After dealing with the matter of the army scrap steel (see Chapter 5 for details, because the sensitivity will be posted later on the official account 'Yueying Wutong'), Contini went home and talked about domestic infrastructure with his father, Old Ziano.

Ziano, the old man knew about Vivian's pregnancy, going to Switzerland, and transferring shares of United Group, and others. One reason Contini did not intend to hide it from him, and the other reason Antonio would also report this trend to him. So the father and son were quite embarrassed when they met. They were neither right to say this nor right to not say it. After a few words, they fooled it.

Contini's mother was very happy and kept asking questions, and finally decided to go to Switzerland to accompany her daughter-in-law.

"You go with me, don't make arguing..." Contini replied guiltily.

"What are you quarrels? They have given you money and you have given you. Even your father who is a banker has been poached to do business. They are all from our family. I can't love you yet, why are you quarrels?" She glanced at Old Ziano and said meaningfully, "I didn't even argue with him when you were young!"

"Ahem..." Old Ziano's old face turned red, and he waved his hand to let his wife retreat, meaning that the father and son were going to talk serious.

Contini held back his laughter: It seems that Old Ziano had a very story when he was young...

"I consider infrastructure this way. In addition to the three dedicated lines of Milan, Genoa and Rome, we also need to build a fast railway and highway network connecting Milan, Verona, Venice, Genoa, Bologna and Florence. United Group can invest part of it."

"But this does not conform to the layout rules of the railway system." Old Ziano pondered, "The Italian railway is mainly concentrated in the north, and the road network capabilities on the south side are insufficient. If you concentrate on the north side, the gap between the north and the south will become larger and larger, and I can't settle it."

"The Southern Road Network continues to be built, but the Southern Road is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport, so the United Group will not intervene. Anyway, I have made up my mind to invest the farthest, but Naples..."

"What logic?"

Contini smiled bitterly and said, "Didn't you see it? Southern Italy, especially the two Sicilians and Northern Italians are simply two ethnic groups, casual, lazy, full of fantasy, and lawlessness who are dissatisfied with the government... To be honest, the negative international evaluation of Italians, Southern Italy has to bear at least 70% responsibility, and also conducts airport construction. The United Group's construction progress in Palermo and Catania is far behind Florence and Bologna. The workers went out to work as soon as they gave the money, and then it took several days to come back to work. After returning, they were still drunk. Later, they forced them to become weekly paychecks, which finally brought the situation under control. Speaking of which, I also have special assistance from the Southern government, which gave me convenience all the way, but even so, it is not as good as the north."

Old Ziano understood as soon as he thought about it. Isn’t it that the so-called assistance from the Southern government, Adriana’s father made great efforts? Vivian became pregnant and took shares. His father joined the United Group as an executive and completed a series of complex capital operations. Adriana was naturally anxious. She was not anxious about money, but her own status. It was not enough to just blow the wind beside the pillow, so she went home to bring rescue soldiers. He immediately teased his son: "In the final analysis, the climate is too good and the environment is comfortable. How can the cold and cruel people in the Alps be as cold as those in the Alps? However, the southern Italian girl is more beautiful and enthusiastic than the northern Italian girl..."

Contini was choked and couldn't speak. It made sense to think about it carefully: in terms of fashion and taste, southern Italy would definitely not be able to catch up, but in terms of style and beauty, southern Italy steadily surpassed northern Italy before crossing the journey, and now it is the same.

"Mainly because United Bank has restrictions on United Group's loans, the construction of these northern road networks must be achieved through the Ministry of Transport. Of course, a flexible method can be adopted: the Ministry of Transport is led by and intervened in the form of land and concession operations, and the United Group operates, and the company charges external fees for 30-50 years, and then hand over the road network to the state for free. I call this the bot method.

"Toll road?" Old Ziano was skeptical. "Can this take back the cost? Why should vehicles take the toll road? Wouldn't they take the free road?"

"First, the toll road route is shorter; second, the toll road is wide, the running speed is fast, and fuel-efficient!" Contini smiled. "The driver can balance the fuel, time and money. If the company does not allow the toll, why should he invest in the construction of the highway?"

Old Ziano nodded, thinking that there is some truth to it. After all, United Group is not a charity person.

"There is another factor that can drive other industries through the new road network." Contini smiled. "After the completion of the two dedicated lines in Milan and Rome, the surrounding areas within 3 kilometers were upgraded, and the residential buildings near the stations increased by more than twice. Now smart speculative funds have invested near the Genoa dedicated line. If I use the express line to connect 11 major cities in the north, this fast-track land will rise suddenly, will the government have funds?"

"Are there many? Why don't I think?"

"Many!" Contini smiled, "You think the Bank of America and the French banking system came to United Bank to invest. It was because you saw this business opportunity. Everyone was trying to hoard land to speculate in real estate... In this matter, you can see that the British are really slow to react now. HSBC Holdings, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Barclays Bank of China were inviting investment. As a result, when the French and Americans invested in place, they had not completed the so-called decision-making process, so they had to sit back and watch the stock price rise again and again... Of course, the talks are almost done now. The three banks jointly increased the capital of United Bank by US$65 million to United Bank to complete the C round of financing, and obtained 21% of the shares. United Bank's valuation will exceed US$300 million."

After this struggle and continued to acquire shares of small and medium-sized banks, the equity structure of United Bank has truly become United: United Group and its management hold about 40% of the shares, the Italian government holds about 19%, the British, French and American banking giants hold about 38%, and the remaining 3% of the shares are in the hands of other Italian banking circles.

Relatively speaking, this equity structure can allow the Italian government to exert its influence, and at the same time it does not allow the government to interfere with too much commercial interests. Contini deeply understands that a dominant bank is not conducive to operation. Although United Banks must become the main financing channel of United Group, the most basic risk prevention capabilities must be adhered to. After this equity relationship is established, the other three countries can also exert their respective influence more freely, and at the same time open up the connection channel between United Group and the three countries.

"I always have some doubts about this matter, why do the banking systems of these three major countries need to be invested in United Banks?" said Ziano, "What can they gain?"

"First, an opportunity to enter the Italian banking industry. United Bank has now become the fourth largest bank in Italy in terms of assets and scale. It has a strong government background. These bankers are not stupid. Second, the opportunity to invest in Italian construction is currently in chaos. At the same time, it is not as many constraints as Germany. Naturally, capital is easy to make money. Third, the convenience of some speculation fields is convenient; Fourth, your son has ordered more than 100 million US dollars of equipment and products all over the world, equivalent to 8 latest and top battleships. Do you think it will cause them to go crazy?" Contini smiled. "Also, did my father forget that there is a clause in the signing of the railway dedicated line construction case. Government land within 10 kilometers of the dedicated line must be developed by United Group. Without my approval, how do others trade and speculate?"

Only then did Old Ziano come to his senses. His son's original conditions were used at this time.

"I always feel that this is a false fire..." Old Ziano said guiltily, "How can I repay it in the future after borrowing so many dollars?"

"Repay? Do you need to consider repaying it? Why should I pay it back with my ability?" Contini laughed. "As long as Italy continues to grow and develop, they will only provide more loans and will not collect debts. Besides, even if they don't pay it back, it will not be a pure economic problem at that time. The Germans owe so much compensation, but Germany has not been divided up. This time, so many small and medium-sized banks have urged me to pay off my debts. Okay, I have acquired you all, and you still have to care whether I will collect my debts?"

"Bankers are not stupid. They say that they are loaned to us. In fact, many of them have been transferred back to their home countries. We are importing equipment, machinery, and products wildly. They can not only make a profit on interest, but also trade. For British, French, American and German politicians, this large-scale import also brings their employment and taxes. Secondly, we are working hard to build Italian infrastructure and to improve Italy's comprehensive national strength. The borrowed money is not used for squandering or wasting, nor for pure military aspects. They are all very relieved... Just like the United Group, although they have lost a lot, they know that I have not spent money all over the world. Occasionally, a few seemingly messy money, and finally obtained profits. The smart bankers should understand it. Finally, and the most important point, they think that it is not a problem to eat Italy, who is weak?"

These reasons are really powerful, and old Ziano is speechless.

"So United Group issued a three-year 6% 500 million lira bond not long ago, and it was snatched up all at once. I suggest that the government can also issue special bonds, and United Bank is responsible for issuing them. We will underwrite all those that cannot be sold to the outside world." Contini smiled, "But you have to consider more project orders for your son..."
Chapter completed!