Father of France

Chapter 49 If the public never gives up
Winning over Italy was a must, and the window of opportunity was the two years before the Marshall Plan was proposed. As long as the Franco-Italian community was formed before the Marshall Plan was promulgated, France would have taken the lead in postwar Europe.

The current precarious state of the Italian monarchy and the multi-party parliamentary system also present advantages for France.

Although de Gaulle's first leadership of France lasted only a little over a year, this period of political stability was sufficient; at least for now, French politics is very stable.

Now the only thing they can do is try to make changes in Italy. As for other places, Koeman couldn't even handle the French Communist Party in France.

His baton-wielding skills in Marseille were merely a trial run during preparations for the battle. If it came down to a real fight against the French Communists, how could a mere second lieutenant like him possibly handle it? Oh, I forgot, he was still a warrant officer in Marseille.

Demwell had only been listening casually, but as he pondered what Coleman said, he realized it was an excellent path, no wonder Admiral Dragon called him a genius.

“The Catholic Democratic Party is indeed a very good vehicle. I remember that the current leader of the Catholic Democratic Party seems to be the Foreign Secretary.” Demville pondered for a moment, then realized with surprise that there was a basis for implementation.

The current Foreign Minister of the Kingdom is Alchide Gasbeli, who serves as the Foreign Minister in the coalition government and is also the leader of the Catholic Democratic Party.

As for his position in the united government of the Kingdom of Italy? The Foreign Minister is certainly important, but what is the most important?

But then I thought about it again. With Koeman's planned route, and Arcaded Gasberry's current position as Foreign Minister and his status as leader of the Catholic Democratic Party, he was exactly the most suitable promoter for Italy's Franco-Italian Community plan. Demville was indeed worthy of being a future French Prime Minister, and I suddenly felt that there was a lot he could do.

Demville thought it was very good. He was impressed by Coman from their first meeting. He heard that Coman was not even eighteen years old yet, and Admiral Dragon was clearly a worthy successor.

Koeman was naturally in a great mood after successfully gaining recognition in Demville. He was just a second lieutenant, which was considered a rapid promotion among his peers, but how could he possibly push forward something like the Franco-Italian Community?

As for the United States, there's no need to worry. Roosevelt's health was poor, and he was unable to complete his task of shaping the world order.

In Koeman's time, there was a saying that Roosevelt was Stalin who didn't kill people, and that he could take down a capitalist with a single punch. He believed that if Roosevelt had lived a few more years, America would definitely be different.

But this was just an impossible idea. Even if Roosevelt had lived two more years, it wouldn't have made much difference to the arrival of the Cold War, because during the last election, the ailing Roosevelt was no longer able to suppress the bourgeoisie's counterattack. When Roosevelt was implementing the New Deal, the vice president was Henry Wallace.

Henry Wallace was also Roosevelt's preferred successor, but in the final election, his decision to continue as Roosevelt's vice-presidential partner was met with tremendous opposition.

From the moment Truman became Roosevelt's vice president, Roosevelt's attempt to shape the world order was destined to fail.

The United States did not formally announce the Marshall Plan to intervene in Europe until 1947, which was actually the result of internal strife within the Democratic Party and the Republican Party after Roosevelt's death.

The Republican Party opposed the Marshall Plan, while Henry Wallace opposed turning against the Soviet Union. Truman's choice was to both pass the Marshall Plan and break with the Soviet Union.

While listening to the radio broadcast that the Allied forces had halted the German offensive in the Ardennes and were about to launch a counter-offensive, Lefebvre delivered an investigation report on Italian Catholic groups, his face filled with shock as he exclaimed, "In the place closest to God, how could so many people blaspheme against Him?"

"That's normal," Coman replied casually, reading the investigation report Lefebvre had sent him like a storybook. He found it easy to understand; he could even read a novel about a real and a fake heiress. Early religions primarily served to fill gaps in grassroots governance, bringing stability and order. If religion didn't fill this gap, in the East, local gentry or clans would typically emerge to do so.

In its early days, Christianity also presented itself as a force of unity, friendship, and mutual assistance, but it was persecuted by the Roman Empire. Despite facing repeated heavy blows from the Roman Empire, it ultimately succeeded, which must have been due to the support of the people.

But even God's chosen people are ultimately no match for class. Once Christianity succeeds, it will be a story of heroes turning into dragons. The evils that other lower classes in society commit, the church will certainly commit as well.

Tsk tsk... Koman was mentally prepared for child molestation. Bad people don't wear their badness on their faces, but when he actually saw the investigation report, he still had a sneer on his face. "The place closest to God is indeed where ugliness is most exposed."

"Sir, should we make an arrest?" Lefebvre asked almost impatiently, which shows that he was at least a neutral person.

“No need, continue the investigation.” Koeman refused without hesitation. “Italy is a special case. The Vatican is right here. We can’t handle it. We can only do what we can.”

Although in modern society, the Vatican is no longer the entity that can decide life and death with a single word and incite holy war.

But for a nobody like Coman, this was still too much of a daunting task. What if it ended up escalating into a direct confrontation with the Pope? He'd need to be the president of the Fifth French Republic or the lifelong ruler of the Third Reich to handle it.

But in front of his subordinates, Koeman couldn't admit that he had backed down, so he could only shift the blame. He had previously said he would rob the Turin Museum, and he did so; he said he would kidnap the technical engineers to France, and he did so.

Now Koeman has suddenly changed his tune and is starting to respect Italian sovereignty again. "Demville's arrival in Italy means that the country has recognized the status of the current Italian government. Although I am very willing to uphold justice, the decision rests with Mr. Demville. Are we a military government?"

Military government is certainly Koeman's dream, but he would never say it out loud. After all, Demville just got the inspiration for the European Community from him, so what's a little blame? It's perfectly reasonable.

Koeman's restrained expression successfully deceived Lefebvre, a subordinate who had not yet experienced the harsh realities of society, who could only sigh with a sense of justice, "This world shouldn't be like this?"

As soon as he said that, Koeman's gaze towards Lefevere became extremely dangerous, as if he were looking at a Soviet communist. This is how the world should be.

“Although we can’t arrest people directly, we can continue the investigation and give the report to the Italians. I believe the victims will get justice,” Koeman said in a seductive tone. “Justice will only come when things get so big that even cover-ups can’t hide them anymore.”

The day after Corman, who had instigated Lefebvre to expand the purges, was summoned by Demville to discuss the framework of Franco-Italian Semiconductor, Demville concluded by saying, "I'm planning to go to Rome to contact the Catholic Democratic Party, if Corman is willing to do so..."

Demville felt that this plan was based on the foundation laid by Koman, and he should always give something back; otherwise, what was the difference between him and deceiving underage children? Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Demville." If Coman didn't have a father, he would definitely treat Demville as his godfather. Even so, he still acted as if he had never abandoned Demville, making Demville feel that he had made the right decision.

(End of this chapter)