Chapter 1 Milan

"United Group paid US$1 million to buy those barren lands in Sirte Bay? Just deduct it from the US$10 million from United Bank?" Mussolini was full of doubts. "What's so good about that barren land? You If you like the land in Libya, I can allocate a piece of land for you in the suburbs of Benghazi and Tripoli. It is close to the port and can also be used to develop some industries. The money does not need to be so expensive...it is cheaper..."

"Leader, don't refuse in a hurry, the territory I have drawn is a bit big..."

Mussolini looked at the map carefully and found that it was indeed not too small. It included more than 200,000 square kilometers of land near the Gulf of Sirte.

"What do you want with such a big desert?"

"I got some unconfirmed information that there is oil in this area!" Contini explained seriously, "So I signed a conditional mining contract with the Standard Oil Company of New York in the United States, worth a total of 4 million US dollars. , of which the exploration fee is 1 million US dollars. The exploration team and equipment will arrive in Genoa soon. After taking a short rest and strengthening some forces, we will send people to Libya. "

"Are you planning to develop oil in Libya?" Mussolini was shocked. "No one has ever told me that there is oil in Libya..."

"It is true that no one has told you, but it does not mean that Libya does not have oil. Of course, no one can guarantee that Libya has..." Contini said with a smile, "The information I received is that Libya may have 800-1,000 The number of 10,000-ton oil fields is relatively small among the world’s major developed oil fields, but considering Italy’s lack of oil resources, I think it is meaningful to develop it, and at least it can strengthen Italy’s mining and refining capabilities.”

Mussolini immediately made calculations. Assuming that the mineable volume is 10 million tons, that is about 70 million barrels. According to the current market price of a little more than 1 US dollars per barrel, it is basically worth 80 million US dollars. Selling for 1 million US dollars seems to be a loss. , but if there is not so much or there is no oil at all, and taking advantage of the United Group by taking 1 million US dollars... He suddenly thought something wrong.

Seeing his hesitation, Contini smiled: "If it is really proven that there is oil and the reserves are abundant, the United Group will not be stingy on the exploration fees. Supporting the leaders and the government is our goal, not to mention considerable benefits. In return, the United Group will come forward when there is no benefit...such as the last time in Corfu..."

He quietly approached and said: "Leader, if there is really oil, you can come and buy shares... original shares!"

When he said "original shares", Mussolini's eyes suddenly lit up: The Ministry of Finance took nearly US$10 million of Union Bank shares from the United Group for nothing, and now it has expanded to nearly US$60 million. This is the original stock. power! He owed Contini a favor for this.

So he patted the other person on the shoulder and said approvingly: "Go ahead and do it boldly! Don't be afraid of difficulties. I believe you will succeed. To be honest, United Group's current success has far exceeded my expectations. Even the old guy Agnelli didn’t expect it.”

"Fiat?"

"You don't know?" Mussolini asked strangely, "I have heard about the credit crisis of the United Group. Fiat is behind it. Of course, he is not trying to bring down the United Group. He wants to catch you off guard. When you were there, you could make some gains, such as taking down United Motorcycles. Old Agnelli never expected your unexpected counterattack, but he was very cunning and quickly severed the relationship, as if it was nothing to him. After the bankers came to visit them, they turned their backs on their accounts..."

Contini smiled and nodded: "He is still relatively wise, but it is useless to withdraw. United Group and General Motors will soon invest in building an automobile factory in Genoa, focusing on trucks and buses. The products will be the same as Fiat's main products." Misalignment, but there will be no less competition for talent, market, and resources... In addition, I plan to invest in 1-2 teams starting from this year. Fiat has Juventus, and United Group cannot live without its own team.”

"Team?" Mussolini was stunned, then laughed, "Do you prefer Roma or Lazio?"

"I have taken a fancy to the Milan team!" Contini smiled. "If it is suitable, the terms will be signed within three weeks. I will serve as the club president. Starting next season, everything from personnel to facilities, from training conditions to salary benefits, The Milan team will undergo radical changes - only then can they be worthy of the United Group!"

"Blessed are the Italian fans!" Mussolini didn't think Milan would refuse Contini's money at all. Just look at Agnelli's performance after taking over at Juventus. Everyone can only envy and hate him, but compared to If Contini, who is more willing to spend money than Agnelli, intervenes, Milan will definitely go crazy.

"If I become the president of the club, I hope you will come and support me in the first home game of the new season!"

"Of course! Of course!" Mussolini was very interested. "Do you think United Group should invest in track and field teams, horse racing teams, water polo teams, basketball teams, etc.?"

Contini shook his head: "We will not invest in these for the time being. We may consider donating a batch of funds and equipment to the Italian Sports Bureau. At present, except for football, the professionalization of other projects is not yet mature; besides, we are not investing in football teams to make money. , mainly to shape the group's image and build a brand..."

Mussolini looked Contini up and down: "My idea is that unless it is absolutely necessary, don't have a direct conflict with Fiat. Methods like football are good... Although Agnelli stopped this time, who knows what he really thinks. I don't think it's necessary to hurt the relationship over trivial matters. After all, the United Group has not suffered any losses, right?"

"I understand." Contini smiled, "Old Agnelli is a senior in the business community that I respect very much. I will visit him if I have the chance. Although many people currently compare the United Group with Fiat, I actually know that there is a big gap. We lack the foundation and accumulation. This has always been our goal to catch up."

In fact, Contini knew about Fiat's intervention in this matter at the first time. Those bankers who hated Fiat for not lending a helping hand turned around and leaked the inside story instructed by Fiat, but all of them were suppressed by Contini - revenge? Revenge on Fiat is not the top priority. More importantly, the United Group now hopes to smoothly take over the bank and avoid any complications. Not to mention that Fiat has already retreated, even if the other party does not retreat, it must pretend not to know - Contini has a deep understanding of the truth that impatience can ruin big plans.

Now that the dust has settled, it can have a good time with Fiat. The football team is just an appetizer. There are also automobile and aircraft manufacturing, and then armored vehicles, tanks, and engine manufacturing. The competition with Fiat has just started...