Mediterranean hegemon

The third minister to testify was Army Secretary Diaz. He came to clear Contini of suspicion of embezzling state assets. Yu Gong, he is the person in charge of this transaction. If he doesn't make it clear now, there will be a lot of trouble in the future; Yu Private, he has just received 3 million preferred shares, so he must help with this kind of help.

Matteotti's defense lawyer saw that he was at a disadvantage in the previous rounds, and immediately launched a barrage of attacks in this round: "Your Excellency Diaz, did the Ministry of the Army sell nearly 600 aircraft at a low price of 10 million lire? United Airlines controlled by the plaintiff?”

"Yes, to be exact, it is 604 aircraft and some accessories."

"Will the Army Department also sell an abandoned airport and supporting land on the outskirts of Rome to United Airlines for 1 million lire?"

"Yes, the total area is about 104 hectares including some above-ground attachments."

"Very good... but according to the information we have, both the idle aircraft and the land far exceed the price itself. The transaction price has been severely depressed. I think it is suspected of conveying benefits to the plaintiff, saying it is embezzlement. There is nothing excessive about state property.”

Diaz smiled slightly: "So, how much do you think it should be valued?"

"The price of more than 600 aircraft is at least 20 million lire, and the land price is worth at least 5 million lire." Matteotti said in a tone filled with righteous indignation, "That is to say, something worth 25 million lire was sold by the plaintiff for 11 million lire. Once you get it, you can imagine the tricks involved.”

Diaz laughed and said, "If you think it's worth 25 million, how about I sell it to you for 20 million?"

"Objection to the witness's statement..."

Diaz said calmly: "On the surface, United Airlines used 11 million lire to buy equipment and land worth 25 million lire. It seems to be a bargain, but there is an additional clause that you may not be aware of. The Ministry of War There is another clause in the agreement signed with United Airlines. United Airlines must place a group of pilots, mechanics and ground crew officers and soldiers who have retired from the army. The total number is 597. Their salaries, benefits and allowances in the previous year totaled approximately It is 6.1 million liras. According to the agreement, United Airlines must accept it in full while keeping the original benefits unchanged. He cannot be dismissed within 5 years without reasons mutually recognized by the Ministry of War and United Airlines... If you are willing to fulfill this clause, of course I will I am very happy to sell you all the equipment and land for 20 million lire..."

There was a lot of discussion in the audience. On the surface, United Airlines made 14 million lire, but in fact, the salary of these people in five years will exceed 30 million lire, which is a heavy burden. It is hard to say who suffered the loss and who took advantage. .

"But these people can create value for United Airlines, and they still need to work. They are not idle."

Contini stood up and added: "United Airlines has started trial operations this month and is currently building other ancillary facilities for formal operations. All of them are expenses. The only income is aviation training. There are 7 people including me. Registration costs 20,000 lire per person, and the total income is 140,000 lire, and this is not a net income. You need to deduct flight losses, fuel and other costs. I think the so-called value creation is far away for the time being... But this is not the key, the key is horse racing. On the one hand, Mr. Teoti stood on the moral high ground and said that he was indifferent to the dire situation of retired officers and soldiers in the Army and Navy. On the other hand, he criticized United Airlines for effectively relocating retired officers and soldiers. That's why I concluded that he was double-dealing and Hypocrite – This is well-founded.”

Matteotti was shaking with rage.

Diaz wasted no time in adding: "Considering United Airlines' huge contribution to the Department of the Army, I originally planned to hire Mr. Ciano as Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. However, he declined many times, believing that it is inevitable for the aviation force to become independent in the future. It is not appropriate to serve as Assistant to the Secretary of War at the same time..."

This amazing last-ditch shot immediately made Matteotti's previous accusations of seeking fame and concurrently holding public office empty words.

Pellet, the second barrister invited by Contini, stood up and added: "Your honor, in fact the defendant's conclusion that these aircraft are valued at 20 million lire is untenable. This is what we have gathered that the United States is selling The price list of the aircraft is very cheap, and many of them are in better quality than those provided by the Italian Army Ministry. My client did not hesitate to suffer a little loss simply because he served as the assistant to the Minister of Aviation and was passionate about the Italian defense industry. It is recommended that supplementary evidence be included. "

Although the United States was the last to enter the war during World War I, after the industrial machinery was launched, the United States produced the largest number of aircraft. The war ended quickly, making these aircraft useless. The Americans were also trying their best to sell and dispose of them, and the price It’s ridiculously low. An almost brand-new American single-seat fighter jet costs less than $400 (disarmed). Not many people buy it, because this price can almost buy a Model T car. The American people would rather If you want a car, you don’t want a fighter jet. Even if you add shipping costs, it’s only 10,000 lire to get it to Italy.

The reason why Contini doesn't want American aircraft is precisely because they are unpopular about being unarmed. However, no one has discovered this problem now. In terms of value, airborne machine guns are not expensive, which is a headache for Contini. It's because he lacks the right reasons and channels to obtain weapons. What he wants is to establish a long-term and stable relationship with the Air Force, rather than buying aircraft from the United States for a small profit. Then it really becomes a commercial category and will not be counted. Political account is settled.

Matteotti undoubtedly lost the first three rounds of prosecution and defense, and lost miserably. Except for the first round's speech about "bitch" which was just a word game, the rest were all Contini's fault. Career and noble moral character have made a footnote, which is a disguised form of publicity for Contini’s work achievements for the country and the people.

Before the other party could recover, Deldale, the third barrister hired by Contini, stood up and said in a serious tone: "As for the fourth item, it involves Mr. Matteotti's entry and exit into the red light district. , to protect personal privacy, please ask the judge to temporarily withdraw from the gallery?”

As soon as they heard about this, the reporters immediately became interested. They all expressed their dissatisfaction when they were told to leave the table, and there was a loud buzz in the auditorium.

"What's the defendant's opinion?"

Matteotti was so angry that he trembled all over and stood up and said: "I have never been to any romantic places, so I don't think there is any need to avoid it! But the accuser slandered me with such conclusive words, I really want to listen..."

"Very good..." Deldale smiled, "May I ask Mr. Matteotti what you were busy with on December 21st and 22nd last year."

"I'm not busy with anything. I'm probably meeting guests, conducting social surveys, and listening to voters' opinions."

"But we have sufficient evidence to show that the place where you called 'meeting guests, conducting social surveys, and listening to voters' opinions' these two days was at the Barbara Club. As we all know, the Barbara Club is a typical... um... special place. "Hospitality." Deldale said in a joking tone, "Could it be that Mr. Matteoti conducted social surveys in a 'frank manner' in bed and listened to the opinions of voters in a 'deep and simple way'?"

There was a "boom" and everyone laughed. The judge was so anxious that he banged his gavel and said, "Silence! Silence!"

Matteotti finally recalled that during those two days, he and people from the Italian Communist Party met at the club to discuss the possibility of re-merging the two parties to jointly resist the increasing oppression of Fascism. As for the special treatment, he was I didn't enjoy it at all, but the question now is how the other party knew, could they be following me.

Contini also smiled meaningfully: In fact, it was a complete accident to learn that Matteotti went to and from the romantic place. It was because when a sociology student went to investigate, a "waitress" muttered, "It's not enough to come here." Just for fun, be as stupid as the last time - this fool refers to Matteotti. Originally, Contini had found Grandini and wanted him to find a way to find an absolutely reliable person to testify against Matteotti. As soon as he spoke, Matteotti was full of words and could not explain clearly.

Matteotti jumped up and retorted angrily: "You're following me?"

"Mr. Matteotti, if you don't want others to know what you are doing, you are admitting that you have visited special places."

"I guarantee on my honor that I have not received special services."

"Do both sides need to invite each other's witnesses?"

Matteotti shook his head: The only people who could prove him were representatives of the Communist Party. How could he testify in this situation?

Contini also shook his head, but his words were unforgiving: "Forget it, so many citizens and reporters are present, let's save some face for Mr. Matteotti, a normal man in his 50s who occasionally needs to vent when he is too stressed. For a moment, you can also hear the cry from the soul of the bottom of society. I completely understand this. It is not a big deal as long as Mr. Matteotti admits to visiting certain places. As for what he has done, I don't care."

"Defendant, is that so?"

Matteotti insisted: "I have not received any special services."

This means that Matteotti admitted the fact of discrepancy in disguise. In fact, he did not dare to deny it. He did not know how much black material Contini still had about him, and he did not dare to gamble...