Mussolini lay on his back on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a moment, and just as Ziano wondered if his father-in-law was stunned by the shocking news, Mussolini bounced straight out of bed.

"The Greeks surrendered? What advanced weapons did the Germans use? Or was some advanced tactic used? How could it be possible to settle the Greeks in such a short time? Mussolini asked suspiciously.

Ziano sighed remorsefully, and then said to Mussolini: "The Germans surrendered to the Greeks without firing a shot, they have long colluded, and the German Foreign Ministry sent a copy of the diplomatic agreement with the Greeks through the Embassy in Italy, you will know after reading it." ”

Ten minutes later, Mussolini, who was fully dressed, hurried into the office, snatched the copy of the agreement handed over by Ziano, and looked at it quickly.

Liars, scoundrels, shameless people, how can they do this? The Germans threw me, an ally, aside, but made peace with our enemies privately, and they were nakedly deceitful.

You immediately go and ask the German Foreign Office, go to Ribbentrop, ask why they didn't inform us in advance? Why not involve us in the negotiations?

That Bohemian corporal dared to play this hand behind my back, what did he think of me, a fascist veteran? Clown? ”

Mussolini's rage erupted through a barrage of swear and expletives that filled every corner of the office.

Marshal Badoglio was late, and as soon as he pushed open the door, he was almost frightened out of a heart attack by the loud echo of the room.

I asked Ziano about it. Look at the diplomatic agreement signed by Germany and Greece again. Marshal Badogglio finally understood what was going on. I also understood the reason for Mussolini's anger.

There are two main elements of the diplomatic agreement signed between Germany and Greece.

The first is that Germany openly states to the international community that it will do its utmost to guarantee Greece's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The second was that Greece had to withdraw from Albania within a week and return to the borders before the Italian invasion on 28 October, after receiving the security guarantees promised by Germany.

"The Germans have made a public announcement this morning in which they have publicly declared that they will protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greece. The Germans have now marched into Greek territory, and the Germans have sent us a copy of this agreement to inform us of the imminent withdrawal of the Greek army, so that there will be no more unnecessary fighting, and they also hope that we will be able to sign an armistice with the Greeks as belligerents. Ziano said listlessly.

"The Germans are dreaming. Greece must be occupied. You immediately go and ask the German Foreign Ministry why it would bypass us to negotiate with the Greeks alone? If they can't give me a reasonable explanation, I will never sign the agreement, never.

Not only will I not sign the agreement, but I will continue to send more troops to Albania and kill the Greeks in one fell swoop, even with the assurances of the Germans, which will not stop me. ”

Mussolini's roar was still loud, and Marshal Badogglio saw that Mussolini's emotions were out of control, and was about to open his mouth to persuade Mussolini, but was quietly pulled by Ziano.

More than ten minutes passed. Ciano thoughtfully poured a glass of water for a parched Mussolini and then suggested: "I will ask the Germans what they are doing this." It's just that I don't think anything will come of it. ”

"I think this agreement makes more sense for us, after all, we don't have to pay any price to reclaim the land occupied by the Greeks, although it is somewhat dishonorable. Our core interests are not in Greece, and the real enemy is not the Greeks, but the British, and we now need to use the strength of the Germans to deal with the British, and we must not come into conflict with the Germans at this time. Marshal Badoglio suggested.

"You mean to make me patient?" Mussolini raised his glass and drank it down, then glared at Marshal Badogglio and said.

"For now, it's the best option." Ziano said.

After venting and pouring another glass of ice water, Mussolini's sanity regained his brain.

"You go and communicate with the German Foreign Ministry first, and when you come back, I will sign an armistice agreement with Greece." Mussolini said.

Ziano acted quickly, and the German Foreign Ministry replied quickly.

"The fact that your country did not inform Germany, as an ally, of the war against Greece shows that the Greek question is only a minor problem in the eyes of your country. Even though the question of Greece is a minor issue for Italy, we do not consider it necessary to consult with your country in advance on such a minor issue, so as not to add unnecessary workload to your Government. ”

After reading the answer of German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, Mussolini instantly labeled Hitler with a series of labels such as cautious, vindictive, and narrow-minded.

Wasn't it that Germany was not informed before attacking Greece? As for being so calculating? As for such a long-bent search for revenge? The Germans are really not open-minded enough.

"The German High Command informed us that in order to prevent a misunderstanding between us and the Greeks and the resumption of war, they would send an infantry division to be stationed in the area of the Greek-Albanian border." Marshal Badoglio said.

"Don't say it, I decided to sign this agreement, and we will focus on solving the crisis brought by the British first." Mussolini said.

Badoglio and Ziano breathed a sigh of relief, but fortunately Mr. Leader was not carried away by the anger and went to confront the Germans.

Mussolini quickly signed an armistice and sent Ciano away, and then said to Marshal Badoglio with a straight face: "The reason why the Germans dare to humiliate us so much is because of the incompetence of the army, you immediately let the War Department draw up a reform plan, the sooner the better."

We want to let the Germans know that the defeat of the Italian Army was not because we could not fight, but because we did not pay enough attention to the Army. As long as we pay enough attention, neither the British nor the Germans are worth mentioning in front of the Italian army. ”

Marshal Badogglio nodded expressionlessly and accepted Mussolini's orders without hesitation.

Having just left Mussolini's office, Marshal Badogglio sighed silently.

Italy spent nearly two months, spent a huge amount of military spending, and lost nearly 100,000 troops what it failed to do, and the Germans did it without firing a shot.

I hope that this humiliation will make Mr. Leader wake up, strengthen the construction of the army, and be able to regain the lost honor in the future

At 24 Kurtürße in Berlin, Germany, at a restaurant called Little Bird, three Air Force officers are having dinner at Table 7 in the northeast corner of the first floor of the restaurant.

Led by an Air Force lieutenant general, Chen Dao, who was squatting in confinement, sat on his right hand hand with his old partner Mandolfer.

Seeing Chen Dao swallowing the food in his mouth, he finally emptied his mouth, and Mandolfir, who had just undergone acute appendicitis surgery and was "recuperating", picked up his wine glass and said with a smile: "Cheers to the success we have achieved in Greece." ”

Seeing that Mantofil took the initiative to persuade him to drink, Colonel Schumacher, who was tried by a court-martialed court for gathering a crowd to make trouble, followed him with a glass of wine to celebrate.

The three clinked glasses and poured a sip of beer each.

Colonel Schumacher asked: "It is so surprising that the Greeks agreed to our request so easily, that we managed to enter Greece without firing a single shot, and the victory came so easily that I could not accept it for a while." ”

"What's so strange? Although the Greeks won on the battlefield, they did not have a good time. The Italian navy blocked their sea lines of transport at sea, and on land, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia cut off trade with them, and only Turkey was able to trade with them for some of the supplies they desperately needed. The Greeks were actually isolated, and life was very sad.

The coercion of the two German armies and the inducement of the Foreign Office just put together all the coercion and inducement, unless the Greeks were idiots, they would not continue the war, otherwise there was only one result, that is, the destruction of the country. Chen Dao explained with a smile.

"The country of Greece is not a core interest for us, and it is not worth wasting the lives of the German people to take it, and this result could not be better." Mandolfil said.

"Entering Greece without firing a single shot, and making the Greeks extremely grateful to us, is certainly the best outcome. While our lovely allies aren't too happy with us, it's okay, their opinions don't matter. Chen Dao said.

Mandolfer and Colonel Schumacher nodded in agreement.

"Even more shocking news awaits you soon, so be prepared." Chen Dao said with a smile.

"Could it be that the war in Iraq has progressed?" Colonel Schumacher asked curiously.

Chen Dao smiled and said vaguely: "It's not just Iraq. ”

Colonel Schumacher saw that Chen Dao did not answer positively, so he turned around and asked: "I found that your face is not very good, and there are bloodshot eyes, are you sick?" ”

"I also found out, if you are sick, it is best to go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible, don't force it." Mandolfil said.

Chen Dao touched his cheek, and a wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Christmas is approaching, and the strange disease has flared up again, which is really a headache. (To be continued......)