Mediterranean hegemon

Mussolini smiled and said: "I am very happy to see that you are so promising. It fully demonstrates your ability to break out without relying on your father's generation, and it also shows that the Minister of Transport has taught you well. I can't do it. There are still people in my hometown. A few poor relatives took care of me for a while when I was in trouble. Now that I have become prime minister, they are eager to cling to me and come here every day asking for money and official positions. You know, I just want to serve the Italian people well and don't want to use it. Public power makes it convenient for them, and they are more resolutely opposed to the decadent style of holding office by relying solely on nepotism, but family relations cannot be completely ignored, so it is too difficult..."

Got it! I understand! The autumn wind is coming!

Contini, who knew Mussolini's intention, was at ease, but pretended to be surprised on his face: "My leader, why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have made better arrangements, but now it's a bit late - Motorcycle Company The shareholding structure has been determined and the registration has been completed. It is difficult to get involved. However, United Airlines is still in the establishment stage. Some preferred shares have dividends of about 6%. I wonder if your relatives are willing to give in? "

"This...approximately what percentage of preferred shares should be accounted for?"

"The first tranche of equity is 30 million liras, and I have separately reserved an additional 10 million preferred shares. If you think it is not enough, I will add some more."

"10 million?" Mussolini scratched his head and thought for a moment. 6% of 10 million a year is 600,000 lire (equivalent to 30,000 U.S. dollars). This is not a small amount. He was still very satisfied and thought the young man was quite sensible. , but there was some hesitation on his face.

Contini thought he was dissatisfied and cursed secretly in his heart, but with a smile on his face: "This... leader... I will discuss with Mr. Marconi in a while to establish a radio station and a radio factory in Italy." For cooperation, the radio station will definitely retain shares for the country, and the radio company will also have some preferred shares..."

Only then did Mussolini say: "Let's talk about that later. I think 10 million seems a bit much. My family cannot be compared with yours. They are all completely paupers. How can I spend so much money to buy preferred shares?" ?”

Contini quickly said: "How can the leader's relatives be compared with other relatives? That is not only a family matter, but also a national matter! I can't help the leader solve problems on national affairs at the moment, but I can help the leader solve some family difficulties and help you. Sharing worries is my job. This not only helps leaders devote themselves to work, concentrate on major issues, and lead the Italian people to move forward bravely, but also prevents some villains from making irresponsible remarks... Naturally, I have to take part in small matters such as loans. Go and settle things, they just need to get their dividends safely and don’t dare to bother with anything else.”

The words are very vague, but the meaning is very clear: 10 million preferred shares are given away for free, and the loan is just a cover, but other meanings are also expressed - you can take the money, but you should not reach out for business, otherwise why are they called preferred shares ( Priority is given to fixed dividends regardless of the company's profits and losses, but no voting rights or management rights).

He knew the elegant meaning of the song, and Mussolini immediately understood it: preferred shares are given for free, not only shares but also dividends. Young people have good brains. When talking, they talk about national affairs seriously, solve problems for leaders, and also Introducing preferred shares, settling loans - gone are the ugly names like dry stocks!

After receiving the money, of course you have to do something. It is not enough to just give away some equipment and deal with the airport at a low price. You also have to protect the company to prevent everyone from above and below from reaching out. Of course Mussolini understood this. He looked serious. Said: "That's natural. Your company must listen to you. Who dares to make trouble with you? Just tell me and see if I don't give him any color! It's a young person starting a business, and it's a new thing like civil aviation. , the government should set an example, give strong support, and fully protect them.”

After receiving the "preferred shares", Mussolini smiled even more and talked about the radio station. Contini discovered that Mussolini was naturally sensitive to the media and understood the essence of propaganda and public opinion with just a few words. , the two parties quickly reached a principled agreement: Contini agreed to invest in the establishment of the Italian National Broadcasting Station (IBC) following the BBC, with the official holding 35% of the shares - without paying a penny, but ensuring channel resources and exclusivity, and the remaining 65% is raised from the private sector. Contini didn't say he wanted to take a controlling stake. It's not that he doesn't want to take a controlling stake, but it's just that he can't stimulate too much yet, and the right way is to start broadcasting first.

After nearly an hour of preparation, Mussolini finally got down to business with Contini. This was also the original reason why he came to Contini: "Calais, what do you think of religious beliefs and the Papal State?"

Contini thought for a while: "Religious belief is a very important spiritual and cultural need. From a historical perspective, it is an important part of maintaining the Italian national spirit; from a realistic perspective, Italy has a population of nearly 40 million (actually about 38 million) , more than 95% of the people believe in religion, and Catholicism occupies an overwhelming majority. In addition, the Pope is in Rome, so we must treat it with caution... Of course, there is one point of view that I am very clear about: the medieval era of **** has passed forever. The Pope should work hard to appease and purify the hearts of the Italian people, and should no longer interfere with the daily life of society and the administrative authority of the government. The Papal State should also break away from daily political power and return to a pure religious center. Such a Holy See might also have greater power. Influence... The old saying "Render to God what is God's and to Caesar what is Caesar's" still has a positive meaning today."

Mussolini patted the armrest and expressed satisfaction: "These words are very good and coincide with my thoughts. Although I opposed religion during the revolution before and held a critical attitude towards the church, now The situation is different. We are in power. We cannot do things based on personal likes and dislikes. We must fully consider Italy’s national interests and represent the common ideals of the vast majority of the Italian people. Therefore, I hope to ease relations with the Pope, coexist peacefully, and work together. Committed to the construction of the Italian nation.”

Contini knew that Mussolini was resolutely opposed to religion in his early years and called himself an "atheist." Not only did he refuse to hold weddings according to religious rituals when he got married, he even declared in 1920 that "the revolution will destroy the church" before marching into Rome. Now his attitude has changed. A 180-degree turn shows that the political interests of realism have been fully considered.

But it is more difficult for a face-saving person like Mussolini to ask a prime minister to immediately change his tune and show good intentions. Someone must mediate and communicate with him. Contini found it strange that although the Ciano family has an affair with the Pope, We have contact with each other, but the relationship is not close. Why did we find ourselves?

Mussolini saw his doubts and explained: "I occasionally flipped through the newspaper two days ago and saw the article "Frustration and Inheritance" you wrote. It was very well written about the role of religion in maintaining and shaping the Italian nation. , and I also admire the article "One Doctrine, One Party, One Leader" you wrote last time. It is more revolutionary than many figures in the party who study theory, so..."

This is of course just a superficial reason. In fact, it is not that Mussolini cannot find someone who can communicate with the Holy See, but in this way he will have to pay other prices and may also be criticized politically by his opponents - if Contini said it, firstly, he didn't have to pay any cost; secondly, he could get rid of the stakes involved.

Contini suddenly realized: This is the original problem. After the last time he wrote an article, he became Mussolini’s official literati. However, this matter is not unprofitable. If the atmosphere can be guided to shape and ultimately realize the Italian government and the Pope, With the normalization of relations, the name of the "Youth Theorist" will be more resounding, which will be beneficial to the Youth League and the United Group, and it will also be more beneficial to itself. If this thing is done, Mussolini won't disagree if he takes the opportunity to ask for some benefits, right?