Father of France

Chapter 6 The Liberation of Paris
As the two were leaving, they bumped into a Kurd in a long robe, but there was no conflict. They passed each other like two lines that did not want to intersect, touching only briefly.

The Kurd appeared with a yellow paper package wrapped like a head, and was about to open it for Koman to inspect the goods when he was stopped by an outstretched hand. "I don't like this kind of thing. As long as you can guarantee that it's good stuff, I believe the Kurds won't try to cheat the army."

"Of course not, it's definitely top-quality stuff." The Kurd's eyes were filled with a determined look as he wanted to join the party; in another context, this could be described as unwavering resolve, if you disregarded the opium in his hand.

"We're taking away everything you Kurds have accumulated over the years," Koman said, getting straight to the point. "Before we leave, we'll designate a Kurdish autonomous region. Isn't that your dream?"

Since they're leaving anyway, the problems all concern Syria. Besides, Koman has been very kind to Syria, even giving away Lebanon without reservation. Creating a Kurdish autonomous region is just a way to make up for it. Moreover, even if he hadn't created it, the future Syrian government still wouldn't be able to control the Kurds.

The division of the Kurdish autonomous region was decided long ago; he's just bringing it up now. Since he's going back to Europe anyway, he might as well do a favor by saying it offhand.
"Thank you very much." This news was like a windfall for the current Kurdish representative, who went from wanting to join the party to being extremely grateful.

"I'll also bring a gift for Warrant Officer Koman when I deliver the goods," the Kurdish representative said solemnly before leaving.

"Another surprise?" Koman chuckled, but didn't take it to heart. What could he possibly give? Local specialties? No way, he really kept his distance from poppies.

This conversation didn't take too long; the Kurdish representative left immediately, but left behind the goods he brought so that Koman and his team could have samples to verify that they hadn't lied.

"Corman, don't you hate this kind of thing?" Martin asked, weighing the toy in his hand.

"That's because I know I don't have willpower. I'm not even confident I can quit smoking, let alone something like this."

Koeman glanced at the yellow paper package and immediately looked away, chuckling, "But I heard that the Germans used banned drugs on the battlefield. The fact that the Germans don't have colonies may lead to insufficient production capacity. Considering our neighboring countries and the Franco-German friendship, we absolutely cannot ignore this."

“If the Germans knew that someone thousands of miles away was thinking of them like this, they would definitely be grateful to you.” Martin took a deep breath and said with empathy, “How did you even come up with that idea?”

“How could that be? Even a riding saddle or a pair of underwear has its use,” Coman said, his hands behind his back. “We should be good at finding the bright spots around us; we might just have an unexpected reward.”

"Three or four hundred tons of goods, fifteen thousand tons of tobacco leaves. Hopefully, the Germans can handle it." Martin didn't know how he felt. How could anyone feel like this?

"I will not allow you to look down on the Germans. Everyone knows that I have the utmost respect for the Germans. They are natural warriors with amazing willpower and strong physiques."

Koeman proudly puffed out his chest and said, "Therefore, this is just an appetizer for 80 million Germans. I did this entirely out of consideration for them."

"Then why don't you do it yourself?" Martin asked after a moment's thought. "If that's the case, don't you always do these great things yourself?"

I think you want to split up the forces and take off the Führer's head!

Koman gave his friend, whom he considered quite good, a deep look. Just as he was about to speak, Martin seemed to remember something and turned to leave without looking back.

Koeman couldn't remember where he'd read it in his previous life, but before the rise of the Mexican drug cartel, the importation of drugs into the United States was controlled by the French, and Turkey was the source of raw materials for France.

This is what they call a drug-trafficking version of the Holy Alliance. He also wondered how France and Türkiye, located on opposite sides of the Mediterranean, could have colluded together.

Everything became clear once the order to come to Syria was received. France and Türkiye had not been in contact, but French Syria bordered Turkey, so the Kurds, who were distributed between the two countries, were the prime suspects.

After arriving in Syria and learning more, I found this to be true. The drug problem along the Syrian-Turkish border is extremely serious, and it was indeed a drug den during the French colonial period. Drug problems are a global issue; everyone knows how severe the problem is in the United States. Kensington Street is like a zombie apocalypse. If the US were to adopt this approach, it would have already overthrown the Qing Dynasty.

India's problem is actually very serious; it has more drug addicts than the United States. The reason why this has not attracted attention in this major Eastern power is simply because India is not powerful enough.

After hosting two groups of guests, Koeman decided not to stay in the church any longer. He was a modernist and didn't care about such formalism.

Although he also reads Christian and even pacifist scriptures, he treats them purely as inspirational texts. Most of these scriptures encourage people to do good, which is true of most religions that have a place in the world.

Alan came in to ask if it was over. Coman nodded and the three of them returned to the barracks of the Youth Division with Martin. Their unit did not have a formal organization, so it was called the Youth Division, or the French Youth Division.

As for why he chose this name, it wasn't to emulate the Third Reich. The name was simply because Koeman believed that it would be less likely to be filled in by someone with the name of the Youth Division. He did have a strong desire to participate in the World War, but he didn't want to pay the price for it. This wasn't contradictory. Koeman believed that this was what it meant to be clear-headed.

In the Youth Division's barracks, the entire unit had entered a state of combat readiness. They had received orders to depart soon, and the commanders at all levels of the Youth Division were conducting ideological work. Of course, they had to adapt to local customs. There was no political commissar or chaplain, right? There was always a way to find a workaround.

Koman and Alan checked the weapons and ammunition. The governor's office had already received word that once the fleet arrived at the port, the Youth Division would set off for the European battlefield.

Before their departure, General Fontaine, the French commander of the Syrian army, would personally visit the Youth Division's camp to give a speech.

Just then, a broadcast from Damascus featured a recording of de Gaulle's speech upon returning to Paris City Hall: "Paris! Insulted Paris! Trampled Paris! But Paris—finally liberated! The people of Paris have liberated themselves, with the support of the French army and the whole of France! This is a victory for the entire nation, a victory for justice!"

The entire Youth Division's camp, though tens of thousands of soldiers were exchanging salutes, creating a deathly silence, was made clearer by the slightly distorted audio of the broadcast being recorded: "Today, we stand here not as beggars of liberation, but as victors! Because the destiny of France must be in the hands of the French people themselves! Long live France..."

Koeman stopped what he was doing and didn't speak until the broadcast ended. "Paris has been liberated. I expect the Governor's Palace will notify us to set off soon."

A day later, Koman, who was pondering what else might have been overlooked, was approached by Martin, who said, "The Kurds are transporting tobacco to the port, and they hope you can help them ensure the smooth flow of their shipments."

“This is indeed a very important matter.” Upon hearing this, Koman immediately followed Martin out of the military camp. The Kurds who came were the same representatives who had spoken with him in the church earlier, and he didn’t even know their names.

Koeman explained the checkpoints and countermeasures all the way to the port of Beirut: "General Fontaine will not stop us; he knows the importance."

“Thank you so much. Our local elders are very grateful and know about General Dragon’s kinship with you. That’s why they sent me with a gift. Please accept it,” the Kurdish representative said warmly.

I'm really not interested in your local specialties. Koman was about to say that he wasn't a drug addict when he saw the other person pull out a knife from his sleeve, and he swallowed his words back.

"This is a Damascus steel knife forged by our tribe." As he spoke, the Kurdish representative drew the knife from its scabbard. The silver scabbard was inlaid with three rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, and the blade bore the distinctive patterns of Damascus steel. He explained, "This is a token of our appreciation; please do not refuse..."

"Thank you so much." Koman had no intention of refusing. He had lived a life of integrity and honesty, and he had nothing to be ashamed of. What was there to be afraid of in accepting a mere souvenir?

　I've lived my life on thin ice; can I become "Brother Thin Ice"?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)