The clatter of the wheels against the rail junctions is constant and powerful, lullaby, and drowsy.

But in the midst of this clang, Carlo did not feel sleepy at all, because he was checking the results of the visit. That's right. The Italian delegation had already returned, and after the settlement of the colonial question with Germany, nothing else would be a problem.

The German government's clear indication has led to the rapid completion of negotiations between Italy and major companies.

Sometimes I have to say that the Germans are doing things well, because the technology they brought back this time is very good. Barrel self-tightening technology brought back from Krupp, dye technology brought back from Farben Chemical, pharmaceutical technology brought back from Bayer, and various technologies brought by other companies.

These technologies are urgently needed for the development of Italian industry, and of course there are various other technologies besides these.

And Carlo is reviewing these technologies, but when it comes to reviewing, it is actually the results of testing.

Carlo was very satisfied with this visit to Germany, although the Germans forced Italy to open its colonies, but the Germans did not treat them badly, and all the technologies were needed by Italy.

Carlo obliviously examined the papers, completely oblivious to a figure appearing in front of him.

"Your Majesty, you are about to arrive in Rome!"

The voice of the chief guard was heard beside him, telling Carlo to put down the papers in his hand.

"It's going to be home, I'm almost forgetting."

After putting down the papers in his hand, Carlo turned to look at his chief guard and rubbed his swollen eyes.

There weren't many people in Carlo's carriage except him, so it wasn't as formal as it was.

After a while, the buildings of the city of Rome appeared outside the train window, and the speed of the train gradually slowed down.

Of course, this is also a reminder that this trip is about to arrive at the station.

As soon as the train stopped, the person in charge of greeting the person on the platform immediately stepped forward, led by the senior cabinet officials composed of Prime Minister De Pretis and others.

"Your Majesty, this visit to Germany has been hard."

Facing the Prime Minister's greeting, Carlo immediately stepped forward to hold his hand and said. "It's nothing, it's all for Italy."

As Carlo said this, His Excellency the Prime Minister caught his attention with a look of resignation.

"What's wrong, Prime Minister?"

"The French government has sent a note asking our country to participate in the negotiation treaty on the Suez Canal."

"What?"

Carlo was a little surprised by the Prime Minister's words, because he had not received any news at all.

Well, the Prime Minister didn't know about this news for long. This is after France's failure to win over Egypt, in order to prevent the British from monopolizing the interests of the Suez Canal, trying to unite other countries to force the British to make the Suez Canal a public canal open to other countries.

Of course, in addition to Italy, France has also extended invitations to other countries, which countries?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Ottomans are all countries that have a demand for the Suez Canal. Just look at these countries. All of them either have colonies in the East or have great interests in the East.

Such a massive move is enough to explain the worries of other countries about Britain's control of the Suez Canal. No way, this canal is too important to all countries, and no one wants this canal to be controlled by one of them.

Even the British Empire, which was in full swing, could not reassure all countries.

And Carlo, after hearing the Prime Minister's words, thought for a moment and spoke. "Then let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond to the French note and inform them that we in Italy are more than happy to do so."

There is no way, Italy's overseas colonies currently need to pass through the Suez Canal, and since France is the organizer, why doesn't Italy participate. Even if the British wanted to deal with this, they should look to France.

When Carlo answered, the prime minister and others were also relieved. You must know that Carlo started as an anti-Frenchman, and he was able to agree to this note from France, which also shows that the young king is not brainless and anti-French, but also has a choice.

"By the way, France has no conditions for negotiation this time."

After leaving the train station, Carlo, who was sitting in the carriage, asked the prime minister who was sitting with him.

"Yes."

The prime minister took out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase and spoke. "This is what France proposed for the Suez Canal."

Taking the Prime Minister's papers, Carlo began to look at them. This document lists the terms in sufficient detail.

As stated in Article 1: The Suez Maritime Canal shall be as open in wartime as in peacetime, and shall be open to all merchant ships or warships, regardless of their flag. Accordingly, the Contracting Parties agreed not to interfere with the free use of the canal in wartime, as in peacetime. The canal should never be subject to blockades.

This made it very important for the British not to use the Suez Canal to blackmail countries.

In addition, it is like the one listed in Article 2. The Parties consider the Freshwater Canal to be an indispensable part of the Maritime Canal and take note of the commitment of His Royal Highness the Governor of Egypt to the International Suez Canal Corporation on the Transriver Canal. The High Contracting Parties undertake not to interfere with the safety of the canal and its tributaries or to impede its utilization.

This is to ensure that the Egyptians, as well as the contracting parties, should not engage in any sabotage of the canal, which is also for the benefit of all countries.

In addition, Article 3: The Contracting Parties undertake to respect the factories, facilities, buildings and works belonging to the Maritime Canal and the Canal.

Article 4: In accordance with Article 1 of this Treaty, the canal shall be a free passage in time of war, even to the warships of the belligerent countries. The Contracting Parties agree that no act of war or hostilities or acts aimed at obstructing the free navigation of the canal shall be permitted within the canal and its ports, as well as within a radius of three miles from such ports, even if the Ottoman Empire is a belligerent.

Warships of the belligerents should not load or store military rations in the canal and its harbors unless there is a special need. The above-mentioned warships shall pass through the canal as soon as possible in accordance with the regulations in force and shall not make any stops except as necessary for official business.

The warship shall not stay at Port Said and the Suez berth for more than 24 hours, except for the distress. If you are in trouble, you must leave as soon as possible. There shall be a twenty-four-hour interval between the departure of a belligerent's ship from a port and the departure of the enemy's vessel.

Article 5: In time of war, the belligerents shall not be allowed to load or unload troops, munitions or military materiel in the canal and its ports. However, in the event of a sudden obstacle in the canal, it is possible to load and unload troops of no more than a thousand people in detachments and the corresponding amount of military supplies.

These regulations are all to ensure the safety of the canal.

These terms were very beneficial to Italy, but the lack of the British who actually controlled the Suez Canal in this negotiation made Carlo have some concerns about this, but he took it to heart and did not say it.

However, when he returned to the palace, he was disturbed by the visiting Minister of War before he was in a hurry to reunite with his family.

"Your Majesty, the army's new rifle has been sampled, do you want to go and see it?"

I'm in a good mood