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By 1943, the decline of the Axis powers was becoming increasingly difficult to conceal.

For Italy, this year was particularly disastrous.

The Afrika Korps' disastrous defeat at El Alamein, the rapid fall of Sicily during the Allied Operation Husky, and the heavy casualties on the Eastern Front were like successive heavy blows that completely broke the backbone of this Mediterranean empire.

On July 25th, the news came...

Mussolini was ousted in a vote in the Fascist Grand Council and subsequently arrested on the orders of King Vittorio Emanuele III.

The fascist regime, which had lasted for twenty years, collapsed amidst internal and external troubles.

Although the new government formed by Marshal Pedro Badorio outwardly claimed to continue the war and maintain the alliance with Germany, Suning, through high-ranking channels such as General Valerio, clearly sensed that Rome was secretly making contact with the Allies and seeking a way to withdraw from the war.

The course of the war closely followed the historical timeline he remembered.

He knew that Italy's surrender was only a matter of time, followed by Germany's furious retaliation, the Allied offensive, and an even bloodier civil war on Italian soil.

“It’s time to leave.” In his study at his villa in Milan, Su Ning calmly made his decision while looking at a huge map of Europe.

Italy is about to become the new main battleground, and staying here will pose unpredictable and enormous risks to both him and his cherished "assets" Giovanna and Malena.

His gaze fell upon Switzerland, a country surrounded by mountains and maintaining neutrality.

That will be the perfect haven.

The operation was launched immediately.

Then, without hesitation, he began to transfer core assets and personnel in batches under the guise of "business development" and "vacation".

Most importantly, of course, is people.

He first comforted Giovanna.

Taking advantage of General Valerio's desire for his family to be away from the war, he easily persuaded Giovanna and her mother, Mrs. Eleonora, to travel to Zurich first under the pretext of "going to Switzerland for artistic exchange and to ensure their safety."

There, he had already purchased a comfortable estate and arranged for reliable people to protect it.

For Malena, it was even simpler.

She was already used to following Su Ning's arrangements.

When Su Ning told her that she needed to leave Italy temporarily, she simply nodded obediently and silently began packing her things.

She knew that her fate was already tied to this man; wherever he went, she could only follow.

In the final moments before the Allied landings at Salerno on September 8 and the formal surrender of the Italian government in Bad Gorlo, Suning, along with Malena, the most important documents, and some working capital, quietly crossed the Italian-Swiss border and arrived in peaceful and safe Switzerland.

Almost right behind them, the German "Operation Axis" quickly unfolded, occupying most of northern and central Italy, rescuing Mussolini and establishing the puppet "Italian Social Republic," creating a brutal standoff with the Allied forces in the south and the Italian Kingdom government.

Standing on the balcony of his estate by Lake Zurich, gazing at the distant snow-capped mountains and the mirror-like lake, with the roar of the Milan factory and the faint sound of air raid sirens gone, Su Ning knew that he had once again successfully predicted and avoided a huge risk.

However, retiring at the peak of one's career does not mean abandoning the industry.

On the contrary, his business machine continues to operate at high speed in Italy.

The "SU" garment factories and food processing plants in Milan and the surrounding area almost seamlessly changed customers after the German army quickly took control of northern Italy.

A German quartermaster in a gray uniform replaced the previous Italian officer and appeared in the factory office.

The emblem on the order changed from the Italian crown eagle emblem to the German swastika eagle emblem.

The materials produced...

Military uniforms, boots, tents, and the highly praised pre-prepared rations began to be shipped in a steady stream to the German troops supporting the Gustav Line, as well as to a small number of troops under Mussolini's puppet regime.

For the Germans, the efficient production capacity and high-quality products of the "SU" factory were resources desperately needed to sustain their war efforts. They had no reason to destroy or take over the factory, but instead chose to continue using it and even increased their orders.

Although Suning is located in Switzerland, it remotely controls the production and financial flow of a vast industry in Italy through encrypted telegrams and trusted agents.

The war continued brutally in the mountains and rivers of the Apennine Peninsula, staining the ancient land with blood.

Meanwhile, on the tranquil shores of a lake in neutral Switzerland, Suning peacefully enjoyed safety and luxury, remotely controlling the factories that served the German army while spending time with his noble-born fiancée Giovanna and the beautiful and gentle Malena.

He skillfully exploited the gaps in the war, and no matter how the situation changed, he could always find the most advantageous position for himself, calculating the risks and rewards to the extreme.

This time, he proved once again that in this chaotic era, information and vision are the most powerful weapons.

……

As the German army took full control of northern Italy and implemented strict military control, a large number of Italian local enterprises and factories were forcibly requisitioned, confiscated, or infiltrated and controlled by German capital under the pretext of "wartime needs" or "enemy property".

Meanwhile, the large-scale, well-equipped, and crucial "SU" Group also came into the sights of the German occupation authorities.

Inside the German headquarters in Milan, a meeting is underway regarding how to handle the "SU" assets.

Several officers in charge of logistics and economics stared at the "SU" factory's astonishing output figures and its good reputation in the military, their eyes gleaming with greed.

“According to our investigation, the owner of the 'SU' Group, that Easterner named Suning, has fled to Switzerland. His factories are currently managed by an agent,” a German major staff officer said, pointing to the factory's location on a map. “This is a prime target. We should immediately bring it under the direct control of the military, or entrust it to a designated German company. This will greatly enhance our control over resources in northern Italy.”

This proposal quickly gained the approval of some hardline officers.

In their view, a crucial military supplier that is outside their control is itself a destabilizing factor.

However, just before the occupying authorities were about to issue the order for forced takeover, several phone calls and letters from different channels complicated matters.

The first to speak was General Valerio Borghese.

Despite Italy's surrender and division, General Valerio's prestige remained high within the Italian Navy and special forces, and he and some of his men chose to continue cooperating with the Germans, with his 10th Craft Flotilla still serving the Germans.

He conveyed a clear and strong message to senior German commanders in the Northern Italy theater through still-effective communication channels:

"The 'SU' Group and its head, Mr. Suning, are important partners and personal friends of my Valerio Borghese family. Any unfriendly actions against the 'SU' Group will be seen as disrespectful to me and my family and will seriously affect our current cooperative relationship."

These words carry considerable weight.

General Valerio was a powerful local figure whom the German army needed to rely on and win over in northern Italy, and his special forces were irreplaceable in carrying out secret missions.

Offending such a key ally for the sake of a few factories is clearly not worth it.

Meanwhile, the German technical and management team sent to the "SU" factory for a "preliminary acceptance assessment" also brought back a disheartening assessment report.

The report states: "The 'SU' factory's production system is highly complex and specialized, relying on a unique management process, a specially trained team of workers, and some highly efficient production organization techniques that we do not yet fully understand. More importantly, the procurement channels for its core raw materials are entirely controlled by Suning itself, which we cannot replicate in the short term."

The team leader added helplessly, "We tried to manage a small portion of the production line according to their processes, and as a result, efficiency dropped by 40 percent and the defect rate increased by 15 percent. Moreover, the workers seem to only approve of 'SU' management and are showing passive resistance to our intervention."

In other words, even if they forcibly confiscate the factory, they still can't make it work!
Not only will it be unable to maintain the current output and quality, it could also paralyze this vital logistical supply chain.

Finally, the general in charge of logistics did the math: "Gentlemen, even if we can overcome the management difficulties, the price 'SU' offers us, considering its product quality and delivery speed, is already incredibly low. If we organize production ourselves, or outsource to other German companies, the cost will increase by at least 30% to 50%, and the quality cannot be guaranteed. Given the current urgent need for resources on the Eastern Front and at home, why should we do something so laborious and unprofitable?" The greedy officer retorted: "But the profits are all going to that Easterner! And the funds are flowing to neutral Switzerland!"

The logistics commander calmly replied, "He's making a reasonable commercial profit. What we lack most right now isn't money, but a stable supply of high-quality, timely materials! As long as 'SU' factories can continue to produce what we need, what does it matter if he makes some profit? Are we going to let the soldiers on the front lines wear worse clothes and eat worse food for the sake of some empty 'control'? Besides, General Valerio's attitude is already very clear..."

Several factors combined led the German occupation authorities to make a pragmatic, even somewhat reluctant, decision: to turn a blind eye to the ownership issue of the "SU" group, tacitly allow it to continue operating under the management of its agents, and maintain the original orders and cooperative relationships.

As long as SU's factories can continue to provide the German war machine with high-quality and inexpensive military supplies, then the whereabouts of this Eastern boss and how much money he has made can be temporarily set aside.

After all, in the face of the brutal reality of war, efficiency and stability are far more important than ideology and the purity of ownership.

Thus, in northern Italy under the rule of the German army, the SU Group's factories became a unique exception.

It still roared, still worked efficiently, and still transported truckloads of supplies to the German positions.

Meanwhile, Suning, far away in Switzerland, continued to reap enormous profits from this tragedy sweeping across Europe remotely, while coldly observing the whole affair.

His factory, like a "neutral zone" in the war, survived and thrived tenaciously in the cracks thanks to its irreplaceable value and cleverly woven protective net.

……

The battle situation in 1944 was already clear.

With the Allied forces successfully landing in Normandy and the German army suffering repeated defeats on the Eastern Front, the collapse of the Third Reich seemed to be only a matter of time.

At this critical juncture, those belligerent nations with keen sense of opportunity have already begun to plan for the post-war period.

General Valerio Borghese, with his outstanding abilities and renowned reputation in the field of naval special operations in Italy and even throughout Europe, naturally became the target of intense competition from all sides.

The British were the first to act.

Instead of directly risking contact with Valerio, who was in German-controlled northern Italy and whose whereabouts were unknown, they turned their attention to Zurich, Switzerland…

Su Ning, the Easterner who has close ties to the Borghese family and is currently relatively safe.

A secret meeting took place in the unassuming meeting room of a private bank in Zurich.

The visitor was an English gentleman who called himself "Mr. Smith." He was elegant in demeanor and cautious in speech, but his eyes revealed the shrewdness unique to intelligence agents.

“Mr. Suning, it’s an honor to meet you. Your achievements in business are truly remarkable.” After the pleasantries, Mr. Smith got straight to the point. “We understand that you have a very close personal relationship with General Valerio Borghese.”

Su Ning sipped his coffee calmly: "Mr. Smith, please speak frankly."

“Very good.” Mr. Smith leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. “We believe that General Valerio is a true soldier, whose talent and courage should be used for a nobler cause, not to be buried with a doomed and evil regime. We, the British Empire, hope that he can recognize the situation and make the right choice.”

He set out conditions: if General Valerio was willing to lead his forces, mainly the 10th Craft Flotilla and other loyal troops, to the Allies at the appropriate time and cooperate with subsequent operations, the Allies would ensure his and his men's safety, grant him the status and respect he deserved after the war, and his wartime conduct would be "properly dealt with."

“We know this is difficult and dangerous,” Mr. Smith said, looking at Su Ning. “But we also believe that having you, his most trusted prospective son-in-law, deliver this message and persuade him will greatly increase the chances of success. You will be a messenger of peace, and you will also earn the trust and reward of a powerful friend for you and your business empire in the new post-war order.”

Suning quickly made a decision in his mind.

Germany was destined to lose; there was no doubt about it.

Establishing contact with the Allies, especially Britain, now would undoubtedly be like buying a valuable "war insurance" policy, paving the way for survival and development in Europe after the war.

Helping to persuade Valerio to surrender would not only satisfy the British demands, but also help his future father-in-law find the most advantageous way out.

This is a win-win situation.

He hesitated for a moment, then raised his head, his gaze resolute: "I understand what you mean, Mr. Smith. For the sake of the general's future, and to reduce unnecessary bloodshed, I am willing to try."

“That’s wonderful! We await your good news, Mr. Suning, and you will always be a friend of the British Empire.”

……

A few days later, taking advantage of his still-open business channels and the delicate relationship he maintained with both Germany and Italy, Suning secretly returned to northern Italy and had a private meeting with General Valerio at a secluded estate near Milan, controlled by the Borghese family.

In the study, the curtains were drawn, and only a desk lamp illuminated the desktop.

Two equally shrewd individuals, both seeking survival and development in a chaotic world, sat facing each other.

Without any pleasantries, Su Ning directly conveyed the British's intention and conditions for surrender, and placed Mr. Smith's token on the table.

General Valerio listened quietly, his resolute face expressionless, only his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, revealing the turmoil within him.

Only after Su Ning finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth, his voice low and deep: "Su Ning, do you know what this means? Betrayal? Or... surrender?"

“General, this means survival and the future.” Su Ning met his gaze, his tone calm and firm. “Next, please allow me to analyze the current situation for you.”

He walked to the map of Europe hanging on the wall, like a calm strategic analyst:
"On the Eastern Front, Stalin's Red Army has launched a counter-offensive into Poland, inflicting heavy losses on the German army, and the defensive line is on the verge of collapse."

"On the Western Front, the Allies have established a foothold in Normandy and are advancing into the heart of France. Germany's western wall has been breached."

"On the southern front, in Italy, right where we are, the Allied and German forces are locked in a bloody stalemate at the Gustav Line, but Germany's resources are dwindling and they won't last much longer."

His finger finally pointed to the German mainland: "The Third Reich is already at its last gasp, its resources are exhausted, and its manpower is depleted. Defeat is only a matter of time, and it won't be long."

He turned to General Valerio: "As for Japan?"

Su Ning's lips curled into an undisguised sneer. "They are being driven back by the Americans in the Pacific, and their homeland is being bombed continuously. They are barely able to protect themselves and have no real impact on the European war. The German army is not receiving any effective support from the East."

"General, you are an outstanding soldier. Your value and loyalty should be dedicated to a more promising country and cause, not to be sacrificed for a crumbling ruin. The British terms are the best way out for you and your men under the current circumstances. This is not a disgrace, but a wise assessment of the situation."

"Furthermore, given your close relationship with Field Marshal Rommel, your situation within the German army has been quite complicated since Rommel was persecuted."

General Valerio remained silent for a long time, his gaze shifting back and forth between the map and Suning's face.

He knew full well that Suning's analysis reflected the harsh reality.

He had mixed feelings about his cooperation with the German army, and it was more about prolonging the fighting and preserving strength.

Now, a more promising path lies ahead, and the person leading this path is his prospective son-in-law, whom he admires and trusts to some extent.

Finally, he let out a long breath, his gaze sharpening and resolute once more: "Suning, you've convinced me. Not for the British, but for my lads who trust me, for... the continuation of the Borghese family."

He picked up the token and clutched it tightly in his hand: "I will carefully consider the details of contacting the British. But this requires meticulous planning, and there can be no mistakes."

Su Ning felt a weight lifted from his heart. He knew that General Valerio, that lion, had been persuaded.

This successful matchmaking not only provided him with significant political capital on the Allied side, but also further solidified his relationship with the Borghese family.

In the complex game of war at its end, he once again made a brilliant move.

...(End of chapter)