Mediterranean hegemon

Contini was indeed at the headquarters of United Bank. He had just received three messages released by the exchange and was about to communicate with his subordinates on how to respond. Suddenly he heard "Long Live the President" with such a strong rhythm and American-style Italian downstairs. It was really... I couldn't help but laugh, and said to Livermore: "I find that you Americans are quite funny sometimes. You talk about freedom and democracy, but you are very honest with your body - even shouting "Long Live the President". They even shouted "Long Live the President". "?"

Livermore shook his head: "No one shouts long live the president, because the president cannot make everyone rich, and the president is elected by everyone. Some people like it and some don't! But the president is different. Your status has been tested by the market and practice. He is also famous for his accurate predictions... Isn’t shouting Long Live really supporting you to become the leader of the United States? Isn’t it essentially to make money? Americans are very honest about getting rich and making money.”

"Well, I can't let them down too much..." Contini turned to Aquilani and said, "Tell the people outside that I am currently meeting to study the new regulations of the exchange. I will go see them at 8:30 and have a casual chat. A few words... If they are willing to wait, just wait in the lobby for a while, No, and give each person a cup of coffee..."

After the news was passed on, there were thunderous cheers outside, and everyone expressed their willingness to wait. They even said that as long as the president is willing to see everyone, not only 8:30, but 10:30 will be fine.

The person who just advocated shouting "Long Live the CEO" proudly proclaimed: "Look, it still works...investment also requires politics, which is completely different from the United States. Italy has its own national conditions!"

Everyone nodded in agreement: No matter what political system, as long as it allows everyone to make money, it is a good government, freedom? How much does a kilogram cost?

"What do you think of these three exchange strategies?" Now Contini is asking for advice humbly, because the world is completely different from what he knows:

First, the stock market has risen higher than he remembered. The highest point in the history of the Great Depression was more than 380 points in the Dow Jones. However, this time due to the US$4.4 billion in orders and previous preparations plus the speculation of United stocks, let alone 400 points. Even passed 450;

Second, although the first drop was similar to the historical situation, due to the establishment of the stabilization fund earlier than in history and Contini's intention to recover, the first sharp drop did not lead to a deep decline - which in turn gave the market to imagine space;

Third, the trigger for this plunge was my cancellation of 4.4 billion orders. There is no such thing in history. But this afternoon, because the tycoons joined forces to rescue the market and I informed Hoover that I could reconsider these contracts, it actually happened There is another slight sign of rebound, which is completely inconsistent with history;

Fourth, Contini is a little unsure whether the next step is to rebound or plummet first. Although there is no doubt that the U.S. stock market will go down as a whole, it is completely different whether it will go down tomorrow or in a few days. In some novels, it is written that the protagonist travels to the United States to take advantage of the crisis to make a fortune. If it is only tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars, it will not cause any waves, but if it is hundreds of millions or even billions, it will be a big deal. variables, the direction of the situation will be completely different. As for the idea of ​​​​taking away 15 billion U.S. dollars through reasonable operations, it is simply nonsense - the total market value of the U.S. stock market at its peak was only more than 60 billion U.S. dollars, and it was swept away in one breath. A quarter? How did you sell this stock?

Livermore frowned and said: "To be honest, I am also a little unsure. I agree with your judgment. The stock market will generally go down. This is a deep-rooted trend that cannot be shaken, but the situation tomorrow and the day after tomorrow is really unpredictable. It's easy to say. I think if the market can be stable at the opening tomorrow, it may be basically stable this week. Of course, it will be difficult to reach 300 points in the short term. Once it reaches 300 points, there will be selling, so my suggestion is to try your best tomorrow. Harvesting small tickets, large blue chips take a wait-and-see attitude..."

Contini nodded: "It's okay to stabilize first. It's even better for us to go up first and then come down. You and Mr. Francisco deal with it according to the rhythm and adapt to changes, but don't stand up and turn the tide. We don't have the ability. …”

As soon as he said this, Aquilani came over. Contini looked at the time and saw that it was almost 8:30, so he was about to go down to say hello to the people in the hall. Who knew that after a few steps, Francis Co suddenly pulled him into the conference room next to him and whispered: "Calais, this is an urgent telegram jointly sent by Mr. Antonio and the Minister of Transport."

"What happened in the country?"

"This afternoon, I learned that the U.S. stock market plummeted, and European stock markets also fell sharply..."

After reading the telegram, Contini understood: There is a 6-hour time difference between Italy and the United States. When the United States just opened, it was already mid-afternoon in Italy. Originally, the Italian stock index only fell a little in the morning, but as soon as the news of the plunge in the United States spread, Out of the blue, the stock markets of Britain, France, and Italy all plummeted simultaneously...

"There is an urgent meeting in the country to discuss. The master said that the leader asked you when you will go back? He asked you to return to the country as soon as possible. It has been delayed for more than half a year since you said you wanted to return. The leader is a little unhappy..."

Antonio also wrote these words, but his original words were more tactful: Tonight, the major Italian consortiums held an emergency economic policy meeting to discuss whether to rescue the market. The heads of many companies proposed that the United Group is the largest and most powerful company in Italy. The most powerful company cannot exist without the participation of United Group. Even if United Group does not issue stocks in Italy, it should still pay attention to the Italian stock market, bond market and exchange rate. We hope that you will return to China as soon as possible... Mr. Antonio also hopes that you will return to China as soon as possible to stabilize the overall situation.

"A bunch of fools, the stock will fall when it falls. What can be saved? How to increase production is the right way..." Contini said with great dissatisfaction, "Call back: First, don't save the stock, let it fall. Be careful not to use credit funds to rescue the stock market; secondly, attach great importance to the exchange rate. In the short term, the lira exchange rate must be pegged to the U.S. dollar and the pound. It is allowed to depreciate to a level of 125 lira for 1 pound at most. In the long term, it can depreciate moderately, but it cannot Too much and insufficient foreign exchange will be exchanged by the United Bank; thirdly, the United Group will not stabilize the country in other aspects. It is recommended to approve Capello's 9-year compulsory education bill and approve the Rome Metro construction bill as soon as possible. The group invested US$100 million, half of which will be used for supporting new domestic schools, one-quarter for supporting teachers and equipment, and one-quarter for supporting Rome’s subway.”

Francisco was horrified: "Calais, the economy is in crisis, why are you still expanding fiscal expenditures? And unnecessary fiscal expenditures? This will increase the burden on the government, and it should..."

"Your response measures are all wrong. The greater the crisis, the more government procurement and investment must be expanded. If there is further austerity, a large number of people will be unemployed. What can they do if they are unemployed? The position of leader is no longer needed? The fascist regime is not Did you ask your father to tell the leader exactly what he said? No matter what, if you want to keep your job stable, the Italians will not rebel as long as they have a mouth of pasta! As long as the leader is stable, everything else is a trivial matter!" Tiny's tone became serious, "I'm still busy in New York dealing with the mess here. I will definitely go back next month..."

Even Aquilani doesn't believe this. Now everyone in Italy calls Contini "Ciano, who will return to China next month." Every month they say that the president is going to return to China, but no one is seen every month. There are already Italian tabloids telling the story vividly. It describes that the president found a lover in the United States and fell into a land of tenderness. If the new Italian ambassador had not testified for Contini, I am afraid that Mussolini would have offered 12 gold medals to get the prince-in-law back, and it would even be difficult to unite with Milan this season. After winning the league championship trophy, even Mussolini rushed to support it, but the club president was not there, and only Ada, the fiancée, came. Not to mention how embarrassing the scene was...

“By popularizing 9-year education, we can target some people aged 12-15 and hire a group of teachers. In addition, building schools and supporting facilities can effectively stimulate domestic demand and employment. The same is true for the subway. "Don't stop any other projects. Protecting employment is much more important than protecting finances," Contini emphasized. "Tell the domestic consortium to change their minds. Exports may be hindered in the short term, because Italy's traditional advantageous products are fashion and luxury." Under the economic crisis, the market demand for these products has shrunk the fastest, so domestic demand must be ensured. If there is no domestic demand, even if it is created by force, it will be created!"

Aquilani quickly drafted a telegram and showed it to Contini. He saw that it seemed interesting and waved his hand: Send it immediately! Shaoqing added another sentence: "I told my mother to put things away and put them in a safe place as much as possible. I can also talk about what I asked her to do last time."

Agnes knew exactly what the stuff was—their private wealth, especially New York souvenirs, needed to be put away. As for the request, only Agnes knows.

It was difficult for Francisco to understand Contini's thoughts: This was obviously adding fuel to the fire. The government was already unable to withstand the economic crisis. If it forced expansion of spending, how would it repay those deficits in the future? However, if you think about it more deeply, it makes sense. If employment cannot be maintained and people's hearts fluctuate or even people take to the streets to start a "second revolution," it will be a disaster for the United Group - the former is just a loss of money, but the latter is going to be bankrupt. Home.

There was a six-hour time difference between Rome and New York. It was already after one o'clock when old Ciano received the telegram. He did not dare to neglect, so he picked up the phone and reported to Mussolini. The latter was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. Average, but after listening to old Ciano’s report and 100 million US dollars in financial support, I suddenly felt confident and said repeatedly: “Yes, yes, Calais is right. In extraordinary times, people’s hearts are the first priority. Yes! Do what he wants, and the fascists will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss and pass these two bills..."

"Calais is still dealing with the crisis in the United States. The fall there has been terrible. Dozens of people jumped from the buildings in New York a day. Some time ago, the Federal Reserve acted mischievously and induced a run on depositors. It was not easy to calm down the situation. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to China until next month. …”

"Does he have any other difficulties?"

"There are no other difficulties, except that the navy must obey orders!"

"That's no problem. I've already said it. Who dares to disobey orders and turn around and kill them all! You are also an admiral. Go and move around more." Mussolini responded domineeringly, "Anyway, Caracciolo The ship has been completed and is about to be put on trial. We might as well send it to New York tomorrow to support Calais... Well... Calais still has to pay for the departure fee."

Putting down the phone, old Ciano let out a long breath. He had been tortured to death today. Agnes smiled: "It seems that you really don't look like prime minister. You don't understand politics thoroughly enough..."

"You..." Old Ciano wanted to get angry but couldn't. Instead, he said with a sad face, "What should we do next? The economic crisis is about to break out. I'm really worried."

"Calais said that when he returns to the country, he will let you retire at the Grand Fascist Committee, and he will take your place!"

"What?" Old Ciano exclaimed, "What does this mean? The son wants to usurp his father's power?"

"For your own good, do you understand? The chairman of the Grand Fascist Committee is theoretically the second-in-command of the country, and Calais is in charge of the Ministry of Transport, doesn't that mean you are in charge?" Agnes smiled, "I know you can't let go of your subordinates. This is a little filial piety, but do you know that these filial piety are given to you by Calais..."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Agnes chuckled: "It seems you really don't know. Let me tell you everything. Three months ago, Livorno Engineering Company gave you 1 million lire; two months ago, Bologna Second The construction company gave you 1.2 million lire; last month, the Venice Municipal Construction Company gave you 2 million lire; the day before yesterday, the Naples Road Construction Company gave you 2 kilograms of gold..."

"You...you are following me?"

"Who wants to follow you?" Agnes smiled, "Because all the money flowed out from me, No, Monica kept the accounts - of course she didn't know what the money was used for."

Old Ciano asked suspiciously: "Why are you doing this? Where did your money come from?"

"Calais gave it to me. I made another fortune from stock trading. I have millions of dollars on hand... As for why I did this, it's purely to give you face. You really don't know if these companies paid this sum." What kind of projects can money make? We are all businessmen. We don’t understand that the wool comes from the sheep. If we give you money here, we have to find ways to cut corners and get it back. How can the quality be better? What should I do if something goes wrong in the year? Whose fault is it? So your son has come up with a way to ensure the quality and quantity of the project. He will control the work - these companies are all controlled by the United Construction Company! I can guarantee both quality and quantity while being filial to you, otherwise you would think it’s pie in the sky - the quality of the project is so good and you can get a kickback? This minister is really comfortable..."

Old Zia was so crowded that his face turned red and he didn't know what to say.

At this time, Agnes suddenly came over and hugged him: "Don't be angry, old man. Just take it as your son honors you. Don't feel any psychological burden. But you still know how to give me money when you get the benefits." I feel happy to go shopping instead of looking for goblins... Go be the chairman of the Great Fascist Committee. You don't want power anyway, you just want a name, which one is bigger, money, and you have a son, so that's not what you want As many as there are..."

Old Ciano was so shaken by his wife that he threw Agnes down on the bed in one breath, pretending to be dissatisfied and said: "You found four sons for your son, but you treated me so badly, you are so embarrassed..."

"That's different. The women in Calais are all prettier and more capable than Ada. The fairies you found when you were young are not as good as me - you have to improve your taste!" aaaa