Chapter 466: The Battle of Verdun
At the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, the afternoon hours passed slowly.
Galiéni's condition had finally stabilized. Perhaps due to exhaustion and the effect of the medication, he fell into a dazed sleep on his hospital bed.
Seizing this opportunity, Charles sought out Galiéni's primary doctor, Dr. Altier, who was nearly sixty years old and one of the hospital's most skilled surgeons.
"The situation isn't looking good," Dr. Altier said, pointing to an X-ray. "There are still a few small fragments of shrapnel in his abdomen. Some of them are difficult to detect with the naked eye, and surgery is needed. However…"
Charles interrupted, "His physical condition may not be able to withstand surgery?"
"Yes, General," Dr. Altier replied, his eyes filled with regret. "That's why it's been postponed until now."
"You mean we can continue to delay it?" Charles asked.
"Indeed," Dr. Altier nodded helplessly. "Unless it becomes absolutely necessary, I wouldn't recommend surgery. The key is to avoid any major emotional stress!"
Charles thanked him and walked out of the room, making his way down the hospital's corridor, silently lighting a cigarette.
Soldiers occasionally stood up and saluted as Charles passed by, and some of the nurses shot him flirtatious glances. Their whispers and deliberate movements near him were almost too obvious, but Charles didn't seem to notice. He moved forward, as if isolated in his own world.
History tells that Galiéni had actually been killed by the stress of a confrontation with Foch. After Galiéni had just undergone surgery, Foch had been removed from his position as Commander-in-Chief by the French parliament.
The government had originally planned to dismiss Foch outright for his disastrous leadership. He had led the French army into German traps time and time again. However, Galiéni, still loyal to Foch, had suggested that he be demoted rather than completely removed from office, and instead be appointed as a military advisor to the government, with the honorary rank of Marshal of France.
Foch, however, interpreted this as a "conspiracy" by Galiéni and angrily confronted him.
Galiéni died in May 1916.
Charles slowly walked to the end of the corridor and looked out the window at the plane trees swaying gently in the breeze. He silently swore to himself that such a thing would never happen again.
Just then, a messenger approached and reported, "General, we received a communication from Headquarters. The Germans appear to be preparing for an offensive. They've gathered forces near Verdun."
Charles paused for a moment. He took the telegram and saw that it was indeed about Verdun.
Could the famous Battle of Verdun be starting ahead of schedule?
It seemed a little early!
(Note: The actual Battle of Verdun began in February 1916, which is still six months away from this moment.)
Soon, Charles figured out the reason.
The Germans realized they couldn't compete with his army in terms of mobile warfare or armored divisions, so they had decided to attack a key French stronghold in an attempt to change their strategy.
Verdun was that "key stronghold." Located just 210 kilometers from Paris, it was a fortified position made up of over twenty forts, a veritable gateway to Paris.
Without capturing Verdun, the Germans would have to attack Paris via the northern or southern routes, which would face heavy resistance.
However, if Verdun fell, the Germans would have a clear path to Paris. Their armored divisions could cut through the French defenses and potentially reach Paris in just a few days.
At that point, Paris would be in grave danger.
Charles nodded, crushing his still-smoking cigarette beneath his boot. This was the opportunity to trap Foch.
To defeat a man like Foch, who was obsessed with power and fame, the most ruthless blow was to destroy his reputation completely, turning him from a "flower vase" into something despised by all.
Charles turned to give a quick order to the guard stationed outside Galiéni's room before he walked briskly out of the hospital.
...
The hospital was not far from the city's defensive headquarters, and within twenty minutes, Charles found himself in the dimly lit officer's club.
The club had just opened for the day, and it was completely empty, not a single officer in sight.
It wasn't until he entered that Charles suddenly remembered Lucia might still be in Belgium with her family.
However, as he looked up, he was surprised to see Lucia behind the bar, busy cleaning.
"You're back?" Charles asked.
Lucia, startled by his unexpected appearance, quickly looked up. A brief flash of joy crossed her face, and the fatigue disappeared as she smiled, "Yes, General. I only took a two-day leave and swapped shifts with Gabriel to make sure I could come back."
She then asked him, "What about you—?"
Before she could finish her question, she stopped herself and said, "Oh, I see. It's because of General Galiéni?"
This situation had originally been intended to remain confidential, but the suddenness of the event, coupled with the fact that many people saw Galiéni on the way to the hospital, meant it had already spread.
"Yes," Charles nodded gently. "A coffee, please."
Before Lucia could respond, Charles had already turned to sit in his usual spot.
Watching Charles walk away, Lucia felt an inexplicable sense of fear. The man in front of her seemed very different from the Charles she knew.
Soon, a coffee was placed in front of Charles, and Lucia sat down across from him with a cup of her own.
"I'm sorry," Lucia said with concern. "I just heard about the incident. How's General Galiéni now?"
"He's fine," Charles answered expressionlessly.
"He'll be fine," Lucia reassured him. "Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital has the best doctors in the world…"
"Lucia," Charles interrupted her, leaning forward and speaking softly. "I need you to pass a message to the British intelligence officers: The Germans are not targeting Verdun. Their real target is Belfort."
Belfort was another important city on the western front. It was located 400 kilometers from Paris, farther than Verdun, and while it had its own defensive system of forts, it was far less formidable than Verdun, with its twenty-plus forts and hundreds of large-caliber fortress guns.
Lucia's heart sank.
Indeed, he wasn't looking for comfort. He was giving orders. His mind was consumed by war—and by General Galiéni.
"Yes, General," Lucia nodded sadly.
Charles didn't notice her change in mood. He continued, "You must ensure that they don't discover your identity. This information was obtained by the British themselves, and they analyzed it."
"Yes, General," Lucia replied. "Don't worry. The 'White Ladies' are just ordinary women, with their own work and daily tasks. The British won't suspect a thing."
Charles nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly what he wanted. The advantage of the "White Ladies" was their ability to remain in the shadows, while the British intelligence agents were out in the open.
As long as the "White Ladies" subtly refined the information, omitting key details, and passed it along to the British agents, who would then process and analyze it, the British would believe it without question.
Once the British intelligence officers were convinced, Foch would fall straight into this trap!
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