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When the British received Suning's positive reply that General Valerio was willing to make contact, they were almost ecstatic.

In some offices in London, this was seen as a potential major breakthrough on the Italian front and even in Mediterranean strategy.

Offering Valerio a surrender would not only weaken the German resistance in northern Italy, but also allow them to acquire his elite troops and valuable intelligence, and could even influence the course of the entire Italian campaign.

To provide the perfect cover for this crucial secret contact, a brilliant plan was devised...

Suning and Giovanna Valerio held a grand engagement ceremony in Switzerland.

The news quickly spread among the Italian community in Switzerland and among Europe's high society.

The mysterious tycoon Su Ning from the East and Miss Giovanna, the daughter of the prestigious Borghese family of the Italian Navy, will hold their engagement ceremony on the picturesque shores of Lake Lucerne.

This marriage itself is full of talking points and can attract attention from all sides, while also providing the most reasonable reason for the gathering of key figures.

As the parents of the bride-to-be, General Valerio Borghese and his wife Eleonora personally came to Switzerland to attend their daughter's engagement party, which seemed perfectly natural and reasonable to outsiders.

Even if German intelligence paid attention, they would only consider it a normal family activity and would hardly make any further connections.

Two days before the engagement ceremony, General Valerio and his wife arrived in Zurich "successfully" and were warmly welcomed by Suning and Giovanna.

The flashbulbs of the cameras captured this seemingly warm and happy moment.

However, outside the public eye, a secret meeting that will determine the fate of many is being arranged in earnest.

On the eve of the engagement ceremony, the curtains were drawn tightly in the private study of a secluded manor house on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the hotel where the banquet was about to be held, security was jointly handled by Suning's most trusted people and a small number of absolute confidants brought by General Valerio.

General Valerio changed out of his conspicuous military uniform into a dark civilian outfit, his expression serious.

Suning accompanied him.

When the study door was gently pushed open and "Mr. Smith" from England reappeared, the air in the room seemed to freeze instantly.

“Your Excellency General, it is an honor to meet you under these circumstances.” Mr. Smith maintained his gentlemanly demeanor, but his tone was more formal than in Zurich.

“Mr. Smith, time is precious, let’s get straight to the point.” General Valerio didn’t waste any pleasantries and took the lead in the conversation, displaying his military bearing.

Mr. Smith nodded and began to explain the Allied forces' specific plans and needs:
"General, we first need to understand the size and status of the troops that you can currently control, especially the combat ships, personnel, and deployment locations of the 10th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla."

General Valerio pondered for a moment, then gave a rough but crucial figure and the locations of several major bases, demonstrating his sincerity.

“Very good.” Mr. Smith noted down the information and continued, “How much detailed information can you provide regarding the German defensive deployments, minefield layouts, and patrol patterns in northern Italy, particularly at the La Spezia naval base and other key ports?”

“I can provide most of this intelligence. But it will take time to organize, and it requires an absolutely secure transmission channel,” General Valerio replied cautiously.

“We’ll take care of the channels,” Mr. Smith assured him. “The next step is to discuss the specific timing and method of the ‘turnover.’ Our initial plan is for your forces to take control of key port facilities around the time of the next major Allied landing operation, disrupt German logistics, and transfer your ships and personnel to us as 'intact' as possible. What do you think of the feasibility?”

"The timing needs to be extremely precise, and it requires the cooperation and support of the Allied forces. Otherwise, my men will face a brutal purge by the German army," General Valerio pointed out the enormous risks involved.

"We fully understand this and will develop a comprehensive joint action plan," Mr. Smith solemnly promised. "Finally, regarding the future arrangements for you and your men, we can sign a written agreement guaranteeing that you and all officers and soldiers who voluntarily follow you will be treated as 'collaborators' rather than prisoners of war, that your expertise and experience will be properly utilized after the war, and that your personal safety and basic rights will be guaranteed."

The negotiations lasted for several hours, with both sides repeatedly consulting and bargaining on key details such as intelligence provision, operational coordination, timing, and security.

General Valerio secured the most favorable conditions possible for his men, while Mr. Smith, representing the Allies, sought to gain the greatest military advantage.

Suning remained silent for most of the time, only acting as a mediator and "family member" at crucial moments to ease tensions or offer practical suggestions that took into account the concerns of both sides.

His presence subtly increased the level of trust between the two parties.

As dawn broke outside the window, a preliminary, verbal framework for cooperation was finally reached.

Although no documents were signed, their eyes revealed a determination to cooperate and an initial level of trust.

Mr. Smith rose and extended his hand to General Valerio: “General, your decision is wise. It will save countless lives and hasten the end of the war. I look forward to our continued cooperation.”

General Valerio shook his hand firmly and said in a deep voice, "For the future of Italy."

……

The grand engagement ceremony was held as scheduled the next day, amidst sunshine and beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Guests gathered, glasses clinked, and Giovanna, her face beaming with happiness, nestled close to Su Ning.

General Valerio and his wife, as gratified parents, received everyone's blessings.

Unbeknownst to anyone, beneath this festive and peaceful facade, a secret deal that could significantly alter the course of the war had already been struck.

Suning cleverly used his wedding banquet as a backdrop, not only paving the way for his own future and that of the Borghese family, but also becoming a small but crucial cog in the wheel of history.

This engagement is destined to be more than just a testament to love; it is also a brilliant strategic move.

……

The smoke of war seemed to be kept out by the Alps.

In that heavily guarded, stunningly beautiful estate on the shores of Lake Zurich in Switzerland, time flows at a completely different, almost luxuriously slow pace.

This is the "Noah's Ark" that Suning has built for itself, far away from the chaos of the world.

The passengers on the ark were him, Giovanna, and Malena.

This "happy and joyful" life is not a simple union of a prince and princess in a fairy tale, but a subtle and exquisite balance formed in a specific environment, full of Suning's style of control and arrangement.

By day, he is Giovanna's perfect fiancé.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on the breakfast table covered with a pristine white tablecloth.

Suning and Giovanna sat facing each other.

He wore a well-tailored casual suit and had a refined and scholarly air.

Giovanna, on the other hand, was like a carefully watered lily, fresh and pure, her face radiating the happy glow of being pampered and protected.

They talked about art, discussed the upcoming art exhibition in Geneva, or planned their next ski trip to St. Moritz.

Suning would patiently listen to Giovanna's insights on a particular painter, offering timely encouragement and deeper guidance.

They will also arrange top-notch art teachers for Giovanna and buy her any painting supplies and art books she wants.

He frequently took Giovanna to Switzerland's most prestigious social events, showcasing his beautiful and elegant fiancée to everyone.

In the eyes of the world, they were a perfect match, a couple made in heaven.

General Valerio and his wife were also very pleased, believing that their daughter had found the best home.

Giovanna was immersed in a world of love and art. In her eyes, Mr. Su was mature, steady, omnipotent, and showed her the utmost respect and care.

At this moment, she almost forgot the cruelty of war and selectively ignored the existence of another woman in her perfect fiancé's life.

Or rather, she accepted a certain unspoken rule of high society.

As long as you have a formal title and your husband's respect, you don't need to delve into other matters.

……

At night, Suning is often the gentle master of Malena.

The atmosphere is completely different on the other side of the manor. It is more private, decorated with extreme luxury, and has a languid, sensual beauty.

Malena was like the most precious jewel hidden in this fortress.

She no longer needs to worry about survival, nor does she need to endure the malicious gazes of the outside world.

Her beauty was given the utmost care and allowed to blossom here.

When Su Ning came to her room, he would shed some of his daytime pretense, appearing more relaxed, and even exuding an undeniable possessiveness.

He will bring the latest Parisian fashions, dazzling jewelry, or simply his personal company.

Malena had long recognized her place and transformed this understanding into a submissive gentleness and pleasing nature.

She learned to read his emotions and greet Su Ning in the most appropriate way.

She would play the piano for Suning, recite poetry in her gentle voice, and massage him to relax him when he was tired.

Her presence satisfied Suning's most primal and private desires and need for companionship as a man.

She never competes or complains; she simply exists quietly and beautifully in Suning's world, like a refined and obedient appendage.

Suning is the absolute core and controller of this balance.

He allocates his time and emotions precisely.

He gave Giovanna the respect, social status, and spiritual connection she deserved as a future wife; at the same time, he provided Malena with the ultimate material satisfaction and physical pleasure, as well as a safe haven.

Suning is like a master director, arranging the roles of the two women in different scenarios to ensure that they maintain a delicate, non-aggressive peace with each other.

He knew perfectly well that this balance was based on him meeting their individual needs...

Giovanna needs love, recognition, and the support of her artistic dreams; Malena needs survival, safety, and material security.

And Suning can provide all of this.

Sometimes, watching Giovanna sketching in the garden from the manor's spacious terrace, or Malena reading quietly under the distant pergola, Suning would feel a great sense of satisfaction.

This is not merely about enjoying the blessings of others, but also about the sense of power to firmly grasp destiny and beauty in one's own hands.

With his wisdom, skill, and foresight, he carved out a peaceful haven for himself in this chaotic world, a veritable paradise.

Of course, Suning was not completely complacent.

He continued to remotely control Italian industries through encrypted channels, monitor the progress of the war, and maintain a detached relationship with various forces.

The tranquility of Switzerland was merely a place for him to rest during breaks in his campaigns.

In this exquisite and complex "trio" that he had built himself, Suning enjoyed the glory and prestige brought by Giovanna, and also indulged in the tenderness and comfort provided by Malena.

To outsiders, this was an unbelievable paradise amidst the flames of war; to him, it was a unique "happy" life that he had won for himself by any means necessary.

This kind of happiness may not be pure, but it is incredibly real, filled with the extravagance, scheming, and smugness of a warlord in a chaotic world.

……

In the spring of 1945, the death knell of the Third Reich had already tolled.

On the Eastern Front, the Soviet army was surging towards Berlin; on the Western Front, the Allied forces had broken through the Rhine River defenses and penetrated deep into the heart of Germany.

On the Italian front, after a long and bloody tug-of-war, the Allies finally amassed enough strength to launch a final offensive against the German Army Group C, which was entrenched north of the Po River Valley.

At this decisive moment, a meticulously planned and deadly defection, capable of altering the course of the Italian campaign, suddenly erupted at the naval base and flank that the German army relied on most!

The operation's code name originated from a coded message used during a secret meeting between Su Ning and the British envoy—"Spear of Dawn."

In late April, on the eve of a new and powerful Allied offensive.

At several key naval bases, including La Spezia, everything appeared normal on the surface, with German surveillance personnel still present.

But a hidden tension permeated the Italian naval personnel, especially within the 10th Speedboat Flotilla.

General Valerio Borghese, a commander deeply loved by his men, had conveyed the order for the uprising to every core officer through absolutely reliable channels.

The uprising took place in the early morning, when the German army's attention was drawn to the announcement of the Allied offensive.

Valerio's men, dressed in Italian naval uniforms, swiftly and silently seized control of key points at the La Spezia naval base under the guise of "routine security checks"...

Communication center, power facilities, oil depot, and coastal defense artillery positions.

The few German sentries who attempted to resist or question the situation were quickly disarmed and subdued by the well-prepared Italian commandos.

The entire process was swift and efficient, with almost no alarms sounding.

Meanwhile, several MAS speedboats and "Pig" manned torpedoes from the 10th Speedboat Flotilla did not stand by as usual, but quietly left the port.

Their target was not Allied ships, but German patrol boats and auxiliary vessels anchored nearby on guard duty!
At extremely close range, these Italian special forces, skilled in surprise attacks, launched a swift attack on their former "allies."

Explosions and brief gunfire shattered the tranquility of the port. Several small German ships were damaged or sunk in shock, and Germany completely lost control of the port.

As dawn broke and the Allied vanguard launched a fierce attack along the designated front, the flags of the Kingdom of Italy and white flags were suddenly raised in ports such as La Spezia and other coastal fortresses under Borghese's control, signaling to the Allies.

However, on the pre-arranged radio frequency, General Valerio's steady and powerful voice rang out:

"To all Italian army and navy officers and soldiers! I am Valerio Borghese! The defeat of Germany is inevitable! It is time to turn our guns on the true liberation of Italy and drive the invaders out of our land! I order all soldiers who still have a sense of honor to join me in opening the passage to the Allies, cooperating with their actions, and attacking the German army!"

This sound, like ice water thrown into boiling oil, caused enormous chaos and panic in the German rear!

Many Italian troops, already demoralized and resentful of the German occupation, responded to Valerio's call and revolted, launching attacks on the German forces around them.

More importantly, Valerio's troops opened the coastal gates to the Allies.

They provided detailed maps of German minefields and defensive deployments, and guided Allied ships to approach safely, enabling Allied forces to quickly land and unload supplies in the weakest points of German defenses along the coast, greatly accelerating the Allied advance toward Genoa and Venice.

The German army's meticulously constructed coastal flank defense line collapsed instantly.

This uprising, spearheaded by General Valerio and occurring at a critical moment, was like a "dawn spear" piercing the heart of the German army from behind, completely disrupting the defensive deployment of Army Group C.

The German army not only lost important naval bases and flank protection, but also found itself in a desperate situation of being attacked from both sides, and its morale suffered a devastating blow.

When the news reached Switzerland, Suning looked at the telegram and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

The hidden move he successfully orchestrated finally played a decisive role at the most crucial moment.

This not only hastened the end of the war in Italy, but also earned his future father-in-law, as well as himself, a tremendous amount of political capital in the upcoming postwar order.

Valerio Borghese's name will be written into history as a "hero of the uprising" who "turned from darkness to light," rather than as a "dreadnought enemy of fascism."

Behind all of this lies the shadow of that Easterner who strategized on the shores of Lake Zurich.

At that moment, Smith, who was in Zurich, smiled and walked towards Suning. "Mr. Suning, congratulations! We succeeded."

"Haha, Mr. Smith, light belongs to justice."

"That's right! Our Allied forces' resistance against aggression is just."

...(End of chapter)