Mediterranean hegemon

Now Duhei looked at Contini more and more, and he said with a smile: "My book has absorbed a lot of your opinions, and added some latest information in Berlin, and learned more about academic trends and scientific and technological development prospects. It is indeed as good as yours As I said, Mr. Marconi had already talked about the radio detection device when he went to the United States for a study exchange in the first half of this year, but it was not as clear and vivid as you said. I think this thing may really be used in the next 10-15 years. When it comes out, it will be a brand-new interference and challenge to seizing air supremacy, so I have been thinking about how to deal with it..."

"I have a way to deal with it."

"You already have a solution? You have a solution before the thing even appears? Come on, tell me."

"Two." Contini raised two fingers, "First, flying at ultra-low altitude, approaching covertly, compressing the detection distance, and reducing the enemy's warning time - the earth is round, and radio waves can only travel in straight lines. When the flight altitude decreases, affected by the curvature of the earth, the detection radio waves will be blocked by the earth; secondly, interference. Can’t radio waves detect objects in the sky through reflection? I simply let the aircraft carry various false targets and interference objects to let them fly. The enemy can't tell which is a real plane and which is a fake."

Douhet looked at Contini like a monster, and finally had to admit that these two methods were convincing from a scientific perspective.

"Calais, can you put your thoughts and theories into my book?"

"You are my teacher, and you have imparted all this knowledge. Why not?" Contini smiled slyly, "But it's best to be vague. You don't want the British, French, Germans, and Russians to use it one day." Is this a way to hit the door? "

"You're such a bad boy, you don't look like a 19-year-old at all."

Contini laughed secretly: Nonsense! I am not 19 years old, I am over 40! I thought so, but my face looked innocent: "Teacher, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand a word? Didn't you teach this knowledge? Everyone knows that air control is your theory, not mine. , it seems that my study of this theory is still too shallow.”

Antonio bit his lip hard to control himself from laughing out loud: The young master is really capable of talking nonsense...

In the next few days, while paying attention to changes in the financial market, Contini and Douhet visited other aviation companies and met with relevant political figures in Berlin.

I don’t know if it is because the statements of France and Belgium have put a lot of pressure on the German government. Now they are desperately clinging to the thighs of Britain and the United States, begging Britain and the United States to mediate over and over again, and they are not willing to let go of the well-meaning Italian government. They treated the visiting Douhet very politely and tried to counter the pressure from the French in this way. They never expected that the inconspicuous young man following Douhet had quietly taken away more than 800 yuan from Germany. Ten thousand US dollars - an armored cruiser built according to the latest standards and with a displacement of more than 15,000 tons has been taken away.

Although this is not the German government's money, it is the money of German speculators and some banks. In the final analysis, it is still cutting flesh on Germany.

Maybe the telegram Antonio sent back had an effect, maybe the handwritten letter written by Contini moved the old Ciano, or maybe the green notes he received stimulated the old Ciano's ambition. He said with great courage: The money He only got back the principal of the mortgage, leaving Contini to arrange the rest.

Antonio did not go to visit. He handled the tasks assigned by Contini in an orderly manner: the opening of U.S. stock accounts was completed. A total of 37 miscellaneous accounts were opened, with different names, including family, personal, and others. There are joint names, companies, trusts and bank agents, and the origins are also scattered, including Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and Portugal. In short, the actual controller behind it cannot be seen, which prevents some Buying too many stocks and being too conspicuous on the shareholder list - the heritage of the old family is once again clearly revealed.

The acquisition of two motorcycle workshops was also completed. Old Ciano didn't even show up in person. He only asked his secretary to make a phone call and the matter was settled: On the one hand, the Minister of Transport, a seemingly well-established backer, On one side was a purchase check equivalent to US$200,000 in front of them. No one was unmoved. It was in this atmosphere that United Motorcycles of Italy was formed.

Based on the suggestions of engineers and family managers, the elder Ciano spent more than 1 million US dollars to purchase new land and factory buildings in Milan, and bought a bunch of equipment and materials, ready to roll up his sleeves and start working. The reason why I chose Milan instead of Rome is because Rome is not very much like an industrial city - Italy's traditional industrial centers are Turin, Milan and Genoa. In addition, recruiting qualified mechanical workers is a troublesome thing. The reason why it is located in Milan. It’s not Turin or Genoa, because motorcycles also need to have a sense of art. Milan is the capital of fashion. Whether it’s appearance design or publicity and promotion, starting from Milan can make a difference.

Although Contini alone borne all United Motorcycle’s investment, including the R32 technical fees obtained from BMW, he did not hold exclusive shares. Instead, he only held 70% of the shares in accordance with the preset equity ratio in the plan, giving him absolute control; The remaining two acquired companies hold a total of 24% of the shares, and the other 6% is reserved for the management and technical backbone of the new company. Contini said that if the company expands in scale and achieves good results in the future, he will continue to give up part of the equity as a way to support the management. and technical personnel, which was a surprise to everyone.

The old Ciano was very satisfied with his son's style: 100% control seemed to monopolize the interests, but in fact it was not conducive to mobilizing the enthusiasm of the top and bottom. United Motorcycle had a big air, but the business was a start-up, and everyone needed to be united, and Kong Tiny understands neither design nor technology. In the future, he will at best be a hands-off shopkeeper and will not be able to really put a lot of effort into management. Maintaining this stock ratio is conducive to everyone's enthusiasm.

In the end, the general manager of United Motorcycles was decided by the old Ciano, and Anthony was transferred from his hometown in Livorno to manage the family industry. In addition, a group of managers were hired from other companies and family industries, and the two were merged into the original management of the company. The top management can only be partially appointed. Contini himself is the chairman and chairman of the strategic planning committee (chief bullshit expert). However, the company is in Milan and he is in Rome. At most, he can only direct remotely.

Although Douhet was surprised that Contini would focus on motorcycles first instead of aviation, he believed that there was still a point in the truth: it is not easy to achieve results in aviation now, and the motorcycle market is completely blank. With motorcycles as the foundation, the aviation industry will also be upgraded in the future. Easier... How did he know that the business idea for United Airlines (civilian) had already been initially formed in Contini's mind, and he planned to do it when he returned to China - this can be regarded as a political achievement of the Ministry of Transport.

In Contini's view, Italy's hope for civil aviation cannot be pinned on Douhet. It's not that Douhet himself is short-sighted, but that the teacher's character and conduct are not rounded enough, and he has some difficulties in the army, let alone Talking about business and trade. On the surface, civil aviation is about flying, but there are actually a lot of commercial interests and coordination. He believes that it is more appropriate and more appropriate for the old Ciano to come forward to start it. After all, United Airlines is not a small business. He plans to launch 10-12 domestic regulations as soon as he starts. Routes, 5-6 international routes, only extraordinary and Great Leap Forward development can quickly build a civil aviation structure.

Antonio and him have obvious differences on this point. The old steward believes that 1-2 routes should be operated first, and then slowly rolled out after they are mature and stable to prevent risks caused by taking too big steps. However, Contini thinks it is inappropriate: civil aviation is Other consortiums in the country are keeping an eye on new things. Once they find something profitable, they will immediately pounce on it. You open one, I open one. By then, the market will be fragmented and become extremely chaotic. With the power of old Ciano, it is possible to give some special care to his son's civil aviation, but it seems impossible to prevent other consortiums from intervening.

Contini ambitiously said: "As soon as United Airlines is established, I will cover the major cities in Italy and major international routes in Western Europe. At the same time, I will recruit all talents who can perform the flight, control, dispatching and command tasks of civil aviation aircraft. ”

“It will be difficult to make a profit,” Antonio cautions.

Contini said categorically: "Ignore the profit for the time being. I don't plan to make a profit within 5 years. I am even prepared to lose 5 million US dollars. Looking at Italy today, who can still have such determination and courage?"

"Okay, but I want to report to the master first."