As soon as Leo finished speaking, everyone's eyes lit up.
This was a path none of them had even dared to imagine.
The defense industry chairmen would acquire French military factories and expand their own companies; the politicians would deepen America's control over France through loans, gaining both political achievements and villas in Miami; the generals from the Pentagon would win honors on the battlefield—and, naturally, their own small villas in Miami.
But the most excited of all were the chairmen and representatives of the military-industrial companies.
Some of them could hardly believe it and asked,
"Mr. Valentino, can this really work?"
"Of course it can," Leo replied calmly. "In fact, things are moving much faster than anyone expected.
When Daniel was first appointed as ambassador to France, many questioned whether someone his age could handle such an important post.
But reality has proven that Daniel's ability far exceeds what his age might suggest.
Just before this banquet, I spoke with him on the phone. I have good news for everyone: Ambassador Daniel has completed a meeting with the special advisor to President Vincent Auriol of France. They had a full discussion about our proposal and support—and reached an agreement.
The advisor is now meeting the president. Daniel is waiting for the final message. Perhaps tonight, perhaps tomorrow, this matter will be settled.
Ambassador Daniel deserves full credit for this success. I hope you'll all support his future work."
Hearing this, the crowd burst into joy, showering praise upon the ambassador they had never even met.
Sitting at the head of the table, Eisenhower silently observed the scene, deeply impressed.
Leo's style was indeed unique.
His words seemed simple, but every one of them hit human nature precisely.
Within a few sentences, he had distributed all the benefits, satisfying every side.
Those who received no share of the "cake" weren't angry—instead, they were grateful.
What did that mean?
It meant Leo had grasped these much older men's inner desires completely. That was true mastery of the room.
And even now, he hadn't forgotten his subordinates fighting on the front lines in France.
Last month, during his tour of Europe, Eisenhower had met this "Daniel" in Lyon. The man was competent, yes—but to say he could persuade President Auriol? That was an exaggeration.
Daniel's actual role was probably closer to that "special advisor" Leo mentioned—a mere messenger.
The real contest here was between Auriol and Leo.
Eisenhower couldn't help but wonder how Leo had managed to sway that wily old fox.
He knew Auriol well. Compared to de Gaulle—the stubborn "France First" nationalist—Auriol was even more slippery, an old political veteran to the bone.
But if Leo had known Eisenhower's thoughts at that moment, he would have laughed and told him he was overthinking it.
Just as Eisenhower himself had said before—Leo's strength lay in his foresight.
He understood the direction of nations before anyone else.
All he did was offer Auriol a condition too attractive to refuse.
For example: the customs union of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; and more importantly, the upcoming European Coal and Steel Community—which Leo was about to help establish in Europe.
Auriol might be a seasoned politician, but he was also a man who placed national interest above all else.
When a statesman pursues greater national benefit, he inevitably sacrifices certain local ones.
To divide and weaken the French military-industrial complex, Leo had offered his help in establishing the Coal and Steel Community—in exchange for permission to invest in France's armament groups.
After a long night of negotiation, everyone still brimmed with energy by dawn. They headed to the golf course behind the estate to unwind.
As always, hierarchy was clearly visible in this game.
In the first group: Leo, Marshall, Eisenhower, and Fonsen Colt, the chairman of Colt Arms.
The rest were split into secondary and tertiary groups based on their status.
Everyone understood what this arrangement meant—
The "first group" was meeting privately to finalize yesterday's explosive agreement.
Everyone hoped for good news, so the atmosphere was light, and bonds grew quickly.
A new political bloc was quietly forming.
The four men each represented different interests:
Marshall spoke for the political establishment, Eisenhower for the military, Leo for the Valentino consortium, and Colt for part of the defense industry.
After several holes of golf, no one had brought up business yet.
Finally, Fonsen Colt, whose status was relatively lower among the four, couldn't hold it any longer.
"Mr. Valentino," he asked, "has there been any reply from Ambassador Daniel?"
Leo nodded with a calm smile.
"Yes. Daniel did not disappoint us. President Auriol has agreed to our proposal."
Colt's face lit up, though inwardly he muttered: This guy! Why keep us in suspense over such big news?
Still smiling, he asked again,
"May I ask which French armament factories we'll be allowed to invest in?"
Since hearing about the opportunity to invest in French defense companies, Colt hadn't been able to sleep.
He had visited France many times—even before the war—to import advanced technology from several of its factories.
Leo glanced at Tony Lip, who handed a folder to Colt with perfect timing.
Colt eagerly opened it—and his eyes widened in delight.
It was the Thiers Armory—the very factory whose technology he had once purchased. Rumor had it they had just developed a new submachine gun, superb in design and performance. Colt had even considered sending spies to steal its blueprints.
Then came Saint-Étienne Armory, as historic and prestigious as Thiers.
Followed by Hotchkiss, Thiers, and other giants in infantry weaponry.
What thrilled him most, however, was seeing Batignolles-Châtillon, a company capable of producing tanks.
Colt had long dreamed of entering the heavy equipment market, and this company was a perfect stepping stone.
And when he reached Dassault Aviation, Colt could no longer close his mouth.
Aircraft! Finally!
He had always dreamed of investing in Boeing or Douglas, but those circles were out of his reach.
Now, Dassault was within grasp.
Beyond these, the list included other heavy manufacturers—
Issy-les-Moulineaux Armory, newly rebuilt; Rueil Factory, specializing in tank engines…
The longer Colt looked, the more dazzled he became.
"Tempting, isn't it?" Leo teased.
"Very," Colt admitted.
"But can you handle it all?" Leo asked with a faint smile.
"Of course—" Colt started, then stopped mid-sentence.
When he looked up, the three men were watching him intently.
He understood immediately. Even if all the other second- and third-tier companies joined forces, there was no way they could absorb such a massive portfolio of assets.
"Mr. Valentino," Colt said carefully, "we small and mid-tier equipment manufacturers don't hold much power in the military-industrial complex. We truly can't handle that much."
At that moment, he realized he had stepped into something monumental—
and it was too late to turn back.
By attending this private gathering, he had already shown his allegiance.
Since retreat was impossible, the only choice was to move forward—boldly.
He understood that Leo giving him the list first was a gesture of trust—a chance to choose first.
It was only right to repay such favor with loyalty.
So Colt straightened up and said sincerely:
"Mr. Valentino, thank you for giving me this opportunity. What would you like me to do?"
Leo handed him the list.
"This is why I gave you this, Mr. Colt.
I want you to find suitable shareholders for these companies.
You'll be dividing the cake.
I don't insist that you find people on my side—though that would be ideal.
Even neutral investors will do.
And you may also tell the hesitant ones: this is only the beginning.
Next, defense factories in West Germany, Belgium, and Italy will gradually open to you as well.
The real profits lie ahead.
How much you can 'digest' depends entirely on your own ability.
The more results you bring, the greater share of these assets I'll give you.
And don't worry about funding.
Bank of America and Wells Fargo will provide the loans.
Brown Brothers Harriman will handle the entire offshore financing package for your acquisitions."
Leo's meaning couldn't be clearer—he was offering both men and money.
Colt's heart pounded. He could feel it in his bones—
The Colt family was about to enter a new era of explosive growth.
"Leo, I have one question," Eisenhower interjected when the two finished talking.
"In the proposal Daniel gave to President Auriol, it says that as long as France repays the loans on time, we can't claim ownership of the collateral, correct?
From what I know, France's industrial recovery has been quite fast. With its current capacity, repaying those loans shouldn't be a problem."
Colt immediately grew nervous.
If France repaid the debt, his effort would all go to waste.
Eisenhower wasn't trying to undermine Leo—he was genuinely concerned.
So he raised the question here, in private, just in case Leo hadn't thought of it.
But Leo smiled, fully understanding Eisenhower's point.
"NATO is established now," he said. "France is under our protection.
They can repay the loans when we allow them to repay—and they cannot repay them when we forbid it.
That's why we're here, gentlemen. Isn't it?"
Eisenhower frowned. "Auriol isn't an easy man to deal with."
"Not easy?" Leo chuckled.
"Then we'll find someone easier."
The words were calm—but chillingly decisive.
Eisenhower looked deeply at the young man before him.
This wasn't just intelligence—
Leo possessed ambition, charisma, and above all, the ability to make it all real.
No wonder he didn't get along with Truman.
Two men that proud could never coexist peacefully.
But with me, Eisenhower thought, he'll work just fine.
After all, when faced with true strength, pride becomes secondary.
"Mr. Valentino," Colt asked again, "how much effort would you expect from me to count as a 'success'?"
Leo smiled. "Mr. Colt, does your company lack funds right now?"
Colt instinctively wanted to say no—the company's cash flow was excellent. Their main spending went toward maintaining ties with the Pentagon.
But then he remembered something: two helicopter manufacturers Leo had just invested in.
So he quickly said,
"Of course we do, Mr. Valentino. Not for daily operations, but since we'll be acquiring these French factories, we'll need capital.
If possible, I'd like to invite you to become a shareholder in Colt Industries."
Leo, Marshall, and Eisenhower exchanged glances and smiled.
All three thought the same thing—
This is the right man for the job.
Indeed, Colt's "performance" would be measured by how many American arms companies Leo's capital could penetrate in Europe.
Leo knew the military-industrial complex, this monstrous creation of two world wars, couldn't be destroyed overnight.
But why destroy it at all?
If he could divide it—and then integrate himself into part of it—he would become one of its power brokers.
At the same time, before his enemies even began their coordinated assault, he would have already weakened them.
Colt left soon after, eager to begin.
His plan and objectives were clear.
There was no time to waste—family glory awaited.
"Impatient," Marshall commented dryly as he watched Colt disappear.
But Leo heard the double meaning behind his words.
On the surface, he was mocking Colt's eagerness.
In truth, he was asking Leo—
You're moving too fast. The other side hasn't even acted yet. Aren't you being hasty?
Leo didn't take offense.
He knew Marshall's judgment was based on Truman's current situation with MacArthur.
Truman wanted to limit the war's scale, but MacArthur—already entangled in promises and power—would never agree to scale it down.
Truman had been complaining endlessly at the White House.
He swore he would never sign the authorization for war.
That gave Marshall hope—he thought the looming confrontation between Leo and MacArthur, a clash that could scar America deeply, might yet be avoided.
But Leo knew better.
Whether in this world or the next, a farmer like Truman could never outmaneuver a five-star general like Douglas MacArthur.
War was inevitable.
For Leo, the coming battle with MacArthur and all who opposed him would not just decide victory or defeat—
It would decide life or death.