: "I don’t have the right to be extravagant; it’s all earned by Shire."
Thus, every time he spent money, Dejoka felt an indistinct sense of guilt in his heart.
While waiting, Dejoka felt eyes on him from across the street. Looking up, he saw Grevy and Arman, both dressed in suits and hats, with canes tucked under their arms.
Grevy picked up his hat, nodded, and smiled at Dejoka.
Arman scoffed disdainfully: "You don’t need to do that, Grevy. You want his son, not him."
"Being able to raise such an excellent son is enough to earn respect from others," Grevy replied.
Arman smiled slightly: "Listening to you, I suddenly want to have more children."
"No matter how many children you have," Grevy responded: "They will all inherit your rakish nature."
Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats on the cobblestone road caused a minor commotion among the crowd.
French Dragon Cavalry paraded slowly down the street, dressed in black uniforms holding sabers, with red feathered helmets. Leading were three white horses, followed by several lead horses, and with a few steps behind, the cavalry formation.
The cavalry marched in neat steps, looking well-trained and mighty.
(The above image shows the French Dragon Cavalry. Due to the Dragon Cavalry’s outstanding performance during the Napoleonic Wars and its continuing tradition, the Dragon Cavalry is not just a military branch for France, but also a symbol of nationality and strength. Therefore, France retains a Dragon Cavalry troop of several hundred members for parades and ceremonies, even to modern times.)
Usually at this time, people would welcome this symbolic French cavalry with enthusiastic cheers, and the cavalry would naturally receive the glory.
But this time, the crowd remained silent, as if saving all their cheers for Shire and his troops.
Soon, however, they discovered that there was nothing behind the cavalry but a convertible car, slowly following in the rear.
Keen-eyed individuals recognized Gallieni seated in the passenger seat, whispering amongst themselves:
"What’s happening? Why didn’t Shire come?"
"Did they cancel the parade?"
"We don’t see any troops or tanks!"
Camille looked around nervously, unconsciously squeezing Dejoka’s hand.
Dejoka softly reassured: "Don’t worry, there will be no problems; he should be with the troops."
Gallieni’s car stopped in front of the crowd, he stood up, glanced to both sides proudly:
"Gentlemen, ladies, I’m sorry that Shire and his troops could not appear here."
"Because at this very moment, the Second Battle of Cambrai has already begun!"
"Yes, the reason Shire and his troops are not here is that they are attacking the enemy on the battlefield."
"Shire intends to present the French people with the most special parade through this way!"
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then burst into cheers.
Many rushed to greet Dejoka and Camille, shaking hands and continuously saying:
"Thank you, Shire is France’s hope."
"You have a very excellent son!"
"I envy you, sir, madam, I am happy for you."
Dejoka and Camille responded with smiles, though their smiles were somewhat bitter because it meant Shire was back on the battlefield.
On the other side, Grevy’s face suddenly turned pale after hearing Gallieni’s words. He glanced cautiously to both sides, pressed down his hat, and whispered to Arman: "Let’s go."
Saying this, he turned and squeezed out of the crowd.
Arman was baffled, but without thinking much, he turned to follow Grevy.
"What’s the matter?" Arman caught up with Grevy.
"Shire used us." Grevy said.
"What?" Arman looked puzzled.
"The intelligence." Grevy walked faster: "Don’t you understand? Shire knew the intelligence would be leaked; he used us!"
The cause was Shire’s worker training cycle being three months.
A three-month training cycle meant Shire planned to regain the steel plant before then, implying a specific operation plan toward the steel plant.
Grevy thought this was a great opportunity, so he leaked the intelligence to the Germans.
Now, Shire suddenly launched the attack, not in three months but in one month, and on National Day, when everyone thought Shire’s troops would be reviewed, they launched an attack at Cambrai!
Did Shire deliberately mislead Grevy to then mislead the Germans?
Arman swallowed and quickly caught up with Grevy, asking softly: "If Shire used us, does it mean he knows we are..."
Before finishing, several men in black surrounded them, hands in their pockets, obviously holding guns inside.
The leader, wearing a suit and sporting a mustache, casually approached, taking out a document to show Grevy:
"Mr. Grevy, Mr. Arman, I’m Durra from the Second Bureau of the General Staff."
"Please come with me, there are some matters we need to verify."