"Prime Minister Bertrul, do you think we will really be able to gain great benefits from the war?"

Vittorio, president for life of the Italian Social Republic. Mussolini asked, fiddling with a wine glass made of crystal, with interest.

"Yes, Leader." Italian President Bertrul respectfully said: "We will certainly be able to gain great benefits in the war, but this is not based on cooperation with the Americans." As you probably have discovered, the treacherous Americans have never kept their promises. ”

This sentence hit Vittorio's pain point at once. He chose to betray Germany and join the American alliance in order to get the most out of the war. But the damned Americans never kept their promises, and not only that, but they constantly blamed the Italian army for its incompetence on the battlefield.

This is nothing short of a huge insult for a lifetime president of Italy......

Bertrul quietly observed the expression of the great Italian dictator, and he knew that his words had worked.

It was not good news that he was in Pipondu's hands, but Monsieur Pipondu used his huge money to stabilize his precarious position.

In this sense, it is a good thing to be threatened......

Monsieur Pippondu, however, was no generous cheque waving from place to place, and for every penny he spent, he was rewarded tenfold more.

Right now. It's time to repay him yourself......

During this time, he did his best to persuade Vittorio to distance himself from the Allies as much as possible and restore relations with Germany. in order to get the so-called huge "benefits".

Compared with his father Mussolini, Vittorio has no talent at all, except for being more greedy, and he was able to get to this position entirely thanks to his father, such a person is easy to be manipulated......

"I have secretly ordered the Akmod Panzer Division to stop attacking......" Mussolini cleared his throat: "This is a sign of our friendship to the Germans...... I think, Mr. Prime Minister. Germany should give me something in return......"

Greedy people are always greedy...... Bertrul thought with infinite disdain. Only a few things have been done, and the great dictator can't wait to see the rewards.

What qualifies such a person to sit in this position?

A smile appeared on Bertrul's face: "Yes, $3 million has been hit in your secret account in New York. You can verify it. ”

Vittorio laughed too, he loved money and saw his wealth grow.

$3 million, that's a lot of money. But Vittorio wanted more than that.

"Dear Leader. Please come and see. Betrul saw exactly what the other party was thinking, and he brought Vittorio to the map: "The distribution of benefits here is as follows......"

He explained in detail the secret agreement with the Germans, and what benefits Italy would receive after the end of the war, which the Germans were much more generous than the promises made by the United States.

The more Vittorio listened, the more a smile appeared on his face, as if he saw a lot of money fluttering in front of his eyes.

At this moment, he completely forgot about the agreement with the Americans......

his Americans. What allies in front of interests. Any convention is false.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I am very pleased with your efforts." Vittorio perked his spirits: "However, we must also note that once we break with the Americans, the Allies may declare war on us at any time and landing in Italy, do you think we can defeat the Americans?" ”

"Mr. Leader, why do you want to break with the Americans, why do you want to fight the Americans?" Bertrul knew that the time was almost up: "All we have to do is to break away from the alliance and declare neutrality." We will neither join the side of the United States nor the side of Germany, all we have to do is watch the fire from the other side and strive for the best interests for ourselves. What can Americans do? Is it a blatant declaration of war on us? No, they won't...... Moreover, the United States had just lost their second victory in the Battle of Berlin, and in North Africa and the Middle East, they had also been counterattacked by the Germans on a large scale, and I do not think they would have the strength to use troops against the mighty Italy. ”

Mighty Italy, Vittorio likes to hear such a name......

He also knew that in his father's time, Italy was looked down upon, but in his own hands, a "mighty Italy" was quietly born......

He must be able to surpass his father in everything he has created......

"Mr. Prime Minister, I agree with what you said." Vittorio smiled: "But we also need to be cautious, the contact with the German side cannot be interrupted, and the specific matters are left to you." ”

At this time, the phone rang, Vittorio picked it up, listened for a while, and yelled at the phone: "Damn, what are the police doing?" What is the army doing? Repression, for what not to suppress! ”

Then, in a rage, he put down the phone......

"What's going on, Mr. Leader?" Bertrul asked cautiously.

"There was a massive march in Turin against the government, those damned anarchists......" Vittorio said angrily.

This is the truest portrayal of Italy today.

The sluggish economy, coupled with rising taxes, has worsened the lives of Italy's common people. A worker's weekly income is simply not enough to feed his family.

The privileged class, on the other hand, lived a life of luxury and decay, which seriously exacerbated the contradictions in Italy.

Under such circumstances, protests against the government have been carried out one after another.

In particular, there have been constant calls against the great dictator in China. Demand that Vittorio step down and re-form a more capable government to govern Italy.

And this is what makes Vittorio. Mussolini was the most unbearable.

He couldn't imagine what the formation would face if it lost power.

"Repression. Resolute repression! Vittorio almost roared there: "Damn anarchists, poor people who deserve to be all in prison!" They don't deserve to live in Italy, they don't deserve to be Italians! What is the mayor of the city of Turin, Cartadona, doing? Why didn't he launch thunderous means to suppress these shameless riots as soon as possible? ”

It was just a protest march together, but in Vittorio's mouth it became a "riot...... Bertrul sighed in his heart, once the crackdown was launched, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But. No one can shake the idea of this great dictator......

"Mr. Prime Minister, I need you to go to Turin in person." Vittorio suddenly said, "Turin is too important to us. ”

That's exactly what Vittorio was worried about.

Turin is the third largest city in Italy and one of the major industrial centers. The capital of Piedmont, Italy's Motor City, is also the largest automobile producer in Europe.

Even, the city of Turin is the main economic lifeblood of Italy.

It is one of Europe's electric steelmaking and electronics machining centers. On the basis of cheap hydropower in the Alps. Turin focuses on the development of technology-intensive industries. There are engines, machine tools, electronics, electrical appliances, chemicals, bearings, aircraft, precision instruments, meters, and the arms industry. During the Second World War, it became an important munitions manufacturing center for Italy and Germany.

If the situation there is not stabilized, it will be devastating for the Italian economy.

Bertrul was taken aback, hell by the great dictator. Going to Turin himself to direct the repression would make himself a sinner in Italy.

But what excuse did he have to oppose the orders of Italy's lifelong leader?

"Give Cartadona the toughest orders!" Vittorio said viciously, "Let the anarchists and shameless poor ghosts know who is the real ruler of this country!" Only the most brutal repression can make them honest! ”

Seeing that Bertrul still wanted to argue, Vittorio quickly said, "Don't say anything more. Mr. Prime Minister, the country needs you to step up at the moment. ”

Bertrul could not argue with anything. He sighed heavily in his heart.

If something unstoppable happens, you will undoubtedly become a scapegoat......

．．．．．．

While Italy's great dictator Vittorio is determined to carry out brutal repression, the mayor of Turin, Catadona, is also caught in a dilemma.

He was a sympathizer for the protesters, and he knew which protesters would not have done so if they had not reached the point where they could not bear it.

Previously, there had been a large march in Bologna, but the military and police soon appeared in the streets and then opened fire, killing 21 and wounding 47, which is known as the "Bologna Massacre".

The massacre provoked an international outcry and even a serious warning from the United States. The last of the best, Vittorio. Mussolini had to arrest several scapegoats in a hasty manner.

If it weren't for the fact that the United States at that time still needed an ally like Vittorio, perhaps the great dictator of Italy would have stepped down.

Now that something similar is happening again in Turin, what kind of orders will Vittorio give?

Caradona soon learned the answer...... In a direct call from the president for life, Vittorio did not hesitate to give the order for the repression, telling him that Prime Minister Bertrul would soon arrive in Turin.

Repression? Isn't there a better way than repression? Those who are protesting are fighting for their right to survive.

His top staff, Diñakale, the Turin police chief Giorgio, and the commander of the Itagu Infantry Division, stationed in Turin, sat in the mayor's office.

Dinakale and Giorgio had the same attitude towards the protests as the mayor, and they were also protesters, not willing to have their hands stained with blood.

Lieutenant General Congio, on the other hand, is a person who is unwilling to meddle in his affairs, but deep down, he is also unwilling to let himself be stigmatized as a "butcher" because of repression.

"Silence, gentlemen, will not solve anything...... "Cartadona finally said, "the leader's order has been given. I need you to find a solution. I trust you, Mr. Dinakale, and I am willing to discuss with you the most important things. So, do you have any good advice for me? ”

Mr. Mayor himself called the name, and Dinakale pressed his pipe: "Mr. Mayor, can the repression really work?" In the history of Italy, there have been many uprisings, such as when the Spanish ruled Italy. The Spanish colonial rulers imposed heavy military spending in Italy, restricting the export of goods with cumbersome industrial regulations. As a result, Italian industry and commerce plummeted. Unprofitable, the mercantile bourgeoisie began to buy up the land of the declining aristocracy and exploit the tenant farmers by dividing the system. The peasants were under the pressure of divided rent, usury, and taxes. Living in extreme poverty, its real status is equal to that of serfs. They fled the mountains and forests in large numbers, organized armed groups, and staged an uprising. ”

Dinakale said with a succinct of words: "In Naples. When the people imposed a fruit and vegetable tax in Spain. An uprising broke out on July 7, 1647. The leader was the fisherman Massanilo, whose ranks consisted of craftsmen, small merchants and workers. On the day of the uprising, they destroyed the tax collectors and expelled the tax collectors and the Spanish governor. They also seized power in the cities and set about organizing democratic governing bodies. A week later, the Spanish governor used the mediation of the Archbishop of Naples to make a feint compromise and recognize Massanilo as commander. and allows for the abolition of several taxes. After gaining respite, the Spanish governor stabbed Massanilo to death by trickery. This insidious and vicious act provoked even greater anger among the people. They held a solemn funeral for Massanilo. The Republic of Naples was then founded under the leadership of Anis, the owner of the armory. The Spanish governor mobilized warships to bombard the city of Naples, and the rebels were quickly defeated by the Spanish army. In the spring of 1648, the Spanish reoccupied Naples, and Annis and other leaders were hanged. The uprising failed, but it sowed the seeds for future struggles...... Mr. Mayor, please note that it is the struggle for the future! ”

He was silent at this point: "Eventually, the wave of revolt spread throughout Italy, and the Spaniards fled in disarray. How similar is this to the current situation? Yes, we can suppress it, and we are fully capable of suppressing it, but what are the consequences of repression? This would cause great anger among the people and condemnation from the international community, and Bologna is the best example of this. But will the repression be able to quell the anger of the people? I don't think so, it will only provoke more anger among the people! ”

"Also, we're going to be scapegoated." "Now that we're talking about Bologna, let's recall what happened in Bologna." The massive number of casualties put Italy under the heaviest pressure, and the mayor and police chief of Bologna finally went to court. They faithfully carried out the government's orders, but did they get anything? No, they got nothing, and they lost their freedom! I don't care what you think, anyway, I resolutely don't act as a scapegoat like this......"

This time I talked about the voices of several people.

Cartagona set his gaze on General Congio, who held military power: "General, what do you mean?" ”

"I'm a soldier, I don't know much ......about politics," Congio replied slyly, but he then changed his tune: "If I have to show my personal attitude, then I think that the army is for the enemy, not for my own countrymen." There have been many butcher generals in history, and I hope I won't be one of them......"

Although he did not answer directly, his attitude was very clear......

"Gentlemen, then wait until Prime Minister Bertrul arrives." Cartadona made up his mind that he would never be a sinner like that, even if he lost his position as mayor because of it.

At the very least, it can be worthy of one's conscience.

"Yes, wait for Prime Minister Bertrul to arrive." "What is strange to me is that there were serious differences between the leader and the prime minister before, and there were even rumors that the prime minister's position might not be secured, but in a short period of time, the prime minister regained the trust of the leader. I think Bertrul will be able to solve all this. ”

Catadona nodded, he and Bertrul were old friends, but what happened to his old friend made him wonder a little: how did Bertrul regain the trust of the leader?

"Mr. Mayor, the protest representatives have asked to negotiate with you." That's when his secretary general walked in and said.

Catadona smiled bitterly: "Gentlemen, do you think I should go out of the rut to negotiate?" ”

"I guess there are some things that can't be avoided." "If you avoid meeting them, it will only make them feel abandoned and things will quickly spiral out of control," said Dinakkale candidly. Until Mr. Prime Minister arrives, I think it is necessary to stabilize them. ”

Catadona stood up: "In that case, then arrange for me to meet with them." God forbid, and hopefully I won't be torn to shreds by their wrath. ”

His concern is not really for his own safety, but for the protesters who do get out of control, then he will have to face more difficult choices.

Calmness, calmness is the most important thing at this time, both for Mr. Mayor himself and for those protesters.

"Mr. Mayor, do you need me to send the army to protect you?" General Congio asked suddenly.

"No, I don't think it's necessary, sending troops out would cause even more panic among the protesters."

At the very least, Cartagdona made a very right choice! (To be continued......)