Mediterranean hegemon

Two days later, old Ciano called back: Full support, young people have dreams and should be boldly supported. It is not unacceptable to lose money for a few years, but the plan must be more detailed. Let's discuss it when we come back.

In fact, he made this decision with blind confidence in his son and did not conduct in-depth analysis. The main reason was that he made a fortune this time: more than 700,000 US dollars were recovered in the name of principal. In fact, this was obtained in exchange for a Mark loan. Judging from the current trend of the Mark running on the road of depreciation, this loan does not need to be repaid after one year or only needs to be repaid symbolically. There is no question of whether it is principal or not. More than 700,000 is all net profit.

In addition, according to the 10% distribution ratio of more than 7 million US dollars, old Ciano can get more than 700,000. After adding the two together, his wealth suddenly soared by more than 1.5 million US dollars. Of course, Contini is even more terrifying. He got more than 5 million directly and became a wealthy class in Italy. He is a rich man who is only 19 years old and has not yet graduated from university.

In the eyes of old Ciano, his son's "grand blueprint" of losing $5 million in five years was nothing big. The most important thing was to give back some of the profits. If he succeeded, he, the Minister of Transport, would be very proud. As for whether it was worth it to exchange $5 million for political achievements, he did not want to consider it for the time being.

After making money, old Ciano was in a good mood and considerately considered improving his son's living conditions. In view of the fact that it was not appropriate to show too much property for the time being, he only dared to cautiously buy a three-bedroom apartment in the traditional wealthy area of ​​Rome instead of a luxury villa. The advantage was that it was relatively secluded and close to the newspaper office. Considering the need to take care of his son's daily life, he also planned to hire a maid.

Originally, his wife thought that since the whole family was in Rome, his son did not need to live outside, but old Ciano knew Contini's temperament, and there was also a lot of work at the newspaper office. He felt that his son was an adult and responsible, so he did not have to live at home. It would be fine if he came back on weekends to have dinner together.

In order to prevent the young maid from living with the young and wealthy master and causing some unspeakable incidents, the specific candidate was personally selected by Mrs. Ciano, Contini's mother, and finally a capable maid of nearly 40 years old was carefully selected from her home.

Contini knew nothing about the purchase of General Motors and American Radio stocks except that he had begun to buy stocks. He was busy accompanying Douhet to inspect other German aviation companies. During the inspection, Douhet learned that Junkers also confirmed the development trend of metalized and single-wing aircraft, which touched his heart.

In general, Italy's aviation level is not backward in the world, but its shortcomings are obvious:

First, there are too many aviation companies, which is not a manifestation of strong strength, but because the scale of the companies is generally small. Except for Fiat, which can be compared with first-class foreign companies, the rest are relatively small;

Second, the output is too low. There are only a few companies that can produce more than 200 aircraft per month, while Germany has 4;

Third, there are too many and too complicated models, and maintenance and repair are generally a big problem - this is a sequelae caused by the large number;

Fourth, the core of aircraft research and development - the level of aircraft engine development is relatively low. Companies that can build engines are generally fewer than aircraft manufacturing companies, but Italy's problem is low output and low technical level;

Fifth, it is too dependent on Thanks to the genius of some designers, there was no R\u0026D synergy, and the designers had a clear tendency to focus on design and neglect production...

After writing the general report, Contini felt that these views were too bland and not eye-catching enough, so he added a note to continue to stimulate Douhet: "The overall level of Italy's aviation industry is good, but the distribution is uneven; some cutting-edge fields can reach the international advanced level, but the overall level is low; there is a serious lack of large-scale, large-scale manufacturing systems and skilled workers... If the current situation does not change, it can make a splash, hold flight competitions, and bluff in the future, but it will definitely fail in a large-scale war!"

The last half sentence is the most terrible conclusion, which means that Italy's aviation industry can be played for fun, but it will be finished once a war, especially a world war, is serious.

After reading the report, Douhet was neither worried nor furious. On the contrary, he looked calm. Finally, he said, "I basically agree with the idea of ​​this report, but it cannot be submitted in this way. As for the reason, I think you know it better than me."

Contini nodded: Because of Douhet's theoretical authority, plus Italy's aviation level is indeed good, Mussolini is quite supportive of the establishment of an independent air force, and is currently discussing follow-up arrangements with the army. If this report is submitted in this way, it will not achieve any other purpose except providing the opposition with attack shells, and will eventually anger Mussolini.

"This is the report for you..." Contini took out another report with a magic trick, "This is what I intend to show to the cabinet and the leader."

The second report was written very artistically. The opening clearly pointed out that Italy is the world's top aviation power, with advanced technology, wide distribution, a large number of talents, and has dabbled in various aviation research fields without blind spots - another way to express how small and scattered it is; then it boasted that Italy was the first country in the world to use aircraft in combat practice, which opened the storm of the new military revolution. Based on this deep soil, it produced the world's most advanced air supremacy theory, which shows that Italy's system from theory to practice is very complete; then it stated that the establishment of an independent air force is a general trend, and it is another key measure for Italy to lead the world's military trend and set a precedent, which reflects the leader's foresight for the future and will be remembered forever by history.

Duhey read the last paragraph of the report word for word: “By examining the situation at home and abroad, we have come to a conclusion: the aviation industry and the air force have achieved unprecedented and impressive results, which is the pride of all Italians!

…Looking to the future, under the wise leadership and great attention of the great leader, under the guidance and inspiration of the fascist revolutionary spirit, and with the united efforts of all far-sighted people in the aviation, military and political circles, as long as we follow the right direction If we continue to work hard, the aviation industry will surely become a pillar industry of our country's national economy, and the independent air force will definitely become the backbone of the national defense system. It will definitely shoulder the historical responsibility of uniting people, inspiring morale, inspiring spirits, and showing Italy's new national image. Alitalia The industrial and independent air force will surely be the most dazzling pearl in the crown of the new Roman Empire! "

Douhet sighed: "Calais, I finally feel old. You will be more suitable to be the Minister of Aviation than me in the future..."

"Teacher, I'm not even an assistant to the minister..."

"Yes, you will. When I get back, you will be the Assistant to the Minister. You can print this title on your business card. Except that there is no salary, the other rights are the same as the Assistant to the Minister."

Contini didn't care about the salary at all. He nodded and asked: "Teacher, how do I change the second report?"

"There is no need to change it. When we get back, we will formally report it to the leader in the name of the Ministry of Aviation." Duhei thought for a while and added, "As for the first report you gave me, I will put it on the desk so that I can see it when I look up. It comes to alert yourself!"

In fact, Contini also elaborated on many other technological foresights in the report, including rocket power, jet-powered aircraft, helicopters, automatic navigation, torpedo attacks, airborne operations and a series of operational concepts all appeared, although they were very vague. , but for a real academic authority like Douhet, it was like opening a brand new window. He felt that the theory of air supremacy still needs to be significantly modified and improved before it can truly be established.

He sighed: "I don't know how your head grows? Why do you always come up with incredible but logical theories? I know you studied law, and you probably have never been exposed to aeronautics or weapons. "Military science?"

"I am currently studying history, and I am very interested in business management... I am also very interested in military and war, and I am also very concerned about science and technology." Contini pretended to be indifferent, which was almost infuriating. "Teacher, academics are based on analogies. You may encounter obstacles when studying in a field. If you think that your knowledge is not enough, you are wrong because you have fallen into too deep. Once you try to think from another angle, there may be problems. The solution will be easily solved, especially for front-end research, you must calm your mind, let yourself go, and be calm and comfortable..."

Du Hei's face twitched: "Are you mocking me?"

"No, I think the teacher has a good attitude. He is the most open-minded and down-to-earth minister I have ever seen... The current cabinet, to be honest, has the magnanimity and magnanimity to turn a report that is alarmist or even worthless Put it on your desk to remind you that no one else is important except the teacher, including my father.”

"I understand your roundabout flattery. It's quite good. But if you can flatter me less in the future, I will be happier."

Contini shrugged nonchalantly, and Antonio, who had been listening in the carriage, couldn't help but laugh: Douhet, who has a temper that gives even leaders a headache, was eaten to death by the young master. It's like one thing has been reduced to another. .