Chapter 681: The "Seraing" Steelworks
Charles had guessed correctly—Gilles never had any intention of selling the Seraing Steelworks.
At the time, he had been vacationing in the United States, enjoying the sun with his family at their seaside villa in Washington. Gilles believed that if there was any place safe and comfortable in the world, it had to be America. Not even the world's greatest empire, Britain, could offer the same security—it too was suffering shortages under Germany's naval blockade.
That day, while sipping red wine on a deck chair in the sunshine, he received a telegram from Belgium—shockingly, from King Albert I himself:
"It gives me great pleasure to inform you, Mr. Gilles, that we will soon recapture the Seraing Steelworks.
For wartime considerations, if you do not return to handle the matter personally, we will nationalize the factory.
After all, no one would willingly shed blood to recover it only to hand it back to you on a silver platter, would they?"
Gilles shot up as though stung by a bee, exclaiming, "My God, they've actually reached Seraing?!"
Seraing wasn't just the name of a steelworks—it was a small city located just 10 kilometers from the Liège fortress. If Belgian forces had already reached it, it meant the complete liberation of Belgium wasn't far off.
"No—I can't lose the factory," Gilles muttered, hastily packing his bags and bidding his family goodbye. He immediately boarded a car bound for Belgium.
…
Charleroi City Hall.
Major General Eden was baffled by King Albert I's decision to "give" the Seraing Steelworks to Charles.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should reconsider?" Eden urged. "Seraing isn't just a steelworks—it's also a mechanical plant. Our very first locomotive was built there."
The Seraing Steelworks was Belgium's largest, producing 1.1 million tons of steel annually—nearly half of the nation's total steel output.
(Note: Around WWI, Belgium's total annual steel production was 2.467 million tons. By the 1980s, Seraing alone would produce over 3 million tons.)
"I know," King Albert replied calmly.
"It's Belgium's lifeblood, Your Majesty," Eden insisted. "Steel drives our economy, military, and industry. Without it, we lose everything."
Albert's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Do you really believe Charles needs our steel to control Belgium?"
Eden suddenly understood.
Charles didn't need the Seraing Steelworks to hold Belgium in his hands. He already commanded an unmatched army, controlled the FN arms factory, and was building the country's defensive network. Any one of those things was enough to shake Belgium's foundation.
So then—what difference did it make if he held one more piece?
"But still," Eden tried again, "Seraing is vital to our economy. We could simply pretend nothing happened... Charles hasn't asked for anything—he seems content with what he has. Giving him the factory feels unnecessary."
Albert chuckled and gently reminded him, "You've forgotten where the factory is located, haven't you?"
Eden hadn't exactly forgotten—he just hadn't considered the strategic implications. But as he glanced at the map, his expression shifted instantly.
Seraing was a small city in the province of Liège, just 10 kilometers from the fortress itself. To protect the steelworks, one had to ensure the safety of Liège. Otherwise, the factory would sit well within range of the fortress's artillery.
Albert asked evenly, "Now do you understand why we should give it to Charles?"
Eden nodded vigorously. "Yes, Your Majesty. It's a wise investment. Your decision is bold, visionary, and precise!"
Albert smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
Eden had only seen this from a military angle. From a political one, Albert's move was also a strike against Belgium's entrenched capitalists.
As Eden himself had pointed out, Seraing's steel output was half the nation's total. Its owner, Gilles, held immense economic and industrial power—so much that even the king had to show him deference.
But if Belgium had to listen to Charles, to Boyata, to Gilles—and a dozen others—then what kind of leadership did it have?
Why not just push Gilles and the rest out altogether?
In the end, Albert thought, better to listen to one man—Charles—than to ten competing interests. Charles was a friend. He was a capitalist with a conscience. And most importantly, he was not someone who could be pushed out.
It was a move for consolidated power—something Eden didn't understand and didn't need to.
Just then, Gilles was ushered in by the guards. He enthusiastically shook hands with the king and exclaimed, "Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
"I can't believe we've already taken back Seraing! I knew under your leadership, the Belgian people would defeat the invaders and win this war!"
"You are a wise ruler and a brilliant commander…"
Albert snorted internally. If you believed that, you wouldn't have run to America and done nothing until now.
But he didn't show it. Smiling politely, he gestured to the desk. "Since you've returned, let's talk about the Seraing Steelworks, Mr. Gilles. Shall we?"
Gilles looked stunned. After a moment, he stammered, "But... but Your Majesty, you said in the telegram that if I returned, the factory wouldn't be nationalized..."
Albert raised his eyebrows slightly. "And I meant that. But I believe you should sell a portion of the shares to Charles."
"Ch-Charles?" Gilles blurted out. "The French... Mars of War?"
Even from faraway America, Gilles had heard the name. The stories were everywhere—even across the Atlantic.
"Yes," Albert nodded, producing a contract he had prepared in advance. "Here is the acquisition proposal. If there are no issues, please sign."
Gilles flipped through it and turned pale. "Fifty percent at half market value? That's... this is outrageous!"
"Is it?" Albert's tone cooled. He cut Gilles off with a frosty stare. "Let me tell you what will happen, Mr. Gilles."
"If you refuse, then Charles will have no involvement with the Seraing Steelworks. The First Special Reconnaissance Division will no longer risk their lives protecting it."
"I'm sure you understand what that means."
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