"Sixth brother, I didn't expect you to be so free in Europe, I envy the dead!"

Zhang Tingshu leaned back on the recliner and poured a sip of wine without grace. Then he set his eyes on the youthful women walking back and forth on the beach, the swimsuits at this time still looked very conservative, but the arms and legs were already exposed, and the body was far more bumpy and blood-spurting than that of Oriental women, which simply made people feel the urge to commit crimes.

"Wei Jiu, how much I want to exchange with you, the hatred of the country and the family, but I can't fight to the death on the battlefield, how many times I want to go away directly, just return to the country, no matter how much it is better to be a big soldier than to bask in the sun here!"

Zhang Tingshu also knew Zhang Xueliang's mood, so his face was a little lonely, and he hurriedly said: "Sixth brother, in fact, this war broke out suddenly, and I didn't have time to let you return to China, you won't blame my brother, right?" ”

Zhang Xueliang shook his head: "The humble words are the most careful, when the war started, he sent me a telegram, if you are willing to go back, you can go back, but he left me a task, I thought about it, I still feel that staying is more useful, but I can't take revenge with my own hands, it's really a pity." ”

"Sixth brother, it is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge. My brother said, this is just the beginning, fighting this battle, just to strive for the same development conditions as Japan, and in the future, sooner or later, we will have a complete reckoning with the Japanese, and then we will put all the bullshit emperor and prime minister in front of my uncle's grave, and it will be too late, then it is called relieving hatred! ”

Zhang Xueliang also smiled and nodded: "I have confidence in Humble Yan, and I even have a little doubt that he has the ability to predict the future, why did he tell me a few months ago to contact Mussolini and help." Check it out now. The situation in Italy is becoming clearer and clearer, the National Fascist Party is in power, it is already the general trend, and Mussolini is afraid that he will also become the master of this country! ”

Zhang Tingshu shook his head disapprovingly: "My brother is just a little more accurate, but he also misses, I went to the United States this time, and I ate a closed door. They are not tempted, and they don't even help us build warships, it's just disgusting! ”

Before Zhang Tingshu came to Italy, he went to the United States first, according to Zhang Tinglan's intentions. He first met with two U.S. senators, and then went to the Brooklyn shipyard in New York. Offered at a unit price of six million dollars. Order two heavy cruisers.

The Brooklyn shipyard is also one of the largest shipyards in the United States. It has undertaken the construction of early large warships, and during World War II, it also built several Essex-class aircraft carriers, as well as battleships.

However, after seeing Zhang Tingshu's request, the shipyard scratched its head a little. Because in Zhang Tingshu's requirements, the first thing to consider is the speed, followed by the range, the speed must reach at least 28 knots. The endurance should reach 10,000 nautical miles. As for the firepower and protection that people are more concerned about now, they are placed in a secondary position.

The existing warships of the United States could not meet the requirements, so the shipyard proposed a design cost of 500,000 yuan, and Zhang Tingshu also agreed, and paid 30,000 yuan in advance as a start-up fund.

But just as the deal was about to be negotiated, the murmur came out, and the Japanese threatened the United States that if the United States built warships for the Feng army to threaten the sea routes, Japan would consider whether to participate in the Washington Conference.

Such a tough response surprised the Americans, and President Harding even personally summoned his staff to make an assessment. They believe that China's purpose in building fast cruisers is very clear, that is, to cooperate with battle cruisers and jointly carry out maritime sabotage missions.

With a large range and high speed, warships can easily take out merchant ships, and then have a chance to escape. Of course, the Americans did not estimate that Fengjun's proposal for this standard could actually become the escort of high-speed aircraft carriers.

The sale of warships to China is definitely a lucrative project, and Fengjun's proposal to use the Maoshan iron ore as collateral has touched the hearts of the United States. However, Japan's tough opposition here has left the Americans in a bit of a dilemma.

If it had been a year earlier, most of the Americans would have agreed, because after all, the United States and Japan, as adversaries, could cause trouble to the Japanese, and they could not ask for it. But now that the United States has been preparing to convene the Washington Conference, after all, the crazy arms race has made the Americans a little unbearable. Moreover, the Americans also want to take this opportunity to become the dominant liliang of Shijie, and it seems a little uneconomical to offend Japan to death just because of a little commercial interest.

As a result, Zhang Tingshu hit a wall in the first battle, so he could only come to Italy angrily to look for new opportunities.

"These Yankees are simply insatiable, they actually deducted 30,000 yuan of start-up funds, but fortunately they didn't give them all 500,000 yuan, otherwise they would have lost a lot!"

Zhang Tingshu muttered, full of complaints, Zhang Xueliang also smiled: "Eat a trench and grow a wisdom, Wei Jiu, this is also an experience, remember it in the future, when dealing with foreigners, don't see rabbits and don't scatter eagles!" ”

While he was talking, a young man less than twenty walked up to Zhang Xueliang and said with a smile: "My friend, my father is very grateful for your support for the fascist cause and wants to talk to you. ”

The man who came was Ziano, and his father, Ciano the Elder, was Mussolini's close friend, a party veteran, and a count, a prominent figure in the fascist party. This Ziano was Mussolini's son-in-law in the future, one of Italy's rising political stars, but at this time he had not officially entered politics.

Half a year ago, Zhang Xueliang was instructed by Zhang Tinglan to come to Italy to seek cooperation with Mussolini, and as a result, he met Ziano at a cocktail party. Both of them are young people, and they are both fun and fun, Zhang Xueliang is extremely proficient in bridge tennis, and he quickly got along with Ziano.

Moreover, at this time, it was a critical moment for the fascist party to attack the national power, and it was in urgent need of financial support, and Zhang Xueliang, a boy with scattered wealth, provided support of 200,000 US dollars at that time. To the great joy of the fascist leadership, Mussolini even wanted to receive him personally, but it was delayed due to the tight schedule.

This time, Zhang Xueliang ran to Italy to meet Zhang Tingshu, and the two of them were about to go to Rome, and happened to meet Ziano at the port. As soon as Ziano heard that Zhang Tingshu was not very old, but he had already commanded a tank division and wiped out tens of thousands of Japanese troops in one fell swoop, Ziano was immediately shocked. And with great hospitality, let them rest first, and then he personally contacted the old Ciano.

Due to the urgency of the matter, Zhang Tingshu only enjoyed one day of sunshine and hurried to Rome. Their first stop was the old Ciano's estate, which was full of the luxury and heritage of the old aristocracy.

Compared with Chinese-style garden architecture, Western manors also have a unique taste, and Zhang Tingshu nodded frequently. Old Chiano personally greeted them at the door, and after meeting, after a pleasantry, Zhang Tingshu and they went to the living room.

Zhang Xueliang said with a smile: "These days, we can see that the support rate of the fascist party is getting higher and higher, and Shili is getting stronger and stronger, and I believe that in the near future, it will definitely be able to become the ruling party in Italy." ”

"Indeed, we are doing the right thing, Mr. Mussolini, a great leader. The country needs to be radically changed, Italy cannot be cowardly followed by England and France, we must build a strong country, with land commensurate with our dignity......"

mentioned the fascist program, old Chiano also talked endlessly, Zhang Tingshu and Zhang Xueliang looked at each other, they really couldn't stand it, but they couldn't help but listen.

It was only after the old Ciano spoke passionately for five minutes that he finally stopped: "Of course, we still have a little trouble now, the most important of which is the attitude of the military, these greedy soldiers need a lot of money to feed." ”

"Mr. Earl, we may be able to help a little."

When the old Ciano heard this, he immediately came to his senses, and said with a smile: "I have heard that you have just defeated the Japanese in the Far East, and I think this is a commendable victory, and our two distant countries may be able to carry out more cooperation." ”

Zhang Tingshu also said with a smile: "We have heard that Italy has many great achievements in the field of military jishu, and we have a lot of resources, and the future must be very bright." ”

While he was talking, suddenly the servant came to deliver a letter, saying that Mussolini was coming, and the old Ciano could only say goodbye and go to greet him.

"Old friend, those damn businessmen are even unwilling to provide financial support, I urgently need a sum of money now, those stupid generals, they don't see the money, they won't support us!"

Looking at the anxious Mussolini, old Ciano suddenly laughed: "Dear leader, I think someone can help solve this trouble, I have two young friends here, they may be able to bring the most news!" ”

Old Ciano took Mussolini to the living room, and saw that there were two young Oriental faces, Mussolini was also surprised, the old Ciano made an introduction, and Mussolini also shook hands with Zhang Xueliang very gracefully, and said with a smile: "Thank you for your help, in the future, there will be a rich return." ”

The Chinese are subtle and very repulsive to this kind of blatant money and power trading, but in the West this is a high-sounding political donation, and there is no need to shy away from it.

Zhang Xueliang also said with a smile: "Dear Mr. Mussolini, we believe that you will become one of the greatest figures in the history of Italy, and it is also our honor to cooperate with you." ”

Zhang Tingshu also said with a smile: "We have an open-pit iron mine with reserves of 3 billion tons, and we are very eager to find partners, if the Italian company is willing to take on it, I believe it will be a good cooperation for both sides." ”

As soon as Mussolini heard this, his eyes lit up, Italy is also a resource-poor country, and industrial development has been restricted, so he will actively seek expansion, and now that he has an opportunity, how can he let it go, and he was immediately impressed. (To be continued......)