Mediterranean hegemon

"First, the high delay and error rates of Italian railway operations are simply a shame for the great powers. Newspapers often mock them. Now that you are the Minister of Transport, I think we can start with this problem - improving punctuality does not cost much, but it can effectively increase the influence of the Ministry of Transport in the minds of the people."

The first idea was thought of by Contini from the famous Italian joke in later generations - "Don't care what else Mussolini did, at least he can make Italian trains depart on time!"

"Second, improve public transportation. Rome's public transportation is very bad. It is recommended to establish 1-2 new bus and tram companies. Don't state-owned operations, which will definitely result in losses. Public-private partnerships are more appropriate. The government invests part of the money, the consortium invests part of the money, and the specific operation is handed over to private management. The price is determined by the government. I believe that capitalists will be interested."

Old Ziano was stunned for a moment. Recently, his mind was full of ideas for building new railways, roads, and dredging shipping. He has not considered railway operations and public transportation. In comparison, his son's plan is more effective and less expensive.

"However, it may be difficult for the government to invest in public transportation."

"It was difficult before, but not now... The government can just invest directly in vehicles. Vehicles..." Contini blinked, "If you don't have money to buy Italian products, don't you still have German products? Of course, we must hurry up."

Old Ciano then remembered the prediction of the devaluation of the mark, and he was very happy to connect them together: the Ministry of Transportation purchased vehicles from Germany with government credit as a guarantee, and then kept the mark in the account, and waited for the mark to depreciate greatly in a year... That was so sour.

"Galai, your idea is very good. I think you can come to the Ministry of Transport to be an assistant minister."

"Wait until I graduate..." Contini smiled slightly, "But to be honest, there are several backbones in the alliance who will graduate next year. I want to recommend them to work in the government. It would be best if they can start from a slightly higher level. Their level and ability are very good, but they lack some connections."

"Aren't you going to keep them in the newspaper?"

"The newspaper can't afford them, and it's a waste to pile them all in the newspaper. I want the alliance and the newspaper to be their transition stage between school and work. Once they know that they can win a good job by performing well in the newspaper and the alliance, they will work harder."

Although Contini's words were obscure, old Ciano understood: his son wanted to use the recommendation of government advantages and disadvantages as an incentive to attract more talents to join the Youth Alliance and the newspaper, which was also very beneficial to him - aren't his son's friends and confidants equal to his own capable people?

"It's a good idea. I strongly support it. I will give you 6 places. You can report the names to me without any worries. I will make the specific arrangements. It doesn't matter if the family background is a little worse, but the person must be loyal, reliable and capable!"

"Thank you, Dad." Contini raised his head and said sincerely. Old Ziano really had nothing to say to him. He gave money, resources and face to him. Although his soul was not pure little Ziano, he still felt the blood-thicker-than-water family affection.

Old Ciano laughed: "You are my son, who else can I help if not you? Besides, you have helped a lot. Don't run around these two days, stay in the newspaper office as much as possible and wait for the phone call..."

The cabinet meeting convened at 9 o'clock was held on time for the first time. After a week of preparation, Mussolini planned to listen to the ideas and policy programs of various departments for future work today, but the reports from the ministers made him frown: many of the newly reorganized officials are not used to their identities, especially the cabinet officials sent by the fascists are still in the style of the power seizure era, with loud slogans but few substantive clauses, or put forward a big and useless plan, which involves the budget. Not to mention that it cannot be solved this year, it is difficult to meet these "grand" ideas even if all other funds are cut.

Although Mussolini liked to talk big and talk nonsense in front of outsiders, he knew that his position was not yet secure. Governing the country could not be solved by shouting a few slogans. There must be down-to-earth measures. In particular, he promised to show a new image of the government in front of the people and draw a clear line with the previous politician government. Therefore, there must be practical and feasible stuff to put forward. Now the meeting is like this, which makes him look ugly.

Old Ciano's report was relatively late. When it was his turn to report, he was very concise and did not have any big slogans, but his ideas were very clear:

"First, survey the main bridges, railways, roads, culverts, and tunnels across the country, and repair the damaged or destroyed facilities within one year."

Many facilities were actually destroyed during the fascist movement. Mussolini knew this very well. He nodded involuntarily after hearing this - they used to be destroyers, but now they have become builders;

"Second, enforce strict railway discipline, improve management capabilities, and improve operational levels. If necessary, German experts can be hired to participate in the work. Within one year, the punctuality rate of railway departures will be increased to more than 85%, establish a good image, and eliminate public dissatisfaction."

This point also suited Mussolini's appetite. Even the railways could not depart on time. The Italians were really hopeless. As for hiring German experts, it was understandable. The operational level of the German railway network was famous all over the world.

"Third, improve public transportation, starting with a pilot project in Rome, increasing the number of buses and trams through public-private partnerships and promoting them in other major cities. The number of buses to be put into operation this year should be no less than 1,000. The fare will be determined by the government, and any increase will require a public hearing."

"Fourth, survey the geological conditions of big cities such as Rome and Milan to prepare for the construction of new subways in the future. We will strive to launch 2-3 subway line design drawings this year."

“Fifth, set up airports in Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence, Naples, Catania and other places, leverage the advantages of the Italian aviation industry, and open international civil routes to Paris, London, Barcelona, ​​Lisbon, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Warsaw. , gradually improve domestic routes, all work will be completed within five years, and routes from Rome to London, Berlin and Paris will be completed first next year.”

“Sixth, dredge inland waterways;”

"seventh,……"

"eighth,……"

The old Ciano mentioned a total of 10 measures. In fact, many of them were careless, such as opening international flights - flying once a week and flying once a month are both called openings. The difficulty is obviously different, but Mussolini listened very well. Be serious and careful, and finally ask: "How much additional budget is needed?"

"Basically, it can be completed according to the currently determined budget structure. Part of the loan may be used, but the Ministry of Transport will be responsible for repaying it."

"Very good! You said it very well!" Mussolini said loudly, brushing away his unhappiness, "I wonder what other gentlemen have to say about the idea of ​​the Ministry of Transport?"

The new Minister of Aviation, Douhet, who is also an authority on Italian aviation theory and the founder of the "air dominance" doctrine, said: "The Ministry of Aviation agrees with the Ministry of Transport's idea of ​​developing domestic and international civil routes and hopes to cooperate together."

Secretary of the Army and former Army General Diaz then spoke: "The Ministry of the Army has many legacy large bombers that can be converted into civilian aircraft. There are also a group of retired pilots who need to be settled. I hope they can be given priority in hiring them. The southern suburbs of Rome There is an idle and closed military airport. If the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Aviation deem it useful, they might as well use it - as long as the above-mentioned aircraft, airports and related facilities are given appropriate budget compensation to the Ministry of War. "

Everyone secretly laughed: There is no longer a war. These aircraft and airports are all a burden. Not only do they cost money to maintain and care for, but they also take up staff and resources. Now, under the guise of helping the Ministry of Transportation to develop civil aviation, they not only clean up a pile of garbage. , and also asked the Ministry of Transportation to help resettle personnel and provide budget compensation. It was really a wishful thinking.

Old Ciano smiled slightly: "I have taken note of both suggestions. In principle, I think it is feasible."

Other ministries stopped speaking without much interaction with the Ministry of Transport. At the end of the discussion on this topic, Mussolini concluded: "Today's measures and plans of the Ministry of Transport are the most reasonable, and they also grasp the essence of budget use. I think Very good. Other ministries need to learn from the Ministry of Transport and re-visit their work concepts!”

Only the Deputy Minister of Transport and a member of the Catholic Party, Taro Dell, was surprised: because the policy plan the two discussed yesterday was not like this. The idea was much more ambitious, with the budget requirement being doubled. I don’t know why Ciano suddenly changed it. He was a little unprepared for the current plan, but judging from the scene, the Prime Minister was very satisfied with it. He suddenly admired the old Ciano's wit. When he saw that the meeting was not in the limelight, he immediately changed his mind, and he was still able to speak clearly and eloquently. .

Public-private partnership buses, trams? This seems like a good business...