On Monday, October 28, the weather in Rome was very good, with sunny skies and sunshine, and even though the clouds of war were hanging over the Italian land, the citizens of Rome could not stop themselves from sunbathing on the balconies and rooftops of their apartments.

This would have been strictly forbidden in the past, the fascist National Party hated such immoral vices, Italians should be a noble and self-respecting and industrious people, love of work is their nature, as for you believe it or not, Mussolini believed it anyway.

Many of Rome's factories and enterprises have been shut down, not only because of shortages of energy and raw materials, but also because many of their workers have been recruited into the army. These men, who ranged from retired veterans to young Italians who had never touched a weapon, were given a new set of Italian military uniforms and a rucksack with household items at the designated assembly points, which were then stuffed into stuffy tank wagons bound for Florence, where the officers claimed that they would be able to obtain weapons when they arrived, and that they would receive formal military training there, and that the veterans would be given the rank of non-commissioned officer at that time.

The weapons, ammunition, and various military supplies that had been stockpiled in the capital area were swept away in the reorganization again and again, resulting in Mussolini's plan to form the Roman National Guard had to be put on hold, and he could not let the remaining members of the Fascist National Party in the city fight the German army with their ancestral spears and swords.

Mussolini was a little worried about the emptiness of the city of Rome, and he ordered the urgent dispatch of supplies and weapons from the southern provinces, but the result was that the local officials used various reasons to prevaricate and delay, and Mussolini could see that the bastards were not prepared to carry out this order, even if they were dull.

At this time, whether the Caesar of the new era wants to admit it or not, he has already intended to give in to the blonde boy in his heart, the fascist system of Germany and Italy is in the same vein, Italy and Germany were once the closest allies, and the trust and friendship that have been built up over the years should not be overturned because of some minor contradictions.

Mussolini knew that the rift between the two countries had already arisen, but in his opinion there was still a lot of room for relaxation, but the Italians and Germans had shed blood for it, and it was obviously impossible to alleviate the conflict by just some empty words at the moment. So Italy had to come up with some practical benefits in order to make the German Führer understand his intentions.

The Italian dictator believed that Italy could still be a reliable ally for Germany, and that the Führer, if he was not an idiot, should know which was more in the interests of the Third Reich between a friendly country and an enemy.

"You go today, go to Berlin to meet the German Führer, tell him that I am willing to negotiate with him, and that it is necessary for us to immediately stop this senseless war." Mussolini sat behind his delicate desk, his hands on his shaved forehead.

During this time, his mental stress was too heavy, insomnia and severe stomach problems constantly tormented the leader, his face was gray, his skin was dry, and dark circles appeared under his eyes.

The situation on the front line was becoming more and more unfavorable for Italy, the French were advancing rapidly along the coastline, a destroyer fleet of the British suddenly appeared off the coast of Naples and shelled the weather station on the island of Ischia, Badoglio judged that the enemy could land in the Bay of Naples, and the enemy's intention was to cross the southern coastal line and cut off the connection between Upper and Lower Sicily from the flank, so the high command again drew one or two infantry divisions and one blackshirt division from the central mountain range, The last heavy weapons were also brought in from the strategic reserve, and these troops were urgently transported by rail to Naples to form the outer defense of the famous Italian city.

At this moment, anyone of sound intellect can already see that Italy cannot achieve a final victory in this war with Germany, France and Britain, and if it were not for the stubborn will to support this dictator, it would have been a nervous breakdown if it were not for the ordinary people sitting in this position.

Mussolini was not such an easy figure to be crushed, and he now had full confidence in the agreement of a separate peace between Germany and Italy, believing that if the Führer was willing to end the war, then France and England would obey that man's orders, and that he would once again save the Kingdom of Italy from the crisis, as he had done fifteen years earlier, if nothing else, but because he was Benito. Mussolini.

"What the Berlin side asked for—" Ziano looked at his father-in-law with some hesitation.

"Except for the matter of forcing me to resign, everything else can be promised to them, temporary concessions are necessary, the war has only been going on for eight days now, we have lost a third of our troops, and the blood of the Italians has been shed enough. You go to Stadler and tell him that he has won, that I am willing to follow his will, and that Italy will join his new European order. "Mussolini was not a fool, he could see the water in the report of the high command, the [Mussolini] line did not stop the German attack, but the Germans themselves stopped advancing.

Mussolini is confident that under the guidance of his "full political experience and wisdom", the German Führer will make the right choice, and the key to achieving this task is Ziano in front of him.

"I have here a handwritten letter, you have to give it to him in person, I believe that after reading this letter, he will feel my goodwill and sincerity, Italy can become a firm ally with Germany again, he should know that Germany needs Italy, just as Italy needs me." Mussolini rubbed his eyes, opened the folder in front of him, took out an envelope that had been prepared long ago and handed it to the foreign minister.

"I will personally put it in the hands of Stadler, and I hope that things will turn out as you predicted. I spoke to Ribbentrop on the phone, and according to him, the Führer was not very resolute in his attitude towards overthrowing the present political situation in Italy, and he seemed to have other plans. ”

"I can imagine how proud Städler is now, the uncrowned king of Europe, who has built the most powerful alliance in the world, and who certainly has the strength to be dissatisfied with Italy, and I admit that I am a little too arrogant on this issue, and I will accept this lesson." Mussolini wiped the table and stood up.

"Ziano, the future of Italy is now in your hands, do your best to convince the Führer, even if it is humiliating, as long as he agrees to stop this war. You also have to tell him that as long as I remain Prime Minister of Italy, he can get everything he wants. Mussolini walked around his desk, grabbed Ciano's shoulders with both hands, and said with a serious expression.

"I will, for your sake and for the Kingdom of Italy, I swear that I will do everything in my power to accomplish this mission." Ziano's eyes were slightly reddened, and he replied with a respectful nod. At this moment an adjutant walked to the door of the office and knocked on the open door.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, General Badoglio has asked to see you."

"Badoglio? Why didn't he make a call beforehand? Mussolini was a little confused.

"You go today, we don't have much time left, we must meet Stadler before the Germans break through the Apennines, no matter what means you must complete the mission, I believe in you, treat you as if you were my own son, do not fail my trust, Calaiszo." The dictator looked at his son-in-law and said earnestly.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Prime Minister." Ziano stepped back and saluted Mussolini.

"Let's go, go out through the side door." Mussolini returned the salute.

"Marshal Badoglio, please come up, is he alone?" The Italian prime minister watched his son-in-law leave, then turned to face the adjutant at the door.

"No, with His Majesty's Chief of Guard." The staff officer replied respectfully.

"Got it, please let them come up."

Mussolini tugged at the hem of his uniform, straightened his neckline tie in front of the dressing mirror in the corner of the room, and then put his hands behind his back and waited for the arrival of the Chief of the General Staff of the High Command.

PS: The subscription results are ugly, so I started to insist on not reading it, because it would dampen my enthusiasm for writing. (To be continued.) )