Chapter 39 Is There Such an Operation? (4)

There are some words that Contini will never say to Todt, because those who look too far ahead will scare him: For example, although the rapid development of electricity is for industry, Contini knows better than anyone else that if atomic bombs are to be manufactured in the future, , it is simply impossible without sufficient power.

In real history, by 1939, Italy's annual power generation was only 23 billion kilowatt-hours, which is more than four times the current level. It seems that the growth in 15 years is not bad, but a horizontal comparison shows that it is weak. Japan's power generation in the same year was 37 billion kilowatt-hours (including North Korea), more than half that of Italy, and Germany's was more than 60 billion kilowatt-hours. With this amount of electricity, it would be difficult to complete large-scale arms production, let alone carry out uranium enrichment and power generation in the United States at the same time. The volume is more than 160 billion degrees. As time goes by, the gap between the two sides becomes wider and wider. In Contini's view, there is no hope of catching up with the United States, but it must be done to catch up with Japan.

Another example is aluminum ingots. It is currently said that they are used to make aluminum products, but in the future these industrial accumulation will definitely be converted into aircraft. Another example is the truck and bus industry. Assuming Italy's current civilian demand, it certainly does not require a large scale. But if a war is to be fought in North Africa in the future, trucks will even determine the success or failure of the war. The scale must be so large that it far exceeds the scale of all current business logic and economic development.

In other words, these industries prepared by Contini are completely prepared for war, especially a world war. From an economic point of view, they must be a loss, but can he say that he is preparing for war? But can he say that there will be a tragic war in the next 15-20 years? This loneliness can only be buried deep in my heart and cannot be told to anyone.

But Toth is the authority on industrial system organization and employee management, and is also responsible for the project coordination of the United Group. How can we expect the other party to work hard if we don't tell them the real situation? So after racking his brains, Contini could only set the level of Italy's industrial development at an average annual compound growth rate of 12-14%. It seems a bit high but not too abrupt, because no one has ever achieved this speed. It's just that Not so long, stable and wide-ranging. But even this compound growth rate was obviously taken by himself by slapping his forehead. If nothing else, he was the world leader in not declining during the four-year global crisis from 1929 to 1933, and he still grew by 12-14%? Simply incredible! Once these four years are deducted, the speed instantly soars to more than 16%, which will probably make economic experts drop their glasses. The current business organization and format of the United Group have made many people say they cannot understand it.

But the conversation was very effective, especially after Toth learned that Contini was going to build a pipeline from Tripoli to the Algerian oil fields, he also laughed. This president is not like the outside world who does not use money as money. He is actually very He is prudent and frugal, and the reason why he appears to be wealthy and not short of money is clearly to maintain his image in the capital market. Otherwise, how could the banking community dare to continue to support United Group with such large amounts of money? Without Contini's lavish spending performance over the past few years, how could the Italian people be willing to move all their savings to the United Bank? The interest rate of 3.75% is only half a percentage point higher. In the final analysis, credibility is the most important thing.

Old Agnelli had no one to tell him the truth. He could only make judgments based on the information he had finally collected and the experience gained in the business field. No matter how he analyzed it, he could not draw a reliable conclusion. After reading for more than an hour, He threw away the information and reports in hand: "Since you can't see through the operations of the United Group, then just don't read it..."

"What do you mean?"

"United Group has not yet directly competed with us, and has even helped us reduce some of our burdens. For example, its new power plant will help alleviate the problem of power supply shortages, which means we no longer need to work hard to build power plants in production areas. Another example is He wants to build a fast railway from Venice to Turin, and we are also the beneficiaries. In this case, wouldn't it be good to quietly watch him proceed?" Old Agnelli said, "Didn't you say that he is expected to lose money this year? 2 billion? Let me see what else he can use to compensate."

"He can continue to sell Algeria's oil field shares. He still has at least 45%. Selling 10-15% will not affect his control." Agnelli said, "This way, there will be another 70 million U.S. dollars, which can barely be enough." Support him to burn for one year, and he has not financed the Libyan oil field. Even if the size of the oil field is not as large as that of Algeria, I believe there is still a chance to exchange it for 100-150 million US dollars, which can last for another year. "

"It's difficult." Old Agnelli shook his head. "Someone told me that the negotiations between him and the French government broke down, so he sold a lot of shares to other European royal families in order to put pressure on the French government through them. But it is said that the Briand government is unmoved, which casts a shadow on his oil field shares and either cannot be sold or must be sold at a discount. Will other consortiums let him go if he discounts? "

"He won't discount or give in. I know this guy's temper. He's stubborn!" Agnelli smiled. "United Milan, where he served as club president last year, ranked 9th and was demoted in the group's internal performance appraisal. Category C was designated. It is said that he publicly conducted a review and then issued an order to reach the top three this year. A football club that has invested the most is actually targeting the top three. Isn’t it ridiculous? "

“Where do they rank now?”

"Fifth, 4 points away from third place."

The old Agnelli laughed: "I would like to see him do another review next year."

"Father, I understand."

"However, we can also learn this method... I don't know if you have noticed that although Ciano Jr. has been struggling, the business school is very interested in him. Four or five professors are surrounding him, praising him as a management master who has created new thinking and new heights in corporate management."

"Father, don't you always pay attention to the dynamics of the business school?" Agnelli sneered, "It's nothing more than a group of flatterers. Ciano Jr. went to the Soviet Union to give a speech and received an honorary doctorate from Moscow University. He seemed to think he was a great scholar, but in fact he had not even graduated from university; he donated money to several universities, and someone else He was praised for his thought-provoking and profound articles, and for creating a new school of social history; he proposed a new and innovative management system, and some people praised him as a management master; he praised military and aviation, and was said to be a young authority in the field of air force strategic theory. I don’t know what Douhet saw in him... Let me tell you, who can’t manage a loss? Making money is the bottom line! Even if he doesn’t make money, if he can solve the Algeria problem, I will admire his ability. What’s the point of being a bully at home? Mussolini will take care of him anyway. If he has the ability to fight on French territory, I will respect him! "