Mediterranean hegemon

During the stalemate, Contini received a telegram from Leo and Antonio: informing him that the agricultural products and raw material purchase agreement with the Soviet Union was about to expire. Due to falling prices, would it be renewed? If I renew my visa, what are the renewal conditions?

"If we don't renew the contract for the time being, we'll just say that because the market price fluctuates violently, we will implement the terms until December 31st... If we must renew the contract, we must adopt a floating price system and base it on the international market conditions." Contini thought about it. Thinking about it, he added another one, "Italian banks are not allowed to provide loans or foreign exchange support to the Soviet Union, and no companies are allowed to go to the Soviet Union for construction and investment. Violators will be dealt with! There are two excuses. The excuse for the Soviet Union is Bukharin. problem; the excuse for the domestic situation is that the leader requires that the country must be consolidated, Italy first..."

Francisco was dumbfounded at the side: "The Soviet Union business is not done? Why? Just because of Bukharin?"

"Bukharin has been removed from his posts as a member of the Politburo and editor-in-chief of Pravda for opposing Stalin... In fact, his problem was that he opposed Stalin's industrialization and high-speed collectivization, which caused and exacerbated the suffering of the Soviet people."

"I have never found that you actually care about the suffering of the Soviet people..."

"Aren't I concerned now?" Contini smiled. "In contacting the Soviet Union, some American companies first transferred the equipment we returned to the Soviets. However, the Soviet Union could not pay for foreign exchange, and the United States did not want the Soviet Union's equipment. Agricultural products, so they hope that the Soviet Union will sell agricultural products to us or simply get some money from Italy to buy their equipment in the United States and cause trouble with us. This is something I will never allow!”

Contini knew that the Soviet Union took advantage of the Great Depression to take advantage of the situation. It bought a large amount of second-hand equipment from the United States and introduced a large number of engineers and skilled workers. However, the Soviet Union had a fatal flaw: they could not obtain enough foreign exchange to Pay for the goods in the United States. Historically, the Soviet Union ultimately relied on oil and agricultural products in exchange, but now, Contini will soon block the oil road. North African oil fields can supply Europe enough, and he does not want Soviet oil to be sold over. As for agricultural products, He could find a way to sell it to Europe and use low prices to compete with the grain obtained by the Soviet Union through squeezing collective farms, slowing down the Soviet Union's sales. Francisco could see this trick at a glance, so he didn't want to do it at all. I understand why the president did this.

Contini could not explain the real reason for doing this - he wanted to use economic means to curb the Soviet Union's increase in strength, add obstacles to Comrade Steel's First and Second Five-Year Plans, and thereby alleviate future Eastern pressure, but when the words came to his lips, he became In order to prevent the Soviet Union from competing with Italy for industrial equipment, Francisco accepted this view with suspicion.

"Do you believe it? If a crisis breaks out, American farmers will destroy American food and pour excess milk into the Mississippi River and sewers. I am saving this country now... In the future, I will introduce a bill to use national finances to give every Italian Primary and secondary school students are provided with recess meals, which include a glass of milk." Contini smiled and said, "I've already thought of a name, it's called Leader's Care..."

"That is to say, you spent money but made the leader famous?"

"What's wrong with this?" Contini smiled. "The people will eventually know. I don't need to publicize it in a big way. When I need publicity in the future, someone will help. By the way, I can also leave some of it for my friends." Adolf, he is now recruiting troops to prepare for the election. When the crisis breaks out in the future, I can support him. If he joins the National Socialist Workers Party, he can get funding. Isn't this great? To resolve excesses, destruction is not necessarily the only way. We have Needs can be created. You have to remember that apart from normal needs, other needs can be created if I want to..."

Contini has mentioned the term "creating demand" more than once. He even taught Francisco a lesson: first create demand and maintain production, regardless of whether you have the ability to pay - that is the next step to consider. things, and then society becomes stable. This demand can be from public utilities or the defense industry. For example, he has now sent a telegram to the Ministry of the Navy: It is recommended to start construction of a new class of battleships after the completion of the construction of 4 Caracciolo-class ships, at least 4 ships of 50,000 tons. Class, equipped with a 406mm drug cannon, a maximum speed of 31 knots, and a maximum endurance of 6,000 nautical miles/18 knots - according to naval practice, it will be roughly named the Veneto class.

And Contini bluntly told the Navy that the development task of the 406mm naval gun had been assigned to Ansaldo Company a year ago, requiring them to complete the development before 1935. The Navy's task was to complete the development before 1935. Complete the design of the Veneto class - the president's requirements must be met, otherwise the United Group will not pay. If it is met, the United Group will pay half of the money.

Contini calculated that including the overall development and design costs, such a 50,000-ton warship would cost about US$50 million, half of which would be US$100 million, but he didn't care, wasn't it just US$100 million? Now the stock market can drop more than ten points, and US$100 million will be created. As long as these four warships are built, not only will Italy's sea control in the Mediterranean be guaranteed, but Italy's domestic shipbuilding industry will basically be preserved and even expand in scale - all fools know that for these four 50,000-ton giant ships, it will be necessary How many cruisers, destroyers and other auxiliary ships will be built?

It was also carefully considered in 1935. First, the naval treaty expired in 1936, and secondly, by 1935, four Caracciolo-class ships had been completed, and the supporting Trent-class heavy cruisers and Zara-class heavy cruisers were basically built. It's so good that it can be freed up to build these big guys. As for the gap between the two, we can build an identical heavy-duty aircraft carrier based on the Ida - Italy has a 60,000-ton aircraft carrier, and Contini made a good plan. Due to international pressure, the Ida must be counted as an aircraft carrier. There is at least 30,000 tons left. If it is not counted, then 2 ships can be built. With the current market situation, the Ida is still cheaper than the Veneto class, but in the future As aircraft and pilots become more and more expensive, aircraft carriers have become more expensive.

In order to make up for the regret of usurping his father's official position, this news was asked by old Ciano to go to the Admiralty with the rank of retired admiral. When he first heard this news, the navy was dumbfounded. All four Caracciolos were Before it was completed, the president was already staring at the new warships, but when he thought of four 50,000-ton giant ships, all the navy's top brass were delighted. They kept flattering old Ciano, saying that they and his son would rebuild the navy. , he was dizzy with praise, and came back and said to Agnes: "Sure enough, what Calais said is right, money is the last word! Look at how enthusiastic they are towards me, even the leader can't be so enthusiastic when he goes to inspect ...No wonder when it was said that the Caracciolo class was sent to New York to take over the Doria and obey the command, they all beat their chests loudly and promised that there would be no problem!"

Agnes smiled: "So you'd better hurry up and become the chairman of the Great Fascist Committee and give up your position as soon as possible. With your son here, you can't collapse..."

"But where did he get so much money?"

"This is not something you should consider... His way of making money is always unique!"

After settling all the various chores, the calendar turned to late October in the blink of an eye. Even the newly commissioned Caracciolo had arrived in New York, and Contini still had no intention of leaving to return to China - Ciano's name became more and more important when he returned next month. It's so loud that even secretaries are used to it.

Although it was not enough, he knew that he was very close to returning to China, because the general offensive was close at hand...