Mediterranean hegemon

Although Matteotti decided to appeal in anger, he was not confused when he made the decision - it is difficult to raise 10,000 supporters. Although the donation of 200 liras is not large, it is not small either. It is almost equivalent to the salary of an industrial worker for a week. Contini asked him to hand over the list without any defects. It is obviously a trap.

At that time, even if these supporters are real, the media may cause other troubles as long as they interview them in various ways, such as, "What is your intention to donate to a councillor who goes in and out of the red light district and falsifies invoices?" and so on, which will make Matteotti more embarrassed. So even if he is in trouble, this money cannot be donated by supporters.

Contini didn't care about it. He had hired enough lawyers and legal service personnel to serve him anyway, so he didn't need to deal with it himself. If Matteotti really dared to use the influence of the Socialist Party to force the Supreme Court to take certain actions, then there would be major news waiting for him. In the final analysis, Matteotti's case would never get away with it easily. Contini hoped that the matter would get bigger and bigger, otherwise how could he build momentum to let Mussolini see his power clearly?

On March 9, Contini received the news that Matteotti had submitted a petition, but he didn't have the heart to pay attention to it now. He was busy staying at the scene with Marconi and others. The first official broadcast of the Italian National Broadcasting Station (IBC) was about to begin.

After more than a month of hard work, the broadcasting equipment brought by Marconi from the UK had been fully installed, and the trial broadcasts in the past few days had been successful, but those were very short broadcasts that lasted less than 10 minutes, while today's broadcast would last for 2 hours.

"Vivian, are you ready?"

"Ready!"

Seeing the clock slowly approaching 7 o'clock, Contini pressed his right hand down: "Start!"

"Italian National Radio, Italian National Radio, dear listeners, good evening!

It is 7 o'clock in the evening Rome time. I am broadcasting for you in Rome, the capital of Italy. I am today's announcer Vivian. I am honored to accompany you for the next two hours...

This is the first broadcast of Italian National Radio and the second European national radio station established after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). We will broadcast for you for a total of 6 hours every day from 10-12 am, 4-6 pm, and 7-9 pm. You can turn on the radio and listen through medium wave 666 kHz, 999 kHz or short wave 5555 kHz, 7777 kHz...

First, I will broadcast to you the Roman Weather conditions in Ma: ...

Here is today's news:

Prime Minister Benito Mussolini met with French guests and had in-depth exchanges on international issues of common concern to both sides;

The Italian Army and Aviation Ministries jointly issued a statement today, announcing the establishment of an independent Italian air force on May 5;

The Italian Postal Department, Italian United Airlines and Italian United Express signed a strategic cooperation agreement today. In the future, Italian postal mail delivery will enter the aviation era..."

After establishing United Printing in pursuit of printing results, Contini was willful again and established United Express by taking advantage of the rhythm of air transporting newspapers by airplanes. Although the staff were still from the distribution department of Youth Daily, they looked different after hanging the sign of United Express. The value of United Express was to complete express delivery with the best service and the fastest speed. Signing a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Posts was just a matter of necessity.

Although it is still losing money, in Contini's words, since they are all air transporting newspapers, why not take on the business of the Ministry of Posts? At least it can expand the business scope, enhance influence, and increase cash flow. At the same time, it can make preliminary preparations for the People's Air Transport - only when cargo transportation is stable can we talk about personnel transportation.

After broadcasting the news for nearly 30 minutes, the technical supervisor signaled to Vivian that he could pause for a commercial break. When Vivian finished the quote for the commercial break, the pre-recorded phonograph record sounded a strong baritone:

"United Express, fast and efficient, mission accomplished.

Mission comes from responsibility, inheritance comes from elegance.

Relying on the nationwide aviation network and more than 1,000 professionals, United Express promises to achieve 24-hour uninterrupted coverage, just to serve your needs and pursue your satisfaction.

Whether it is Milan and Verona on the Alps, or Venice and Bari on the Adriatic Sea; whether it is Cagliari on Sardinia or Catania on Sicily, we have comprehensive coverage, focus and efficiency.

United Express, your heart is set, mission accomplished..."

Marconi, who was watching from the side, asked: "United Express is also your industry? It transports goods? What is the difference between it and the post office?"

Contini nodded and explained a little: "But it is not an ordinary freight company, to be precise, it is a special air freight service for postal parcels. It currently focuses on air freight small express delivery, highlighting two connotations: the first is speed, and the second is high-quality service. We promise that point-to-point delivery in 17 major cities in Italy will be completed within 24 hours. Now United Express and the Ministry of Post have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Some postal parcels may also be delivered by air, but generally they will be sent only when they reach a certain number, unlike United Express, which delivers them as they arrive. In other words, even if there is only this one parcel today, I must send a plane out."

"I'm afraid the price will not be cheap if I do this."

"It's really not cheap. The first 500 grams will be charged 1,000 lira, and an additional 1,000 lira will be added for each kilogram of additional weight." Contini Tiny smiled, "This service is not for ordinary people, it is for special people."

"For example?"

"You are on a business trip in Rome, and it happens to be your wife's birthday. You can send a ring, flowers, cake or something else by air, which will immediately show your sincerity; for example, particularly important and urgent letters can be delivered quickly through United Express... Although there are always people who say that money can't buy time, I hope to help them save time through this service."

"Well, you have a lot of business ideas." Marconi smiled and pointed to the radio they placed outside. "Now that IBC is officially established and running, the effect is very ideal from the perspective of broadcasting and receiving range. How do you plan to promote radio next?"

"How many radios have been sold in the UK since the BBC started broadcasting? ”

“Our company has sold more than 1,000 units, and some other companies have probably sold 500-600 units... I estimate that there are less than 2,000 units in the whole UK, and it is difficult to promote them.” Marconi said, “Now the radio is still a relatively expensive device. Except for enthusiastic radio enthusiasts and wealthy people who are interested in technology, many people will not buy this kind of product.”

“How much does a radio cost in the UK?”

“The ordinary version is about 1,200 lira, and the deluxe version is about 1,800 lira...”

“I remember the price you gave me was about 600 and 900 lira?”

“This is the price of 500 sets of parts...”

“If I want another 2,000 sets of parts, how much will it cost?”

“You can give me another 20% discount on this basis, Even with the shipping cost, it is cheaper than if you produce it yourself."

"I understand, but I still hope to use your company's technology and production specifications to achieve self-production. I want to import another 2,000 sets of parts and then produce them in Italy."

Marconi shrugged: "I have no objection. As agreed in the contract, I charge 100 liras for technical service fees for each unit produced, which is actually a little more than I earn from selling parts to you... But if you produce it yourself, can my company also sell it publicly on the market? Of course, we just need to agree on the price."

"Of course, I haven't thought about monopolizing the radio market. If some people like American products, I don't mind. The more radios are owned, the more valuable IBC will be, and Italy's radio industry will develop rapidly."

"So, how do you plan to promote radio sales?"

"Not for the time being." Contini smiled, "Only give it away!"

"Give it away?" Marconi was dumbfounded.

"Yes, give it away! Readers who renew their subscription to Youth Daily for the next three years will receive a free regular edition radio; readers who renew their subscription to Youth Daily for the next five years will receive a free deluxe edition and a free year of Youth Weekly..."

"You will lose a lot of money this way... You will lose at least 500 liras per regular edition, and 700 liras per deluxe edition..."

"It's okay, I can afford it, this is a strategic loss..."