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By the mid-1950s, Suning's business empire had become a behemoth spanning shipping, trade, and manufacturing.

However, he knew that in an era of increasingly solidified Cold War structure and ever-changing European politics, pure wealth was not enough to guarantee absolute security.

Moreover, the more money they get, the more likely they are to become someone else's prey. For example, Chen Mouzhi became someone else's Tang Monk flesh.
Therefore, he needs a stronger and more legitimate political shield.

The best candidate would be his father-in-law...

General Valerio Borghese is a highly respected figure in Italy, with a military background and deep ties to his family interests.

Furthermore, the Valerio family can be used as an opportunity to cultivate one's own agents as always.

“Father-in-law, the more successful and stable your family is, the safer our business will be.” In the study of the Swiss manor, Su Ning spoke frankly to General Valerio, who had come to visit his daughter and grandson.

The firelight from the fireplace illuminated his calm face. "It's time to consider taking it to the next level—running for president of Italy."

General Valerio was not without political ambition, but he was well aware of the enormous costs and complexities of campaigning.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Su Ning, the presidency... requires enormous resources and dealing with the power struggles of various factions."

"You don't need to worry about resources." Su Ning's tone was calm, but carried an undeniable strength. "The Su Group is your strongest backing."

"But failure means utter ruin."

"Father-in-law, you're overthinking it! Some things are worse than destruction if you don't fight them."

"Alright! For you, Giovanna, and my precious grandson Su Chengzhu, I'll give it my all one more time."

"Thank you, father-in-law."

Thus began a massive, meticulously planned campaign to create a king.

Several mainstream European newspapers and radio stations controlled or indirectly influenced by the Sue Group began to report extensively on General Valerio's "glorious deeds".

First, it emphasizes that he was "deeply aware of the greater good" at the end of the war, leading the elite navy to "abandon darkness and embrace light," which accelerated the liberation of northern Italy, and that he was "a hero who made a crucial choice for national peace and unity."

He then downplayed his early history of cooperation with the fascist regime and the German army, portraying him as a "patriotic soldier who did his best to safeguard national interests under complex circumstances."

Finally, he heavily promoted his aristocratic background and strict family traditions, portraying him as "a combination of traditional virtues and modern values," and linked him to his son-in-law Suning's successful entrepreneurial image, shaping him into a leader who "understands economic development and can lead Italy to prosperity."

Of course, Suning also injected massive amounts of funds into Valerio's campaign team through complex channels.

They sought the support of key members of parliament and party leaders through political donations and promises of benefits.

Fund and support campaign offices across the country, organize rallies and marches, distribute campaign materials, and ensure grassroots mobilization capabilities.

They use huge advertising investments and "consulting fees" to obtain more positive media coverage and suppress or downplay negative news.

In addition, Valerio stabilized the military's core base by leveraging his old connections in the Navy and special forces.

Suning, through its intricate connections with the military via "Phoenix Trading," secretly coordinated to ensure that the military remained at least neutral, or even provided covert support.

Moreover, Suning used the promise that the Su Group would increase its investment in Italy, help revitalize Italian industry, and create more jobs as bait to win the support of the business community and labor unions.

Leveraging the Borghese family's influence among traditional nobles and Catholic forces, and through massive donations to church charities, they sought to win favor with the Vatican and conservative voters in the country.

……

During the election campaign, his opponents inevitably brought up General Valerio's wartime history, accusing him of having close ties with the fascists.

The public relations team of the Su Group immediately activated its emergency plan:
Several "highly respected" retired generals and dignitaries were quickly brought forward to testify that General Valerio "always had the country at heart" and that his choice back then was "painful but correct."

At the same time, its media outlets immediately dug up and sensationalized the scandals of its competitors to divert public attention.

General Valerio himself appeared with a calm, repentant demeanor, yet also with a strong sense of national righteousness, stating that "any Italian in that era faced a difficult choice," and emphasizing that he "ultimately chose the people and peace," successfully turning the crisis into an opportunity to demonstrate "responsibility."

With Suning's almost unlimited financial resources and powerful resource management, Valerio Borghese's campaign momentum snowballed.

Ultimately, after a fierce contest, he was successfully elected President of the Italian Republic.

As President Valerio was sworn in at the Quirinal Palace (the Italian presidential palace), Su Ning stood in the audience, calmly watching everything unfold.

He knew that this political investment had yielded unprecedented returns.

From then on, the Su Group's operations in Italy and even Europe gained a top-level "protective shield".

Favorable policies, business conveniences, and political asylum during times of crisis will all become commonplace.

His father-in-law was based in Rome, and his business empire spanned the globe; the two were interdependent, forming an unshakeable community of interests.

Suning is not only a businessman with immense wealth, but also a behind-the-scenes power tycoon capable of influencing a country's head of state.

He firmly tied the safety of his business to the pinnacle of family power, which was undoubtedly a brilliant move in Cold War Europe.

……

With his father-in-law Valerio Borghese's successful election as President of Italy, Suning and his Su Group gained unprecedented political advantages and business influence.

He keenly realized that anchoring the group's future core business in the automotive industry would not only create synergies with his Maybach strategy, but also deeply bind Italy's national interests, making the Sussex Group an integral part of Italy's economic lifeline and even more "too big to fail".

A grand drama of mergers and acquisitions aimed at building an automotive empire spanning Germany and Italy is unfolding rapidly.

Maserati, a brand symbolized by the trident logo and representing Italy's ultimate performance and racing glory, also fell into financial difficulties after the war.

Faced with the olive branch extended by the Su Group, which had presidential connections and substantial capital, Maserati's shareholders had little room for resistance.

The acquisition negotiations in Modena proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

Suning personally attended the signing ceremony and promised Maserati's management and engineers: "The Su Group will preserve Maserati's pure racing DNA and independent R&D spirit. We will invest heavily not only to continue your great GT racing tradition, but also to develop a new generation of high-performance luxury cars, so that the roar of the trident can resound in every corner of the world."

The acquisition of Maserati infused the Su Group's automotive empire with a high-performance spirit, perfectly complementing Maybach's "high quality and high reliability".

If acquiring Maserati was like taking the crown jewel, then penetrating and ultimately controlling Fiat was a strategic decisive battle.

Fiat is the true cornerstone of Italian industry and a symbol of the national economy; its political significance and market size far surpass those of Maserati.

This time, President Valerio's implicit support played a crucial role.

Through a series of complex equity transactions, market operations, and "mild" influence at the government level, such as through industrial policies and government procurement, Suning successfully gained a controlling stake in Fiat, provided that it cooperated with the Su Group.

At Fiat's headquarters in Turin, facing an uneasy management team and union representatives, Suning demonstrated exceptional political acumen and business foresight: "Gentlemen, the Su Group's investment in Fiat is not intended to alter the Italian heart of this great company. On the contrary, we will leverage global resources to help Fiat consolidate its leading position in the European small car market and expand into broader global markets. We will introduce more advanced management experience and production technologies to ensure a bright future for the Turin factory and its workers."

Acquiring a controlling stake in Fiat means that the Su Group has gained control over a vast production capacity, a mature sales network, and a large industrial workforce, spanning from microcars and passenger cars to commercial vehicles. This lays the most solid foundation for the large-scale expansion of its entire automotive empire.

……

After completing its acquisitions of Maybach in Germany, Maserati in Italy, and Fiat, Suning made a highly personal decision...

He created a brand new car brand and named it after his wife, the president's daughter, Giovanna.

Giovanna Motors has a very clear positioning: it focuses on producing elegant, stylish, and easy-to-drive luxury cars, primarily targeting the rising number of independent female consumers and the affluent class who pursue a refined lifestyle.

The brand's design center is located in Milan, the fashion capital, bringing together Italy's top automotive designers and fashion figures, striving to make every "Giovana" car a moving work of art.

By fully utilizing Maybach's chassis technology, Fiat's experience in engine downsizing, and Maserati's performance tuning expertise, comfort improvements were made.

Furthermore, naming the brand after the president's beloved daughter endows the new brand with a natural aura of nobility, elegance, and trustworthiness, making it an excellent marketing tool.

Giovanna herself was also involved in shaping the brand image. Her beauty, artistic taste, and background with the First Family made the "Giovana" car a huge sensation among the upper class and middle-class elites as soon as it was launched.

Thus, the rudiments of the Su Group's automotive empire had begun to take shape.

Fiat serves as a cornerstone, covering the mass market and providing scale and cash flow.

After its transformation, Maybach is focusing on the mid-to-high-end market, offering reliable quality at reasonable prices, and establishing a new image of "German craftsmanship".

Maserati remains committed to its high-performance fortress, catering to discerning customers who crave speed and passion.

Giovanna, on the other hand, pioneered a niche market of fashionable luxury, capturing emerging consumer groups.

This vast automotive industry network, spanning Germany and Italy and covering everyone from ordinary citizens to the super-rich, from performance to fashion, has not only brought the Su Group a fortune but has also made it a pivotal force in the recovery of European industry.

Suning successfully combined business strategy with political alliances and family interests, firmly tying the future of the Su Group, this giant ship, to the wheels of a speeding car.

A new giant, capable of influencing the global automotive industry landscape, has emerged.

……

In the mid-1950s, Rome, the Eternal City, was once again radiating the light of art and vitality in its post-war recovery.

At that time, a young American actress, Audrey Hepburn, was filming a movie called "Roman Holiday" here.

Her clear, doe-like eyes, elegant and refined temperament, and unique charm that blends innocence and resilience have begun to circulate in a small circle within the industry.

Meanwhile, Suning came to Rome to film a series of advertising campaigns showcasing Italian style and fashion for its Maserati car brand, and also to strengthen its relationship with Italian high society and the film industry.

At a welcome party hosted by Italian film industry giants, celebrities gathered, dressed in their finest attire.

Suning was discussing potential film investments with several producers when his gaze was inadvertently drawn to a quiet figure in the corner of the terrace.

Unlike other actresses who compete for attention, she simply wore a simple black cocktail dress with a scarf around her neck, leaning against the railing alone, gazing at the night view of Rome in the distance, her eyes carrying a hint of detachment and melancholy that seemed out of place in this bustling scene.

At that moment, it was as if the surrounding noise had become a backdrop for her.

Suning picked up two glasses of champagne and walked over. "Beautiful lady, the night breeze is a bit chilly. Perhaps a glass will make you feel better."

He handed her a glass of wine, his voice gentle.

Hepburn was slightly startled and turned her head to see a handsome man with a calm demeanor and an Eastern face.

She took the glass and gave him a polite, slightly shy smile: "Thank you, sir."

“Miss Hepburn, I’ve seen your audition footage, Roman Holiday.” Su Ning skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, her tone one of pure admiration. “Your performance has a rare realism, as if you weren’t acting, but living life.”

This professional and sincere evaluation, unlike the usual flattery, surprised Hepburn and made her lower her guard.

They then started talking about movies, gradually extending to theater, literature, music, and even their views on postwar Europe.

Su Ning is knowledgeable and speaks elegantly. What's even more remarkable is that he can always accurately understand the subtle emotions and artistic pursuits in her words.

He wasn't trying to please or flatter her; he was genuinely engaging in a spiritual exchange with her.

Hepburn discovered that this mysterious Eastern tycoon was unlike any of her previous suitors.

He didn't flaunt his wealth or act arrogantly; instead, he was like a gentle mentor and a patient listener.

Being with Suning, Hepburn felt an unprecedented sense of security and understanding.

In the days that followed, Suning entered Hepburn's life in a meticulous yet unobtrusive manner.

When Hepburn was exhausted from the pressure of filming, he would "coincidentally" arrange for a comfortable and understated Maserati to pick her up and drop her off at the film set.

Suning would remember that Hepburn had casually mentioned a favorite composer, and then get tickets to a private concert.

He personally took Hepburn to explore Rome's historic alleyways and cafes, away from the media spotlight, places unknown to tourists.

Once, under the setting sun on the banks of the Tiber River, Hepburn confided to Suning about the hardships she experienced in wartime Holland during her childhood, her fear of food shortages, and the shattering of her dance dreams.

She rarely spoke of these deep-seated traumas to anyone.

Su Ning listened quietly, then gently took her hand, her gaze deep and warm: "The scars of the past have shaped you into who you are today, making you more resilient and the light in your eyes even more precious. In the future, I will never let you experience that kind of cold again."

This promise, like a warm current, touched the softest part of Hepburn's heart.

What she saw in his eyes was not pity, but a deep tenderness and protectiveness.

Feelings blossomed quietly amidst the ancient ruins and sunsets of Rome.

For Hepburn, Suning was a strong, gentle, and understanding haven in the entertainment industry.

For Suning, Hepburn was like a pure white moonlight that unexpectedly descended upon his complicated and calculating life, awakening his deep-seated longing for and desire to protect pure beauty.

Although Suning was already married, and Hepburn was well aware of this, under the magic of this romantic city, two lonely yet compatible souls inevitably drew closer.

They began a secret romance, yet one filled with artistic resonance and genuine emotion.

This "Roman Holiday" has nothing to do with politics or business; it's simply about the mutual attraction and solace between two souls in a specific time and space.

An unexpected touch of the gentlest and brightest color has been added to Suning's automotive empire.

...(End of chapter)