The towns around the French headquarters were largely devoid of residents.

After all, this is already very close to the front line, and no one knows when the Germans will call. However, the attitude of the residents who stayed behind was a bit of a sense of casualness.

It is not surprising, after all, this is the headquarters of the French army, the core of the entire French army, it can be said that it is under heavy encirclement, no matter how powerful the Germans are, they will not be able to fight here. What's more, it is only a war between countries, and although the Entente and the Central Powers have already killed themselves on the battlefield, they rarely slaughter civilians...

However, they still hoped that the Germans would not attack if possible, and they were convinced that the Germans would not be able to break through the French and British lines on the Western Front. This can be seen from the calm expression on the face of General Xia Fei, who usually comes out of the headquarters for a walk.

However, at this moment, the only remaining residents of these towns do not know what to do, Xia Fei, who has always been calm in their eyes, is red at the moment, and the headquarters, which is the core of the entire French army, has long been in chaos...

In the headquarters, those staff officers and officers kept making phone calls, and in front of a map, Joseph, who was originally called the 'dull general'? Xia Fei was roaring at his subordinates at the moment.

"What about those damn Chinese, their reply hasn't arrived yet!"

Although Xia Fei did not pant like an angry bull, his red face already revealed Xia Fei's mood at the moment.

It is not surprising that now Verdun's forces are simply too weak. There was simply no way to stop the well-prepared German army. And as long as he thought of the consequences of the German army's breakthrough of Verdun, Xia Fei couldn't help but become anxious.

After all, not to mention the responsibility of being deceived by the Germans, he also gave the order to transfer Verdun's equipment and troops to Champagne. Now things are in trouble. If Verdun fails to hold on, he will definitely be the first...

Wiping the saliva that was sprayed on his face by Xia Fei, the subordinate showed a trace of helplessness on his face.

In fact, they had already reminded Xia Fei long before the Germans started, but unfortunately Xia Fei couldn't listen to other people's advice at that time. In fact, his arrogant and conservative style had long caused many young commanders of the French army to complain about him at that time. It's just because of the victory in the Battle of the Marne that these can't threaten Xia Fei's position.

But this time it was different, this time if Verdun was taken by the Germans. Then the situation can be...

So although Xia Fei's subordinates were a little dissatisfied with him, they still hurriedly replied. "The telegram has just been sent, and even if those people want to reply, it will take some time..."

"Time. Time! "If it weren't for the lack of breath. At this time, Xia Fei was no different from an angry bull, and at this moment he was pacing back and forth in the headquarters, while roaring non-stop. "Now the damned Germans are trying to figure out how to take Verdun, where did we get so much time for those Chinese, what we lack is time, don't you understand..."

"It's not because you don't believe in the intelligence of other people and the intelligence department, that's why you made it so bad..."Looking at Xia Fei, several staff officers around him decided to hide these words in their hearts, after all, these words are very offensive. If Xia Fei kept this in mind, they wouldn't have to talk about the word 'future' in the future.

Actually, it's not just Xia Fei who is irritable. The same is true for others, who are well aware of the importance of Verdun and that it is impossible to lose. It's just that they don't have much to do about the current situation.

When they learned that Verdun was attacked by the Germans, Xia Fei and they had already begun to look for reinforcements around Verdun, and the only one that was the closest was Cai Yi's Chinese Expeditionary Force, and the rest was at least three or four days away.

In other words, only the expeditionary force had the strength to reinforce Verdun.

Although the French, including Xia Fei, were very suspicious of the strength of the expeditionary force, they were not qualified to be picky until now.

Moreover, if the expeditionary force refused Xia Fei's order, they really did not know whether the defenders of Verdun would be able to hold out until reinforcements arrived.

Thinking of this, those staff officers were much more dissatisfied with Xia Fei.

The historical Xia Fei was originally known as the 'dull general', and he was also stubborn and hated those who tried to change his mind.

Alfred? Feng? Count Schlieffen once asserted that a successful battle of Cannae required not only a clever Hannibal, but also a stupid opponent like Farrow.

In fact, in the First World War, Xia Fei has always been like a contradiction. It is true that the 'Battle of the Marne', which saved the French army, is to be attributed to Chauffy, but he is also responsible for the near-catastrophic defeat that befell the French in August 1914.

Similarly, although Xia Fei saved Verdun, if it weren't for his misjudgment and stubbornness, I am afraid that such a big basket would not have come out.

It can be said that Xia Fei poked the basket by himself every time, and then cleaned it up by himself.

But there will always be times when he can't clean it up...

For example, the Somme...

It was because of the need to take responsibility for the defeat of the Somme that he was eventually dismissed from his post and replaced by a military adviser to the French government, and in the same month he was promoted to marshal—————— which was probably the only honor he received.

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I've been waiting for news, but I haven't been able to wait.

Although not much time has passed since the news was issued, but at this moment, Xia Fei and the others are living like a year in the headquarters, if it is not very clear that around Verdun, Cai Yi's expeditionary force is the closest force, I am afraid that Xia Fei would have been waiting for a long time...

But now, this stubborn 'sluggish' old man can only wait patiently at the moment.

Because at this moment, he can only choose to wait.

Fortunately, he didn't wait too long, and just when Xia Fei couldn't bear it anymore, the phone at the headquarters suddenly rang.

After taking the phone two steps forward, the staff officer who was in charge of answering the phone suddenly said to Xia Fei with a happy face. "General. The Chinese have already agreed to reinforcements ...

Hearing Cai Ye agree, Xia Fei's face also showed a hint of joy. "Quick, ask. How long will it take them to get to Verdun..."

The staff officer nodded, inquired over the phone, and then listened for a while.

About twenty or thirty seconds later, the staff officer said to Xia Fei. "The telegram said that the commander of the Chinese expeditionary force claimed that they would only need a day to reach Verdun ..."

"One day?"

"Yes," the staff officer replied immediately. However, with this speed, they would have to leave all their heavy equipment behind, so General Cai wants us to organize our manpower. Bring all the equipment they left behind in Saint-Menud to Verdun, and they will find a way to get to Verdun on foot..."

"Yes...", Xia Fei's face looked much better. The tone softened a lot. "Tell Cai that they only need to hold Verdun, and my side has already begun to organize reinforcements, and they can reach Verdun in four days at the latest. As for the equipment he left behind in St. Mnould..."Speaking of which. Xia Fei frowned slightly.

When the expeditionary force first arrived, he had studied the expeditionary force and found that the expeditionary force was quite well equipped. Not only was the number of light and heavy machine guns large, but each infantry division was armed with a considerable number of artillery.

The heavy equipment in Cai's mouth obviously refers to these artillery.

Xia Fei didn't actually think that these artillery pieces would make a difference when they were transported to the front line. After all, according to the intelligence from the front, the Germans concentrated at least a thousand artillery pieces this time. No matter how many artillery pieces the expeditionary forces had, they could not reach a fifth of the Germans.

Such a big gap. If the artillery is brought up, it may lead to a devastating blow to the artillery.

But there is no support from these equipment. The expeditionary force could only be beaten passively.

So after thinking about it for a while, Xia Fei said slowly. "In addition, I will organize a transport team and find a way to send the equipment they left behind in St. Mnould, so that he does not have to worry..."

As he spoke, Xia Fei paced inside the headquarters, thought for a moment and continued. "In addition, I sent another telegram telling Cai that I hope he can concurrently serve as the commander of the Verdun fortress, and that all the troops that arrive at Verdun will be under his command, including all the original defenders of the fortress..."

Hearing Xia Fei say that Cai Ye would be appointed as the commander of the fortress, and even all the French troops would be commanded by him, several staff officers and some other officers in the command headquarters were all stunned. Later, an officer stepped forward and hesitated, as if intending to say something.

However, in the face of these, Xia Fei waved his hand and signaled them not to say anything.

"Needless to say, the most important thing at the moment is to hold Verdun..."

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Hearing Xia Fei's words, several other officers looked at each other with some reluctance, but in the end they didn't say anything. It's just that for these French officers, it is absolutely unacceptable for the French army to accept the command of the Chinese.

In fact, Xia Fei didn't know what they thought, but for him, there was no way to do it.

Now that the French defenders at Verdun are pitifully few, and the heavy weapons have been sent to other places by Xia Fei, it is almost impossible to count on the fortress to resist the Germans.

And around Verdun, in addition to Cai Yi's expeditionary force, the nearest unit would take three or four days to arrive.

Three or four days...

If it's only one day, Xia Fei still has some confidence. After all, if the French really didn't need to hold on for even a day, they would have been defeated by the Germans long ago.

But for three or four days, when he was at a disadvantage in all aspects, Xia Fei really didn't have much confidence. And the only thing he can rely on at the moment is Cai Yi's expeditionary force—————— although he doesn't trust the combat effectiveness of the expeditionary force very much.

Then the problem came, as the commander of the expeditionary force, Cai Yi's military rank was general, which can be said to be the same level as Xia Fei. Moreover, the Chinese Expeditionary Force was also at the same level as the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army on the Western Front.

If Cai Ye is not given a suitable position and sufficient rights, who will command whom after he arrives at Verdun with the expeditionary force? If it is said that they are doing their own thing, it is difficult to say that they can withstand the attack of the Germans without sufficient tacit understanding.

Let the generals on Verdun's side command the expeditionary force? The tallest one over there is just a lieutenant general, let the lieutenant general command the general? Perhaps this seems normal to some French soldiers. Because in their opinion, whites are inherently superior to the yellow race, not to mention that a lieutenant general commands a general, even a major general commands a general. But will the Chinese see it that way?

What if the Chinese refused? Could it be that Xia Fei still has to fight with the Chinese first under the threat of the Germans?

Moreover, letting the lieutenant general command the general, this is somewhat insulting, and if such a thing is reported, the world's commanders will blame them, but they will never blame the Chinese.

Of course, Xia Fei can also parachute an admiral over. The problem is that he himself is just an admiral ...

Therefore, there is only one best way, which is to make Cai Yi the supreme commander of Verdun and have full command of the Allied operations in the Verdun area. And so it goes. The problem can be solved more perfectly—————— in fact, these are not important, the most important thing is that if Verdun can't hold it, he Xiafei will bear all the responsibility.

The reverse is true. If the most stubborn hold on. Then everything will be easy.

is amazing, and the person who takes responsibility will also change from him fighting alone to carrying it together with him and Cai Yi. And at present, it seems that only Cai Ye is qualified to share his pressure, after all, Cai Ye also has the rank of general, and it is said that he is still the confidant of the ruler of that distant country, and the qualifications are still there...

——————————————————————

"That Kasumi flew to be quite generous this time..."

After glancing at the telegram that had just been transmitted and signaling a staff officer to continue to busy himself, Liu Guangyuan said to Cai Ye with a smile.

"It's not surprising. After all, the current situation can't make him continue to be tough, so it is inevitable to make a lower posture..."Speaking of which. Xiang Xinyuan also looked at Cai Yi. "But the Commander......... Are we really going to Verdun? And it seems that it is better to report this matter to the president, after all, our original plan was to train first, wait until the training is over, and the president's secret weapons are sent to the future, and the president has said before that, no matter what, don't put it into the battlefield..."

Hearing Xiang Xinyuan's words, not only Liu Guangyuan, but also several other generals and colonels around him nodded in unison.

Before leaving China, Yan Shao had called them all together, and instructed that even if the training was over, as long as the secret weapon he promised did not arrive, the expeditionary force would never be allowed to intervene in the war on the Western Front, this is a strict order!

Nowadays, although there is indeed a situation on the front line, there is also a saying in China that 'the foreign monarch will not be subject to the order', but ......... It's always good to report it, after all, you always have to make a gesture. Otherwise, even if Cai Yi is Yan Shao's confidant, I'm afraid that his good advocacy will not be liked by Yan Shao, and there may be some trouble if he doesn't get it right...

Cai Ye also knew that Xiang Xinyuan was thinking about himself, yes, he was indeed a general of the National Defense Army, and the status of the entire National Defense Army was the same as him, including Jiang Baili and Feng Guozhang, there were only five or six people, even Li Yuanhong, who had been vice president, was only given the rank of lieutenant general when he was transferred to the army, which shows the rarity of the military rank, which is also the reason why Li Yuanhong chose the position of provincial governor in the first place.

Unlike later generations, these generals are all genuine, even if they are Fu Xiuming, they also have a good record—————— although they are only bullying people with strong enough firepower in the battle with Beiyang.

Unlike more than 20 years later, people like Tang Zhisheng can actually blend into the ranks of generals (this guy looks like a traitor just by looking at the photo, although he is not... ）。

As one of the few generals of the National Defense Army, Cai Ye has a very high status in the army, not to mention the prestige of winning the Shandong Campaign. But his foundation in the army is too shallow, and although his qualifications are good, it is only so. What's more, he is neither Beiyang nor Anhui, he is just a local warlord, such a background, coupled with his current prestige in the army and Yan Shao's trust, there are really not too many people who hate it...

If Yan Shao and Cai Ye really have any contradictions, they don't even need Yan Shao to do it himself, those in the army who are jealous of him are enough to make him suffer a big loss, and if he doesn't get it right, maybe he will never be able to turn over...

"There's no way around it," Cai sighed. We are too close to Verdun, and now that there is a surprise attack, we must have reinforcements to go up, and we are only more than thirty kilometers away from Verdun here, and if we force the army, one day is enough, unless we withdraw now, otherwise if Verdun is captured by the Germans, even if we don't want to be involved, I'm afraid it's impossible, rather than this, it's better to take the initiative, so that we can also ask for some benefits, but you are also right, this matter should indeed be reported to the president..." Obviously, Cai Ye also knows how powerful it is.

"But the report is the report, the troops must be reinforced immediately..."After saying that, Cai Ye paced a little against the headquarters, and then suddenly looked up and said. Order, the 3rd Division, the 34th Division, and the 35th Division, except for the artillery units, all the rest to march in the direction of Verdun, and be sure to reach Verdun within one day..." "This time can not be too urgent, it can be done in one day, no matter how the French are, it is impossible to waste so much that they can't hold on for even a day, if they go too quickly, the team will disperse, or they will be tired and unable to fight, which is not beautiful..."

Hearing Cai Yi's words, the others nodded.

Although the situation in Verdun was urgent, it was no problem to hold on for a day.

Just like Cai Yi said, they were reinforcements in the past, if the troops were scattered because of the forced march, or if they were tired and didn't want to move after arriving at the place, wouldn't this be putting the cart before the horse.

So soon, Cai's order was conveyed.

The expeditionary force, which was already resting and training, also moved... (To be continued......)