In Rome, the capital of Italy, in Mussolini's office, a very fine glass of water fell on the wall so abruptly, with a crisp sound of cracking, making everyone in the room tremble involuntarily.

"He already knew there was oil! He already knew! Why would a bastard who had never even been to Libya know that there was oil in Libya, and you idiots didn't even know that? Why?" Mussolini shouted hysterically in his seat.

It is not unimportant to say that Italy is looking for oil in Libya, and they have been looking for all kinds of natural resources in the country that they can use. However, all efforts seem to have been in vain, and at least until the Germans helped, Italy's exploration activities in Libya were almost nothing.

This is the main reason why he looted a large amount of supplies from the Bailanhua Group and then sold the oil rights in Libya to the German company. He felt that what the Italians couldn't find, the Germans must not be able to find, and they couldn't find it anyway, so it was better to sell it to the Germans for a profit.

But who would have thought that the Italian army was inferior to the German army on the battlefield, but Italy was also inferior to Germany in other respects? What the Italian engineers and geologists could not find, the Germans really found in only 17 days!

That's oil! It's not a river, it's not a piece of gold, it's the most important strategic resource for the country's future development! But the strategic resources that were originally in Libya and belonged to Italy were sold by Mussolini, and they were sold very cheaply. If we compare it with oil, then the material and technical expenses of the Germans are simply worthless.

Mussolini recalled Accardo's attitude, and his nickname of "God's gift," which was known in Germany, as if Accardo really knew that there was oil in Libya, and was very sure of it......

"Damn! He used such a despicable way to plunder resources from his allies! Shameless!" scolded one of Mussolini's aides, frowning, and now he had to hurry to take a stand, because he was the one who brokered the "oil extraction" negotiations between Mussolini and the German Blanchua group.

However, it is a pity that he did not review his own self-interest, nor did he remember the bribes given to him by the Germans, but only repeatedly emphasized that the Germans were very "unjust" in oil exploitation in Libya - this is human nature, everyone blames others for their mistakes, and then flaunts their own wisdom.

"Shut up!" his denunciations did not bring Mussolini a good mood, and the Italian leader was now full of resentment about being cheated by Accardo. He looked at the staff in the room and said directly: "Give me a way to find a way to get the oil fields back from the Germans!"

When it comes to the issue of competing for oil fields, these aides have all kept their mouths shut. After all, this is an action against Germany, and everyone is very cautious in this regard. You must know that Italy's last diplomatic actions have revolved around the Axis and the Third Reich, and because of this, these aides are well aware of Germany's strength, and have been afraid of it for a long time.

It's a joke to take advantage of the Germans by force...... These fox-like politicians just casually looked at the Italian generals sitting on the side, whose faces were pale and gray, and who did not dare to come out, for fear that Mussolini would notice them, knew that they did not need to think about relying on the Italian army.

Everyone knows that the most capable general in the entire Kingdom of Italy is Marshal Garibaldi of the North African Legion - unfortunately, this marshal is now a strong contender for Mussolini's government, for which Mussolini even tried to delay the delivery of supplies to North Africa.

And the other generals, on weekdays, one by one are full of bullish eyes and above the top, but when it comes to the German J Army on the German-Italian border, and the **** general, these generals have become little mice who have seen cats - the most optimistic general estimates that he commands the Italian border guards to defend against the attack of Army J, and it is estimated that he can hold out for 3 days.

Looking at these silent aides and generals, Mussolini was obviously a little desperate, he knew that relying on force could not pose a threat to Germany at all, and he had no chance of winning in diplomacy and politics. Then those promises of the Americans, those promises that seemed to be ethereal, came to his mind again.

With the help of the Americans, Italy could hold off the German offensive - as long as the Soviet Union remained undefeated, Germany could not draw too many troops from the Eastern Front against Italy in the heartland. As long as Mussolini stabilized the defensive line, then cut off the supply to North Africa, Rommel's troops would be isolated, or they would be completely annihilated in the Middle East in less than two months.

And disappeared along with the disobedient Garibaldi, the damned traitor who fell to the Germans! The internal and external troubles were lifted in one go, and Italy could still get back Libya's oil resources...... As soon as the Germans lost a war, then the situation of the whole war would change, and Mussolini would be the most powerful ally of the United States.

Everything, as long as Mussolini can hold on to the German-Italian border for 2 weeks to 1 month. As long as he can hold on, then all this will go smoothly, and it will be Accardo who will die, and Mussolini will be on the side of the victors and re-divide the world.

What method should be used to make the German Army Group J under the command of General **** hesitate on the German-Italian border and not go south as soon as possible? This question stumped Mussolini, who felt that as long as Army Group J hesitated for one week, he would have a way to use the Italian navy to tear open the defensive circle of the Strait of Gibraltar and let tens of thousands of elite troops of the Allied forces enter the Mediterranean.

As long as these troops were allowed to enter Italy, it would not be impossible to delay the German offensive on home for a few weeks. A few weeks later, the North African battlefield was completely eroded, and Rommel and Garibaldi were defeated and killed, and the Allies were able to draw more troops from the North African battlefield into Italy......

No matter how you think about it, this scheme is very operable. So Mussolini waved his hand and announced the dissolution of the meeting, leaving behind a few henchmen to ask questions about the border fortifications: "Is the work of secretly reinforcing several defensive areas almost in progress?"

A general in charge of this matter quickly nodded and replied confidently: "Leader, we are under the noses of the Germans, so naturally we can't move so much...... However, after such a long period of construction, these fortifications are already very strong. ”

"Mainly to defend against various defense systems used by tank assaults! Including anti-tank trenches, as well as anti-tank gun fixed positions!" Mussolini was more concerned about how to prevent the German army from advancing in the direction of the border. If possible, he even wanted to find some other means to transfer several reserve armoured divisions of the German army from the direction of the border.

"Of course! These fortifications are already very well built. The general swallowed his saliva and replied without hesitation: "The German offensive will be hindered in several areas, but we cannot guarantee how fast the Germans will advance...... After all, their combat effectiveness is very amazing. ”

If possible, the Soviets, Americans, British, and French all wanted to stop the German advance, and the generals who commanded these elite troops were Zhukov, Patton, Montgomery, and Charles de Gaulle - these generals who were as bright as the stars commanded troops far superior to those of Italy, and none of them stopped the German offensive, so what did Mussolini do to stop it?

"A week...... As long as the defenders of the border can hold for a week, I will be able to provide another 50,000, no, 70,000 reinforcements to the border! At that time, the German army will have to accept defeat!" Mussolini gritted his teeth and said: "I will find a way to find a reason to increase the defenders of the border to 200,000, and it is impossible for the **** Army Group J to press on the whole line, they can only draw 100,000 people at most!"

"Yes, they must keep the pressure on Turkey...... This is the highest estimate we have given the Germans. A staff member firmly assured: "The German army has no extra troops, and we have repeatedly deduced it countless times to quickly support the **** J Army." ”

"Very good!" Mussolini walked around the room with his hands behind his back, and then raised his head: "What we are talking about today is an absolute military secret! No one can say it! Including his wife and children! Do you understand?"

"Understood! Several people quickly nodded and replied. Soon Mussolini sent them back to draw up a detailed defense plan, which also included the movement of several coastline defense forces, the blockade of the port and the control of the airport. A lot of things had to be arranged, and Mussolini had to go to the American envoy to make sure that the Americans could help Italy.

"There is a lot of help we can provide...... Mr. Mussolini...... It includes 67,000 elite soldiers, 200 advanced Sherman tanks, and 300 aircraft of various types. After the meeting, the American envoy was obviously in a very good mood, he waited for the news he wanted, and he had already completed his highest mission: "As long as your navy knocks on the door of the Strait of Gibraltar, you Italy will be completely free!"