In the afternoon of the next day, Contini, unaware of the second cold arrow, went to the Palazzo Jimino, where Mussolini had office, and in the early years of his reign, the leader was very diligent, often working late and tirelessly reviewing reports and experiencing the feeling of power.

There was already a long queue waiting for Mussolini to summon him, but Contini had the privilege of being greeted straight in as soon as he arrived – the eyes that looked at him from behind him were full of envy and jealousy, but he didn't care.

"Leader, at your request, I went back overnight yesterday to convene a high-level meeting of the Youth Alliance, and it was unanimously agreed that the entire organization should join the fascists, but we had a slight disagreement during the discussion and were very eager to get further instructions from you."

Mussolini was satisfied with this attitude, and smiled and pointed to the chair in front of the desk: "Calais, sit down and say, what are your differences?" ”

"Should we expel the members of the Youth League who are unwilling to join the Fascist League first, or will we wait until the merger to announce their expulsion?"

Mussolini frowned when he heard this: "How many people are like this?" A lot? ”

"The alliance currently has more than 10,000 members, and it is initially expected that such people may account for one-fifth to one-sixth, about 2,000 people."

Mussolini asked unhurriedly: "What do you think about this?" ”

"My personal idea is that it is best to expel before the best, otherwise when the alliance is merged into the fascist system, there will be a steady stream of people withdrawing, and it will appear that the party has problems of one kind or another, which is not good for the image of the party and the prestige of the leader." "But there are also concerns that expulsion now could split the coalition and that if they boycott the party after joining, there is a good reason to expel them." ”

Mussolini shook his head, neither of which was a good idea, he wanted a complete youth union, not a coalition that was torn apart, resigned from the party, and expelled, and asked, "Why are they unwilling to join the fascists?" Don't they know about your close relationship with the party? Don't they understand that the political demands of the YSU are highly consistent with the party's political program? ”

Contini waited for him to ask this, and replied unhurriedly: "Yes, the youth union first emerged in Rome, and the first members to join were all members who were loyal to the party and supported the leader, but as we developed into other secondary and higher education institutions, other ideas inevitably mixed in, and the increase in new members led to a pluralism of ideas, and the political consciousness of some members was not enough, and they did not fully recognize a fact, and only talked about politics there one-sidedly. ”

Mussolini laughed: "What political facts? ”

"They talk one-sidedly about patriotism, love for Italy, and promotion of Italy's prosperity and strength, but they don't understand that abstract Italy does not exist! At this stage, loving the fascist is patriotic, supporting the central government with the leader as the prime minister is patriotic, and following the principle of 'one doctrine, one political party, and one leader' is patriotic. "I am fully aware that at this stage, only fascist can save Italy, and only a leader can lead the Italian people forward!" There is no other way! If the Democratic Party loves their ideal country, the Liberal Party loves their ideal country, and the Socialist Party loves their ideal country, how can they unite the 40 million Italian people? How can Italy be allowed to speak with one voice? ”

Mussolini slapped the table and stood up, and said excitedly: "Calais, you have spoken so well!" Exactly as I thought, there is depth, height, and breadth! You are much more clever and thorough than those pen and propaganda departments in the party, no, I have to call them over and listen to you say it again! ”

He said that he would do it, and with a phone call, his confidant Caesar Rossi, director of the press office of the Prime Minister's Office, and Marina, the administrative secretary of the fascist office (in fact, the director of the party office), summoned him and asked them to listen to Contini again to explain what he had just said.

Of course, this was before Contini pondered for a night, but he didn't expect Mussolini to be so serious, so he had to say it again, and added a tail at the end: "Of course, the party should pay attention to ways and means when propagating, and should not be too direct, we must use data and achievements to prove to the people, instead of only knowing how to write empty promises like politicians in the past!" ”

"You see, is Calais speaking well? Clearly explained? Mussolini waved his arms excitedly, "We usually have to learn this good method in propaganda and reporting, you should communicate more with Calais, don't think that he feels insignificant when he is young, Calais's current career, political ideas, and political views are much more mature and comprehensive than when we were 20 years old, and we can also learn new things from him, and merge the youth alliance into the party, hoping to increase the vitality of the party by accepting fresh blood!" ”

The other two hurriedly said, "Yes, leader!" We will learn more from Minister Calais in the future......"

Contini thought to himself, didn't he roast me on the fire, and hurriedly said: "Where, in the future, I will study more and strive to contribute to the party's work!" ”

"Calais, the two methods you just said won't work, you have to think of another good way to come out, I want all the people in the Youth Alliance!" Mussolini replied, "If you don't have a solution, you can take a break." ”

After hesitating for a moment, Contini said: "Is that now to let the members of the Youth Alliance voluntarily apply to join the party, mature one, develop one, join in an orderly manner, and continue to further cultivate in the alliance system for the time being, I believe that as long as you work harder, everyone will be able to understand the painstaking efforts of the party and the leader." ”

"In this way, I think it's okay, the party is to absorb the fresh blood of the youth, not to squeeze the youth alliance - this is the party's reserve army, I haven't had time to vigorously develop it, how can I let it split?"

"The leader is wise." Contini hurriedly followed, "Now that the Socialists, the Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party are all eyeing up the campuses to compete for young people, and the school management and leadership of some schools are themselves figures of these dissident parties, I will further find ways to squeeze out their forces, and strive to achieve that in the future, there will be only one voice of the party in the middle and higher education institutions." ”

Mussolini patted Contini on the shoulder: "It's good that you have this ambition, and this is also the most important task you face after becoming the youth leader of the party, you must unite the youth of the whole country, especially the intellectual youth, under the banner of the party, any political party can only talk about having a future if it has young people!" ”

"I'll do my best!"

"I believe in you." Mussolini smiled, "You have done all the tasks I have given you, and I believe that there is no task that you cannot complete." ”

As soon as he put on a top hat for Contini, he put on a more affectionate, more unpredictable smile: "Now I have a personal request for you to help me......"