German Red Prince

Page 87

The Commune's administrative model allowed them to act independently even without central command, and they had divided the country into several centers, enabling the Commune to effectively resist even after the fall of Paris.

"If we were to invade French territory after the war with France, we would likely face fierce resistance from the locals, which is also a problem that needs to be solved."

“War is not a simple matter after all.” Guderian took out the documents.

"We still have time, and these problems can be solved. However, what is certain now is that armored forces can break through the Ardennes Forest."

He handed the documents to Hannah, saying, "You write the report on the German breakthrough in the Ardennes, and I'll write the French one. They've started to pay attention to armored forces, and this report is likely to have a very significant impact on our army."

The two then spent their time perfecting the report, making the military realize the importance of armored and mobile warfare. The rules of the battlefield had changed, and Germany, or rather the Kingdom of the Rhine, had to step up.

While everyone was busy and stressed, Thorne didn't have a moment to rest either. He first went to look at the tank blueprints that he had previously given to the companies for research.

A considerable number of the No. 1 tanks have already been stockpiled, but no one is very optimistic about them. They believe that apart from being fast, these tanks are not very useful.

This kind of tank is fine in Germany III, but Germany here hasn't been sanctioned either. The Panzer I is too small compared to the Kingdom's tanks. Thorne built it to practice on, and the big ones are still in line behind.

Once the tank design is finalized, the vast majority of these Type 1 tanks will likely be used to make extra money.

They might not be considered impressive in Europe, but in East Asia, they should still be able to put up a fight against Japan's small tanks.

Relations between the French Republic and the Ottoman Empire are becoming increasingly tense, and it's unclear when conflict could erupt.

Faced with this situation, Thorne also needed to pay attention to his army training. Rommel's troops had undergone several expansions and reorganizations and had reached a considerable size.

Now that we have tanks, how can we forget armored grenadiers?

Chapter 135 The Leader

"Under the leadership of the great leader, the heroic Blackshirts and the soldiers of the Fascist Fighting Regiment repelled the bandits from Lombardy and Veneto. The heroic Italian people will never compromise with the lackeys of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Habsburg family. Under the leadership of the great leader, the people will surely move towards prosperity and unity with their own strength."

—Il People's Daily (Italian People's Daily)

In Emilia, the leader's voice is the voice of the people, and the leader's will is the will of the people. Mussolini held absolute power in this region.

Although Italian socialists and trade unions have criticized his dictatorship, they also greatly admire Mussolini's prestige and control.

He united the entire Emilia region solely through his prestige, making Emilia-Romagna the core region of the entire Italian Socialist Republic.

Even the Piedmont and Tuscany regions, which are controlled by the Socialists themselves, do not have such cohesion.

Mussolini's abilities were undoubtedly outstanding, and the recovery of production and industrial construction in Emilia-Romagna were in full swing.

They have fully resumed production and construction, and even the Mafia, which had been a headache for the Socialists, has disappeared from the area.

Some socialists already regretted expelling Mussolini, and it's certainly unlikely they'll be able to invite him back now.

The Italian National Fascist Party enjoys almost 100% support in the Emilia region, and its influence can be seen in other parts of the Republic as well.

Mussolini's party is now showing signs of surpassing the Socialist Party, and perhaps after a few more elections, Mussolini will control the entire Italian Socialist Republic.

The Socialists also invited Mussolini to take a position in the central government, but the central government of the Republic was in Piedmont. If he went there, it would be tantamount to handing Emilia over to someone else. Mussolini also had his own calculations, and he repeatedly refused the appointments from the Republic's government.

On several occasions, the Republic government was even willing to appoint him as a member of the Supreme Central Committee, but Mussolini preferred to stay there. He had greater ambitions, and a mere member was not something Mussolini cared about.

"Leader, the guests have arrived."

A member of the Blackshirts walked into the room, stood at attention, and saluted Mussolini.

"Got it. I'll be right there."

Mussolini put down his newspaper and said calmly. On his desk were newspapers from some of the most influential newspapers in Emilia, which he would read every day before dealing with his business to find out what had happened.

These newspapers would devote a lot of space to praising Mussolini. For example, recently, Il People's Daily reported that after he visited the newspaper's offices, the newspaper was energized and its staff were praising their leader with almost frenzied enthusiasm.

Of course, Mussolini rarely read these reports praising him unless they were exceptionally well-written. In any case, the praise was always the same few points. These reports were for the people, not for him. Every influential newspaper in Emilia had the shadow of the Fascist Party behind it.

Moreover, they began to slowly infiltrate other provinces, in order to subtly influence the public and package Mussolini as the only "Caesar" who could save the Italian people.

The Republic has been relatively calm recently, with nothing much happening. The only major news is the rearmament of the French Commune and the standoff between the German Reich and the Commune in the west.

Mussolini believed this was a harbinger of impending war, and that he needed to prepare quickly as well.

Choosing to be a bystander when writing history is a shameful thing, this was Mussolini's creed. He wanted to transform present-day Italy into the Roman Empire of yesteryear. He believed that Italy could not stand idly by in the next war and had to participate.

Inside the reception room, the guest had been waiting for quite some time, but he did not appear particularly impatient. Mussolini entered the room and reached out to embrace the guest who was waiting inside.

"Hello Vesti, my friend, welcome."

"Hello, Leader," Vesti said with great respect.

He was a leader of the Italian Mafia, and he certainly had his reasons for coming here.

The Italian Mafia has been severely suppressed in the north of Italy, and most of the Mafia now operates in the south. This has made the survival environment for the Mafia in the south very complicated, and they could be wiped out by other forces if they are not careful.

However, the situation is different in the north. The crackdown on mafia organizations is very strict in the north, making it difficult for ordinary mafia groups to develop in this area.

Visti was mainly active in the south and was considered a relatively large force there, but he was forced to leave under the siege of several gangs.

Although he was a mafia boss, he didn't really like that identity.

He was disgusted by the corrupt government and various collusion in the South. As a mafia boss who had slowly risen from the bottom, he deeply hated the Southern regime and felt great sympathy for the oppressed people.

After being subjected to a united crackdown, he decided to take a gamble and went to the north, to the place where the crackdown on the Mafia was the strictest, to find Mussolini.

Vestergaard understood perfectly why Mussolini cracked down so severely on the Mafia.

Because the existence of the Mafia undoubtedly affects the prestige of its leaders, once the Mafia establishes itself in a place, it will definitely try to gain local influence, which is what they do in the South.

Vistula controlled many cities and villages in the south. He could control local industries and even local taxes by bribing those damned government officials and police.

By lowering taxes under their own banner and gaining control of several large companies, they can amass great wealth and gain the support of the local population—this is a common tactic used by the Mafia.

However, if the Mafia chose the same method to cause trouble on Mussolini's territory, it would be a different story. There were some who were foolish enough to be thrown into the river to feed the fish.

Vestergaard disliked his Mafia identity and, having come from humble beginnings, felt great sympathy for the suffering of the Italian people.

As an Italian, he also desperately hoped that a great man could reunite the country, which is why he chose Mussolini.

“Great leader, I am willing to follow you.” Vesti stated his thoughts directly.

“Great leader, I am willing to dedicate myself to the socialist revolution in Italy. Italy needs a great man now, and I am willing to help you accomplish this mission.”

"Don't worry, Vestibill, our policy toward the Mafia is not just about elimination. We are also willing to cooperate with some Mafia members who are willing to help the revolution."

"If you are truly and sincerely willing to participate in the cause of the Italian socialist revolution, then I will welcome you on behalf of the entire Fascist Party of the country."

“Leader, I support the Italian revolution. I am willing to renounce my Mafia identity and start anew as a revolutionary fighter,” Vesti replied sincerely.

“No need for that,” Mussolini waved his hand.

“You still have a certain prestige in the south. We need a revolutionary fighter, and we also need a leader of the Mafia,” Mussolini said meaningfully, patting Vesti on the shoulder.

“Our gang is willing to serve you.” How could Vesti not understand Mussolini’s meaning?

"We are willing to support your cause, leader. Our gang members in the south will serve as your eyes and ears, helping you to gather information about the south. At the same time, I am willing to fund the construction of Emilia. I wish you a speedy completion of the unification."

"Haha, thank you for your support of the revolution."

Mussolini was overjoyed. He had managed to trick such a person into joining the ship with just a few tricks. Vesti had considerable influence in the south, and even though he had been suppressed by several gangs, his influence was still much greater than that of ordinary gangs.

Now, relying solely on the "prestige" he had previously earned, Mussolini was certain that with his involvement, his plans could be completed much earlier.

"Thank you for your support, Comrade Vesti. I now appoint you as the National Fascist Propaganda Committee Member, Colonel of the Blackshirts. Let us work together to complete the cause of Italian unification."

Long live the leader!

Mussolini used two positions to control this Mafia leader. In fact, he also used this method to "recruit" many Mafia members. Only for those who were unrepentant did Mussolini resort to the ultimate move.

After seeing Vesti off, Mussolini intended to inspect the construction progress in Emilia, but soon someone else came to find him.

"Leader, a man from the French Commune wants to see you."

"The French Commune?" Mussolini was somewhat curious. Why were the Commune members looking for him? Shouldn't they be going to Piedmont to find the Socialists?

"People from the French Commune? Who are they?"

"Reporting to the leader, that man's name is Sorel."

Chapter 136 The Spring of Revolution

Joseph had been on the move for the first few months after arriving in Patagonia.

He had visited many cities and villages in Patagonia, and Soto always advised him to bring more guards, since Patagonia was not a peaceful place.

In the early stages of the revolution, local resistance forces in Patagonia provided significant assistance to the revolutionary forces.

These people, forced into banditry under government oppression, deeply resented the local government troops, farmers, and nobles, and they had already formed a cooperative relationship with the revolutionaries during the French Revolution.

Take José Fonte, for example. Although he was an immigrant from Spain, he became a dominant force in Patagonia through his own means.

He frequently robbed farmers and sometimes attacked government troops' garrisons. During the French Revolution, he collaborated with revolutionaries to overthrow the Argentine government's rule in the region.

However, after the revolution succeeded, Fonte did not choose to take a government position, but instead chose to continue wandering throughout Patagonia with his former comrades.

He chose to become a ranger on the plateau, fulfilling his duties in places inaccessible to the police.

The initial strength of the revolutionary army was derived from incorporating these bandits, which has led to poor discipline within the Workers' Front. It's considered good if one out of ten soldiers can read.

Since the last conflict with Chile, the Rangers have been patrolling the border more and more frequently, and Joseph often sees them. With their iconic white-brimmed cowboy hats, Mauser 1895s, and a big knife, the Rangers guard this land that no one else cares about.

At present, Patagonia can only control a few major coastal cities, which are the only industrial production cities they can rely on and the economic center of Patagonia.

The police can only ensure stability in these cities; in the impoverished inland villages, they can only rely on patrolling rangers to maintain order.

Bandits and reactionary forces who fled from Argentina were the Rangers' main enemies; they often operated in an organized manner.

These men had a firepower advantage over the outnumbered Rangers, and although they were only connected to Argentina by a single bridge over the Chubut River, they still had many ways to get across.

The constant harassment by reactionary forces severely hampered Patagonia's development. Their attacks were unpredictable, and they would typically strike and then flee, making it difficult for the troops to capture them.

However, these dangers did not stop Joseph from moving forward. Soto had even provided him with a car, which was a rare sight in Patagonia, but Joseph refused, citing poor health.

Joseph said that the road conditions in Patagonia meant he would be shaken to pieces in a few years if he rode in a car, and he would wait until there were smooth roads before getting himself a car.

Riding on horseback with two guards, Joseph embarked on his journey, guided by the principle that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. He would not make any decisions without thoroughly investigating the specific circumstances of Patagonia.

During the day, he visited villages, and at night he would find a place to settle down and summarize his experiences. Joseph felt somewhat dazed; these days of life made him feel like he had become the passionate young man he once was.

He seemed to have once had a dream. In Georgia, a country known for its fierce and unruly people, he had heard countless tales of heroes from humble backgrounds. He had once longed to rob the rich and help the poor with a long spear, becoming the protector of the impoverished.

He once hoped that he could also leave behind some legendary stories, that whenever the people at the bottom of society were in distress, they could say, "If Dzhugashvili came, everything would be alright," and he would miraculously appear and save them from their suffering.

But in the end, all of this was just a big boy's immature fantasy. He wanted to get into a church school, become a respectable priest, and live a good life.

Perhaps because his passion never faded, Joseph ultimately chose to follow his heart.

However, he did not take up a spear and become a fearsome knight-errant. Instead, he picked up a more powerful weapon: the weapon of thought. Joseph understood that what the people needed was not salvation, but awakening.

Dzhugashvili was not a savior; what he truly wanted to do was to let the people at the bottom of society cry out when they were in distress. When people stopped relying on others and began to resist, that was when he truly left behind a legendary story for himself.

Joseph placed the book in the bundle on his horse's back. He had studied quite a bit of the book Thorne had given him and had a general understanding of the theory. Next, he would train some specialized "missionaries." What era was this? Why would anyone still believe in a traditional God?

Faith is merely a tool to numb people's hearts; it's a place where people can find comfort. What Joseph needs to do is truly bring religion to life.

Jesus was one of the working people back then, so how can these priests today have the audacity to order others around every day?

Does reciting "Hallelujah" every day make one a devout priest? Not serving the people is heresy. Thorne has given Joseph a very good idea.

He still can't figure out this young man. Before he arrived, the young man already knew the problems he would encounter and had prepared the most suitable solutions for him.

"Actively guide religions to adapt to the local socialist system and culture, and cultivate a team of Party and government cadres who are proficient in Marxist views on religion, familiar with religious work, and good at working with religious believers, so that they can study in depth and continuously enhance their leadership role among the people."

In addition to our own Party and government cadres, we should cultivate a team of religious representatives who are politically reliable, religiously accomplished, morally respected, and capable of playing a crucial role in times of crisis, so as to give full play to their positive role in guiding religious believers and promoting the adaptation of religion to socialist society.

We must organize a team of religious studies researchers who are ideologically and politically firm, adhere to the Marxist view of religion, and are good at innovation, and strengthen the development of Marxist religious studies as a discipline.

Strengthen guidance to ensure religions adapt to socialist society, improve the self-management level of religious communities, enhance the self-construction of religious organizations, and form a united front with religious communities under the banner of patriotism and socialism.

When Thorne presented this plan, Joseph was utterly shocked. The struggle for power between the Church and secular authorities had been going on for quite some time.

Even today, religion still wields a powerful influence, having affected people for thousands of years.

Thorne's method effectively controlled religious power to the greatest extent possible, which greatly impressed Joseph.

How old is Thorne? How can he think of so many things? Is there some expert guiding him? Also, why does Thorne use technical terms so fluently?

If you didn't know the person behind this passage, Joseph would have thought that the person who proposed this method was at least a veteran comrade with decades of party membership. How could a member of the Rhine royal family have such high awareness? And have studied it more thoroughly than he himself?

Thorne used these things from high school political textbooks to deceive and ambush Joseph, an old comrade who was almost fifty years old. Fortunately, Thorne was shameless and attributed these things to his own "research".

I can only thank my political science teacher from back then for making me remember it so clearly.

Joseph didn't have time to think about these things right now. Overthrowing the church was the first step in his operation. His investigation was almost over, and he had almost filled a notebook with notes.