Since Pétain took office, the French attacking the Ruhr had been engaged in a two-day struggle with the SS. With the exception of a few breakthroughs into the city on the first day, when the SS was taken by surprise, there was no progress in the French offensive. The troops that broke through were driven out, and the troops that pressed the attacking were stopped by the desperate resistance of the SS.

"Is this tenacious, or is it stupid?" Petain muttered to himself as he looked at the crumbling SS line on the battle map. He couldn't understand why these Germans were still working so desperately when they were already doomed to failure. What is the difference between the fall of the Ruhr industrial zone a few days earlier and a few days later, and is it worth fighting for with your life?

Staring at the line of defense, which was so hard to hold up by the SS, Sheldon looked at the calendar on the wall again, pacing back and forth a few steps.

The country has been urging itself many times, and since the international situation does not allow France to monopolize Germany's cake, the French government has received increasing international pressure.

Just yesterday, under the leadership of Britain and the United States, the League of Nations has launched a mediation notice against the governments of France and Belgium! The flames of war are about to be extinguished.

Thinking of this, Petain turned to the adjutant and said, "Can we contact the commander of the Germans now?" ”

The adjutant, who had been with Pétain since the First World War, did not ask much questions and replied straightly: "Since the telephone network in the Ruhr industrial area has not been damaged, we can call in the Ruhr industrial area at any time." It's just that ....... can't be determined."

"Can't identify the phone number of the militia command in the Ruhr industrial area?" Petain sneered: "After fighting on the border for so long, will the German government not know?" Does this militia really have nothing to do with the German government? There are some things that everyone just tacitly knows. You just call the mayor's office in Dortmund, Germany, and ask them to pass it on to the commander at the front. ”

"Yes!" The adjutant gave a standard military salute and walked away quickly. Although it was not known why the marshal suddenly wanted to contact the commander of the opposing side, the adjutant unconditionally obeyed Petain's instructions. In the memory of the adjutant, the marshal's instructions were never missed!

Outside Pétain's headquarters, the cannon roared and roared. Because the SS in Steve's hands secretly received heavy weapons, including 30 37mm anti-tank guns supplied by the Rhein company, the SS in the Ruhr area now has the strength to engage in local artillery battles with the French army.

Moments later, the SS received a request for a ceasefire from the French, and the gunfire on both positions fell silent.

An hour later, the telephone of the French command was transferred to the SS headquarters through the telephone office in Dortmund.

"Mr. Steve." Steve, who did not know what to call to join the SS, did not have a military rank. Petain had no choice but to address the other party with the generic word "Mr."I am the current field marshal of France, Petain." ”

"Hello. I've heard who you are from the secretary to the mayor of Dortmund. If you have anything to say, just say it, and I believe that His Excellency the Marshal has gone to great lengths to contact me for the sake of not having a family affair. Without a hint of his usual hippie smile, Steve replied in an icy tone.

Although he knew that Petain could not see himself now, Steve still buttoned his cuffs, put on the silver epaulettes of the SS system, and stood straight next to the telephone with the phone.

At this moment, Steve felt like he was standing in front of the legendary French star, as if the two were talking face to face. He didn't dare and didn't want to let go!

Petain sighed in his heart after listening to the young and unemotionally fluctuating tone that came from the phone.

Although from the previous battles, he could already see what kind of person the commander of this army was. The command level shown by the other side in many aspects is decent. In other words, the immaturity of the means of command! The other side is an inexperienced young commander with a solid foundation, but little experience. Petain made up his mind to a conclusion.

However, even if the other party's command art is inferior to his own. The fortitude and determination shown by this commander was not lost to himself in the slightest!

It wasn't until he heard the voice on the phone at this moment that he really understood what a determined soldier this young commander was.

After connecting the phone from the other party, he spoke calmly and calmly, without a trace of emotion. Petain heard Steve's determination, and he led his troops here to fight, and he didn't plan to return alive!

"Though I know that there are some things that may be difficult for you to accept," said Pétain, after a moment of silence, "but I would like to ask your troops to give up their resistance. Such a battle is nothing more than a senseless killing for my troops. ”

"There is no word surrender in the German dictionary. We have built our country in iron and blood, and we have developed in iron and blood, and "surrender" can be said to us to be the most distant word" Steve smiled and shook his head, firmly rejecting Petain's proposal.

"Don't you think that this kind of futile battle is a cruelty to the soldiers under your command?" Petain raised his tone and asked rhetorically.

"You can always say despicable things with such a righteous and awe-inspiring face." Steve laughed out loud: "Is this kind of shallow provocation useful?" ”

Petain said lightly: "While you are talking to me, your warriors are dying!" ”

"Yes, they're dying!" Steve's laughter stopped and he roared loudly: "We lost two million soldiers in the last world war, and most of our Guards survived that world war. For us, it is an honor and a blessing to be able to return to the battlefield and die instead of lying on a hospital bed and dying of old age! ”

He continued coldly, "You said cruelty in front of me!? Isn't it cruel that the Treaty of Versailles drained every bit of Germany's blood and blood, and the heavy reparations cost the German people a miserable livelihood? Isn't it cruel that the Franco-Belgian coalition invaded the Ruhr industrial area and left no way for Germany to live? Don't you think your logic is ridiculous when the aggressor doesn't feel cruel, but because the resisters are cruel? ”

"If you stop resisting, I'll make sure you and your men leave safely." Petain did not want to dwell on this topic.

"Don't put on such a face like a virgin!" Steve said coldly, "This face, in the League of Nations before, the German people have seen enough!" ”

Pétain sighed on the phone, seemingly regretful: "Actually, I am telling you this only because I can't bear to continue the slaughter. In fact, within 24 hours, your defense will collapse across the board. Can't you, as a commander, see it? For me, it's just a matter of waiting 24 hours. But for you and your warriors, it's the difference between life and death! ”

"It's not a difference between life and death, it's a difference between resistance and weakness." Steve said loudly: "The bones of German soldiers are much harder than you think!" The battle has only been going on for two days, and if you want to defeat us on the third day, you French will have to show your strength. But...... You're dreaming in vain! ”

"Don't believe me, you can try! 24 hours can't take the SS line," before cutting off the communication, Steve returned to the state he used to be with Zhang Chengtian after a long absence, and smiled slyly: "You have to call me Dad!" ”

Communications were cleanly cut off, and it was clear that the SS would no longer be connected.

Petain gritted his teeth. He was going to persuade Steve to surrender. If you can't persuade them to surrender, simply promise to let the other party leave. After all, the Belgian army had previously received news that a regiment had inexplicably lost contact, and this did not bode well. However, unexpectedly, before the words were finished, the stubborn young commander cut off the communication.

"Order the troops, press them all!" Petain viciously ordered: "Break through the enemy defenses in the Ruhr industrial area at all costs, within 24 hours!" ”.