This was indeed a challenge—teaching over a million soldiers across 44 divisions to use grenades in a short period of time. While the basic use of grenades seemed simple—just pull the fuse and throw—it could lead to accidents without a strict set of guidelines, especially when deploying millions of grenades across such a vast number of troops.
Charles proposed a plan he thought might work: "We could assign soldiers from the tank division as instructors. If we send them to the front lines, they can train the troops quickly on how to use grenades!"
Colonel Browni's unit had over a thousand men, all trained in grenade throwing and with actual combat experience. They could be dispersed along the front to train different groups. However, Gallieni quickly rejected the idea. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet
"How long was their training?" Gallieni asked casually.
"Two weeks, General!" Charles replied confidently.
Gallieni pressed further: "Were those two weeks devoted solely to grenade training?"
Charles paused, realizing what Gallieni was getting at: those two weeks were primarily for tank-infantry coordination, not grenade training. The time they actually spent on grenade training couldn't have been more than two days. Was Charles really suggesting that soldiers with only two days of grenade training serve as instructors for frontline troops?
"Do you understand the potential consequences?" Gallieni asked, finishing the last of his bread and unceremoniously cleaning his teeth with his pinky. "We might fail to meet our objectives and even risk losing our only tank division. I don't think we can expect them all to make it back from the front."
It was true; no one could guarantee that bullets and shells on the front wouldn't strike their unit.
Charles considered his options—perhaps they could pull the troops back for training. But he knew this was impossible; the front lines couldn't afford a gap, or the enemy would flood in like a tidal wave.
Then Charles had a sudden idea. "Why not publish a military gazette?"
"A military gazette?" Gallieni's eyes lit up.
"Yes!" Charles explained. "A newspaper for the frontline soldiers. We could publish the grenade usage guidelines in the gazette, even include photo series showing the proper throwing techniques!"
Gallieni considered it for a moment, nodding slightly. "Interesting. In the future, we might need to spread other knowledge or tactical ideas across the army, which would otherwise be difficult to do quickly. But if we had a gazette…"
However, another problem occurred to Gallieni. He looked up at Charles. "Do you think frontline soldiers will want to pay for such a newspaper?"
Charles had no response to that.
Some soldiers might buy it, as the information could potentially save their lives. However, many on the front might think: isn't this something the government should provide? We're shedding blood for them, yet they want us to pay for a newspaper? Is the government trying to exploit the little money we earn from risking our lives?
But if the military decided to distribute it for free, another issue arose: producing a million copies daily, at two centimes per copy, would cost ten thousand francs.
Ten thousand francs daily!
"Alright, it's not feasible," Charles concluded dejectedly, dismissing his own idea.
But deep down, Charles knew this was the only effective solution to quickly address the problem, and he also knew Gallieni wouldn't give up so easily.
Indeed, Gallieni took the bait. After a moment's thought, he said, "No, this might actually work!"
"We might not recoup the costs!" Charles argued. "No one would be willing to invest in this!"
In truth, Charles was more than willing. This wasn't about money—it was about influence, specifically the kind of influence that came from having the military's attention. Even a slight tilt in messaging could create a huge impact across the ranks.
That was power. This was the influence over the military that right-wing factions dreamed of achieving. However, creating a military gazette wasn't something just anyone could do; without military backing, no one would get a foot in the door.
"What if…" Gallieni pondered aloud, "we didn't limit the gazette to the military but also made it available to the public?"
"To the public?" Charles feigned confusion. "The public wouldn't be interested in learning how to throw grenades!"
Gallieni's gaze turned to Charles with a strange glint. "But what if it included the latest news about Charles? Our military gazette would definitely have the most up-to-date and accurate information on Charles. Don't you think the public would be interested?"
Charles was stunned. He hadn't thought of that angle. He had only considered that the gazette could report on life in the camps, battlefield situations, and other updates that families back home might want to know about. But Gallieni seemed intent on using Charles's fame as a selling point.
This aligned perfectly with Cobb's idea of leveraging Charles's popularity and reputation to launch a newspaper. And with the backing of the military, this gazette wouldn't make Charles an immediate target—perfect!
"Perhaps," Charles said nonchalantly, "assuming we don't run into any issues with classified information…"
"Lieutenant Colonel Fernand will inform you of what can and cannot be disclosed," Gallieni interrupted.
"What do you mean?" Charles feigned surprise. "General, surely you're not suggesting…"
"You're the only one who can handle this, Lieutenant!" Gallieni spread his hands. "No one else has your experience and resources. Who else could do this?"
"But about the funding…"
Gallieni interrupted, "I'll appeal to Parliament for funding. Publishing a military gazette is essential. But the funds might not be sufficient, so I'll need a capitalist partner…"
Charles cautiously asked, "This capitalist you have in mind wouldn't happen to be… Charles, would it?"
"You guessed right, Lieutenant!" Gallieni straightened, smiling. "I have a feeling he'll be very willing to work with us. Don't you?"
"I'll think about it," Charles replied reluctantly.
In truth, he was laughing inside. The old fox thought he'd won, thinking a small investment would give him full control. Little did he know that Charles had the same goal: contributing a part of the funds while gaining substantial control. Why wouldn't he go for it?
If he didn't invest, he'd have no stake or control, merely working for the gazette without influence.
"Oh, General!" Charles added, "If we need assistance from civilians, would that be an issue?"
Gallieni replied impatiently, "Then issue them a summons!"
Charles blinked in surprise; it was a simple yet effective solution.
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