Expedition to Europe

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(Thanks to the many rewards from the sword in the chest. Great!)

On December 12, Joseph Joffre was awarded the rank of marshal and transferred to Bordeaux as a military adviser.

The new commander-in-chief of the French army has just been appointed. It is not the popular Foch, nor Pétain who started activities early, but Nivelle, the hero of Verdun.

History eventually returned to its original route with strong inertia. Qin Zhiyuan's plan did not play any role except providing Parisians with a topic of conversation after dinner for a while.

Qin Zhiyuan did everything he could. The problem was with Foch.

Foch ignored the influence of the British. He won the trust of Prime Minister Briand, President Raymond Poincaré, and the people of Paris in France, but did not win the trust of the new British Prime Minister Lloyd George.

Lloyd George went to Paris in early December to discuss the joint operations of the British and French armies with French Prime Minister Briand. Nivelle seized the opportunity to visit Lloyd George. Nivelle's mother was British, and he had a standard English pronunciation, which was definitely not from the suburbs of London, which was rare among French generals. Nivelle was also a Protestant. He never concealed his contempt for his Catholic compatriots, which attracted French Republicans and is now appreciated by the British. At the same time, Nivelle respected Lloyd George very much. When he met Lloyd George for the first time, he gave a beautiful and slightly flattering military salute, which Lloyd George was very happy with.

Perhaps some readers still remember that the reason why Lloyd George came to power was not bright, and even a little despicable, so many people had a lot of complaints about Lloyd George, including British generals. Haig often scolded Lloyd George as a bastard behind his back, which was a common phenomenon.

Nivelle also had another characteristic, his head shape was very much in line with Lloyd George's preferences. Lloyd George believed in phrenology. He saw the dawn of victory from Nivelle's head shape, so Lloyd George chose to trust Nivelle and gave up Foch.

With so many reasons combined, it is not surprising that Nivelle defeated Foch and Pétain, who was destined to be a soy sauce.

For others, Nivelle's promotion may just be a try for someone else. But for Qin Zhiyuan, Nivelle's coming to power was no less than a catastrophe.

The day after Nivelle took office, Qin Zhiyuan received an order and immediately led the First Brigade to Verdun to participate in the next attack on the Germans.

It is obvious that Nivelle wanted Qin Zhiyuan to die.

Including the Chinese in the First Brigade.

Because of the affiliation, Qin Zhiyuan could not refuse Nivelle's order, so he returned to Capy that night and ordered the mobilization of troops at the same time to prepare to go to Verdun.

"It's my fault. I didn't do it well." When passing by Amiens, Foch met Qin Zhiyuan.

"No, this is not your problem. The responsibility lies with all of us. You shouldn't bear it alone." Qin Zhiyuan comforted Fu Xu, pretending to be indifferent.

"Dad..." Julie hugged Fu Xu, put her head on Fu Xu's chest, and hugged him tightly.

In just two days, Fu Xu looked much more tired, his beard was more messy, there was eye mucus in the corners of his eyes, his clothes were wrinkled, and his shoes were covered with dust.

"Dear, don't worry about me, I am an old lion in the jungle, and I still have the ability to hunt." Fu Xu stroked Julie's long hair with relief, with a doting look on his face.

"Qin, I'm sorry, I want to stay with my dad during this period." Julie turned around and said to Qin Zhiyuan.

"No, no, do what you want to do, Dad will always support you." Fu Xu held Julie's shoulders and said seriously.

"Dad, don't reject me, I believe Qin, he can do it well, now I want to stay with you, you need me more." Julie insisted.

"Good child..." Fu Xu's eyes were wet.

"Qin, if you don't want to go to Verdun, you can withdraw to Algeria, where the headquarters of the Foreign Legion is located, and I still have a certain influence there." Foch found a way out for Qin Zhiyuan.

The headquarters of the French Foreign Legion has always been in Algeria, which is a French colony. If Foch is determined to protect Qin Zhiyuan, Nivelle can do nothing. Of course, in that case, Qin Zhiyuan's reputation will inevitably be damaged.

"No, believe me, old lion. The teeth of the newborn lion are sharper and the power is more sufficient." Qin Zhiyuan didn't want to moan in the storm like a seagull, he wanted to welcome the baptism of the storm like a seagull.

"Hahahaha..." Foch laughed heartily, tears came out of his eyes: "Okay, little lion, go. The old lion is watching you and see what you can do."

"As you wish." Qin Zhiyuan took a step back and saluted at attention.

"Dear, take care." Julie rushed over and hugged Qin Zhiyuan, using so much force that her arms were shaking slightly.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Take care of yourself and take care of the old lion." Qin Zhiyuan left a kiss on Julie's smooth forehead without any other meaning.

...

"You are so brave that you dare to kiss her baby in front of the old man. Aren't you afraid that the old man will chase you with a whip again?" Pierre followed Qin Zhiyuan back to Kapi, seemingly teasing in a relaxed manner.

Somehow, the news that Foch was chasing Qin Zhiyuan in the office had spread throughout the entire Northern Army Group. Everyone made this a joke, and of course, to some extent, this also increased Qin Zhiyuan's charm.

"I thought you wouldn't come." Qin Zhiyuan was a little surprised.

"Hey, are you questioning my courage?" Pierre was dissatisfied.

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"No, I'm very relieved." Qin Zhiyuan shook his head.

"Maybe you don't know, a long time ago, I fantasized about being a private soldier, carrying a rifle without bullets, bravely and fearlessly launching a death charge against the Germans. Maybe it sounds stupid, but it's tragic." Pierre looked longing.

Everyone has a heroic dream in their hearts, and Pierre is no exception.

"I understand this feeling, it's better to die than to live in disgrace." Qin Zhiyuan commented with an oriental proverb.

"Yes, that's the feeling." Pierre agreed.

"It doesn't matter, I won't give you such an opportunity." Qin Zhiyuan said with a little sarcasm.

"I know, I'm just fantasizing. It's good now. I'll make a plan, and you'll charge on the front line instead of me, so you must take care of yourself, not only for Julie, but also for me." Pierre said solemnly.

"Yes, I understand!" Qin Zhiyuan promised.

...

Conference room of the First Brigade of Kapi.

"General Qin, we are going to the front line. In order to ensure combat effectiveness, please stay here." Qin Zhiyuan looked indifferent at Qin Yunpeng.

"Your subordinates are too presumptuous. I doubt their execution ability." Qin Yunpeng was still angry.

"If you want to hate, you can choose to hate me. My subordinates are just following orders." Qin Zhiyuan took it all.

"Then you'd better come back alive and give me the opportunity to continue to hate you." Faced with a powerful enemy, Qin Yunpeng chose to be united against the outside world.

"If I can come back... No, I will definitely come back." Qin Zhiyuan put down his burden and prepared to go into battle lightly.

Without Qin Zhiyuan's consent, Qin Yunpeng could not do anything, and he could not even leave this conference room.