Mediterranean hegemon

With a "pop", a pile of colorful leaflets fell on the table, followed by the iconic roar of Rome Police Chief Grandini: "Damn it, who did this? Check it out! Check it out!" !”

"Yes! Yes!" The phone was hung up in a hurry. Grandini, who was still angry, glanced at the flyers roughly, tore them all into pieces, and said to himself: "How brave, actually You dare to cause trouble under my nose!"

Rome has never been a peaceful place. After the signing of the "Contract of Versailles", the disappointed Italian delegation was protested by the people. But like now, the streets are filled with leaflets and slogans of the "Young Italy League". "But this is the first time that the students have no intention of attending classes and are all engaged in these secret works - of course, there are only a few people who are determined to welcome fascism, most of them are just young students who have been incited, and some are afraid of fascism. The troublemaker who keeps the world in peace.

However, Contini didn't want to care about the students' motives now. He just wanted to build momentum, and the rest had nothing to do with him for the time being. To be on the safe side, he sent a telegram to his father, Ciano Sr., telling him vaguely that he Engaging in a great cause, using practical actions to express support for the "March to Rome" movement.

"Sir, we have found out..." On the afternoon of October 27, the Roman police rarely showed high efficiency and reported to Grandini. "The whole thing was caused by a man named Galeazzo Ciano from the University of Rome." Incited by the first-year students, he proclaimed himself the leader of the Young Italian League, and all radicals in secondary and higher education institutions are directors of this league..."

"Ciano? This name seems a bit familiar..." Grandini pondered, "Yes, I must have dealt with him before."

His subordinates complimented him: "You have a very good memory. His father is Costanzo Ciano, a former naval colonel and now a general of the Fascisti."

"I asked how could such a thing happen? It turns out that Fascist's bastards are causing trouble." Grandini sneered, "Bring me here."

"Do you want to 'enlighten' me first?"

The so-called enlightenment, of course, does not refer to verbal education, but to locking up and beating the opponent first to kill the opponent's prestige. The police basically use this method to deal with leftists, but today Grandini did not agree: "It's just a student, don't do it." Making a fuss out of a molehill.”

In the evening, the police broke into a cafe with a very clear goal - to go straight to Contini, who was planning a rally for tomorrow.

The whole audience exclaimed: "What are you doing? What are you doing?"

"What law have we broken?"

“Why do the police arrest people for no reason?”

The veteran who was responsible for carrying out the task smiled "hehe": "Several students with no hair yet dare to imitate others and engage in political connections. Isn't it too easy for you not to let you suffer some hardships? Take it away!"

"asshole!"

"I'll fight with you!"

Seeing a group of hot-blooded revolutionary comrades wielding knives and forks and picking up stools to fight the police forcefully, Ciano said: "Stop!"

"Don't get excited, everyone, continue to follow the strategy I just mentioned. I will go see Mr. Grandini and I will convince the police to side with us."

"This is too dangerous, I'll go with you!" Several people said in unison.

"The alliance cannot live without you! Just wait, I will return safely in less than three days!" Ciano remembered clearly that on October 30, the telegram that the king appointed Mussolini as prime minister and formed a cabinet was about to be announced, so He is very sure that he will return within 3 days, but now he still has to pretend to be a magic stick.

"Let's go? Three days? I'm warning you, kid, you won't be able to get out for three years. I guarantee you will sit in jail to the end!"

In less than half an hour, Ciano appeared in Grandini's office. The other person had a gloomy face. He stared at him for a long time before speaking: "Is it your father's opinion to incite students to build up momentum?"

"no!"

"Is that what Mussolini meant?"

"No!"

"What does Fascist mean?"

"Not at all!"

"Don't talk in circles with me, my patience is limited." Grandini slammed the table, "Then tell me, who instructed you to do this?"

"It was me, the passionate Italian youth, and 40 million Italian compatriots who instructed me to do it."

"Young man, although I have met your father several times, you'd better not challenge my authority! If you don't confess, I don't mind letting you experience the police station's torture methods for free!"

Contini shrugged nonchalantly: "You must have misunderstood. No one actually instructed me to do this, and very few people can instruct me. This was entirely done by me, so you have found the right person... This Well done to the police for once!”

Hearing this vague sarcasm, Grandini glared viciously: "Do you know what you are talking about? You will be torn into pieces with just one look from me!"

"Of course I know what I am doing, but I also want to know what you are doing?" Contini looked at the other party without fear, "Don't people like you still understand the current situation in Rome? Do you think the French How many days are left for Keda? Once the Fascists march to Rome and the leader takes control of the situation, he will tear you to pieces with just a few words you just said!"

"Arrogant! You don't know the heights of the earth, hahahaha..." Grandini laughed, "Did you know that the Prime Minister had prepared the martial law order 2 hours ago and was entering the palace to ask His Majesty to sign it. Tonight it will be It will take effect, and tomorrow morning, countless troops and police will tear you, Fascist, and your ridiculous leader into pieces!"

"Really?" Contini laughed nonchalantly, "I bet you that this martial law will not take effect!"

Just when Grandini was lecturing Contini and the two sides were quarreling and going back and forth, in the Quirinal Palace, a fat man with gray temples wiped cold sweat and faced the opposite King of Italy, the titular King of Italy. The supreme ruler Emmanuel III reported the situation. He was Fakda, leader of the Italian Liberal Party and current Italian Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty, I hope to be given the power to declare martial law across the country."

"Is this your opinion or the unanimous opinion of the cabinet?"

"It's...our opinion."

This sentence is very vague. It sounds like it represents the entire cabinet, but it can also refer to other things. Emmanuel III said "hmm" but said nothing. He knew that the other party was lying. In fact, martial law was only the result of discussions between Fakda and close associates of the Liberal Party. The idea was provided by Grandini, and it was not even formed within the Liberal Party. consensus, let alone acceptance by the cabinet.

Fakda came to the palace to ask for urgent help, but the cunning Emmanuel III did not want to endorse this behavior and simply rejected the martial law. The reason was high-sounding: At present, the Fascists have gathered hundreds of thousands of people and swept across the country. If a large number of cities in the center and south are rashly suppressed by martial law, it will not only arouse their resistance but also arouse the anger of the people. Italy will face terrible riots and even civil war...

Originally, in Fakda's plan, martial law was the first step, and using the police, gendarmes, and military to suppress it was the second step. But now the first step was abruptly interrupted before the first step was taken. He was a little anxious and argued: "This way we may not be able to control the situation..."

"The cities currently under fascist control have not fallen into chaos. You should solve the task within the framework of the constitution and law, instead of resorting to martial law and suppression..." Emmanuel III said dissatisfiedly, "I hope you will use political means to solve the problem. Be flexible instead of using tough measures. Italy cannot afford chaos now and cannot afford a chaotic ending."

After arguing for more than an hour, the king still refused to sign the martial law. Without the king's signature and the unanimous opinion of the cabinet, Fakda did not dare to force the order. If he did so, he would be jailed in the future. Don't have the guts to do that yet.

After returning to the Prime Minister's Office, he called Grandini and told the latter that martial law had not been passed, but the Roman police should ensure that Rome did not fall into chaos, otherwise they would just ask.

Before receiving the call, Grandini was blowing beards and glaring at Contini, but after receiving the call, he looked like he had seen a ghost. Contini secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this: History is still following its original trajectory. , I bet on the right one!

Now, he can have a good talk with Grandini about the future of the police chief...