PS: Supplement 3, there are two more today, but the time will be a little later......

Frankly speaking, Mussolini and a large group of high-level people around him who knew the inside story of Algerian oil were very sweaty for Contini, and they were the French colonies with the French, which was simply a death, so Mussolini let go of Contini on the surface to act boldly, but behind the scenes, he had already agreed with the old Ciano that he would let him go to France to serve softness when he had to do so - this is not Italy to France to be soft, but the Ziano family to be soft to the French, this face is not heavy.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the mines swung and the Moroccan affairs were instigated, the French actually retracted and agreed to a peaceful settlement - of course, the benefits are still there, which makes everyone start to look at Contini with admiration. How did they know that it was not Morocco that really prompted Briand to make up his mind, but the details of Petain's return, the huge reinforcements, military needs and possible casualties frightened Briand, he was not Mussolini, this is not Mussolini, this is not the cabinet will fall, he is not guilty of causing the cabinet to rise to power for a little economic gain, so that the profit is too little and the bet is too much, it is not the responsibility of a rational politician.

Therefore, now that Contini proposes a new naval shipbuilding plan, everyone should not be regarded as a second-generation son who has nothing to do, but must be solemnly regarded as a suggestion - after this incident, they unconsciously regard Contini as an important member of the government who can be treated equally, rather than the son of the old Ziano family and the chairman of the consortium in the previous concept.

History has changed significantly due to Contini's interference: although the Leonardo da Vinci is not very old, less than 15 years old, it had an ammunition explosion in 1916 and was salvaged again after sinking in the port, and the Italian Navy has always wanted to carry out a complete repair, but it was distressed by the lack of funds, so it was historically arranged to be dismantled in 1923. But this time it was different, because Contini asked to decommission the four Queen-class ships first and provided financial support, so the Leonardo da Vinci was not dismantled as the original fate, but was repaired as much as possible, so it is still in service at a good end.

So in the end, Mussolini decided to convene a study meeting specifically for this matter, and invited Contini to participate as well, and now many things cannot be bypassed by the United Group.

Admiral Lefere first said: "Although the Da Vinci has been relatively comprehensively repaired, but realistically speaking, there is still a little performance gap compared with the other two ships of the Cavour class...... What does the president think? ”

He originally wanted to say Calais, but then he felt that it was a formal meeting, so he quickly changed his words, saying that His Excellency seemed a little speechless, so he called Contini president like many people.

"Just call me Calais." Contini smiled, "To be honest, I have a package of ideas for the development of the navy. As you know, my father was an old navyman, and I was trained in the navy since I was a child, and I have a lot of feelings for the navy, and I am very anxious about the weakness of the Italian navy, so I may have a bit ......of a big idea."

"Calais, tell me, it's all your own people here!"

"I suggest that the Navy complete the construction of four Caracciolo-class battleships as much as possible within the established framework tonnage before the expiration of the Washington Naval Treaty, and we can play a sideshow with the fourth." Contini smiled, "First build it in the name of the United Group, and then join the Italian Navy as soon as the treaty expires, I have studied the treaty, and it cannot be considered a violation." ”

"And such an operation?" Mussolini was stunned.

"Yes, that's right." Leffel said with a smile, "The treaty stipulates that the signatory countries cannot build battleships with a displacement of 35,000 tons for other signatory countries, but that does not mean that they cannot be built for non-signatory countries, as Calais just said, we can build the ship in the name of building for the Turks, and let them pay a symbolic deposit, and when the time comes, they will say that they don't want to return the ship, then they can justifiably join the navy." ”

Mussolini suddenly realized, and then thought that Contini was a law student, and the level of this loophole was really ...... In fact, everyone can seize this loophole, the key is that other countries do not have unjust big consortia that are willing to pay for naval shipbuilding.

"In addition to the Caracciolo class, I think that in the next 10 years, this kind of 35,000-ton battleship may also be on the verge of obsolescence, and I think it is necessary for the Navy to build four higher-level battleships, such as a new 50,000-ton class fast battleship with 16-inch guns."

50,000 tons? 16-inch guns? At this time, not only Mussolini, but even Lefehr was a little stunned, and it took a long time for the latter to come back to his senses: "This ...... There are no 50,000-ton battleships in the world. ”

"But there will be in the future." Contini smiled, "Now the so-called world's top level battleship is the BIG7, Japan's Nagato has reached the level of 40,000 tons, 16-inch guns, I think in another 10 years, 50,000 tons of battleships equipped with 16-inch guns will be the mainstream, and even 60,000-ton ships with 18-inch guns will appear, we are not so eye-catching." ”

Lefell nodded: "In 10 years, this indicator calculation does make sense, technically I believe that Italy can also do it, and now the key is funding, so that 4 giant ships cost a lot......"

He didn't brag either, Italy designed the Veneto class in history, that is, a 381mm poison cannon on a hull of more than 40,000 tons, but Contini believes that the power is not enough, it must be enlarged to a configuration of 50,000 tons + 406mm, as for the dream of 70,000 tons + 457mm configuration, he has to weigh the harvest of the United Group in the next few years, and it is very difficult to rely on finances alone.

But one thing he is sure of, as long as he doesn't fight Ethiopia, everything is easy to say, Italy has smashed a total of 45 billion lira (equivalent to more than 2 billion US dollars) in Ethiopia in history, and the income in exchange for it is very limited, except for the territory is a little better, there is almost no return, it is a complete failure, he will not allow this kind of thing to happen, as for the part of selling blood and kidneys to support Franco, he also feels that he should consider carefully.

"Including the cost of design, naval gun research and development, preliminary model construction, personnel training, etc., I estimate it at 25 million US dollars for one ship, and 4 ships are 100 million US dollars." Contini smiled, "I won't say much about the United Group, we will pay half of the 100 million, and half of the country will pay it itself, of course, in the process, the country will also have to help the United Group resist all kinds of pressure." Like this time, when I asked for a warship, the navy did not hesitate to give us Dante, for which I have always been grateful; In the process of diplomatic negotiations, the leader also withstood Briand's pressure, which laid a good foundation for the following negotiations...... In the final analysis, as a national policy group, the United Group is symbiotic and co-prosperous with the Party and the country - if Italy is strong, the United Group is good, and if the United Group wants to become better, it must contribute to the country's strength. ”

This is not a high-profile statement, the United Group has successively paid tribute of nearly 20 million US dollars to the army and navy, if it were not for this relationship, the navy would not have been able to take out the current capital ship because Contini has a father who is a minister and a future father-in-law is the leader, those are two different things!

Contini smiled: "My idea is very simple, isn't there a critic outside saying that we are the third largest armed force in the Mediterranean, the army may be a little troublesome, but the navy and air force I think must be built to be the first in the Mediterranean, especially the navy, must have an overwhelming advantage, if necessary, even be able to overwhelm the French Mediterranean Fleet and the British Mediterranean Fleet combined - these are my two strong standards!" Of course, for the time being, we must show weakness, and considering the actual situation of the navy at present, I personally think that the question of whether there are four or five capital ships is not a big problem, and there is no need to abolish the number of personnel, and it is enough to arrange for new heavy cruisers. ”

Lefell and Mussolini looked at each other, and they were a little surprised by Contini's appetite: this is the rhythm of the 444 fleet - 4 50,000-ton ships must be the main force, 4 35,000-ton Caracciolo-class after 10 years of service arrangements in the middle of the improvement, and the other 4 old battleships are used for home defense and reserve team construction, and the structure seems to be very reasonable.

And the funding people also said that the United Group will pay half! The remaining 50 million is not a small amount, but considering that it will be 10 years from now, both Mussolini and Leffer feel very confident that in 10 years the finances will be better than they are now, and they do not expect an economic crisis.

"Calais, I basically agreed to the retirement of the Leonardo da Vinci, but the price ......" Leffel rubbed his hands embarrassedly, "I know I'm a little greedy, but now that I'm sitting in this position, I can't do my best for the Navy, can I sell it for a little more money, your floating airfield at sea is doing a good job, and now several people are telling me that the Navy still has 60,000 tons of aircraft carrier tonnage to spare, can you make a small use of it first?" The requirements are not high, just 1.5-18,000 tons, so ......"

As soon as he said this, Mussolini laughed first, and then Contini laughed too.

Leffel was embarrassed by their laughter, but when the words were spoken, he couldn't help but continue to follow, reaching out for money is always like this, although the development of the military under the fascist system does not always have to be angry with the parliament as before, which is also the reason why the army unanimously supports the leader - it is the superiority of fascism to concentrate on doing great things, but don't forget that there are two teammates in the army and the air force eyeing it next to him, so the attitude must be humble, no way, it is the uncle who is rich.

"I bought the Da Vinci for 90 million lira...... As for aircraft carriers......" Contini shrugged his shoulders and smiled and looked at Mussolini.

The latter proudly declared: "Your Excellency the Minister of the Navy, you don't have to worry about the aircraft carrier, my daughter has done it for you, and don't tremble and say that 15,000 tons, 18,000 tons, it is directly 30,000 tons." ”

"Daughter?" Leffel was shocked, and suddenly remembered something, "You mean, Ada?" ”

Contini smiled and nodded.