Mediterranean hegemon

"Calais, your countermeasures are very powerful. I support your actions." As soon as the press conference ended, Mussolini, who was worried about the world being in chaos, got the news and said with a smile, "This is a response to the arrogance of the Socialist Party. A heavy blow! In addition, our comrades are tired of the intrigues of the bourgeois parties and have proposed reforming the parliamentary system and establishing a national fascist committee. What do you think?"

Contini was stunned: What was supposed to come was finally coming. Mussolini’s plan to replace the Parliament with the Great Fascist Council was not just a day or two ago. No wonder he supported him so actively this time, and his emotions were used as a weapon again.

Thinking so, he could not express his objections, but immediately echoed: "Leader, this is in line with my ideals. The Italian people are the masters of the country and cannot pass this hypocritical parliamentary representation system. The Great Fascist Committee is the real people The expression of being the master of the country is the true people's democracy. I wholeheartedly support it. However, I suggest that we make two basic preparations. First, we must be prepared in theory and public opinion, so that the Italian people understand what this new democratic system is. The innovation of revolutionary theory is a leap forward in the Italian spirit in the new era; secondly, it must have a practical and political foundation. The current ugly performance of the Social Democratic Party is a vivid footnote... Therefore, I suggest waiting until the conclusion of this lawsuit before proceeding. "

"Your suggestion is good, I will consider it carefully." Mussolini felt that it made sense: the Grand Fascist Commission was a major event in the political life of the Italian people and could not be launched casually. This opportunity and time must be grasped.

"Master, although your countermeasures at the press conference sound very enjoyable and tough, in fact we are untenable. As long as they go to court... we..."

"Uncle Antonio, I know I will lose the lawsuit, but they are not so quick to file the lawsuit. I am confident that I will delay them for a few months. At worst, I will settle the settlement with them after the verdict...I am not trying to default on the debt." Contini said with a smile. , "But the momentum must be there. If the momentum is gone, then we will be completely doomed. Do you think these small and medium-sized enterprises dare to file a lawsuit with the United Group?"

"But the current lawsuit with the Socialist Party may not be winnable. It is said that the Socialist Party is rushing to find evidence from Germany!"

"Don't be afraid. I have a way to control the Germans. Isn't it just Albert? Can he change the world?" Contini nodded confidently, "I'm going to send a telegram to the French ambassador in Germany. Junk is very interested, give me another three million this time - but we will specify what you want!"

Antonio was shocked: "Didn't you promise the six major consortiums not to move their businesses?"

"I can't move them, but I don't promise not to move the others. Albert is unjust first, so it's natural for me to fight back!"

The French ambassador has been feeling very happy these past two days: Although the amount of 3 million U.S. dollars is not large, it has reduced the storage costs in the warehouse, and secondly, it has somewhat lightened the burden of sending troops. 3 million U.S. dollars is enough for two months of garrison expenses. . For this matter, the Foreign Minister even sent a telegram to thank himself.

Just when I was happy, unexpectedly, a telegram from Italy came again: United Group continued to purchase 3 million "junk", and the only requirement was that it be self-selected.

You choose what you choose, it’s nothing special. The ambassador was overjoyed, as if he saw the golden money and a bright future waving to him: The overbearing president is always very considerate when doing things. He gave him US$20,000 in errand fees last time. This time he asked for If you specify, then you have to give at least 50,000, right? ——You will never earn so much money as an ambassador in your lifetime!

The ambassador's actions were very efficient. The day after receiving the telegram, the French army launched a new round of forced demolitions in the Ruhr area: The last demolition was more or less out of anger, and those who were unlucky were not worth it. The handle was cut off, and this time there were buyers and tickets waiting. Everyone was patient and dismantled it slowly, preserving its original appearance as much as possible - only good service will lead to future business.

The German business community was going crazy. A hail of telegrams was sent to United Group, accusing Contini of breaking his promise.

Contini only replied to them with a few simple words: "Every injustice has its owner, and whoever caused it is responsible. I suggest you ask Albert!"

When I asked Abbott, after learning the news, the powerful people in the business community almost brought down the presidential palace, and they all criticized Abbott. Why did he make so much trouble out of nothing? Who asked you to meddle in the affairs of the Italians?

Albert was too mute to tell the story of his suffering. He was originally unhappy with the fact that Contini and the United Group were meddling in Munich and was causing trouble to the Weimar government, so he wanted to vent his anger. Unexpectedly, as soon as he revealed the news to the Socialist Party, he was attacked Contini counterattacked so harshly. Now he believed Sickert's assessment of Contini - that he was a bold man and it was best not to provoke him.

After the tearful business community received Albert's guarantee that he would no longer join the United Group, they immediately sent a telegram to Contini, strongly urging him to stop!

Of course, stop, because the French demolition work has been completed. According to the designation of the United Group: 3 medium-sized chemical plants, 2 ball bearing factories, and 2 power stations have been cleaned of equipment. Contini even asked the French to The Junkers branch of the company that makes aircraft engines was looted - just in time to update equipment for United Airlines.

Now it was the Social Democrats' turn to be dumbfounded. In order to wait for their evidence, the Rome District Court postponed the hearing from April 5 to the 10th, and then to the 15th. But until April 18, the Social Democrats could not hand over their evidence. Evidence of what they originally said.

It was not that the Social Democratic Party refused to hand over, but that there was a sudden change on the German side. The German Weimar government, which had vowed to state that the evidence was conclusive, suddenly changed its tone. Albert publicly stated that the government only suspected that the United Group was involved in this matter, and did not If there is any actual and direct evidence, since the Italian side currently states that there is no evidence, the German government certainly believes it, and the German government has no intention to interfere in Italy's internal affairs and justice.

As a result, the Social Democratic Party was dumbfounded. They were put in the air by Albert.

During the trial, the Socialist Party, which had no evidence to offer but what I heard, reliable information, and hearsay, was completely defeated - in the end, all the Socialist Party's accusations about the United Group were based on the evidence of the German government. There are detailed interrogation records, relevant materials, rosters, arms, etc. from the German side. The Socialist Party has not obtained these evidences. Even if they were available, the Germans now deny that they do not have them. What can they do? I have the heart to jump off a building!

On April 20, the Socialist Party, which was at a loss for words, could only watch the court pronounce the verdict: the plaintiff United Group sued the defendant Social Democratic Party of Italy for defamation of reputation. Since all the defendant’s sources could not be verified and there was no evidence, the defamation was established and the defendant was ordered to solemnly apologize. , and pay compensation of 40 million Italian lire (US$2 million).

An even more tragic situation occurred outside the court, because the Social Democratic Party has been unable to produce any favorable evidence: those factories that cooperated with the United Group immediately made up their minds to eliminate all Social Democratic employees, except for a very small number of people who would rather be dismissed. In addition to not quitting, most of the employees made a wise choice between their jobs and their party - every day the "Youth Daily" was full of statements about withdrawing from the Social Democratic Party, and later even the news of the dissolution of the entire branch was published , and those members of the Social Democratic Party who were not included in the list of expulsions, mainly intellectuals, were pained by the "defamation" case, and also expressed that they wanted to draw a clear line, and voluntarily quit the party one after another. …

By late May, the membership of the once-prominent Social Democratic Party had dropped sharply from 100,000 at its peak to less than 10,000. Its influence and membership were even less than those of the Communist Party of Italy that split off that year. Due to the party's delay in paying compensation, the United Group filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court, requesting that the party's qualifications for activities be terminated.

On June 3, the Social Democratic Party was suspended from party activities, "Socialists" was sealed, and the Grand Fascist Committee will soon make its official debut...

Ps: I went out today and came back very late, so there is only one update. I will make up for it later. I am very sorry...