บท 215: Chapter 293 Operation Catapult (1)
After the military parade, Wilhelm and Marshal Pétain arrived at the Palace of Versailles located in the southwest outskirts of Paris.
The Palace of Versailles is one of Paris's famous palaces and one of the world's five great palaces (the Forbidden City, the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, the White House in the United States, and the Kremlin in Russia).
The construction of the Palace of Versailles has an interesting historical anecdote. In 1661, Louis XIV, residing in the old Fontainebleau Palace and the Louvre Palace, was invited by Finance Minister Fouquet to attend a banquet at his newly built mansion. The splendid magnificence of Fouquet's mansion angered Louis XIV. Three weeks later, Louis XIV, accusing Fouquet of embezzlement and private profiteering, threw him into prison and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Louis XIV's jealousy prompted him to make plans for the construction of a luxurious royal palace. The builders of the Palace of Versailles were almost all the artisans who had built Fouquet's mansion, so both in terms of structure and style, the two buildings shared a striking resemblance.
"It's truly magnificent. It deserves to be the most outstanding example of French classical art." Wilhelm walked slowly through the corridors of the Palace of Versailles, looking at the surrounding artworks and couldn't help but sigh.
After a while, they arrived at the Hall of Mirrors.
The Hall of Mirrors, also known as the Mirror Gallery, is considered one of the "treasures of the palace" in the palace of the French King Louis XIV. It is called "mirror" because its walls are set with seventeen enormous mirrors, each made up of four hundred and eighty-three pieces of glass.
The design of this hall is meticulous. The seventeen mirrors are arranged perfectly so that any mirror in any position can reflect the entire dome of the hall. Moreover, these mirrors have another advantage: they bring in sunlight and views of the royal garden from outside the windows. Even during the day, the interior remains bright. The mirrors also reflect the beautiful scenery of the garden, as if one is in the midst of an indoor flower bed. The entire hall is decorated mainly with gilded and mirrored elements, complemented by large crystal chandeliers. Standing in the center, one can see different reflections from each mirror.
Imagine the brilliance when the dance was in progress. The bright lights illuminated the Hall of Mirrors, and everyone danced while looking at the countless reflections in the mirrors, creating a scene of royal enjoyment. Wilhelm couldn't help but sigh again. "The French nation is truly a people who know how to enjoy."
Noticing Marshal Pétain's somewhat embarrassed expression, Wilhelm smiled and explained, "Marshal Pétain, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I just genuinely appreciate these artistic treasures."
After the end of World War I, Germany, as a defeated nation, signed the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors, a famous ceremony that commemorates the glory of the French. The personal belongings of the representatives who attended the ceremony are still preserved here. "If I wanted to humiliate you and France, I would order them to pull the 'Ferdinand Foch carriage' out of the museum and hold the surrender ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, where it took place." On November 11, 1918, French Marshal and overall Allied commander Ferdinand Foch, representing the Allied powers, signed the armistice agreement with German representatives in the Ferdinand Foch carriage at the Compiegne Forest railway station in northeastern France. After the war, the Foch carriage was placed in a museum.
"Marshal, do you know the difference between a statesman and a politician?"
Marshal Pétain shrugged. "The difference between a dog and a drowning dog? The one in power is called a statesman, and the one drowning or about to drown is called a politician?"
Wilhelm smiled. "Marshal, you have an interesting perspective. In simple terms, politicians represent their own interests and the interests of their groups, while statesmen represent the interests of the country and its citizens. To put it in plain terms, politicians say, 'Better I oppress the people than let the people oppress me,' while statesmen say, 'Success doesn't have to be mine, but I won't forsake my principles.'"
Statesmen take the stage for ideals, aiming to use their power to change procedures that do not conform to societal norms, improve the political system, and work for the welfare of the public. Statesmen can act even when they know it may be impossible to succeed, and their achievements don't necessarily have to benefit themselves. On the other hand, politicians climb to power just for the sake of power, seeking personal and group interests, often pursuing fame and profit without thinking of long-term goals. In other words, they are opportunists.
"Since Marshal Pétain wants to be a politician, I also have to offer enough benefits. 500,000 barrels of oil per day, for ten years. But you'll have to wait a year to cash in."
Pétain raised an eyebrow. "So, you've issued a blank check."
Wilhelm, however, was extremely serious. "So far, the checks I've issued have never bounced. Compensation decreases by 50 million every day. I'll also personally send you 50,000 daily for ten years."
Pétain paused for a moment, seeming to realize that Wilhelm had a point. After all, this Crown Prince had boldly claimed to defeat France in six weeks, and many thought it would become the best joke of the year. What happened?
"You can also refuse; I won't make things difficult for you in military matters, Marshal. However, on the economic front, even if you are a true patriot, you must consider how the country will survive. Now that De Gaulle has already started agitating outside, I guess your country's existing overseas colonies will remain 'kindly' neutral or surrender directly to Britain, right?"
In such a one-sided situation, your country's domestic economy is naturally not doing well. Perhaps you can experience the life that the German people once went through and taste what it's like to buy a loaf of bread for several tens of millions or even billions of francs."
After a long silence, Pétain spoke. "80,000 barrels of oil."
Wilhelm caught a glimpse of the flicker in Bedan's eyes. It seems that this marshal is quite anxious. Worried that I won't agree to his demands?
He had read a sentence in the book "Those Things of the Ming Dynasty" before: "Interest, only sufficient interest, has the magical power to drive people. This is the true face of the world, extremely cruel but exceptionally real."
A quote from 19th-century British Prime Minister Palmerston became the cornerstone of British diplomacy: "A country does not have permanent friends, only permanent interests."
Wilhelm agreed wholeheartedly with these words. In this world, as long as there is enough interest, some people can betray everything. The reason why there is no betrayal at the moment is not due to loyalty but because the return on betrayal is not high enough. As long as the return rate is outrageously high, even one's own father can be betrayed.
Therefore, he readily agreed. "No problem, 100,000 barrels, ten years. Moreover, the 50 million compensation reduction per day that was just mentioned is on the surface. I can secretly reduce it by another 50 million. As for how to use it, I won't ask any questions." This means that Bedan can use the additional 50 million without any interference.
Meanwhile, across the channel in the British Empire, a group of high-ranking officials in the Prime Minister's Office in London is fervently discussing. "The world's fourth-largest navy can't be handed over to the Germans no matter what, or Britain is finished!"
Others share the same view. The British Empire is currently hanging by a thread, and if they can absorb the French navy, there might still be a chance to turn things around.
However, some question this idea. After all, the current French navy has declared neutrality (Wilhelm, to trick the British, has not openly disclosed the plan to take over the French naval vessels). Attacking the French navy at this time, will it push them toward the Germans? Then the days of the British Empire will become even more challenging.
While such thoughts are driving their considerations, they unanimously approve the plan to secretly attack the French navy to avoid French warships falling into German hands.
Churchill sighed deeply. "Pétain, that old fox, really gave us Brits a huge problem. I hope our French friends won't hold a grudge against us for too long. Is Sir Cunningham ready?"
Sir Cunningham is the Admiral of the British Mediterranean Fleet, and dealing with the French fleet in Toulon Harbor is currently his responsibility.
Sir Charles Forbes nodded. "Yes, the 'Operation Catapult' is ready."
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