Chapter 57 Appointments
Mussolini and Hitler are almost opposite in character. It is strange that they can get along well when they are together and can further reach an iron alliance.
Perhaps this is related to Hitler's mind once regarded Mussolini as his idol, but when he saw the essence of the senior's strength and the middle, the Axis power's defeat on the battlefield had already emerged, and the unfavorable situation was irreversible.
The Italian national fascist party miraculously seized power. In its development context, Hitler gained a lot of inspiration. It can be seen that in the early days of the German Nazi Party, whether it was the system, uniform or even the flag, many of them were learned from Italian counterparts. For example, the famous Nazi stormtroopers had obvious traces of the Italian black shirt legion.
Mussolini was indeed very friendly to Hitler. On the way of Nazi rebuilding the German Wehrmacht, Italy generously provided a batch of important military and technical assistance to Germany.
Of course, Hitler also reciprocated. Even though Germany faced tremendous pressure on the Eastern Front in the later period, Germany still did not stop providing Italy with weapons and various resources to help Italy maintain its front in Africa and maintain the normal operation of the fascist government.
It was not until Mussolini was kicked off that the ornate balloon was finally exposed. Hitler despised all the losers, and Mussolini finally lost the respect and favor of the head of state. The leader became a vassal of the Germans, and there was still a year and a half left before the collapse of the entire Axis powers.
However, in this time and space, Mussolini, like Hitler, became a hero of his respective nations and countries because of his premature death.
Although Italy failed one after another on the battlefield, Mussolini still had a large number of fans, especially ordinary people at the bottom, who even regarded this leader as a saint who saved the country.
Mussolini is certainly not a saint. He loves food and beauties and likes all extravagant lifestyles. In order to deserve his prominent position, he even quietly modified his files and sent his first wife to a mental hospital. Even after marrying his second wife, he maintained underground lover relationships with several women one after another, almost falling in love with the other one, and he was like a human-shaped seedling.
From the perspective of emotional life, Mussolini is a complete scumbag. Fortunately, his descendants are still constantly washing this guy.
Xu Jun always had a contemptuous attitude towards his big chin. He knew the Italian leader's trump card better than Hitler, otherwise he would not have ignored the previous friendship between the two sides and repeatedly beat the leader's face.
Of course, now that people are dead, the past holidays will let him dissipate in the morning breeze, at least that's what the head of state thinks.
When meeting Mussolini's family, the German head of state was very kind and did not show off his airs of a powerful leader at all. At the same time, the head of state did not hide his emotions. It was obvious that because of the loss of a close friend, his heart was filled with sorrow. When talking about emotions, the head of state even contained clear tears in his eyes, which made the families of the deceased who were full of sadness very moved.
After visiting the family, the head of state ordered the personal adjutant to send away the sad widow and five children, but in the end he left Ziano alone. The excuse used was to invite the former Italian Foreign Minister to attend the welcome lunch half an hour later.
Only a few senior executives are aware of the fact that Ziano sold his father-in-law so far, and the Germans are relatively polite, so no news is leaked.
Ziano's behavior was not exposed, so he did not destroy the relationship between him and his wife. Instead, the sudden death of Mussolini eased the conflict that had occurred before. For outsiders, this son-in-law of the late Prime Minister and half of the heir to Mussolini's career.
Ziano knew very well that Mussolini's children would not have the opportunity to enter politics, because all forces in Italy would not agree, and more importantly, the German head of state would not allow it. The former Italian Foreign Minister believed that this "Apostle of God" would never want to see Mussolini born again in Italy.
In Italy, children as heirs of blood are born with strong appeal. At this time, only enough power is needed to push behind the scenes. Mussolini's children can easily take over the political legacy left by the leader, and even regroup the forces that have fallen apart within the fascist party in the country and regroup them into a whole.
Ziano knew very well that the Germans would not allow this situation. With the usual style of the German Nazis, even if there was a slight omen, they would take decisive action to kill all possible in their infancy. Now they still have the lives of Mussolini's children, which can only prove that the Germans have made sufficient preparations for response. Ziano loved his wife very much and did not want to see her die miserably.
"Ziano, I remember when I met last time, I was in Paris." Xu Jun leaned on the chair and reached out to pick up a cigar from the cigar box on the table.
"Your memory is right, my head of state." The former Italian Foreign Minister did not hesitate to call Xu Jun "my head of state", and he looked completely free of psychological pressure.
"How is this time?" Xu Jun handed the cigar to the other party.
"Thank you very much, my head of state." Ziano took the cigar from the head of state with a flattering look.
"Ada has now returned to me. I am going to take her around the world after the funeral, which may make her forget the pain of losing her father." Ziano then replied.
"This idea is great. Your wife should be very happy because she has a husband who loves her so much. After you say this, I suddenly have the urge to put aside these tedious tasks, throw away these guards and run around the world alone." Xu Jun handed the cigar cut to Ziano, and then picked up a special match from the table.
"My Head of State." Dieshenhofen spoke loudly from the side.
"Okay OK, I understand, Eric, this is just a joke." The head of state smiled and comforted the shocked adjutant.
"Badolio told me that he was going to arrange a position for you in the cabinet." The cigar was lit and the head of state threw out the match.
"I don't want to come out to work yet. Over the past few years, I've really felt a little tired." Ziano said and lit a match.
"What if it's working for me?" Xu Jun looked at the other person's eyes, his tone was extremely sincere.
"I don't understand what the head of state, someone like me, can do for you?" Ziano once considered a similar issue, but never thought that the head of state of the German would raise it so bluntly.
"There are many things you can do, Mr. Earl, more than you think." Xu Jun was very satisfied with Ziano's reaction at this time. He turned his face and made a proud expression at Weiller.
"Thank you very much for your praise, my head of state." I wonder if it was because of the conversation just now that Ziano said this title more smoothly.
"Badolio will continue to appoint you as Italian Foreign Minister." Xu Jun put the cigar on the ashtray, then reached out to the folder beside the table and pulled out a document.
"Italy will also establish a European Cooperation Committee, and you will be the first chairman." Xu Jun handed the document to Ziano.
"European Cooperation Council?" Ziano took the document, he had never heard of the cabinet preparing to form the unit before.
"The main task of this committee is to coordinate with friendly European countries, deal with the problems encountered by Italy in the new European order, and at the same time supervise Italy's domestic industrial and financial system so that they can better integrate into our new order." Xu Jun explained.
"You will become the bond of friendship between Germany and Italy, Earl Ziano." Weirle interrupted.
"This position is so important. I am worried about whether my abilities can be competent." Ziano wanted to get this job from the bottom of his heart, but he was worried about the pressure he would face. After all, Mussolini was no longer sheltering him from the wind and rain.
The Foreign Minister is his own bank and there is no pressure on it at all. However, although the European Cooperation Committee sounds like an ordinary administrative agency, its management content is actually quite extensive. If you have real power, in some areas, you can even compete with the cabinet.
Although Badoglio was in politics for a short time, he had many experienced staff around him and could not see such danger. However, he still agreed to establish this committee. It was obvious that the head of state in front of him who put pressure on the Prime Minister to agree to this plan.
"Ziano, have you lost your original confidence? This is not like the Count Ziano I know." Weirle smiled and encouraged.
"Don't worry about encountering unsolvable problems. You just need to accept this appointment. We have prepared a group of consultants with great experience for you. Everything has been arranged, Ziano." Xu Jun picked up the cigar again and took a deep breath.
"I understand, my head of state." Ziano already understood the meaning of the head of state of the German, and he must accept this appointment whether he wants or not.
"Very good, I'm glad you agreed to take on this difficult task. Unfortunately, your commitment to your wife may be delayed. I promise you that once the affairs are on track, I will ask Prime Minister Bardoglio to give you a half-year vacation, and I will personally arrange your belated trip." The head of state's finger tapped his knee, and it was obvious that he was in great pleasure at this time.
"Thank you very much, my head." Ziano nodded respectfully to thank him.
"Time is coming soon, my head of state." At this time, Dieshenhofen reminded.
"The luncheon is ready, the First Emperor, now the guests have begun to attend the banquet." An Italian guard reported.
"Well, I solved a problem and made me feel very happy. I hope that the chef prepared enough food today and I feel that I can eat a whole cow now." The head of state said a joke and stood up from the chair.
"I obviously drank a pot of tea and ate two plates of small biscuits in a row." Diesenhofen was sincerely admiring the head of state's good appetite. Since the day he followed the head of state in France, he has not discovered the bottom line of this foodie.
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