In April, Rome, the capital of Italy, is at its brightest time of the year.

Fang Yan sat at his desk by the window, leisurely sipping a mellow coffee from Brazil, a bound document was placed in his hand, and the words of the Italian Naval Aviation Training Regulations were clearly written on the cover. He was in a good mood, and couldn't help but squint his eyes in the warm and brilliant morning light, and his thoughts were flying, and he was already looking forward to the afternoon tea time in a few hours.

More than half a month ago, Ziano Jr. cooperated with Fang Yan under pressure and interests to help the navy win the exclusive air force that had not been obtained for a long time. With the powerful examples and professional analysis provided by Fang Yan, the younger Ziano successfully defeated the commander of the Air Force, Balbo, in front of Mussolini, who was extremely unwilling, but could only reluctantly hand over the command of the HNA.

Although the Italian navy received only a few dozen seaplanes from the air force, and the rest of the carrier-based aviation and shore-based forces would need to be rebuilt from scratch, this was not important given that Mussolini said he could allocate additional funds. Under Fang Yan's Sasuke, the development of the Italian military and naval aviation was soon on the right track, and not only clear training regulations were formulated, but the construction of various related hardware was also included in the plan.

After completing these main frameworks, Fang Yan's plans for this trip to Italy were basically realized. Although from the perspective of actual combat, the quality of Italian aviation commanders needs to be trained, Fang Yan does not want the Italian Navy to have the ability to fly alone from Germany. Keeping one hand at this time, leaving the Italian navy flawed, is obviously more conducive to seizing the command of the combined German-Italian fleet in the future. Anyway, the British Mediterranean Fleet in this plane can no longer set off the storm, and even if Italy does not have aircraft carriers, it can win the battle by putting all the warships on the frame to Egypt A.

Because he didn't want to return to China so soon and continue to be caught in the cracks, Fang Yan simply stayed in Rome as a consultant. Every morning, I reviewed the development of the Italian army and navy, and then I responded to the banquet invitations from many dignitaries of the Italian military, political and business circles. Fang Yan was quite surprised to find that he was extremely popular in the eyes of the Roman elite, and even in the presence of ministerial-level figures, he was always one of the most eye-catching.

"My country has always had a strong fear of Britain." In the face of Fang Yan's inquiry, Sylvia's eyes were full of brilliance, and she said softly, "Since the day of the reunification of the motherland, the surrounding Mediterranean Sea has always been the pond garden of the British king. The strength and prosperity of Britain have been looked up to for three whole generations, and the banner of St. George is like the supreme royal power, so that we dare not have any disobedient thoughts. Today, however, this myth has been put to an end by your own hands with the fleet you lead. Now that you, the legendary hero, have come to Italy, how can you not receive endless attention and adoration? At the end of the day, Sylvia's eyes were filled with joy and pride.

Fang Yan smiled, but there was not much smug and arrogance in his heart. After all, he is a time-traveler with a vision decades ahead, and it is not as incredible as insiders imagine to knock the British Navy off the altar. Looking at Sylvia's beautiful face with a smile like a flower, Fang Yan couldn't help but purse his lips and tease her: "Then I can understand why you have to come with me every time I receive an invitation." If it weren't for you to show your sovereignty over me, I don't know how many beautiful and sexy girls would have flown towards me like butterflies. ”

"Damn Jonas, every invitation has my name on it, okay?" Sylvia raised her snow foot and stepped on Fang Yan's foot in disgust, and the delicate and clear tip of the high heel suddenly made Fang Yan let out a low cry of pain. She snorted softly and raised her head slightly, "If anyone invites you and forgets Her Highness Ben Silvia, then he doesn't want to continue to develop in Italy." Not to mention that if anyone dares to seduce my husband, even Mrs. Eda will have to pay the price. So my dear, you can only be my captive in Italy, and those ladies and girls are not even a chance to dance with you. As she spoke, Sylvia proudly stretched out her spring onion jade finger and shook it in front of Fang Yan's eyes, and then poked his cheek like a queen.

Facing his wife, who had awakened from the temperament of the little devil, Fang Yan smiled bitterly: "I didn't plan carefully. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have let you take refuge in Rome. Sylvia raised her eyes slightly, and snorted, "Are you not happy here?" Yesterday you also said that this is the peaceful, comfortable and fulfilling life you yearn for the most, and when the war is over, you will lay down your position and power and become an ordinary nobleman. ”

"Definitely. It was the easiest time I've had in years. It's a pity that this period won't last long. The playful smile on Fang Yan's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a somewhat solemn look. He inhaled slowly and said in a deep voice: "Although I have offended the marshal and the head of state to varying degrees in the gap situation in the country, for them, I am still an important chess piece that cannot be given up. After all, Field Marshal Raeder could not tear his face with the Führer politically, and the Führer still needed me to be a wedge for the National Socialist Party in the Navy. So it won't be long before Berlin recalls me, and my days in Rome will soon be over. ”

"So, dear, can you have a way to deal with it?" Sylvia's expression was worried and worried, and she didn't realize that the queen's momentum she had just gathered had turned back to her usual gentle and obedient. Fang Yan's eyes were confident and clear, and he said in a calm voice: "The time will soon be ripe. It won't be long before I can start building my strength and eventually break free from the two of them completely. ”

Fang Yan's prediction was not wrong. On the morning of April 16, just as Fang Yan walked into his exclusive office as usual, a special phone was directly connected to Fang Yan's desk. On the other end of the line was the German Navy's chief of staff, Schnitwinger, who asked Fang Yan to complete the handover with the Italian side within two days and then return to Berlin to report on his duties. Looking at the official telegram order sent by the guards afterwards, Fang Yan stood in place for a long time with a complicated mind; Then, with a look of determination in his eyes, he strode out of the room.

Two days later, in the early morning, a Junkers transport plane roared over the airport in the northern suburbs of Rome with a deafening roar before takeoff. On the long runway, several Italian naval high-ranking officials, led by Cavgnari, were saluting and saying goodbye to Fang Yan. Although they have only worked with Fang Yan for a month, Fang Yan's profound attainments in the field of carrier-based aviation have benefited them a lot, and they sincerely admire them.

More importantly, Fang Yan helped them gain independent command of the Navy, which alone would have greatly expanded the power of the Italian navy to become a truly important force in domestic politics. Originally, according to the idea of Kavgnari and others, they were going to quietly stuff a few Swiss bank cards in Fang Yan's pocket as a reward, but after learning that Sylvia had bought Fang Yan a limited edition diamond pocket watch priced at $50,000 in the blink of an eye, the money would not be given away anyway.

"Thank you, generals, for your kindness. I believe that the day will soon come when the German and Italian navies will join hands and fight against a common enemy. Fang Yan smiled and waved to everyone in front of him, and said meaningfully. This time he was recalled to China, which must be related to the upcoming offensive on the Western Front, and Italy has entered the countdown to enter the war at this time, waiting for Mussolini to press the button of the national mobilization. At that time, the order of the whole of southern Europe and North Africa will be re-established, and Germany will have established itself as a stand-up to the United States.

With a little hope for the future, Fang Yan embarked on the return journey by air. After a brief lunch on the plane, the familiar overlook of Berlin finally caught Fang Yan's attention again. Since Sylvia and her daughter Alice would not return to Berlin until tomorrow, Fang Yan had no fun staying at home alone, so he did not go back to the house to rest after getting off the plane, but took advantage of the early days to arrive in front of the Navy headquarters building.

In the Navy Chief of Staff's office, Fang Yan saw no trace of Schnywinger, and in the commander-in-chief's room at the other end of the corridor, Raeder's upright and gentle face was buried in a thick pile of papers. Although Fang Yan didn't want to meet with Raeder, many people in the building had already seen him return, and if he didn't enter the door, it was obviously impossible to get through. Fang Yan calmed down, and then stepped forward and knocked on the open door.

"Jonas? It's really you, I thought you would come to the headquarters tomorrow. Raeder looked at the young man in front of him with some surprise, and then a smile hung on the corner of his mouth. He motioned for Fang Yan to sit down on the soft chair in front of his desk, and said with a smile: "I read the investigation report you sent back earlier on the overall situation of the Italian Navy. It gives us a full picture of the strength of this ally, and gives the entire Navy confidence in the battle to come. With such strength in the Italian fleet, the French navy would never dare to deploy its main forces in the direction of the Atlantic, otherwise their shipping with the North African colonies would cease to exist in wartime. ”

"The upcoming battle?" Fang Yan's eyes condensed slightly, and he asked in a deep voice. Although he is in Italy these days, he is not unaware of the situation at home: with the telephone exchange with his cheap uncle Walt, the actions and decisions of the German decision-makers are almost completely clear. Judging from the information obtained by Fang Yan so far, there is no sign that the German army and navy are going to make a big move immediately!